A Real Bar Order,
By the Numbers
A complete breakdown of what was ordered, what was consumed, and what was returned from a real CBE wedding.
Service timeline note: With 4 bartenders and 2 bars across 7 hours, this is a well-staffed event. For a DIY wedding, plan on 1 capable person per bar at minimum and a designated helper for restocking, ice, and running supplies between bars.
Summer crowd skewed heavily white — this is consistent with CBE's seasonal formula. The sparkling wine (Cava) was used for welcome drinks and toasts.
| Wine | Type | Ordered | Returned | Consumed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Wine | ||||
| Sauvignon Blanc | White | 24 | ↩ 5 | 19 |
| Chardonnay (Sonoma) | White | 12 | — | 12 |
| White Burgundy | White | 12 | — | 12 |
| Red Wine | ||||
| Pinot Noir | Red | 24 | ↩ 17 | 7 |
| Cabernet Sauvignon | Red | 24 | ↩ 18 | 6 |
| Sparkling | ||||
| Cava Brut | Sparkling | 12 | ↩ 2 | 10 |
🌞 Summer wine lesson: We ordered 48 bottles of red wine and returned 35 of them. In August, guests overwhelmingly prefer white and sparkling. Two cases of red is plenty for a summer wedding but order it anyway so you have it. It returns easily.
Vodka dominated — largely driven by the signature orange and grapefruit crush cocktails. Triple sec was heavy due to crush recipe (½ oz per drink × 100 crushes). Bourbon surprised us.
| Spirit | Size | Ordered | Returned | Consumed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vodka | ||||
| Smirnoff Orange | 750ml | 18 | ↩ 14 | 4 |
| Deep Eddy Ruby Red | 750ml | 12 | ↩ 8 | 4 |
| Tito's Handmade | 1L | 9 | ↩ 4 | 5 |
| Ketel One | 750ml | 9 | ↩ 6 | 3 |
| Tequila | ||||
| Casamigos Reposado | 750ml | 6 | ↩ 3 | 3 |
| Don Julio Blanco | 750ml | 6 | — | 6 |
| Bourbon / Whiskey | ||||
| Bulleit Bourbon | 750ml | 9 | ↩ 1 | 8 |
| Rum / Gin / Other | ||||
| Bacardi Light Rum | 1L | 6 | ↩ 3 | 3 |
| Tanqueray Gin | 1L | 4 | ↩ 2 | 2 |
| Triple Sec | 1L | 12 | ↩ 7 | 5 |
| Dewars Scotch | 1L | 2 | — | 2 |
| Dry Vermouth | 1L | 2 | — | 2 |
🥃 Bourbon surprise: Bulleit Bourbon was the biggest mover — 8 of 9 bottles consumed. This crowd loved old fashioneds, which were a signature drink. If bourbon is on your menu, plan accordingly. Don Julio Blanco also went completely — tequila drinkers showed up strong for this crowd.
| Beer | Pack | Cases Ordered | Returned | Consumed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local Craft Lager | 24-pk | 5 cases (120) | ↩ 2 cases (48) | 72 |
| National Bohemian | 30-pk | 4 cases (120) | ↩ 1 case (30) | 90 |
| Yuengling Lager | 24-pk | 4 cases (96) | ↩ 1 case (24) | 72 |
| Corona Extra | 24-pk | 4 cases (96) | ↩ 1 case (24) | 72 |
August outdoor/indoor wedding required careful ice management. We split the pickup to prevent melt in transit — a critical strategy for summer events more than 20 minutes from your ice source.
Distributor Pickup
Loaded with alcohol order at the same time. Stored in insulated coolers and transported directly to venue.
Local Store Stop
Second ice run from a store ~15 min from venue. Purchased en route and arrived nearly frozen solid, maximizing usable ice.
Why phased ice works: Ice loaded at a distributor 30+ minutes from a summer venue can lose 15–20% to melt before it ever hits a cooler. Splitting the run means your second batch arrives cold, your coolers stay fuller longer, and your outdoor bar doesn't run dry during cocktail hour — the hottest, busiest stretch of the event.
The return strategy in action: Buying with a buffer and returning the surplus is the single best thing a DIY couple can do. This order came back $1,585 richer two days after the wedding. Confirm your retailer's return policy before purchasing — many accept sealed, unopened cases with a receipt.
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Summer = white wine dominates
65% of all wine consumed was white. Red sat on the shelf. For summer weddings, lean 3:1 white to red — you can always return the reds.
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Signature drinks drive mixer consumption
The crush cocktail hour used 5 liters of triple sec alone. If you have a signature drink, factor every ingredient into your mixer order — not just the spirits.
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Know your crowd's go-to spirit
Bourbon nearly sold out. Don Julio Blanco completely ran out. If your crowd has a signature spirit or your menu features it prominently, order extra — it doesn't return easily once opened.
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Stage your ice in summer
Split your ice pickup — get some with your alcohol order, and get the rest from a store near your venue. This is the single biggest ice mistake DIY couples make in warm months.
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Buy with a buffer, return the rest
$1,585 came back. Running out of wine at hour five is a disaster. Buying an extra case of Sauv Blanc and returning it on Monday is not. Always buy more than you think you need.
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Indoor vs. outdoor bars behave differently
The outdoor cocktail bar burned through ice fast during setup and cocktail hour in August sun. The indoor reception bar was far more efficient. Plan your ice allocation accordingly.
* Pricing note: Dollar amounts shown reflect CBE's wholesale account pricing at our preferred distributor. As a professional account, CBE clients receive approximately 20% off retail price on wine and 10% off retail price on spirits. Your actual costs may be higher when purchasing at retail. Total Wine, Costco, and Sam's Club offer competitive retail pricing and are recommended for DIY buyers. Prices shown include Maryland state alcohol tax.
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