Unique and Affordable Drink Decorations for Your Wedding
A cocktail with mint and candy garnishes.
Many couples craft special wedding drinks for their big day. Your wedding ceremony is essential, but the reception should also be memorable. There’s no better way to add a bit of flare than by using wedding drink decorations!
When you’re looking into how to serve alcohol at a wedding, wedding drink decorations should be top of mind.
When it comes to drink decorations for weddings, there are so many types to choose from. Whether you want to utilize adorable decorative drink garnishes or add in some delicious edible ones, there’s something for every couple here.
Why Wedding Drink Decorations Matter
While weddings are all about the couples’ special day, it’s also important to give your guests a pleasant and memorable experience. While drink decorations at weddings may seem like just a fluffy decorative item to add, they are actually more than that.
Wedding drink decorations offer a beautiful and pleasing visual appeal. Guests and bridal parties alike will take pleasure in the fun and unique additions to their cocktails or non-alcoholic drinks.
They can add delicious touches to drinks. Using edible wedding drink decorations can add delicious and unique flavors that guests won’t be able to find anywhere else.
Drink decorations for your wedding can be themed and fun. Choosing drink decorations that reflect your wedding theme can showcase your and your partners’ personalities while also getting guests interested in the event’s theme.
It shows your attention to detail. All couples will remember to get some flowers and decorations for their guest tables, but many won’t think to add thoughtful drink decorations.
Decorative Wedding Drink Additions
Wedding Drink Stirrers
Drink stirrers are a classic and affordable way to add some fun to your drinks! They are essentially toothpicks or bamboo sticks with themed decorations on the ends.
You can usually pick up 100-200 drink stirrers for less than $15, so they are a great option if you’re looking for some drink decor on a budget,
You can find drink stirrers in many themes, including fall, Christmas, beach, elegant, and summer. They are easy to add to drinks as well. Set them inside the drink, and you have your decorations.
2. Custom Straws
Custom wedding straws Via DixieandTwine on Etsy
Custom straws are another adorable and affordable way to bring your wedding drinks to life. You can personalize these to include your and your partner’s initials, new last names, and more.
They come in many colors and designs. These are another easy option for your wedding drink decorations as your guests will use the themed straws to drink out of.
These would work best in taller glasses versus cocktail glasses, but nonetheless, they are sure to create some memorable guest photos.
3. Paper Drink Covers
Paper drink cover Via PureValentEvent on Etsy
For catered and large weddings, these paper drink covers are the perfect addition! When you have a large party or waiters and staff who won’t know your guests, this is a perfect way to prevent your guests’ drinks from being taken too early while also ensuring safety and sanitary conditions.
Place them on top of each drink before they go to guests. If your guests get up to dance or chat without their drinks, they can place these covers on top.
You can get paper drink covers in many varieties, with sayings that are funny or heartfelt. They are also customizable with names and wedding dates, which make for a perfect photo addition or themed item during the reception.
4. Personalized Drink Covers
Bling drink covers Via DesignerDrinkCovers on Etsy
For a more fancy feel, you can get elevated and personalized drink covers. These are usually made of faux leather or cotton and have initials, beads, bling, or unique patterns.
Similar to the paper covers above, these are a great way to show a drink is being used while ensuring sanitary conditions amongst a large group.
While these are less economical than the paper options, your guests will indeed be drinking in style at your wedding. Plus, they are reusable, so your attendees can even take them home and reuse them at other events.
Place these decorative wedding drink items on each guest’s glass at their seat. They can transfer it to each new drink they get.
If you love this style but can’t afford to get one for everyone, get one each for you and your partner and provide the paper version for guests.
5. Customized Acrylic Drink Toppers
Personalized acrylic drink toppers Via Melunadesignco on Etsy
For a memorable rim decoration, think about getting a thoughtful acrylic drink topper. These adorable drink decorations will surely get guests in the wedding mood while adding a personal element for you and your partner.
They come in any color, style, and size. Plus, they are so easy to decorate with. Once a drink is prepared, hang it over the edge of the glass, and you have a beautifully decorated drink!
6. Umbrellas
Paper umbrellas are a classic fruity mixed drink decoration. With an essence of summer and sunlight, these are perfect for a beach or summer wedding.
Paper umbrellas actually come in a few different colors and varieties, like these palm tree-styled ones. They are super affordable and always a crowd favorite.
Pop them into any drink, and you’re done. It’s as easy as that.
7. Paper Fruit Decorations
For a cute and bright wedding drink decoration, add some adorable paper fruit sticks! These are best suited with a spring, summer, or tropical-themed wedding.
Like the paper umbrellas, they are super affordable and easy to pop into any drink. Their fun and bright color adds an exciting touch to any wedding drink.
