Wine Cheers Outdoor Summer Day

CARALUZZI'S WINE & SPIRITS

PARTY PLANNING

Whether you are having a formal event like a wedding or a casual backyard barbecue, we can help you decide how much wine, beer, and spirits you are going to need. We can also order kegs of your favorite brews in a variety of sizes. Our party planning calculator below is a great tool, if you need more help our staff is here to assist!

Deciding what to buy and how much can be confusing. Our party planning calculator makes it easy. Make sure to choose a variety of wine and beer. For wine include red, white, and even sparkling. For beer include IPAs, Lagers, and Ales. If you are having a smaller gathering and are serving liquor, try choosing a signature cocktail for the evening.

Just remember, party planning is both a science and an art. You know your guests. Some may be lighter drinkers while others may be heavier drinkers. It's always better to have too much rather than to little refreshments.

Things to Consider Before Purchasing

  • Your guests' personal tastes: Are they into keggers where the only necessity is that beer flows all night? Do they love to show off their latest vintage wine when you attend a dinner party at their home? Maybe you're hosting a foodie crowd who gets easily excited by the newest, trendiest cocktails when you hit the bars together.
  • Your menu: Consider your audience, but what your guests are used to shouldn't immediately dictate what you choose to serve. You should select beverages based on your menu and type of party. However, it will give you a hint as to what the volume of drinking should be if you offer a variety.
  • Who's behind the bar: If you plan to hire a bartender, a full bar will be manageable. But if you'll be mixing drinks all night for your guests, you'll want to simplify your offerings to make your hosting job easier. Remember: it's your party, you want to have fun too!
  • The ages of your guests: If there will be lots of kids, plan on stocking up on juices, soft drinks, and water. Will there be many young men, fresh out of college? Then don't skimp on the beer. Is it an older, more sophisticated group? Be sure to lay in a good supply of wine and spirits.
  • Try a signature beverage: This will add style to your party and can be a nice addition to a themed event. At the same time, it will keep your budget more manageable than the cost of stocking a full bar with alcohol, mixers, wine, and beer.
  • Your partying schedule: If you entertain often, then it may pay to keep a fully stocked bar. Take inventory before your party to determine what extra beverages you'll need to purchase.

There are also general party tips to keep in mind that may affect the number of beverages consumed at your event. To help keep the drinks flowing, make sure you're equipped with essential supplies and that nothing's going to waste.

  • Don't open everything at the beginning of your party: You don't want to be left with 10 bottles of wine that are only partially consumed. Also, if you purchased beverages that you don't normally keep in your home, you may be able to return them after the party if they're unopened.
  • Remember to stock up on lots of ice: You should have at least one pound of ice per person. This covers the ice you'll be serving in drinks and need to keep beverages cold. If the weather is hot or the party is active, it's best to have more. On the other hand, if you have many refrigerators to keep your beer and other beverages chilled until serving, you can have less.
  • Be sure to have enough glasses: Whether it's glass or disposable, when setting up the drinkware for your party, plan on multiple glasses per guest. This can be cut back if you use wine glass charms or other drink markers. Guests often forget where they place a drink or they may change beverages over the course of your party, requiring a new glass.
    Courtesy of The Spruce

Please call to speak with one of our managers to help with your party planning, were glad to help!