Reception Drinks - What is the right amount?

We're only serving one drink perperson and after that the bar is open, loads of people don't even want the drink on offer especially the men who just want a pint (in my family anyway) So I think one or two drinks is fine I definatly wouldn't serve three, people won't mind buying their own.

This is exactly the problem I have with "set packages" when typically you get 4 glasses of fizz - a welcome drink, 2 during the wedding breakfast, and something for toasting.

Even before you add any evening drinks, that's more than enough to put anyone over the drink drive limit, and the Government's "sensible drinking guidelines".

That's why we chose to have a non alcoholic package, with the bar open so if people want alcohol they're more than welcome to get their own, but it saves us a number of issues, not least having a dozen half-open bottles of wine wasted at the end of the day.

We are only having one reception drink, the current choice is Pimms but I realsie it is not to everyones taste so I may add in a few bottles of beers. I dont plan to be to long with the photographer so I'm hoping that one drink plus a few canopes will suffice, it probably wont but there is a bar so they can help themselves.

I think we are going to allocate a couple each, but is easier for us as we are taking our own so can just take what we want and any extra un opened we can take with us. Cant decide what drink to have a s a reception drink tho!! Any suggestions anyone? (sorry to derail slightly)

I would think 1 each would be OK... I am planning to get either 30 real ale/beer plus 30 pimms/cocktail - something male and something female (sorry to stereotype but it is true from what I know of my friends and family!)

This is what I think I'm going to do I cant see the men really loving the idea of Pimms, well certainly not all. I've just emailed my venue to ask how much extra another round of drinks would be, I'm wavering after this thread - somehow I dont think one welcome drink is enough now

We have 88 people attending. We're having 60 glasses of sparkling shiraz and 40 glasses of bucks fizz. The (free) bar will also be open so if someone fancies something else they can have it.

I would say at least 2 in an hour and a half, but it depends whether there's a bar nearby. At a wedding we went to last summer, the bride and groom went elsewhere for their photos and must have been 2 hours at least. They were serving Pimms as their reception drink, which I love, but OH doesn't care much for. They kept coming out with more, so I had 3, whereas he had 1 and then went to the bar for beer!

We have bought enough for two glasses of Asti per person, plus soft drinks for the reception drinks. There isnt a bar for the wedding breakfast so if they dont like what we buy they'll have to have a soft drink!

xxx

I don't understand why there would be 80 of each option as not everyone would have 1 of each option IYSWIM. We have a package and it allows for 2 drinks per person but we will have bottles of beer, wine and some soft drinks and if people need an extra drink we will be charged per what is used, the bar will be open also for those who want something else. I personally think 2 is enough as you want your guests sober for the meal andspeeches.

Thanks for the feedback everyone - Seems like 2 is the best amount, although the way my friends drink, 3 would go down a treat! :-)

We do have a bar very nearby, but its through an archway in the marquee where the reception is taking place (drinks on another lawn away from the marquee) so we wasnt going to open the bar as all the guys will probably stay at the bar and not socialise! Which was the idea behind serving the lager highballs!

Trickers - Did you have the exact same drinks too? How bizarre!

WSS

Personally I think 3 in an hour and a half is about right. In all likelihood the time will run over so making drinks stretch for approaching 2 hours is no fun.

As for those worried about people being drunk, the Pimms places tend to serve will be heavily mixed with lemonade and fruit so there's unlikely to be too many units per glass. Similarly, fizz is served in 125ml measures (if poured correctly, often it's less) so even having two of those is more akin to what you'll normally be served as a single glass of wine in a pub. Chuck in some canapes and most people won't be smashed before they sit down to dinner.

I say go with what you think is right. Your venue will know what normally works so it makes sense to take guidance from them. You can always ask them to leave any unclaimed drinks on a table somewhere to ensure you do get what you're paying for.

@ CB - I think that depends on the person, I am a complete rubbish alcohol drinker, 3x Champagne in the afternoon, with no food = me on the floor!

I unfortunately have experience of this. ?

I agree, Kayl, that's why I said 'most people'!

Sorry if that came across as rude - I seem to find myself following your posts this week and disagreeing with you!!

We are providing the welcome drink, wine for the tables and toasting drink ourselves. we worked out the cost and it has saved us over £300 to supply it ourselves and pay corkage. We are having 1 welcome drink, half bottle of wine on tables and a glass os fizz for the toast. There is also going to be the bar so if people do want more they can get it. We are also bringing in barrels of h2bs favourite beer for the evening do so people will be able to have a pint of that in the evening as well.

I think it really depends on whether you will be opening the bar or not. If the bar is open then I think having one or two drinks per person is fine and normal, and if people want more they can go to the bar. If you are not opening the bar then I am personally not sure two drinks per person is enough over a 1 1/2 hour period (which is likely to run over) and you run the risk of people standing around with no drink. If you're not going to have the bar open, I would probably err on the side of caution and over cater rather than under cater. Difficult decision to make though.

I think 2 drinks is fine! our package only includes one per person, and we have left it at that, i think people expect to have to pay for some drinks at weddings really, i know most wedding i've gone to you just get one arrival drink. So don't worry people will be happy with 2!

We have been thinking bout this too. going for tea/coffee/punch at the church and then 2 glasses of wine/soft drink for each guest at the reception.