Beginner’s Guide to Wedding Alcohol

When it comes to wedding drinks, choosing red or white wine is only the beginning. Here is the Beginner’s Guide to Wedding Alcohol

Not everyone is a wine buff or cocktail connoisseur, and that’s okay. If you’re planning your wedding and feeling unsure where to start with alcohol, you’re not alone. From basic drink types to service tips, here’s a beginner-friendly guide to help you feel confident when planning your big day bar.

Red or White

One of the worst things that can happen at a wedding is running out of wine. While plenty of guests will reach for a beer, many will expect a good glass of red or white to go with the celebration. That brings us to the big question: What kind of wine should you serve at your wedding?

The best place to start is by asking the experts. Your venue or caterer will know what works well with your menu and what guests usually enjoy. While family and friends may have strong opinions, it’s best not to base your choices on personal preferences alone.

If your budget stretches, you might create a full wedding wine list for your reception. But most couples keep things simple with one red and one white option, plus sparkling wine for the toasts. This approach keeps service quick and avoids confusion at the bar.

At restaurant receptions, guests sometimes expect more choice, but remember that premium bottles can quickly eat into your budget. If you’re happy to offer a wider selection, consider setting limits or working with your venue on a curated wine menu.

For couples sticking to the classics, here are some of the most popular wedding wines in Australia:

Red wines: Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir

White wines: Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio

Sparkling: Prosecco or Champagne for toasts and celebrations

The key is balance: offer a red, a white, and something bubbly, and most of your guests will be more than happy to raise a glass.

Beer Basics

Beer is always a favourite at weddings, especially for relaxed celebrations or outdoor receptions. Guests often reach for an easy-drinking lager, but offering a mix of options will keep everyone happy.

A good starting point is to provide one light or mid-strength beer and one full-strength option. This covers most tastes without overwhelming your budget or overcomplicating the bar. If you know your crowd enjoys variety, you might also add a popular craft beer or a cider for something different.

When deciding how much beer to order, think about the season. Summer weddings often see guests drinking more beer and cider, while winter celebrations may lean more heavily on wine and spirits. Your venue or caterer can guide you on standard quantities, but a safe rule of thumb is that beer makes up around one third of the total alcohol served at a wedding.

cider vs Cider

Labelling and geography have to lot to answer for here. In some countries apple cider is apple juice without processing. That is, with apple cider you get the bits of apple in with your drink. Apple juice is where you get only the clear liquid. But both of these drinks are non-alcoholic.

On the other side of the bar, Cider is an apple based alcoholic drink. It’s sometimes called Hard Cider and is made from the fermented juice of apples. Don’t confuse the different types of cider, especially as one is perfect for children and the other most definitely is not.

Champagne & Sparkling

No wedding feels complete without something bubbly. Champagne or sparkling wine is almost always served for the toast, and many couples choose to keep it flowing throughout the reception.

Good champagne doesn’t need to cost a fortune. By definition, “Champagne” (with a capital C) refers to sparkling wine made from grapes grown in the Champagne region of France. Sparkling wines produced elsewhere, such as Prosecco from Italy or Australian sparkling, cannot technically be called Champagne, but they often provide excellent flavour at a fraction of the price.

At the end of the day, it comes down to taste. Choose something you genuinely enjoy and you won’t be disappointed. Many couples also add a playful twist with a champagne tower, which serves as both a drinks station and a show-stopping photo moment.

Wedding Spirits

Spirits can be a great addition to your wedding bar, though they aren’t a must-have for every couple. The most commonly served are vodka, gin, whisky, rum, and tequila. These cover the widest range of preferences and are familiar to most guests.

A 700ml bottle of spirits usually pours around 20–22 standard drinks. If you decide to include spirits, plan for them to make up roughly 10 to 20 per cent of your total alcohol. That way you’ll provide choice without overspending or overstocking.

Scotch vs Whiskey vs Bourbon

It’s also helpful to understand a few common terms. Scotch, whiskey, and bourbon all fall under the whisky family but differ by origin and production. Scotch whisky is made in Scotland and typically has a smoky, peaty flavour. Irish and American whiskey are smoother and lighter, while bourbon, made in the United States and aged in new oak barrels, has a sweeter, fuller taste. Knowing the difference can help you choose a style that best suits your crowd.

By keeping your spirit selection simple and intentional, you’ll ensure your bar feels generous without becoming overwhelming.

Wedding Cocktails

Cocktails add a fun, personalised touch to your wedding bar, but you don’t need an overwhelming menu to impress your guests. A good approach is to think in terms of flavour profiles: sweet, sour, and bitter. Choosing just one from each category ensures there’s something for every palate without complicating service.

Sweet Cocktails: Sweet cocktails are crowd-pleasers, especially later in the evening. Think Espresso Martinis, Piña Coladas, or Mojitos. These drinks are approachable, easy to enjoy, and perfect for guests who prefer smooth, dessert-like flavours.

Sour Cocktails: Sour-style drinks offer a balance of tartness and refreshment. Classics like Daiquiris, Margaritas, or Whiskey Sours work well as pre-dinner drinks or in warmer weather. They’re zesty, bright, and keep things feeling light.

Bitter Cocktails: Bitter cocktails lean sophisticated and are ideal for couples wanting a more elevated bar experience. Negronis and Aperol Spritz are popular choices, offering bold, complex flavours that look great served over ice with a garnish of citrus.

Consider the Weather and Venue

Your setting plays a big role in which cocktails will feel right. A summer beach or garden wedding suits lighter sour and spritz-style drinks, while cosy winter venues often pair better with richer, sweeter cocktails like espresso martinis. Outdoor receptions in warm climates tend to call for refreshing options served over ice, while indoor formal venues can carry more structured, bitter classics. Matching your cocktail list to your season and space helps the drinks feel like a natural part of the celebration.

Looking for cocktail ideas? Check this out!

Beginner’s Guide to Wedding Alcohol

Planning alcohol for your wedding can feel overwhelming at first, but it doesn’t need to be complicated. By understanding the basics of wine, beer, champagne, spirits, and cocktails, you’ll be able to choose drinks that suit your guests, your budget, and the style of your celebration.

The key is balance: offer a thoughtful mix, keep it simple, and consider your season and venue when making decisions. Be it a crisp white in summer, a rich red in winter, or a sparkling toast to kick off the night, the right drinks will keep glasses full and guests celebrating long after the first pour.

The Next Step: Pairing Drinks with Your Menu