You’ve sorted the venue and picked the dress. Now, let’s make sure the bar runs flawlessly. Here is our ultimate guide to managing your DIY wedding drinks like a seasoned pro.
Don't get your drinks delivered on the morning of your wedding! Refrigerators and cool boxes take significantly longer to drop the temperature of 200 bottles of beer compared to a standard six-pack. We highly recommend scheduling your Giddy Squirrel delivery for 1 or 2 days before the event. This gives you plenty of time to get everything perfectly chilled without the last-minute panic.
The number one thing DIY weddings run out of is ice. You will need ice for chilling bottles in tubs, ice for serving in spirits and soft drinks, and backup ice for when the first batch melts. As a general rule, calculate 500g to 1kg of ice per guest. Pro Tip: Hire heavy-duty cool boxes or large galvanized metal tubs to store your chilling ice, as standard venue freezers are rarely large enough.
Immediately after the ceremony, every single guest will want a drink at exactly the same time. Do not make them wait for someone to open bottles or mix drinks to order! Have your welcome drinks (Prosecco, bottled beers, or a signature cocktail) pre-poured and laid out on tables 15 minutes before the ceremony ends. This keeps the crowd moving and the atmosphere buzzing.
When you supply your own drinks, you are also supplying the bar infrastructure. Do not forget to pack a "Bar Survival Kit" containing:
It sounds boring, but it is the secret to a wedding that lasts all night. Set up a dedicated, self-serve "Hydration Station" away from the main bar. Fill large glass dispensers with ice water, mint, and lemon. This stops guests from queuing at the bar just for a glass of water and keeps everyone fresh on the dancefloor.
Running out of alcohol kills the party vibe, but over-ordering leaves you with a massive bill. Use our Giddy Squirrel Package Calculator to get the perfect ratio of beers, wines, and soft drinks based on your exact guest count. We’ve done the math so you don't have to.