The most important day of your life is right around the corner and you’ve made all the best decisions! The stunning outfits, the most classy venue and to make it special for your friends and family an open bar at the wedding. But wait, how to make that bar classy? Obviously, by serving some GOOOOD WINE!! Spirits and cocktails are served at wedding bars but, how about taking it all a notch up by serving some good wine and yet not digging a hole in your pockets. As a wine expert, I've picked out options that generally appeal to different palates, are quite gastronomy friendly and will make your big day even more special.
If you’re reading this as a guest who’s not being able to make it to the wedding, do take a look at these very Wedding wine gift baskets to tell the couple that they mean a lot. Your affection would surely reach the happy couple, wrapped up as a stunning wedding present. Now, let’s walk through some general queries that you may have in mind regarding this concept and explore some great wines and ideas out there to make your day shine bright.
WHAT IS AN OPEN BAR?
This is the opposite of a cash bar where guests pay for their own drinks. An open bar is paid by the couple or the hosting family and guests can enjoy drinks without having to pay. This is a great way of indulging your guests who have come from far and wide to celebrate your union.
HOW MUCH WOULD AN OPEN BAR COST?
This would firstly depend upon the number of guests at your wedding, followed by the venue charges and finally the quality and amount of liquor served. Some venues may charge based on the amount of liquor consumed while others charge a fixed amount based on a preempted quantity of liquor that may be used. You may have to factor in some extra cost if you’ve opted for certified servers or bartenders and there will be gratuity for the bar servers too.
It is certainly up to the hosts to design a unique open bar menu and yet keep the cost in line with the overall budget. You can have a whole range of wines, spirits and cocktails, only wines, wine and beer or simply a soft bar. A wine bar can elevate any wedding reception and would be a no fuss and elegant pour for your guests. Not to mention, that wines can pair so well with the scrumptious wedding fare - from cake to canapés and salads to desserts. Wine and food pairing could really be the high point of your wedding.
WHAT WINES ARE BEST FOR AN OPEN BAR WEDDING?
You absolutely don’t have to serve super premium champagnes or the best French wines to make the celebration special. Idea is to elevate the cheer and appreciate the presence of your guests. We will help you choose good value wines which are very food friendly, easy drinking and don’t have a snob factor attached, in short - they’re crowd pleasers. Let’s break it down.
Welcome drink - Serving a welcome drink will add a touch of glam and wow your guests just as they arrive. This should be a light and crispy sparkling wine that refreshes everyone up. Just incase someone encountered an insufferable traffic. You can choose refreshing and crisp Champagne, a fruity Prosseco or a medium sweet Asti to get the festivities rolling. To make it cost effective and add a style statement you can choose these larger than life attractive bottles called a Magnum or a Jeroboam depending on the size. I’ve listed a few great options.
Veuve Clicquot Magnum Brut Champagne – 1.5 Liter
The epitome of style and festivity, ideal for grand celebrations. The rich gold bubbles and notes of citrus fruit, vanilla pods, and toasted brioche make it the ultimate choice to make events extraordinary.
Product details :-
| Brand: | Veuve Clicquot |
|---|---|
| Bottle Category | Magnum |
| Wine Region: | Champagne, France |
| Wine Varietal | Brut, Champagne |
| Wine Size: | 1.5L(Magnum) or 1500 ML |
| Wine Grape Variety: | Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier |
| Wine Score: | Wine Spectator (WS): 90, Decanter (D): 94, Wine Enthusiast (WE): 90, James Suckling: 92 |
| ABV: | 12% |
| Serving Temperature: | 45-50°F (7-10°C) |
| Wine Tasting Notes: | Appearance: Clear, Golden-Yellow
Nose: Fresh Citrusy Fruit, Toasted Brioche, hint of Vanilla Palate: Brut (Dry), Crisp Finish: Refreshing and gentle toasty notes, with a subtle hint of citrus zest and honey |
| Wine Food Pairing: | Sushi, Brie Cheese, Oysters, Roasted Chicken or Duck, Fruit Tarts |
Billecart Salmon Brut Reserve Jeroboam Champagne 3 Liter
Elevate your celebrations with Billecart Salmon Brut Reserve Jeroboam Champagne. This impressive 3-liter bottle boasts a blend of flavors that's both crisp and elegant, making every moment unforgettable.
