What alcohol would be the most popular served at a wedding reception? I am trying to budget my reception?

Answer 1

My wedding was this past June with 110 guests and we supplied the alcohol ourselves. The things that went the quickest were Malibu Rum and Bacardi Vanilla. Those were two last minute purchases and I wish I would have bought more. You should have rum, vodka, gin, whiskey, beer (we did a keg), wine, and champagne (if you want it, we didn't do champagne). I was actually surprised that I had a lot of wine left over, though. If you need to keep your cost lower, skip the gin and whiskey, but only if you have to. Whiskey is pretty popular, and you can go with cheaper brands like Seagram's 7 or Seagram's VO. Gin is mostly for the older crowd. We only bought 1 of the 1.75 L bottles and there was still some left over. Good luck and look for the sales on alcohol.
And to the people that say don't have alcohol at your wedding, I would never go to a wedding without alcohol. There is no way it would be fun and I bet everyone gets out of there as soon as they eat dinner.

Answer 2

I say just get sparkling grape juice. Who says that you actually need alcohol at a wedding? If you are set on having alcohol, i would say find as reception hall that will let you bring your own. You can go to the wholesaler and get a case of a variety of alcohol for about an 1/8 of what they would charge you through catering. If you have to use a caterer, I would say stick to Champagne and beer. Some wines are cheap too- just ask the cateres how much drinks would cost, and shop around for the best deal.

What I plan on doing is (if i only included MINIMAL drinks at the reception), is to go out aftet the reception to the dance hall with everyone who wants to go- they can pay for their own drinks there. That way I will save money- im not cheap, but I am also not dripping with cash either.

I say go with gut feeling though- not what everyone tells you. In the end it is your day, your dreams and your dollar!

Answer 3

If you're on a tight budget, then just stick to a beer and wine bar, no mixed drinks or spirits. That's always going to be cheaper than a full bar. Most people won't expect a full bar at a wedding anyway.

If you want a mixed drink, you can do a "signature" drink, pick a drink that is a favorite of yours and your fiancees, and have that be the only mixed drink you can get.

Also, don't forget about the non-drinkers in your guest lists, make sure they have either soda or iced tea.

Answer 4

Best for a budget: none.

If you're on a budget take out the alcohol. It will save you a LOT of money.

Alcohol at our reception would have cost $12-$25/person on TOP of the water/tea/soda pop combo AND the meal.

It's fine to have a dry wedding. No drunken idiocies and everyone is on the same field.

Answer 5

You want to go cheap. buy some bottled beer & put them in big tubs. Throw in some wine coolers. Then buy some boxed wine & keep it chilled. It doesn't have to look cheap. They have some really nice looking ice coolers now a days. Made of plastic w/ prints & stuff. Not the old metal beat up tubs you see at bars. Also, the boxed wine. You could build something around the boxes of wime with a few different type of wines. Red or white & just have the tap sticking out, so it doesn't look like you have a couple of boxed wines sitting on a table. Thats about the cheapest you can go. Someone who doesn't like that, then why would you want to hang around that person anyway. It's about being yourself & having a good time.

Answer 6

I'd go with beer and wine (or maybe champagne). Beer is easy on your budget- a keg goes a long way for pretty cheap. Problem is that a lot of women (and a few guys) don't like beer, so you'll need to have something else too. Hard alcohol gets pricey, but you can get some decent wine (red, white or both) for not a lot of money and you'll have something for everybody.

Answer 7

Skip the champange toast and use sparkling wine. Its much cheaper and the guests won't know the difference.

You can also limit the bar tab by serving a signature drink. Pick a drink that you and your bride to be love. It should incoporate the feel and color of the wedding in your drink. It saves a bundle and gives the reception a personal touch.

Ideas for a sig. drink:
Mojtos, Cosmos, Apple Martini

or...
Maple Leaf Martini
1 oz. Stoli orange
1/2 oz. Stoli Vanilla
1/2 oz. Cointreau
splash of orange juice
tad of cream


Love Potion recipe
1 oz Absolut® vodka
1 oz amaretto almond liqueur
1 oz peach schnapps
1 oz orange juice
1 oz cranberry juice
ice cubes

Cable Car
1 1/4 oz. spiced rum
3/4 oz. triple sec
1 1/4 oz. fresh sour

Answer 8

If this is a real lunch (like with sandwiches or luncheon type food) I'd forget the punch. Nobody wants punch with lunch! Go for iced tea and some lemonade. These are probably cheaper than sodas if you get the dry mixes, and I'd think everyone would like one of the two. Another option that is not expensive but is delicious is a bit of cranberry juice (or drink) mixed with soda water and a slice of lime. All this stuff could be made up in pitchers and be fine.

Answer 9

I have a very large family and the "budget" is always on our minds. At all the family wedding receptions I've been to and even outside my family ... they serve beer and soda to all the guests and champaign to the wedding party. We/they also have a bar where guests may buy their own drinks if they prefer something other than beer or soda.

Answer 10

Most people at weddings drink wine (as well as champagne or sparkling wine for the toast). If the wedding is earlier in the day they will also have beer. I've only been to one wedding where any of the guests had hard liquor.