Creating a Drink Menu for Your Wedding Reception: To Do or Not to Do? Four Approaches with Their Advantages and Disadvantages

Drink Menu, To Create or Not to Create?

Future Brides, will you prepare a "Drink Menu" for your wedding reception?

The drinks served to guests at the reception can either be a free-flowing option or one where guests are charged for each drink. In either case, having a menu that lists the various drink choices can be quite convenient, don't you think?＊

However, there is no strict rule that you must have a drink menu. In fact, I have attended weddings before where there was no drink menu at all.＊

Whether to prepare one or not is ultimately up to the bride's preference. Still, since it's a first-time experience, it can be difficult to figure out how to decide. Therefore, I will introduce the four main patterns for drink menus and their pros and cons♡

Use these four patterns as a reference to choose a style that suits you!＊

The Drink Menu Dilemma at Receptions * Pattern ① Don't Create One!

The first option is to not create a drink menu! This style allows guests to order their favorite drinks as they think of them.＊

There are two main advantages to not having a drink menu.

The first is that you don’t need to order or create a menu, saving both money and time.

The second is that if the free-flow plan has a limited selection of drinks, not having a menu prevents guests from feeling disappointed, thinking "Is that all there is?"

Without a drink menu, many guests will ask the venue staff what drinks are available. If they are told, "You can choose from beer, wine, shochu, or oolong tea," they might naturally think, "Well, then I’ll go with wine." However, if a menu shows only four options, they might feel that it’s lacking. By intentionally not placing a menu, you can help guests enjoy the event without dissatisfaction.＊

A downside is that some guests might order drinks not included in the plan. In such cases, it will depend on the judgment of the bride and groom whether to accommodate such requests. It’s recommended to communicate to the venue in advance whether you will accept orders for drinks outside the plan, like “We will not accept any orders for drinks outside the plan” or “Cocktails are okay, but champagne is not.”＊

The Drink Menu Dilemma at Receptions * Pattern ② Place Menus on Each Table

The most common approach is to place several drink menus on each guest table♩ It’s generally sufficient to prepare about three menus for round tables, making it easy for guests to see.＊

The advantage of having menus on each table is that it allows guests to order drinks smoothly♩ Additionally, preparing a stylish menu that aligns with the wedding theme can enhance the visual appeal of the guest tables♡

The downsides, however, are that if you order them from the venue, it can incur costs, and if you choose to DIY, it can be time-consuming. However, since you don’t need as many copies as seat cards or seating charts, it is relatively easy to DIY.♩

The Drink Menu Dilemma at Receptions * Pattern ③ Place Menus on Each Seat

The third option is to prepare menus at each guest's seat. In this style, it is common to combine the food menu and drink menu into one item.＊

The advantages include ease of ordering for guests and the ability to design it as part of the table decor. This option is recommended for brides who enjoy making paper items or aspire to a chic guest table like those seen at overseas weddings♡

The downsides are mainly cost and effort. Since the food menu might need to be finalized only after receiving all the RSVP cards (to check for guest allergies), in such cases, it’s necessary to select a vendor that can handle short turnarounds.＊

The Drink Menu Dilemma at Receptions * Pattern ④ Include in Profile Book or Seating Chart

The last pattern to be introduced is to include the drink menu within the profile book or seating chart.＊ A profile book typically contains the bride and groom's profiles, many photos, and a seating chart, all compiled into one paper item. Many brides prepare a profile book of about 8 to 12 pages that incorporates both the food and drink menus.♩

The image shows a design where the back of the profile book contains the food menu and drink menu. Some brides create a menu page spread using two pages.＊

The advantage is that you don't have to prepare multiple paper items. Since there are already many types of paper items, merging the drink menu with the profile book can save some effort.＊

The downside is that if you want to decide on the menu only after gathering all the RSVP cards, the menus can only be printed after they are finalized. This wouldn't be an issue if you're making them yourself, but if ordered from a vendor, you will need to plan and send out invitations according to their lead times.

Which Pattern Will You Choose?

We have introduced the patterns for menu books at wedding receptions along with their respective pros and cons. Do you have an idea of which pattern might work best for you?♩

While considering various factors such as time, money, and preferences, please choose the method that is most suitable for both you and your guests!♡