Product details :-
| Wine Type | Champagne & Sparkling Wine |
| Brand: | Billecart Salmon |
| Country | France, United States |
| Region | Champagne |
| Varietal | Champagne, Brut |
| ABV: | 12% |
| Grapes | 30% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, 40 % Pinot Meunier |
| Bottle: | 3L |
| Food Pairing: | Cheese - Nutty & Semi-Firm, Dessert - Fruit, Fruit - Citrus, Cheese - Hard Aged, Fruit - Dried, |
Maschio Prosecco Brut DOC NU
This bubbly is easy to drink and easy to mix in any of your favorite Prosecco cocktails. It’s fruity and floral with aromatic peachy notes and subtle almond flavors. A perfect fit to open the celebrations at your wedding reception. Its surely going to make a sparkling impression.
Product details :-
| Wine | Prosecco , sparkling |
| Country | Italy |
| Brand | Maschio |
| Grape | Glera |
| ABV: | 11% |
| Bottle: | 750 ML |
| Food Pairing: | Shellfish, Tacos, Chicken and vegetarian appetisers , Salads |
WHITE WINE
An easy drinking and fruit forward white would be a perfect pour at the open bar. We don’t want anything too complicated or a wine with very high alcohol as that style may not appeal to everyone, so playing safe is important here. White wines pair well with a plethora of food choices because of their light and fresh character. White wines with a refreshing tone of flavours are well enjoyed and appreciated by all. The idea is to spread the cheer within the confines of your budget. Check out these great whites and a handful listed right down to make your choice easy.
Catena Chardonnay 2022
This exquisite wine, captures the essence of the renowned Catena vineyards. Relish the harmonious blend of flavors, where citrus and tropical fruits jive just like you at your wedding. And what else, it is a great value wine! A total win-win!
Product details :-
| REGION | Argentina, Mendoza |
| VARIETAL | Chardonnay |
| TYPE | White Wine |
| SIZE | 750ml |
| ABV: | 13.5% |
Forge Cellars Classique Riesling 2021
Indulge in the exquisite taste of Forge Cellars Classique Dry Riesling 2021. This exceptional wine, presents a harmonious blend of Classique flavors, delivering a delightful experience for you and your guests!
Product details :-
| BRAND | Forge Cellars |
| COUNTRY | United States |
| REGION | Finger Lakes, Seneca Lake |
| TYPE | Single Varietal |
| VARIETAL | Riesling |
| ABV | 12% |
| VINTAGE | 2021 |
| TASTING NOTES | Light Body, Dry |
| FOOD PAIRING | Spicy Food, Pork, Roasted Vegetables • SIZE - 750ml |
The Vice Single Vineyard Chardonnay Elise 2022
A refreshing medley of vibrant fruits and subtle oak, embodying the essence of its unique vineyard. This crisp and meticulously crafted wine captures the spirit of the 2022 vintage, delivering a delightful sensory experience when paired with the sumptuous fare at the wedding reception.
Product details :-
| BRAND | The Vice |
| REGION | Napa Valley |
| BOTTLE SIZE | 750ML |
| VARIETAL | Chardonnay |
| VINTAGE | 2020 |
RED WINE
The crimson hues and indulgent fruit notes of plush red wines are a perfect way to add more colour to your festivities and definitely more élan to the open bar wedding. Red wines come in a range of styles, at various price points and are quite gastronomy friendly. A plummy Merlot, a robust Cabernet Sauvignon, a bold Syrah or a friendly Malbec, all would be such a great match with the handpicked menu items being served at the wedding. Reds are a symphony of fruit flavours and elegance, bold oak notes all wrapped up in velvety tannins. Reds are also available in stunning and grand Magnums and Jeroboams. Whether you’re looking for an easy drinking, fruit driven red or something more complex, this amazing selection of red wines will walk you through it all. And, I’ve again listed some options to make it a bit easier for you.
Juggernaut Hillside Cabernet Sauvignon
Juggernaut Hillside Cabernet Sauvignon is a bold and richly flavored red wine, offering a smooth mouthfeel and well-structured profile with waves of spice and fruit flavors. Its moderate tannins provide a grippy, tasty texture, while subtle baking spices like vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg on the nose enhance its inviting aroma. On the palate, notes of spiced plums and black cherries create a complex, satisfying taste. Perfect for a wedding celebration, this wine’s warm, inviting hues and majestic label—featuring a roaring lion extending its claws—evoke an atmosphere of elegance and excitement. Its powerful imagery and rich taste complement the festive ambiance, making it an ideal choice for couples and guests. Crafted with dedication on mountainous terrain, Juggernaut Hillside Cabernet Sauvignon embodies both craftsmanship and intensity, adding a luxurious touch to your special day.
La Giaretta Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG
Experience the timeless robust La Giaretta Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico 2020. This bold and complex red wine embodies the finest traditions of the Valpolicella region, offering a harmonious blend of depth, flavour, and refinement. The method of production is Appasimento, unique to Valpollicella and will surely please those wine geeks at your wedding reception.
