It’s the time of year when love is in the air and wedding bells are ringing. When planning your special day, there are many checklists to compile and one area we can certainly help with is ensuring you have the perfect wine and beverages to toast the newlyweds. So, here are our time-honored tips on how to choose wine for a wedding and estimate liquor and open bar costs.
We recommend keeping it simple. Select one white, one red, and one sparkling wine. For a summer wedding, add a dry Rosé to the mix. Select a regional favorite. If the couple has a connection to California, France, or Italy, for instance, consider wines from those areas.
Figuring out how much wine, spirits, beer and soft drinks you need is not an exact science, but here's what we know when it comes to a wedding party. Assume each guest will consume about two drinks during the cocktail hour and one drink per hour for every remaining hour for the duration of the party.
And, don't forget those who don't drink. Have plenty of non-alcoholic options available as well.
It’s always better to have too much wine than too little. By using a formula, then perhaps adding a few extra bottles, you and your guests should be happy.
A general rule of thumb is one drink per person per hour of your reception, but you can get more specific (factoring in light or heavy drinkers) by using an alcohol calculator to help estimate how much you’ll need.
Here’s the biggest part of your cost estimate calculation -- recoup the cost of any unopened bottles after your wedding reception. If you return any unopened bottles to Haskell’s, you’ll receive your money back for those bottles, saving you money and allowing you to over-stock on your big day.
Overwhelmed? No worries. Our friendly staff can help you plan your wedding reception beverage offerings, and you can hire a professional bartender from Haskell's! Our bartenders-for-hire can work with you on your budget and selections, and will ensure you have all the booze, all the ice, all the glasses, and that your guests stay hydrated throughout the night. You'll save money, time, and a few worries by trusting our experienced professionals to run the bar
And, of course, Haskell's delivers. Whether you need a case of beer or ten, we've got your beer, wine, and spirit connection.
Consider a special custom wine label with the newlyweds’ name and wedding date on the bottle. It includes the label, wine, and gift box. And a volume discount is available. The more you order, the less it costs.
Cheers!