How Much Wine For Wedding

Congratulations! You're planning a wedding, and as we all know, a celebration isn't complete without some fine wine. Now comes the big question: How much wine do you need for your special day? You want to ensure that there's enough to keep everybody in high spirits, but you also don't want to be left with too many leftovers. This guide will walk you through the factors to consider when deciding how much wine to provide for your wedding, as well as some tips to help you make the best choice for your big day.

Consider Your Guest Count

First and foremost, you need to know how many people will be attending your wedding. This will be the main factor in determining how much wine you need. A general rule of thumb is to allocate half a bottle of wine per person. So, for a 100-guest wedding, you'd aim for around 50 bottles of wine.

Factor in the Time and Duration of Your Wedding

The time of day and duration of your wedding can influence how much wine your guests will consume. If your wedding is in the afternoon or if it's a shorter event, guests may drink less compared to an evening or longer celebration.

Afternoon Wedding:

For afternoon weddings, you can expect guests to consume fewer drinks. You can probably stick to the half bottle per person rule or even slightly less in this case.

Evening Wedding:

For evening weddings, consider providing around three-quarters of a bottle per person. Guests may be more likely to indulge in a celebratory drink or two during the evening.

Determine Your Wine Selection

When calculating your wine needs, it's essential to consider the types of wine you want to serve. Typically, weddings offer a choice of red, white, and sometimes rosé or sparkling wine. Here's a breakdown of what to consider for each type:

Red Wine:

Red wines are popular during cooler seasons and evening weddings. Expect to allocate about 40% of your total wine quantity as red if your wedding takes place in fall or winter.

White Wine:

White wines are usually popular during warmer seasons and daytime weddings. Allocate about 50% of your total wine quantity as white if your wedding takes place during spring or summer months.

Rosé and Sparkling Wine:

Rosé and sparkling wines can be a great addition to your wedding wine selection, making up around 10% of your total wine quantity. These wines are delightful for toasting and are generally crowd-pleasers.

Adjust for Your Known Guests' Preferences

While the above percentages are general guidelines, you should also take into account your guests' known preferences. If you know that most of your guests enjoy red wine, then perhaps adjust the ratios accordingly.

Don't Forget Non-Drinkers and Designated Drivers

Not all guests will drink wine, so ensure there are alternatives such as non-alcoholic beverages, water, and fruit juices available for them.

How Much Wine For Wedding Example:

Let's say you're organizing an evening wedding with 100 guests during a warm season. Here's a breakdown of how you could calculate your wine needs:

- Total wine needed: 100 guests x 0.75 bottles per person = 75 bottles

- White wine: 75 bottles x 50% = 37.5 bottles (round up to 38 bottles)

- Red wine: 75 bottles x 40% = 30 bottles

- Rosé or sparkling wine: 75 bottles x 10% = 7.5 bottles (round up to 8 bottles)

So, for this example, you would need approximately 38 bottles of white wine, 30 bottles of red wine, and 8 bottles of rosé or sparkling wine.

Determining the right amount of wine for your wedding may seem daunting, but with a little planning and thought, you can ensure that your guests have a wonderful time. Tailoring your wine selection to your guest count, the time and duration of your wedding, and your guests' preferences will ensure that everyone has a drink they enjoy. Need more wedding wine tips and inspiration? Explore other guides on Black Wine Club and make sure to share this article with friends who might find it helpful. Cheers to a fabulous celebration filled with love, laughter, and great wine!