How Much Wine For A Wedding

Weddings are a celebration of love, and what better way to toast to the new couple than with a glass of wine? But, figuring out just how much wine you need for a wedding can be a bit of a challenge. Luckily, we've got all the insider tips to help you make the perfect selection so your guests can drink, dance, and celebrate the night away!

Calculating Wine Quantity

Guest Count

The first thing to consider is the number of guests attending your wedding. Keep in mind that not everyone will be drinking wine, so consider estimating about 60-75% of your guest list when calculating the amount of wine needed.

Reception Length

The duration of your reception will also impact wine consumption. The longer the party, the more wine you'll need. As a general rule, you can estimate that each guest will drink one glass of wine per hour.

Wine Selection

Offering a variety of wine options, such as red, white, and sparkling, can cater to different preferences and keep guests happy. It's generally a good idea to have a 50/50 split between red and white wines, with around 10% of your total wine order being sparkling wine for toasts.

Wine Bottle Breakdown

A standard bottle of wine contains 750ml, which is approximately 5 glasses of wine. If you are estimating that each guest will drink one glass of wine per hour, you can calculate the total number of bottles needed using the following formula:

(Number of guests x wine consumption per hour x reception length) / glasses per bottle

For example, if you have 100 guests, estimate 75% of that number will drink wine (75 guests), and your reception lasts for 4 hours:

(75 x 1 x 4) / 5 = 60 bottles of wine

Remember to adjust the number of bottles for each type of wine accordingly based on the percentage you have estimated (red, white, and sparkling).

Extra Considerations

• Season: The time of year may impact your guests' wine preferences. During colder months, guests are more likely to gravitate towards red wines, while in warmer months, white and rosé wines may be more popular.
• Menu: The type of food you're serving can also influence wine choices. Think about pairing wine with specific dishes to enhance flavors and create a memorable dining experience.
• Special Diets: Keep in mind dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free or vegan options, when selecting your wines.
• General Alcohol Consumption: If you're also serving beer, liquor, or offering a cocktail hour, guests' wine consumption may be less, so adjust your calculations accordingly.

How Much Wine For A Wedding Example:

Let's say you're planning a summer wedding with 150 guests, estimated 60% will drink wine. Your reception is set to last 5 hours, and you've opted for a 50/50 split between red and white wines, with 10% sparkling wine.

To calculate the amount of wine needed:

(150 x 0.6) x 1 x 5 = 450 glasses of wine

Divide by 5 to get the number of bottles needed:

450 / 5 = 90 bottles

Now, distribute the bottles accordingly:

In this example, you would need a total of 99 bottles of wine for your wedding.

Now that you have a better understanding of how much wine to buy for your wedding, you can confidently select your wines and keep your guests happily sipping and celebrating! Be sure to share this guide with any fellow wine enthusiasts planning their big day and explore more tips and insights on Black Wine Club. Cheers to love, laughter, and perfectly poured glasses of wine!