I didn't really know what category to put this in, sorry if it's in the wrong one!
We are having a pay bar at our reception venue which will be set up and ready for when we arrive. We also wanted to put wine on the tables but aren't sure how many bottles. Would one bottle of white and one bottle of rose/red be enough for a table with 4 to 8 adults? I don't want to put too much on the tables as I think the majority of people will buy their own drinks but don't want to come across as cheap either.
Thanks
CommentAuthorFayeJ67
We are doing 4 bottles of wine for a table of 10.
CommentAuthorMrsA2B
We are providing half a bottle of wine per person but this is the only alcohol we are providing other than drinks reception and toast xx
CommentAuthorKirstieP2B
I think I'll provide a little bit more than I just don't want people ending up with a whole bottle to themselves! Most of the men coming prefer beer so I can see them going straight to the bar lol. We are providing welcome drinks then table wine, everything else they will be paying for xx
CommentAuthorKatieH
We are having 1 bottle of red and 1 bottle of white on the tables between 10 guest on each x
Met in 2007
Started dating in 2009
Got engaged in 2014
Became Mrs Holme 11.06.16
I'm not a wine drinker so I have no idea but how many glasses can you get out of a bottle? Xx
CommentAuthorKatieH
About 3-4 x
Met in 2007
Started dating in 2009
Got engaged in 2014
Became Mrs Holme 11.06.16
CommentAuthorKatieH
More if they only have small glasses x
Met in 2007
Started dating in 2009
Got engaged in 2014
Became Mrs Holme 11.06.16
CommentAuthorKatieH
We are going on the fact that not everyone drinks wine and some people will already have their own drinks from the bar x
Met in 2007
Started dating in 2009
Got engaged in 2014
Became Mrs Holme 11.06.16
CommentAuthorKirstieP2B
Exactly what I'm thinking Katie xx
CommentAuthorMichelleC961
Personally i think 1 red and 1 white between 10 is too little, but as you say if they are not wine drinkers then can go to the bar- I'm personally going with the free glass and top up included and putting 2 red and 2 white on each table of 8 so half a bottle each x
CommentAuthorMrs Jones
We're providing 1/2 bottle per person on each table - this comes with our package, along with 2 reception drinks. We will probably have 8 on each table. These are the only drinks we're providing as there will be a bar in the lounge and in the evening we have a bar in the the reception room itself.
First Date 26 April 2014
Proposed 27 June 2015
Happily Married 18 June 2016
CommentAuthorJessicaC284
we have the drinks package at our venue on arrival a choice between sherry are whiskey then 3 glasses of wine each with meal and a glass of wine with the speeches
CommentAuthorGlitterfairy
On each table of ten, we put one white and one red, was up to everyone on that tab,e how they distributed it
Our wedding day - 6 October 2012
CommentAuthorEmily17
Hmmm our contract is for 1 glass of prosecco/mulled wine on arrival, 1 glass of wine and 1 glass of prosecco for toast. I thought that was enough as the bar will be open all day so people can get their own as they please.
Met in 2009
He proposed Jan 2014
Will become Mrs P 7th October 2017
CommentAuthorGlitterfairy
We have sparkling for the toast at one glass per adult,then were given were given what was left over. You don't have to put wine on the table if you don't want to,
Our wedding day - 6 October 2012
CommentAuthorMrs Jones
Oh yes and a drink to toast as well. Had forgotten about that!!
First Date 26 April 2014
Proposed 27 June 2015
Happily Married 18 June 2016
CommentAuthorFayeJ67
edited
hmm I dont think that 2 bottles on a table of 10 is enough, that isn't even a glass each! If you are looking to save costs then supply 1 glass each of wine (or offer beer as an alternative) and leave it at that.
Personaly I'd be pretty miffed if I was one of the last to the table for some reason (like needing a loo break or a wardrobe malfunction etc) and all the wine had gone because there is not enough for a glass each! Would leave me feeling somewhat p'd off that I obviously wasn't valued enough for a single glass of wine but others were!
I do think you need to either offer enough for 1 glass each or offer none!
Our package is for a champagne reception (1 glass per guest), 4 bottles of wine per table (probably going to be 1 white, 1 pink and 2 red) and a glass of champagne to toast! We are also supplying a sparkling elderflower drink for those who don't drink! If they want anything different then they can get it themselves!
CommentAuthorMichelleC961
Yeah I agree Faye, but I know some people don't want to pay to get ppl drunk, everyone deserves at least 1 glass tho!
I'm a big wine fan, likewise are dad and sister and OHs dad and our friends are generally too so quite happy to provide extra alcohol!
I'm having signature cocktails too and have come to a deal with the hotel of a £2 supplement per person so everyone is getting a glass of fizz on arrival and can then choose one of the signature cocktails, something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and wedding kiss!
