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Big day coming up? Here’s how to choose the perfect drink for every major moment.
First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the great seating shuffle to stop aunties throwing elbows over entrees, and then something about a golden carriage. Or was it a baby? Honestly, no one remembers that part.
Anyway, if it wasn’t already obvious, weddings are a lot. A lot of fun, sure, but also a lot of work, with a lot of personalities to manage, which can make the whole organising-and-buying-drinks part way harder than it should be. And while it’s absolutely important to pick what you like (this is your party, after all), you’re probably catering for 50-plus guests, so variety is your friend. Although, let’s be honest, you can’t please everyone.
If all this has you feeling a bit ‘send help’, don’t worry. To make life easier (because wedding planning isn’t exactly a light jog), we’ve mapped out drink options for each moment of the day – from arrival and speeches, all the way through to annihilating the DF.
A drink is often the first thing your guests reach for after a bit of a mingle and finding a seat, patch of lawn, hay bale or pew (alcohol’s allowed in churches, right?), so first impressions do count. Drinks also often follow the ceremony; everyone’s looking fresh and feeling festive, so whatever’s pouring should match the vibe. Think of these drinks as the wedding aperitif. We’re easing into the day here – warming up the appetite for (hopefully) delicious food and a big night on the dancefloor – so keep it bubbly, bright and easy.
Champagne and its fizzy cousins are classics for a reason. If you’re going all-in on the sparkles, Piper-Heidsieck Brut Champagne is a cracker of a choice – vibrant, elegant and a proper nod to the occasion.
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Prefer something a little less effervescent for these starter drinks? A crisp white is a great alternative. The Heggies Vineyard Eden Valley Riesling hits the spot as it’s zippy, fresh and not too serious. It’s just right for that first glass-in-hand kind of moment.
And if your wedding is taking design cues from the Amalfi Coast (like roughly 90% of Millennials tying the knot this year), it has to be Spritz o’clock. The Aperol Spritz not only delivers on that la dolce vita energy we’ve all got pinned on the ‘wedding inspo’ Pinterest board (lemons – everywhere!), but that bright orange hue also looks unreal in photos.
The roast… we mean toast
Time to clink glasses and cross your fingers that your partner’s brother doesn’t get too detailed in his speech. For this moment, bubbles are your best friend, and going classic will keep things simple. Stick with that Piper-Heidsieck, or go local if you’re keen to give things a more laidback Aussie feel (the A by Arras is always a winner). Either way, serve it well chilled and pour it just before the toast so it stays fizzy, crisp and celebratory.
Our hot tip is to remember that this bit is over in a flash (unless that one bridesmaid gets the mic), so there’s no need to over-cater. One pour per guest will do the job nicely, which might make Champagne a more realistic choice. And if you’re after direction on how much alcohol you’ll need per guest for the other moments, be sure to check out our guide to help you figure out the right quantities.
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The dinner drinks
The meal is when your drinks list really gets to stretch its legs. Guests are seated, plates are being passed around and the chat’s flowing, so your wines need to hold their own alongside the usual line-up of chicken, fish, duck and steak. You don’t need to roll out a full wine bar here – two whites, a red (maybe two) and you’re sorted. No need to overdo it either, because let’s be honest, the oldies won’t touch that funky orange skin-contact wine or anything else that’s too out-there.
For whites, it’s smart to offer two distinct, food-friendly styles. One crisp and aromatic – like the Heggies from the ceremony – and one richer and rounder, like the Yering Station Yarra Chardonnay. That duo will comfortably cover most white-wine tastes and food pairings.
In the reds, Riposte’s The Sabre Pinot Noir is a solid all-rounder. It’s light enough for the white-meat crowd, but still satisfying for the red-wine diehards. This is easy drinking and crowd pleasing – and great value, too.
One red may be enough, but if you’re feeling generous or want to offer a bit more variety, throw in the Oliver’s Taranga Grenache. It’s a little bolder, with plenty of fruit and spice, which makes it a great fit with richer dishes as well as the fans of bigger reds.
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Once the speeches are done, the cake’s been cut (and not smeared on anyone’s face), and someone’s aunt has officially ditched the heels, it’s party time.
Cocktails? Optional, but very fun. Signature cocktails – ones that a bartender’s dreamed up just for your big day – are a great way to add a personal touch. But if that’s sounding a bit exxy, classic cocktails are just as classy.
Stick to crowd-pleasers that are fairly fast to make. An Espresso Martini is always a winner, especially when paired with Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter on the playlist – BYO giant heels and a skyscraper ’80s blowout.
As you may already know, the Margarita is always a top choice. Serve Margs at your wedding and they’ll go off like Eve’s ‘Let Me Blow Ya Mind’ the minute the dancefloor opens. “Drop your glasses, shake your asses…”
Want to add a twist? Give it a kick with a Spicy Marg, or keep it cool with a Tommy’s Margarita over ice. However you shake it, it’s going to be lit.
If you’re keeping everything Italiano, go for gold with the old Negroni. Strong, stylish, super batchable and very on-brand if your wedding aesthetic includes those decorative lemons.
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All-rounders throughout the day
No matter how much effort you put into curating fun wines or clever cocktails, there’ll always be a few guests who just want what they know: a whisky and cola, an ice-cold beer or a classic G&T. And honestly? Fair enough. They know what they like. More power to them.
For the G&T crowd, you can’t go wrong with a good Aussie gin like Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin, paired with a quality mixer like StrangeLove No. 8 Tonic Water. For the whisky loyalists, Johnnie Walker Red Label is a reliable all-rounder – just add cola, soda or ice and you’re set.
And then, of course: beer. The old faithful. Your old cobbers might come in expecting the usual, but why not surprise them? Better Beer’s Zero Carb Lager is crisp, refreshing and super easy drinking, which is just what you want when the dancefloor kicks off. Doing the Nutbush with a belly of heavy beer? Tina’s rolling in her grave.
Weddings can feel like one never-ending to-do list, but your drinks menu doesn’t have to be another headache. Keep it simple, cover your bases and pick stuff you actually want to drink. That way, whether you’re working the room or tearing it up on the dancefloor, your glass will always be worth raising.
And if you need a hand pulling it all together, the Dan Murphy’s Weddings & Events team are absolute legends, as you’ll see in this first-hand piece that raves about the experience of working with them.
Now go forth, plan that party, and maybe sneak in a little drinks testing while you’re at it. For research purposes, obviously.
