A common question customers often ask us at Tippytoad is “what size cups should I use for my wedding reception?” That all depends on where and how you intend to use your wedding reception cups. From drink stations to the wedding reception bar, the size cups you use depends entirely on your guest list and your expectations on how you want guests to enjoy their experience at your wedding reception. Continue reading for suggestions and expert advice on deciding what size cups to use for your wedding reception.
The size cups you will want to use for your reception depend on two things:
1. Who will be using the cups
2. What type of beverage will be served in the cups
Choosing the right size cups for your wedding guests
Wedding Cups for Kids
Do you plan on inviting children to your wedding reception? If so, you will want to provide small cups for small hands, preferably cups with lids and straws to keep messes to a minimum. The 12 ounce size plastic stadium cups below are perfect for serving punch, juice, milk and water to kids at weddings. They are small and easy for kids to pick up and hold. The best part is these reusable cups can be taken home and used in the car for travelling or at home for everyday use.
Drink Station Cups
A wedding drink station is typically a decorative table, stand or uniquely styled corner or area of the wedding reception venue set up exclusively for self-serve drinks. Drink stations typically provide water, juices, punch and mocktails for adults and children to serve themselves during the reception.
The most popular size wedding cups we see ordered for wedding drinks stations are 16 ounce elegant plastic cups and 16 ounce plastic stadium cups. Sixteen ounce size cups provide room for ice and 8 to 12 ounces of liquid. Reusable plastic cups encourage guests to refill their cup and reduce waste. Personalized plastic cups also make great take wedding favors.
If you plan on having children at your wedding reception, we recommend supplying the small 12 ounce cups as well.
Beer Cups for Wedding
If serving beer at your wedding reception, consider these 20 ounce elegant frosted plastic beer cups for serving canned, bottled, or keg beer. These elegant plastic cups look like fine frosted glass but will not break if dropped or accidentally knocked off of a table. Holding 4 ounces more than standard 16 ounce cups, these 20 ounce cups are taller with a more narrow tapered profile so they are easy to hold while mingling with family and friends at the reception.
What Size Cups for Wedding Bar
As we have previously discussed, the best cup size for your wedding bar depends on what type of alcohol you plan to serve.
Cups for Wedding Signature Drinks
Bride and groom signature drinks have been super popular for some time now. Most wedding signature drink recipes will include alcohol. Popular wedding mixed drinks are designed for flavorful sipping, not gulping or chasing. Combined with ice and juices, the alcohol in each drink is diluted and will help in ensuring everyone is having fun but not too much fun!
With this in mind, it’s a toss-up between 16 ounce cups, 14 ounce cups. Both sizes are very popular for serving both bride and groom signature drinks and other mixed drinks at wedding receptions. Couples are favoring the slightly smaller 14 ounce cups over standard 16 ounces cups these days to save on the cost of alcohol as well as helping to moderate alcohol intake at their wedding reception.
Wedding Whiskey Bar Cups
Whether you’re mixing whiskey or serving it neat or on the rocks depends on the cup size you will want to use. For serving mixed whiskey drinks with ice, 14 ounce and 16 ounce size cups are the preferred sized. Nine ounce tumbler or squat cups are ideal for serving whiskey neat or on the rocks. The tapered shape of squat cups will allow the whiskey to breath.
Wine Cups for Weddings
If you’re planning on serving wine in plastic cups at your wedding, we suggest using 9, 12, or 14 ounce cups. Wine is normally sipped and therefore a smaller cup is appropriate. Nine ounce squat cups have a low profile and allow guests to swirl their wine to aerate and release aromas and all the nuances each particular wine.
Twelve and 14 ounce sized cups are taller and narrower than squat cups and are the perfect size for serving wine slushies.
Plastic Wedding Toasting Cups
A feature timeline and tradition of most weddings is the toast to the newlyweds after the wedding reception dinner is served and before the dancing begins. Normally, separate toasting glasses are set at each table place setting. Right before the speeches begin, pre-designated servers or caterers will come around and pour champagne, sparkling wine or juice into the toasting glasses or cups. Smaller cups are appropriate for wedding toasts as guests already have their drink of choice and won’t be drinking a lot of champagne or sparkling wine. Twelve ounce size glasses or cups (are you seeing a pattern here?) are an appropriate size for the toasting ceremony. This will reduce a lot of waste.
Cups for Wedding Desserts
Are you planning on serving dessert cups filled with pudding, gelatin, ambrosia or other favorite cold or soft-serve dessert? Nine ounce clear or frosted squat cups make excellent wedding dessert cups. Their low profile and wide tops are perfect for serving many wedding desserts. Cups will help control portions and reduce waste as each cup is pre-filled and guests do not need to fill their own plate, bowl or cup. Dessert cups are a sure winner for any wedding reception.
Cups for Wedding Favors
Did we say cups for wedding favors? We sure did! Did you know plastic personalized cups are very popular for presenting as favors to wedding guests? Cups aren’t just for drinks. They can be used to hold candy at a wedding candy bar or popcorn at a wedding popcorn station.
The most popular size cup for wedding favors is our 16 ounce stadium cups. These sturdy, reusable and dishwasher-safe cups are the perfect filling with candy, popcorn, snack mix, and small favors.
Twenty two ounce and 32 ounce size larger plastic stadium cups are commonly used for adding homemade favors like cookies, candy and flavored popcorn and kettle corn. Your wedding guests can then use their cups every day at home, creating memorable and useful wedding keepsakes.