CommentAuthorKirstieP2B
Exactly michelle. I don't want to pay for people to get drunk! If you can 4 glasses out of a bottle though I think two should be enough for my tables with up to 8 adults especially as I know most of the men will go up and get beer instead. It's not that I don't care enough about my guests, it's just that we are on a really tight budget! If my guests did complain about the lack of alcohol then I'd consider them to be rude and ungrateful xx
CommentAuthorFutureMrsW
We're still undecided if we will provide table wines at all as we're having an afternoon tea. Would want to provide enough for two glasses per (adult) guest if we do, or half a bottle each.
CommentAuthorKirstieP2B
I wasn't going to provide wine on tables but I thought it would be a nice thing to do... I'm not buying dear wine though so if people don't drink it that's their problem xx
CommentAuthorFayeJ67
edited
Kirstie 1 glass of wine isn't getting anyone drunk! I really do think you either offer 1 glass per person or no wine at all! If your budget is very tight better to offer no wine on the table and just a drink to toast with as there will always be that one person who brims their glass leaving not enough to go round and it can cause upset! Any half decent guest won't complain and potentially ruin your day, I certainly wouldn't but if everyone else got a glass of wine I'd certainly feel disgruntled and the memory of the day would be a bit tainted.
We don't want people drunk so there will be no hard alcohol on site at all, wine, beer and champagne only. We are also aware of those that will not want to drink, can't drink or may be recovering alcoholics who dare not drink, hence we are providing non alcoholic options along with the alcoholic ones
CommentAuthorMichelleC961
edited
Alcohol at wedding is a difficult one and no 2 weddings are the same, Kirstie, perhaps instead of putting the bottles on the table, get the waiters to pour the wine and offer a glass or red or white, that way you know everybody is being offered a glass and those that want one get one, I get what Faye is saying re people pouring themselves a glass full to the brim and then others not even getting a full glass- you might even find that with the waiters pouring the wine then you actually spend less :-)
CommentAuthorMrs Jones
Kirstie - you know your guests and if you think 2 bottles is enough, go with that, especially as you say the men will probably go and get beer anyway. I think our package comes with 1/2 bottle of wine per person, but we certainly won't be putting extra out as we can't afford to provide anymore than we're already providing. xxx
First Date 26 April 2014
Proposed 27 June 2015
Happily Married 18 June 2016
CommentAuthorFlossie
edited
Our venue have advised half a bottle per person as well, plus a glass of bubbly for the toast. Just going with that as they're more experienced than me at organising weddings!! If anyone needs anything else then they know where the bar is xx
Happily married
18th June 2016
xx
CommentAuthorKirstyR386
It could be worth asking your guests if they would prefer wine or beer. If you think a lot of the men may prefer a beer then it might work out cheaper to buy a crate and then fewer bottles of wine, which as Michelle says, could be served by the waiters rather than having it on the tables. I think 2 bottles would just be enough for a table of 8 especially if you have one or two non drinkers on each table. The only difficulty may be if lots of people want white then there may be some swapping with other tables. X
CommentAuthorMichelleC961
The last wedding I went to had 2 red and 2 white per table of 8 and as we were all red drinkers, we swapped with a couple of tables so we had all red. I think guests are happy to sort themselves and it gets them talking to other tables too :-)
CommentAuthorKirstieP2B
edited
I am well aware that one glass of wine isn't getting anyone drunk which is why I'm willing to provide one glass! If one bottle of wine works out as 4 glasses than 2 would be one glass per person for a table of eight. I'm not being funny but I could provide 3 bottles of wine for a table of eight and someone still might not get a glass because they might not like what's left after everyone else has poured theirs! I don't think it will be a problem though as some people will be driving and others will buy their own drinks! If someone does brim their glass than that isn't my fault and if I was at a wedding where that happened I wouldn't be blaming the bride and groom. I'd probably just go and buy myself a drink, it's not a big deal! Xx
CommentAuthorKirstieP2B
The issue I have with providing half a bottle per person is that if half of the guests on the table decide to buy another drink or aren't drinking due to driving then the remaining four guests would have one bottle each and that's too much IMO. It's definitely a hard one xx
CommentAuthorFayeJ67
edited
Why not just have the waiters serve either a glass of wine or a bottle of beer to the guests, then everyone gets 1 drink of their choice and you save yourself a considerable amount of money
CommentAuthorMichelleC961
Kirstie- i Would do what you are doing, you know your guests, you have a budget so stick with it :-) as you say you will always have non drinkers and people who don't like wine and you have a pay for bar too! If tables are larger than 8 people I woukd consider 3 bottles so you don't appear cheap which is what you originally asked :-) xx
CommentAuthorSamanthaW362
yippie, wine on the table
CommentAuthorFlossie
edited
Just to add, I don't think guests should just expect anything in terms of beverages anyway. Whatever you provide is a bonus and they should be thankful for even one glass of wine xx
Happily married
18th June 2016
xx
CommentAuthorMrs Jones
Well said Flossie
First Date 26 April 2014
Proposed 27 June 2015
Happily Married 18 June 2016
CommentAuthorStephH96
Agree with Flossie about not expecting anything, however if you do provide drinks you need to make sure its enough. If not enough drink is provided its not rude to be unhappy about it, after all why should you be the only one on the table to have buy your own drink when others have had wine provided? I think the waiter idea would be best if you are in a budget, that way everyone gets the same. It's OK saying 'well if they don't like it there's a bar', but generally drinks are expensive at receptions. I've paid £6 for a pint of cider at a wedding, needless to say I didn't have much more!
