If your first wedding was dry or you made the blunder of a cash bar, consider your second wedding your redemption. An open bar may be one of the more expensive things on your wedding to-do list, but it’s well worth the effort. Your guests should not have to pay for anything at your wedding–after all, they did travel to see you get hitched and bought you something from your registry! Review the following tips to ensure you don’t–gasp–run out of alcohol at your fabulous second wedding:
Recommended Shopping List
Your suggested shopping list can include the following alcohol:
- 5 to 6 cases of beer (or more)
- 3 to 4 cases of white wine
- 2 to 3 cases of red wine
- 6 liters of vodka
- 1 to 1 ½ cases of champagne
- 2 to 3 liters of gin
- 1 liter of whiskey
- 1 liter of bourbon
- 2 liters of scotch
- 2 liters of rum
- 1 liter of tequila
- 1 liter of dry vermouth
- 1 liter of sweet vermouth
As well as the following mixers:
- 1 case of tonic
- 1 case of club soda
- 2 cases of Coke
- 2 cases of Diet Coke
- 2 cases of sparkling water
- 3 cases of water
- 1 gallon of lime juice
- 1 liter of triple sec
- 1 gallon of ginger ale
- 1 gallon of grapefruit juice
- 1 gallon of orange juice
- 2 gallons of cranberry juice
How Many?
Keep in mind what fills what when making your alcohol run. For example, a bottle of champagne fills six to eight glasses, while a bottle of wine fills five full glasses. A liter bottle of liquor makes about 18 drinks. A case of wine contains 12 bottles, while a case of beer contains 24 cans or bottles.
A Limited Bar
If you don’t have the funds to offer a full bar, stick to beer and wine, or beer, wine, and vodka. Creating specific consumption times also helps, such as the pre-dinner cocktail hour, a series of toasts, and the post-dinner cocktail hour. You may want to hire waiters to pass out drinks. It will cost you extra, but will ensure you have enough alcohol…and possibly save your guests from getting too sloppy. Whatever else, don’t have a cash bar.
