How to Calculate the Amount of Wine and Champagne for a Wedding?
By Pépites de vin
In a hurry? Our wedding wine and champagne calculator applies the method explained in this guide automatically: enter your guest count and it works out the bottles and cases in 30 seconds.
The date of your wedding is approaching, and you can finally see the light at the end of the organizational tunnel: the wedding venue is booked, the caterer is confirmed, the wedding dress is being altered by the seamstress, and the seating plan is in the final stages. Phew!
Now comes a tricky subject that is often forgotten until the last minute: the wine and champagne. How much wine and champagne for a wedding? Tough question!
That’s why the sommeliers at Pépites de Vin have decided to give you a few tips on how to choose the right number of wine bottles for a wedding.
Summary of article
How to Calculate the Amount of Wine and Champagne for a Wedding?
The amount of wine and champagne for a wedding depends on several factors. Before getting started, here are the preliminary steps to follow:
Step 1: Make the guest list (if you haven’t already!)
Step 2: From this list, assess the drinkers and non-drinkers. You can already exclude children, pregnant women, and people who don’t drink by choice or for religious reasons.
Step 3: Establish the wedding menu from starters to dessert so you can select wines that pair perfectly.
If you’re unsure about how much wine and champagne you’ll need and want assistance in choosing, don’t hesitate to consult our sommeliers! Depending on your tastes and budget, they will offer you a free, no-obligation tasting appointment and will handle everything from selection to delivery at your chosen location and date.
Discover our wedding offer by clicking here.
How much champagne for the reception ?
The reception, a key part of your wedding, kicks off the event, and often it’s during this time that people drink the most!
If you’re only serving champagne (or crémant) as the alcoholic beverage at the reception, you can estimate:
- 3 glasses of champagne per person if most of your guests are under 30, meaning 1 bottle for 2 people.
- 2 glasses of champagne per person if your guests are older or more restrained, meaning 1 bottle for 3 people.
If you’re also serving other drinks like beer or cocktails, you can count for all guests:
- 2 glasses of champagne per person, which equals 1 bottle for 3 people.
Of course, you can substitute champagne with white or rosé wine, or even mix them to satisfy everyone’s preferences. However, keep in mind that at weddings, guests tend to prefer bubbles over other beverages you might offer!
How much wine for a wedding dinner ?
For dinner, first consider the menu being served. Is it mainly meat or fish? Red meat typically calls for a bold red wine, white meat pairs well with a lighter red wine, and fish pairs best with white wine.
How much red wine for a wedding dinner ?
If you’re only serving red wine:
You can plan for about 1 bottle of red wine for every 2 guests during the meal. Guests tend to drink more red wine during dinner, especially if you have a cheese course.
How much white wine for a wedding dinner ?
If you’re only serving white wine:
You can count 1 bottle for every 2 guests during the meal.If you plan to serve both red and white wine during dinner, you can estimate 1 bottle for every 2 people total, but expect to serve more red wine than white. Most people prefer red wine at the dinner table.
In this case, plan for 2/3 red wine and 1/3 white wine.
How much champagne for wedding dessert ?
A little champagne or white wine with dessert is always a nice touch! But there’s no need to overdo it.
Count 1 glass of champagne per person, which means 1 bottle for every 6 people. Your guests will be happy to finish the meal with a refreshing drink !
How much wine and champagne for the after-dinner party ?
For the evening following dinner, plan to have a few bottles of spirits or cocktails, as well as beer, which is often a popular choice to refresh the guests who are dancing!
Wine and champagne lovers can finish the bottles left from dinner and the reception.
BONUS: You can plan a few extra bottles of champagne to serve in the middle of the night for those guests still standing!
By then, most guests may be asleep, so plan 1 glass for every 2 people, which equals 1 bottle for every 10 people.
This will help re-energize the party when guests start to get tired!
How many bottles of champagne and wine for a wedding?
- Reception: 1 bottle of champagne for every 2 or 3 people depending on your guests’ personalities (more lively or more reserved!).
- Wedding Dinner: 1 bottle of wine for every 2 people, whether red or white, or a mix based on your menu.
- Wedding Dessert: 1 bottle of champagne or white wine for every 6 people.
Bonus for a Memorable Night: 1 bottle for every 10 people to be served around 3 a.m.!
| Number of people | Quantities of champagne | Quantities of wine |
|---|---|---|
| Wedding 60 personnes | 40 Bottles | 20 Bottles |
| Wedding 100 personnes | 66 Bottles | 50 Bottles |
| Wedding 120 personnes | 80 Bottles | 60 Bottles |
| Wedding 200 personnes | 132 Bottles | 100 Bottles |
If you’re unsure about the amount of wine needed for your wedding and would like some guidance in selecting wines and champagnes, don’t hesitate to reach out to our sommeliers!
Based on your preferences and budget, they will offer you a free, no-obligation tasting appointment and take care of all the organization, right up to delivery at the location and date of your choice.
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