One of the most common questions we receive as a Cape Town wedding planner is, “How much alcohol should we order for our wedding?” It’s an important question because ordering too much can significantly increase your budget, while ordering too little is something no couple wants to worry about on their wedding day.
As a Cape Winelands wedding planner, we’ve planned hundreds of weddings at venues throughout Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and the surrounding wine regions. Every wedding is different, but there are a few simple guidelines that will help you estimate your beverage requirements with confidence.
Start with Your Guest Numbers
The number of guests attending is the biggest factor when calculating alcohol requirements. You should also consider how long your celebration will last, whether guests are staying at the venue and the style of wedding you’re planning.
Destination weddings often have a more relaxed atmosphere, with guests arriving the day before and staying until the following morning — something we plan for in detail in our guide to three-day wedding celebrations. This usually means drinks are spread across several events rather than only the wedding reception.
Consider the Season
Summer weddings generally require more sparkling water, beer, rosé and white wine, while winter weddings often see higher consumption of red wine and spirits.
If you’re getting married outdoors, it’s also worth allowing extra drinks for guests before the ceremony and during cocktail hour, particularly on warm Cape Winelands afternoons.
A Simple Guide
For a wedding of approximately 100 guests, we generally suggest using the following as a starting point:
Every wedding is different, so these numbers should always be adjusted according to your guest list and drinks menu.
Don’t Forget the Wedding Weekend
Many of the weddings we plan include a welcome dinner before the wedding and a recovery brunch the following morning. If your guests are staying at the venue, remember to include beverages for these additional celebrations when finalising your budget.
Many couples searching for a South African wedding planner choose the Cape Winelands because they want to create a complete wedding weekend experience rather than a single day celebration.
Ask Your Venue for Advice
Most venues and caterers have excellent records of previous weddings and can usually provide valuable guidance based on your guest numbers and the style of bar you’re offering.
As both a Franschhoek wedding planner and Stellenbosch wedding planner, we also encourage couples to ask whether their venue offers beverage packages or sale or return options. These can often save a considerable amount of money while reducing unnecessary waste.
Our Advice
One of the biggest benefits of working with an experienced planner is that we help you budget accurately from the very beginning. Alcohol is one of the easiest areas to overestimate, and a realistic drinks budget can free up funds for photography, flowers, entertainment or other elements that matter most to you.
If you’re looking to hire a wedding planner in Cape Town, we’d love to help you create a beautifully planned wedding that makes the most of your budget.
