Supplying your own drinks

There’s a lot to be said about the DIY wedding. Yes, it can involve a lot of thinking and planning ahead, but for the right couple it is actually a lot of fun and can save you money in the process.

If you’ve decided to go down the path of supplying your own alcohol here are some things you should consider…………

Quantity

Dan Murphys* have an incredibly helpful online tool to help you calculate how many drinks you’ll need to purchase based on guest numbers and length of your celebration.

Whilst this is a guide, it is most certainly not set in stone. We think it may even be a little generous in terms of bottles/cartons needed, so do take that into account. But then again, it’s always better to have leftovers than it is to run out and if you don’t drink it all you get to take it home, meaning you may well not have to buy drinks again for the next 12 months.

One last little tip – lots of stores also allow you to return unopened cartons, so if you decide that drinking up your unused supply of booze isn’t your style, then be sure to take them back for a refund (so long as you have your original proof of purchase). Alternatively, you may have a few family members that would be more than happy to purchase off you to save them a trip to the bottlo!

Weather / Time of year

Let’s be honest, who doesn’t love an aromatic red wine, or perhaps a hoppy red or dark ale mid-winter? Anyone for glühwein? The time of year and it’s likely weather should be a big consideration, as the style of drinks you choose. Chances are you won’t have too many guests opting for a sangria on a chilly July night.

Fleurieu Cherries is a South Australian wedding and event venue set within the McLaren Vale Wine region, just behind Willunga. — Fleurieu Cherries, Pages Flat. Image credit Bridget Quain Photography.

Time of Day

Brunch wedding? They are on the rise in popularity and we like to think we know about couples who buck the trends! So do also consider how the time of day will affect what kinds of drinks people will prefer as they celebrate.

White Hill Estate Oliver's McLaren Vale Homestead Wedding Ceremony, Reception, Accommodation, Rustic Barn, Dry Hire Property — White Hill Estate, McLaren Vale

Group Preferences

Are you and your friends wine snobs, or is your group more likely to be on the beers? Maybe you prefer the bubbles? The preferences of your close friends and family should also be a factor in the decisions about what you order and how much.

Food

The type of catering you are opting for will influence what kinds of drinks you want. Use this as a guide to help you choose your wine and beer styles.

Aldinga Secret Garden, Fleurieu Peninsula, Venue for weddings and events, engagement parties and birthday celebrations. Rustic, quirky secret garden offered exclusively through VENYU — Aldinga Secret Garden. Image credit Travis and Benny Wedding Photography.

What else do you need to consider?

Supplying your own drinks is one thing but setting up a self service or staffing the bar yourself does require some extra things to think about, for example:

Bottle Openers
Ice / Ice buckets
Refridgeration
Bar and glassware
Recycling

If you’re wanting to take the stress out of that aspect but still bring in your own beverages then we highly recommend you look at one of the many fabulous drinks vans around such as The Speakeasy Hotel.

Brin Farm Styled Photo Shoot, Adelaide Hills, Private Horse Stud, Weddings and Events — Brin Farm, Fleurieu Peninsula. Image credit Time with Alex.

*Please note we are not associated at all with Dan Murphy’s, nor have we been paid to mention/link them here on our blog. Our aim is to share helpful tips for our couples doing the DIY hard yards. Sharing is caring y’all!