Wedding Costs: How Much to Spend on Non-Alcoholic Beverages?

How many drinks should you include in your budget for a non-alcoholic wedding?

Believe it or not, there’s very little information out there about calculating the amount of non-alcoholic beverages to buy for a reception. See below for this week’s query.

A Hudson Valley mother-of-the-groom asks: “My son is getting married next week in a garden wedding/reception at the bride’s parents’ home in the Chicago suburbs. It won’t be hot and sweltering, no alcohol will be served, and the reception will run about five or six hours. There will be about 190 guests drinking water, iced tea, lemonade, and coffee. Can you help us estimate how many beverages we should order?”

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The Wedding Guru says: If you’re serving only non-alcoholic drinks at the reception, count on three per guest (for both adults and children). You always want to err on the safe side. Unopened bottles can usually be returned (but to make sure, you should check in advance at the store where you buy your drinks). Also remember to stock up on lots of ice; have at least one pound of ice per person for serving in drinks and to keep beverages cold. If the weather is hot or the party is active, definitely order more. Keep in mind that this is not a scientific answer, just a research-based estimate. Most of all, remember to have fun!

» More about wedding costs
» More from The Wedding Guru
» Submit a question to the Wedding Guru
» Hudson Valley Weddings 2013

 

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