How much wine do you need for a wedding?
Our Wedding Wine specialists suggest budgeting two or three glasses of wine per guest to enjoy during the meal, with a 60/40 split of reds and whites.
Generally, a standard 750ml bottle is enough for around five glasses - so a case of 12 bottles will cater to approximately 60 glasses of wine.
From there, you’ll want to adjust your quantities based on a few key factors, including;
- the length of the reception
- any additional champagne toasts or welcome drinks
- how many courses you’ll have at wedding meal
- your guests’ drinking preferences (for example, beer or spirits drinkers)
- how many guests are likely to be driving
- whether you’re also having a cash bar.
4. Lean towards crowd-pleasers
Your wedding reception might not be the time to try and win people over to an off-dry Riesling or a super bold Barolo. Opting for balanced wines that will appeal to a broad range of palates is usually the safe option.
For red wines, consider soft, easy-drinking options like Merlot, Shiraz, or Pinot Noir. Blends from Southern Italy or France can also be a hit.
For white wines, opt for crisp and refreshing options like Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc or lightly oaked Chardonnay.
5. (But don’t forget yourself)
Ultimately this is your day, and you should love what’s in your glass. If rosé makes you happy, make sure it’s there! If Aussie Shiraz was served on your first date and you both love it, that’s a perfect choice. The best wine for your wedding is entirely up to you!
Don’t forget some fizz for the toast!
The Champagne toast is a long-standing wedding tradition, but all that bubbly could eat into your wedding budget. If you want to maximise your budget without sacrificing quality, consider these sparkling alternatives:
- Prosecco and Cava are popular alternatives to Champagne, with lighter bubbles and more fruity flavours.
- English Fizz – the rising star of the wine world, with some bottles even outshining famous Champagnes in competition!
- Crémant – an elegant alternative. Produced using the same traditional method as Champagne, it delivers a similar texture and flavour profile at a fraction of the cost.
