should we ask if people prefer white or red wine on reply cards?
We are unable to afford an open bar (itll up our budget by several thousand dollars) Instead we have decided to have wine service with dinner. We are being offered a steeply discounted rate if we pre-order the wine thru the venue ( off per bottle pre ordered). We are having about 85 guests. We will offer 1 red, 1 white. We are offering salmon, and pork. The wedding is in November. On the reply card, when we give the option for a meal, should we also mention the option for wine choice? I was thinking this way itll be more clear that there isnt going to be an open bar (We are offering wine service, and a cash bar for those who would like something else to drink). Also, we will be able to more accurately pre order the wine. Otherwise, whatever wine is consumed outside of what we order we will have to pay the normal rate. What do you think??
We are offering both. I just want to know who wants what so we can appropriately order the right amount before hand.
we were going to order about 30 bottles, it was just a matter of how much of each. Thanks for responding!
Tagged with: budget • reply card • salmon • several thousand dollars • venue • wine service
Filed under: All Things Wine
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I think you should order a case of red and a case of white so that you have one of each at each table, assuming that there are 8 per table. That is about 1/4 bottle, about one 5 oz drink, per guest. If you want to spend more money, make it two cases of each. I don’t think you should use reply cards at all, but if you feel like you have to use them then make them as simple as possible, with few choices other than attend vs not attend. Some things have to left uncertain and uncontrolled to just work themselves out as they happen.
If you need to ask or tell more than ‘who is attending?’ then do your RSVP by phone. Use the one on one phone conversation to fill in details like how dressed up to get, where to park, fish or meat, will there be booze, and last but not least what sort of gift might the couple appreciate? No, the bride isn’t expected to make and take all these calls; that is what bridesmaids, groomsmen, and younger siblings are for.
Congrats and best wishes.
I think you should order a bottle of red and a bottle of white for each table. There is not need to inform guests about cash bar. They will figure it out when they get there. Do not put on reply card. It would be better to have a less expensive wine and have enough of each to go around each table. Best wishes for a lovely day.
Have it on reply cards, can’t hurt.
It’s one way of doing it, it’ll give you a better idea of how much to order and the more you save the more you can give back to the guests.
Or you could have a bottle of each on each table. Most wine bottles can pour about 5 to 6 standard drinks so if you’ve got tables of 8 to 10 then that should be fine. And if a table wants more white there’s bound to be a table that wants more red. They can pass the bottles around :p
But I would suggest that you add something on the cards like: "A full cash bar will be available to all guests". It’s best not to run the risk that people won’t get the hint, because trust me there’s nothing worse than having to run around on the day trying to get money or spending the night without any drinks when you want some.
Good luck.
I do a lot of weddings and see so much nice whines being wasted. The table can make a choice of red or white bottle, take the card to the bar and get their bottle. No waist of just 1 glass of each white left on a table. If teh red is finish, only offer the white. The pre ask is a good idea so you can even place red whine drinkers on a table together. Again just a thought.
usually a certain wine accompanies the food. for example, white wine with fish, and red wine with meats like beef. i am not sure where pork falls under the rules, but i’m sure if you ask the company you are purchasing the wine from they can give you some information on which wines are going to taste best with which foods.
and once you know which wines go with which meats, you only have to worry about guest’s meal choice.
I think you do not need to mention the option of wine choice . BTW - you’re serving a fish and pork - shouldn’t you have both wines - white for fish and red for pork?
I had both at my wedding, and it worked out great.
Venues will almost always buy back unopened bottles. So buy more than you think you’ll need, and make sure it’s in your contract that the venue will buy back unopened bottles… AND that they understand that you’re on a tight budget and will only open 1-2 bottles at a time.
If they won’t buy back, then assume half will want red, half will want white, and each adult guest will consume 1.5-2 glasses. Don’t ask people to pre-order their wine choice… that’s just silly.
And mention the cash bar ONLY if the bartender won’t have a way to process credit cards. If they do (which they should), don’t worry about it.