How Many Bottles of Wine to Plan for a Wedding? The Smart Guide
How Much Wine to Plan for a Wedding? 🍷💍
How many bottles do you need for a wedding? If you're in the middle of planning, this question is probably at the top of your to-do list. Don't panic: we'll help you see clearly, with concrete guidelines, practical advice... and even tips to avoid running dry (or having too much).
The Basics: How Many Glasses Per Bottle? 🍷
- A standard wine bottle (75 cl) = 6 glasses of 12.5 cl
- For champagne or sparkling wine: count 7 flutes per bottle
- For sweet or dessert wines (aperitif or dessert): 8 to 10 small glasses per bottle
Which Wine for Which Moment? 🥂
- Cocktail Hour/Reception
Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours
Plan 1 glass of sparkling or white wine per person every 30 minutes
👉 About 1 bottle for 3 people
- Meal
Generally, 1 or 2 wines are served (often a white then a red)
- Count 1 bottle for 2 to 3 people, about 2 glasses of each wine per guest
- If you only have one wine (e.g.: a red), count 1 bottle for 2
- Dessert
- If you serve a sweet wine or sweet sparkling wine: 1 bottle for 6 to 8 people
- End of Evening/Next Day Brunch
- Plan a few extra bottles (rosé, light white, sparkling): you can never be too careful 😉
Summary Table 🧮
|
Moment |
Recommended Quantity |
|
Cocktail hour |
1 bottle for 3 people (white or sparkling) |
|
Meal |
1 bottle of white for 3 / 1 red for 2 |
|
Dessert |
1 bottle for 6-8 people (sweet or sparkling) |
|
Extras |
10-15% extra margin for unexpected needs |
👉 Example for 100 people:
- 35 bottles of white wine or sparkling for cocktail
- 35 bottles of white wine for starter
- 50 bottles of red wine for main course
- 15 bottles of sweet wine or sparkling for dessert
- 20 "buffer" bottles for evening and brunch
Our Bonus Tips ❗
- Adapt to your audience: young party-goers? sober families? The profile of guests matters as much as their number.
- Choose versatile wines: a crisp white, a fruity red, quality sparkling... and you're set.
- Prefer large formats if you have many guests: magnum bottles, quality bag-in-box for some simple rosés/whites.
- Plan for temperature: keep whites and sparkling chilled (backup fridges, coolers, cellar).
Our Special Wedding Selection 🎉
Need concrete ideas to build your big day wine collection? Here are 4 essential bottles, selected for their accessibility, generosity and excellent value:
🥂 To Open the Ball
Champagne Maxime Blin "Carte Blanche – Nos Moments" Brut
A grower champagne full of finesse, with elegant bubbles and aromas of citrus and white flowers. Perfect for a sparkling cocktail hour.
🌸 For Aperitif or Next Day Brunch
Domaine Sainte-Marie – Cuvée Paparazzi Rosé
Fruity, fresh, delicately saline: a charming Provençal rosé that pleases everyone. The ideal companion for toasts, grilled foods and sunny moments.
🍋 To Accompany Starter or Light Dish
Domaine des Chenevières – Mâcon-Villages 2021
A Chardonnay full of suppleness, both floral, lemony and round in the mouth. The perfect match with poultry, fish or cold buffet.
🍒 For Sauced Dish or Roasted Meat
Domaine Mont Chavy – Morgon 2020
A fruity, supple and elegant red, with aromas of cherry and sweet spices. A Beaujolais with character that pleases both enthusiasts and novices.
One Last Sip for the Road 🏁
Planning the right number of bottles for a wedding is a clever mix of foresight, conviviality... and moderation. The important thing is that everyone has the pleasure of toasting — and remembering this big day for the right reasons 🥂
