And What About the Vodka?

That is the question! Deciding on the amount and type of alcohol to purchase for a wedding reception is never easy. Each wedding is unique, so it’s best not to rely on rigid templates like “0.5 liters of vodka per couple,” but rather to carefully consider your vision for the reception and the guest list 🙂

Of course, the foundation of a successful wedding is good music, delicious food, and well-chilled vodka 🙂 But should you only serve pure alcohol? A lot depends on your guests’ preferences, as they will be the primary consumers. If your guest list includes mainly older individuals who appreciate tradition, it’s a good idea to make pure vodka the main drink. Additionally, flavored vodkas and homemade liqueurs (especially if made by the groom or a close family member) can be a great addition, perfectly fitting the atmosphere of a traditional wedding. A good solution is to set up a special buffet and showcase the drinks.

photo by Artur Mamos
However, not everyone is a fan of strong alcohol, so it’s a good idea to also have wine and beer at a traditional reception. If you know they’ll be consumed in smaller quantities, you can include them in the alcohol buffet. A more recommended solution, however, is to place vodka and wine on the guest tables. A very elegant option is to start the reception with alcohol service, where waiters offer and serve wine to guests before the hot dishes are served.

photo by Artur Mamos
If your guest list includes many young people and foreign guests who may not be used to consuming large quantities of Polish vodka, don’t hesitate to hire a cocktail bar. Colorful drinks and creative cocktails are a fantastic way to add variety to the reception. Moreover, this can also be an attraction for pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers, who can enjoy a delicious virgin cocktail instead of just drinking water or juice. Both expectant mothers and drivers will surely appreciate the chance to have non-alcoholic beer or wine, which is becoming more popular and available. The bartenders at Dwór Afrodyta also have some fun drink options for kids!

When creating a drink menu, it’s important to choose cocktails that are based on similar types of alcohol, such as two drinks with rum, two with whiskey, two with martini, and one with vodka (especially if you are responsible for purchasing all the ingredients). If you opt for a cocktail bar, you can be sure that guests will drink less wedding vodka, so feel free to buy less of it.
IMPORTANT: For large receptions with over 150 guests, I recommend hiring two bartenders instead of just one. Of course, this adds to the cost, but it also eliminates long lines for drinks.

photo by Juan Miguel Elcinto Velasco
In hot summer weather, a refreshing alternative to strong alcohol is cider. This traditional Polish drink is gaining more and more fans each year, especially during the summer. If you’re planning your reception in the fall or winter, serving mulled wine would be an excellent choice. You can find more ideas for autumn and winter weddings in the link below:

https://www.dworafrodyta.pl/en/uncategorized/5-advantages-of-a-wedding-in-the-autumn-winter-season/

In summary, vodka still reigns supreme at Polish weddings, but it’s important to include a variety of drinks and additional attractions. Whether you’re planning a traditional, festive, or elegant wedding, make sure there’s also wine, beer, and other alcoholic beverages available. Cocktail bars and buffets, where alcohol is elegantly displayed, are becoming increasingly popular.

P.S. Do you remember the tradition of gifting cake and a bottle of vodka as a farewell? Below is a modern and very elegant version — glittery mini champagne bottles 🙂

photo by Piękne Projekty
Cheers!