Product details :-
| Country | Italy |
| Main Grape | Corvina |
| ABV | 15% |
J. Lohr Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon
Get immersed in the intense yet refined flavors of J. Lohr Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon, a distinguished Paso Robles wine. This rich and robust red wine offers a sensory journey, embodying the essence of the Paso Robles terroir. It’s got character that speaks of its greatness in every pour.
WINE BASED COCKTAILS, WHY NOT?
Drinking wine by itself may not be everyone’s cup of tea or well, everyone’s glass of choice! Why not dish out some totally delish wine based cocktails! They will make everything fun and fruity for the ones who haven’t yet treaded the trail of wine. Sangria, Wine spritzers, Aperol Spritz, Kir Royal, Mimosa, the choices are endless. These sweet and floral cocktails can be the highlight at your open bar wedding. And let me say that this has its own benefits- It’s going to add another drink to the bar menu with all existing ingredients present already, making it even grander. Additionally, cocktails are always a good choice to keep the overall alcohol consumption lower and preventing a possibility inebriated guests.
Although we have revealed all the details about the open bar wedding, many people still have lingering doubts. Let’s find answers to some common queries that usually arise in your minds before planning an open bar wedding.
What are the pros and cons of having an open bar?
Pros Of Open Bar Wedding
- Free drinks leave guests with a positive impression and pleasant hospitality experience
- Guests can enjoy unlimited drinks without the hassle of paying.
- The bar becomes a hub for guests to mingle and connect
- Hosts can tailor the drink menu to fit the theme and budget of the wedding
Cons of Open Bar Wedding
- Free drinks may encourage guests to drink more than they should and can cause disruptions at the event
- The host covers the entire cost, which can affect their budgets.
- Drinks may go unused if not everyone is a heavy drinker
- With free drinks, the bar can get crowded, leading to longer wait times.
Explore the concepts of open bar in our blog, "Open Bar vs. Cash Bar," and select the best option for your big day.
How to Have An Open Bar for a Wedding?
To have an open bar at a wedding, different sorts of liquors are being served. Starting from some good-quality wine, champagne, bourbon and whiskey to beer, rum, vodka and tequila. A wedding bar caters not only to wine enthusiasts but also to non-alcoholic guests. Along with cocktails, flavorful and refreshing mocktails are also served at an open bar at the wedding. After all, all guests are the same, and to make them happy is a host’s rightful duty.
Do you tip at an open-bar wedding?
There is no fixed rule of no-tipping at the open bar. It totally depends upon the guests that are being served at the bar. But usually, when we talk about open bars at weddings, all the costs, including fee+tip of a bartender, are paid by the hosting family or the couple. The tips are not the main source of income for the bartender, they are just an addition for all their hard work, so it totally depends on the guests. Because hosts will eventually pay all the costs+service charges at the end of the night.
How much alcohol do you buy for an open-bar wedding?
Here’s how you can determine the quantity of alcohol for an open-bar wedding:
- Keep the guest count in mind, as well as what kind of drinkers your guests are.
- You can buy your alcohol yourself to stop the splurge on the drinks
- You can also implement a plan for a one-serving-per-guest-per-hour rule to control the alcohol intake of guests.
- Try Dry-Hire Bartending Service; here they don’t have the license but they can buy alcohol for you and it is yours to keep.
How do you ensure guests don't overindulge?
The biggest dilemma of having an open bar is that the guests will go unchecked. To stop the overindulgence, you may hire an experienced bartender who can control the supply of the drinks. After all, he is the one who can slow down the guests by engaging them with his skills and ensure the night doesn’t get too out of hand. Another way to control the overindulgence is by directing the bar company to a ‘No shot, No Martini’ rule. You can also include other non-alcoholic options at the bar counter and direct bartenders to encourage guests to try them. By implementing these plans, it will be easy to monitor that the guests are not floating around getting overindulged.
FINALLY, LET’S UNCORK AND UNWIND!
So, as you celebrate love, laughter and the start of a beautiful journey, invite your friends and family to raise a glass and relish the curated selection of wines at your open bar wedding. Just in case you want to indulge yourself or your loved ones further, we have a selection of wedding specials and everything is 100% customisable to make it all about you and your charming love story.
There’s something for everyone to toast the night away and make every moment memorable.
AND - A GENTLE REMINDER FOR EVERYONE TO REFRAIN FROM DRIVING AFTER THIS MARVELLOUS CELEBRATION AT YOUR OPEN BAR WEDDING! WE WANT IT REMEMBERED FOR ALL THE RIGHT REASONS ;)
Cheers to love and good wine!
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