Top 5 tips on How to Estimate your Wedding Bar Bill
Planning a wedding can be an overwhelming experience, especially when it comes to estimating the bar bill for your big day. Sure, you can always have a cash bar but if you’d prefer to offer open bar service, it’s important that you take the time to objectively assess your budget and determine just how much money is needed for alcohol. To help make this process easier, Cornerstone Weddings has put together our top five tips on how to estimate your wedding bar bill so that everything runs smoothly during one of the most anticipated elements of your special day.
Tip 1 – Determine Your Budget.
Before you start, decide how much money you’ll have to spend on the bar at your wedding. This is an important step because it will inform all other decisions regarding the bar service. Therefore, once you know what your limit is, you can begin researching drink options and services to fit this budget.
If you really have no idea how much to estimate here is an idea of how much each beverage service may cost.
Welcome Drink – from $9 per person.
Wine – from $40 per bottle or $8 per glass. A bottle will serve 4 people one glass of wine
Beer – from $8 per pint
Liquor – Regular from $7 per oz (Bacardi, Gordons, Canadian Club) Premium from $9 per oz (Cpt Morgan, Bombay, Crown Royal). Top shelf from $11 per oz (Hendricks, Patron, Glenfiddich)
If you include a welcome drink and wine, estimate 5 bar drinks per person. Some guests will drink more than this, while others will drink less. You know your guests better than anyone so you may need to adjust this if you have an older crowd that don’t drink, lots of families with young children, or a young party group.
Once you know your budget, add a little wiggle room and keep reading.
Tip 2 – Identify Drink Preferences.
After selecting a budget, find out what types of drinks your guests prefer by asking friends and family members. Do your guests drink wine and would they appreciate wine service or wine on the tables? Does your family love champagne? Furthermore, are there any traditional drinks that you must have for your wedding day. Are you offering drinks at the wedding reception only or will there be a beverage service at your wedding ceremony?
If you won’t be offering an open bar all night long, think about offering either wine service or having bottles of wine on each table. This allows guests to enjoy wine during dinner. If the budget doesn’t lend itself to wine, consider a welcome drink or 1-2 drink tickets so your guests may enjoy a glass or two on you.
Tip 3 – Reduce Drink Options (If Necessary).
Offering an open bar is remembered and appreciated by your guests. However to keep things within budget consider reducing the number of options available. For example at your open bar don’t include top shelf liquors, doubles or shots. By doing this, you could save money without sacrificing too much quality or variety in drink selection. We know that wedding guests acknowledge and appreciate a free drink, they don’t necessarily expect patron and grey goose!
Tip 4 – Pre-Pay for Welcome Drinks (If Offering).
If you plan to offer welcome drinks to each guest upon arrival at your reception venue ensure it is something your guests will enjoy. You may love an Old Fashioned or a Negroni but if your guests don’t then you will have a lot of wasted drinks. In our opinion, Prosecco is a great option or a vodka or gin based cocktail with something fruity. In addition, Sangria is great for the summer and mulled wine is a warming alternative for a winter wedding.
Tip 5 – Be Memorable for the right reasons!
Sticking to a budget is extremely important with your wedding planning. When estimating your wedding bar bill, don’t forget that guests tend to remember three things from weddings: the food, drink and party (and of course the brides dress!) Reducing your spend in other wedding areas may ensure you can offer the bar service you and your guests can enjoy and remember.
Estimating your wedding bar bill doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful. With just five simple steps outlined above your wedding will no doubt be remembered fondly by all attendees.
At Cornerstone Weddings, our Wedding Coordinators are on hand to help you plan and budget all aspects of your wedding day, including your beverage service. We have other tips on how to have a memorable day while ensuring your budget is adhered to. Contact us for more details on hosting your special day with Cornerstone Weddings.
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