8. Personalized Name Tags
Acrylic wedding name tags Via Soooound on Etsy
Use personalized name tags to make your guests feel special while adding an elegant addition to your wedding drinks. These can be placed on top of your guest’s glasses or placed inside of them once the drink is prepared.
While this wedding drink decoration would only be temporary, it’s a nice touch for photos and your guests.
Edible Drink Decorations
Edible Glitter
Edible glitter is flashy, beautiful, and super affordable. This drink decoration item can be used at any wedding, whether it’s casual or elegant
The edible glitter creates beautiful swirls of color that are sure to excite your guests and add a dazzling factor to your drinks. Once a drink is prepared, add a small scoop of glitter into it for a magical look and feel.
2. Fruit
Fruit cocktail drinks Via Delish
A classic drink decoration for any occasion, fruit is an affordable and delicious way to add flavor and visual appeal to your wedding drinks.
Best of all, you can choose fruit that is in season for your wedding date. Are you having a summer wedding? Add some watermelon and pineapple on the rim of a glass. Is it a winter affair? Pick up some plums and cranberries.
3. Edible Flowers
For a perfect wedding feel, use some edible flowers in your drinks! Weddings nearly always harness beautiful shades and types of flowers.
Touching on this aspect, edible flowers are the perfect decorative addition to your celebration. They are bright and visually lovely. Plus, they are a unique flavor to your drinks something special.
4. Candy
Sour candy drink Via Dora’s Dish
Whether sour or sweet, candy is a yummy way to make your drinks look and taste beautiful. Plus, it’s so affordable for any budget or occasion.
Candy can be used on the rim, inside the drink, or ground up as dust and placed on top.
5. Edible Confetti
Edible confetti Via Cupcakes Cutlery
Like edible glitter, edible confetti is a festive and adorable way to give your drinks life. It’s made to float on top of any drink to provide a colorful and fun visual to you and your guests alike.
Edible confetti is made from the same ingredients as sprinkles, so there’s no concern for taste or quality. It is moderately affordable as well, so party away!
6. Cocktail Sugar
Cocktail sugar is so versatile. Use it on the rim like salt to give guests a sweet taste each sip, or add it to any drink to provide a sweet and bright treat.
7. Custom Drink Toppers
Edible drink toppers Via Bee Box Design Studio
These may look like elegant drink toppers you remove before drinking, but they are actually edible! Custom edible drink toppers have grown to be so popular, and it’s not hard to see why.
They provide a personalized and elegant touch to any drink without compromising ease or potential choking hazards.
These can be personalized for any purpose or season. Once a drink is prepared, you place one of these on top where it stays until the first sip is taken.
8. Herbs
A rosemary cocktail Via The FeedFeed
If you want to create some unique and stand-out flavors, add some herbs to your wedding drink decorations. Herbs like Rosemary and Thyme provide an earthy and subtle flavor, complementing specific cocktails very well.
Herbs are also extremely affordable, as well as perfectly contrasting to the often bright and colorful nature of alcoholic drinks.
9. Cinnamon Sticks
Apple cinnamon punch Via Bird’s Party Blog
Often used during the fall and winter months, cinnamon sticks are the perfect spice for any seasonal cocktail. They can be crushed up and used on the rim to provide hints of flavor upon each sip or placed in the drink for an overall spice flavor while giving the drink a decorative feel.
Rim Drink Decoration Ideas for Your Wedding
Chocolate
Chili Powder
Cinnamon
Crushed Citrus Peels
Gingersnaps
Peppermint Sugar
Sugar and Salt
Cookie Crumbs
Caramel
Sprinkles
Tips for Successful Wedding Drink Decorations
Choose the Right Garnish Size - Part of visual drink appeal is balance. Drink decorations give us beautiful appeal, but it’s important to size them correctly. If you plan on serving your drinks in small glasses, make sure you choose a wedding drink decoration that can be sized to fit well in or on that glass. Garnishes that are too big or small will end up looking a little strange.
Choose Non-Toxic Drink Decorations - No matter what you choose, make sure your garnishes are non-toxic. With party festivities ensuing and alcohol flowing, your guests may not always pay close attention to what is in or on their drink. Make sure you choose garnishes that are easy to see and safe for everyone consuming them.
Select an Affordable Garnish - While some expensive garnishes may look lovely, it’s important to choose a wedding drink decoration you can afford. After all, drink decorations are a small portion of the overall event. Don’t blow your budget on them.
Pick a Decoration That Matches Your Theme - To keep your theme alive and present, choose a drink decoration that matches or suits your theme well. When selecting a signature drink for your reception, keep in mind you will need to match a garnish to that as well.