We talk drinks with couples pretty much every week, and the questions are always the same: How much do we need? Which wines should we serve? Is it OK to serve Emu? Where do we even start?
So we thought we’d put together our honest answers – the things we actually say when couples come in for a consultation. Here’s what we’ve learned from supplying weddings across the south west.
Start earlier than you think
Planning a wedding is hectic, and we’re keen to make the drinks the easiest part of the process. We recommend coming in for a consult somewhere between two and six months before your wedding. Even earlier if you like. That gives you time to taste, to think, and to adjust your order as your guest numbers shift. Leave it too late and you’re rushed – and some of the wines you’d love might not be available in the quantity you need. The earlier you’re in, the more we can do for you.
Think about your menu first
Drinks should follow food, not the other way around. If your caterer is serving a long grazing table, you want whites and rosé that are fresh and easy. If there’s a sit-down dinner with red meat, a generous Cabernet Sauvignon from the region is going to sing. We always ask couples to share their menu or at least their general vibe – relaxed and coastal, or long-table formal – before we start recommending. It makes a real difference.
Don’t forget the non-drinkers
This one gets overlooked more than you’d think. A great sparkling water, some quality non-alcoholic options, and a considered mocktail or two go a long way. Your guests who don’t drink alcohol will remember how well they were catered for just as much as anyone else.
BYO venues give you the best of both worlds
You’ve picked a BYO venue, consider it a gift. You get to make it feel like your kind of party – the wines you actually love, the beers your mates drink, the bubbles that mean something to you. No corkage stress, no being locked into one supplier, no generic house wine. Just freedom. We love helping couples who are stocking the bar themselves because we can really tailor the selection to them, their guests, and their budget. As one of our lovely Google reviewers put it, we made catering for their large party a breeze.
The quantities question
Everyone asks this. Our rule of thumb is roughly one to one and a half bottles of wine per person for a six-hour reception plus a selection of non-alcoholic drinks and beers – but it depends on your crowd, the weather, the location, time of day and how long you’re going. We’ll go through this in detail during a consultation and give you a proper guide based on your specific event. Better to have a little left over than to run short on the day.
Go local where you can
We’re biased, but we also genuinely believe the Margaret River region makes some of the best wine in the country. Having local Chardonnay, Cab Sauv or Rosé on the table at a south west wedding just makes sense – it’s a talking point, it supports the region, and it tastes incredible. We can help you put together a selection that showcases the best of what’s down here.
Ready to start planning? We’d love to sit down with you – whether your wedding is three months away or twelve. Come in and see us at Clark Street, or fill in the form on our Weddings & Parties page to book a consultation. We’ll take care of the rest.
Bridget Lukin
9755 3766 or 0418 942 728
bridget@swlw.com.au
Open to the public with great prices on a superb range of wines
