How to Stock the Bar for Your Wedding Reception

If you're doing your own catering, you need to know how much alcohol to buy. Keep in mind that you'll need less for a morning reception than an evening one. Think of who your guests are. A more genteel crowd may be content with some good wine, but the groom's college buddies may prefer beer. When you factor in the guests who won't be drinking alcohol, the average consumption will be about one drink per hour. In general, count on two cases of beer, three cases of wine and a case and a half of champagne for 100 guests. Two fifths of the more popular liquors -- vodka, scotch, bourbon, whiskey and rum -- should be plenty. Don't forget to purchase mixers such as fruit juice, soda and water, too.

Who says you even have to have a real bar? At an informal reception, fill metal tubs with ice and chill bottles of beer and wine and let guests can serve themselves. A waiter can pass champagne for toasting. How about serving just beer and wine and maybe one signature drink -- something that has special meaning for the couple? Did you meet over apple martinis at the neighborhood watering hole? You can also reflect your heritage in your choice of drinks. Is the family from Tennessee? Jack Daniel's can be your choice. Getting married at the beach? A fruity cocktail is in order. Guests will always remember those drinks and how much fun they were. They won't realize that you saved time and money at the liquor store.

You don't have to break the bank to have a good time at your wedding reception. By having your wedding early in the day and focusing on less-expensive beverages, you can make the bar at your wedding reception another customized part of your special day. Another way to keep costs under control is by having the bar open only prior to dinner. Pass champagne after the meal for toasting.

Ask the liquor store if they'll take back any unopened bottles after the reception. Many times, they'll agree in order to make a big sale. If you're holding the reception at a hotel, club, restaurant or reception hall, talk to the manager or the caterer. Ask if you can bring your own wine. Beware of corkage fees, which the venue may tack on for serving -- they can cause the tab to balloon considerably.