Need to or want to stock the bar at your own wedding? How much alcohol should you buy? What drink accessories will you need? Preparing for your wedding reception’s bar is easy when you know where to start… and we’re here to help! Read on to find out how to stock the bar at a wedding…

How to Stock the Bar at a Wedding

If you’re providing alcohol at your wedding, you will need to know how much to buy so you don’t buy too much (and overspend) or buy too little (and run out).

The rule of thumb for one hundred guests is approximately three cases of wine, two cases of champagne, two cases of beer, and two fifths of liquor (plus mixers). To get an estimation for your specific size reception, give this drink calculator a try!

Drink Calculator

Check out the drink calculator in action here from RealSimple.

We also love the drink calculator spotted at BevMo which will even tell you how much to budget and recommend specific beverages. You can even order drinks shipped to your door (given your state allows alcohol shipped to your door – some do not).

Personalize

Include a drink sign for a personalized touch. This is by RubiandLib.

Real quick, while we are on the subject… did you know a “stock the bar” is a fun theme people are using for couple showers? Here are a few invites we found to inspire you. It is a clever way to stock a couple’s bar, especially if a couple already has everything they need.

We also love these invites we found with a stock the bar theme… just had to include them here! By WowWowMeow.

And these by Sarah Brown:

Accessories like striped or chevron straws, mason jar drinking glasses, personalized cocktail napkins, and a signature drink creates a more memorable drink station.

You may also like to get custom custom printed cups for your reception… they are always a hit!

We ♥ mason jars as drinking glasses! Add chalkboard paint and guests can write their names right on their glass with chalk.

Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Be sure to include non-alcoholic drinks, too: think iced tea and lemonade in drink dispensers, glass soda bottles on ice (in these), and bottled water.

Last But Not Least…

Don’t forget to hire a bartender!

Happy Planning!

♥
-E.

Now it’s your turn: will you be stocking your own bar? Are you offering a signature drink?