Beer, Wine, and Liquor
How to Stock Your Wedding Bar (Without Overthinking It)
Planning your wedding bar should feel fun… not like you’re cramming for a final exam in mixology.
At Serenity Ridge, we’ve helped hundreds of couples stock their bars without stress, overspending, or ending up with 47 random bottles of things no one drinks. So we created a simple, foolproof approach that keeps your guests happy and your planning easy.
Let’s break it down 👇
🍺 Step 1: Keep Your Beer Selection Simple
When it comes to beer, more options ≠ better experience. Too many choices slow down the bar and overwhelm guests. Instead, stick to three intentional picks:
- One Crowd Pleaser canned beer (lager, pilsner, kölsch)
- One Full-Flavored canned beer option (IPA, amber, brown)
- One canned Seltzer brand (if you aren't opting for a full bar, make sure the seltzers are malt based and not liquor based)
That’s it. Clean, easy, and something for everyone.
💡 Pro tip: Skip variety packs of beers where possible. They seem fun…until your bar turns into a scavenger hunt. As seltzers are typically only sold by variety pack, this is the one exception to our variety pack suggestion. If you do purchase a seltzer varitety pack, please buy the same variety for each case purchased to avoid too many options.
📊 How much to buy? Plan for about 2 beers x Total Guest Count, rounded up to full cases.
Example:
2 Beers x 50 Guests = 100 Cans = 9 Total Cases of 12 Packs = 3 Cases of 12 Packs for each Beer/Seltzer you choose
| TOTAL GUEST COUNT | CANS OF CROWD PLEASER | CANS OF FULL FLAVOR | CANS OF SELTZER |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| 50 | 36 | 36 | 36 |
| 75 | 48 | 48 | 48 |
| 100 | 72 | 72 | 72 |
| 125 | 84 | 84 | 84 |
🍷 Step 2: Wine That Actually Gets Drank
Wine is where couples tend to go rogue… and end up with half-full bottles of everything. Instead, keep it streamlined:
- 2 reds (Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon)
- 2 whites (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc)
- Optional: 1 bubbly for toasts (Prosecco or Champagne)
Stick to one brand per varietal. Familiar = comfortable = consumed.
📊 How much to buy? 1 bottle of wine for every 3 Total Guests, 1 bottle per 8 Total Guests for a champagne toast.
Example:
50 Guests/3 = 16 Total Bottles = 4 Bottles of each of your 4 Wine Varietals
50 Guests/8 = 7 Bottles of Bubbly
| TOTAL GUEST COUNT | BOTTLES OF WHITE WINE | BOTTLES OF RED WINE | BOTTLES OF BUBBLY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 50 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
| 75 | 12 | 12 | 10 |
| 100 | 8 | 8 | 13 |
| 125 | 10 | 10 | 16 |
🥃 Step 3: Build a Smart Liquor Lineup
You don’t need a full nightclub bar to make guests happy. Start with:
- Vodka
- Bourbon
- ONE: Tequila, Gin, or Rum
Then build around your signature drinks (more on that next).
📊 How much to buy? 1 liter per 6 Total Guests or 1.75L per 10 Total Guests
Example:
50 Guests/6 = 8 each 1 Liter Bottles or 50 Guests/10 = 5 each 1.75 L Bottles
| TOTAL GUEST COUNT | EACH 1 L, 3 CHOICES | EACH 1.75, 3 CHOICES | EACH 1L, 4 CHOICES | EACH 1.75L, 4 CHOICES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 50 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 75 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 100 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| 125 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
🍹 Step 4: Signature Drinks = Personality + Efficiency
If your bar had a love language, this would be it. Choose two signature cocktails that reflect you as a couple! These become your bar’s headliners and keep lines moving smoothly. Some crowd-favorite directions:
Light + refreshing (mules, spritzes, mojitos)
Classic + cozy (old fashioned, whiskey sour)
Bright + citrusy (margaritas, lemon drops)
Bonus: Signature Drinks reduce decision fatigue for guests and help control what you need to purchase.
Need suggestions? Check out our Signature Drink Page for crowd-pleasing drink ideas and/or ask us to craft something unique for you!
🍊 Step 5: Don’t Forget the Extras (We’ve Got You Covered)
With our Beer + Wine Package, we provide:
Black Beverage Napkins
Plastic 9 oz and 16 oz Cups
Ice + Bartender
Couple to Provide: All Beer + Wine
With our Full Bar Package, we provide:
Coke, Diet Coke + Sprite
Oranges, Limes, Cherries, Lemons, Olives + Mint
Tonic, Club Soda
Orange Juice, Sour Mix
Simple Syrup, Bitters
Black Beverage Napkins
Straws + Stirrers
Plastic 9 oz and 16 oz Cups
Ice + Bartender
Couple to Provide: All Beer, Wine + Liquor as well as a $50 NC ABC Permit to include each day liquor will be served.
🍓 Step 6: Mocktails Matter More Than You Think
Not everyone is drinking… and that doesn’t mean they should be stuck with water or soda. A thoughtfully chosen mocktail:
- Makes guests feel included
- Elevates the experience
- Looks just as beautiful in photos
Think: Berry refreshers, Ginger spritzes, Citrus + herb blends. Need suggestions? Check out our Mocktails Page for crowd-pleasing drink ideas for your guests!
Serenity Ridge: Venue, Vendors, and Views