CommentAuthorEmily17
I think you are doing the right thing personally but have thought about a cost cutting way to save costs for you as men may prefer beer etc.
How about give everyone a token to go to the bar and choose their drink, red white wine or beer no spirits. That way the venue can distribute the drinks and you pay by the bottle as you were doing x
Met in 2009
He proposed Jan 2014
Will become Mrs P 7th October 2017
CommentAuthorKirstieP2B
edited
Faye - I'm not having waiters so that isn't an option. Michelle - thanks, there will definitely not be more than eight adults on a table as there will be children on each table too. Flossie - exactly, thank you! Steph - we aren't having waiters unfortunately. Our reception venue doesn't have its own bar so we are hiring a bar. I have put the hire bar prices below! Emily - that's a good idea but would probably work out dearer in the long run.
These are the prices for the bar... Fosters £3.70, John smiths £3.20, spirit and dash £3, spirit and mixer (bottles) £3.50, bottled cider £4 bottled lagers £2.50, j2o £1.50, pint soft drink £2 half soft drink £1. Fruit shoot 50p.
I thought these prices were reasonable considering it's a hire bar but now I'm doubting them, what do you think? Xx
CommentAuthorMrs Jones
I'm not a big drinker Kirstie, but I'd say those bar prices were really good for a reception venue. I have heard of people paying up to £6 for a pint!
First Date 26 April 2014
Proposed 27 June 2015
Happily Married 18 June 2016
CommentAuthorFayeJ67
How much is a glass of wine Kirstie? I can't judge from those prices as I don't drink beer or spirits
CommentAuthorInDreamland
We provided half a bottle of wine per person plus a glass of bubbly for the toasts. That was on top of the two glasses per person for the drinks reception with canapés.
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
CommentAuthorMrsThomson2B
We have 1 sparkling wine for champagne reception, 2 glasses of wine with meal and a sparkling again for toasts. Our venue will pour the drinks at the table do nobody will be left out and people can drink until the wine runs out x
CommentAuthorEmily17
Considering it's a wedding and a hired bar is say that's reasonable.
At my cousins wedding a few years ago my dad paid £15 for a double B@card1 and C0ke!!!!
Met in 2009
He proposed Jan 2014
Will become Mrs P 7th October 2017
CommentAuthorKirstieP2B
edited
Thanks lindsey Faye - im not sure of wine prices, i didnt even realise wine was missing from the list lol. Indreamland & mrs thompson - id love to be able to provide a bigger amount but we just cant afford too. Emily - i thought the prices were quite cheap too, they're not much different to the pub prices here. No way would i have paid as much as your dad! Thats robbery xx
CommentAuthorKirstyR386
Now that I live down south, we'd be lucky to buy a pint for less than £4 so I think those prices are really good, especially for a wedding reception where they sometimes up the price because they know people have no other choice. X
CommentAuthorMichelleC961
Those prices are cheap :-)
CommentAuthorCharlotteE98
We bought 12 bottles of red and 12 of white, and water, which is what we told to do by the shop. They said to allow about half a bottle per person and we had 8 tables of around 10 people on each. There was one of each put on the tables to start with and they were topped up when necessary. We had a fair bit left over afterwards. A few of our guests didn't drink it as they don't drink wine, were driving etc. I think the wine, water and prosecco for toasts came to about £300. We got it from M4j3st1c W1n3s
CommentAuthorKatieH
We are also going on the fact that there will be kids on some of the tables and they def won't be drinking wine so I think 2 bottles on a table of 10 is fine.
Met in 2007
Started dating in 2009
Got engaged in 2014
Became Mrs Holme 11.06.16
CommentAuthorFlossie
The bar prices are really good. I still don't think guests should just automatically expect anything. If I was going to a wedding then I would be pleased if there was some drink provided, but if I didn't like it or there wasn't quite enough for me personally then I would have no problems at all with buying my own drinks from the bar. I would never go to a wedding and expect not to have to get my purse out.
Happily married
18th June 2016
xx
CommentAuthorKatieH
Met in 2007
Started dating in 2009
Got engaged in 2014
Became Mrs Holme 11.06.16