From tray-passed signature drinks at cocktail hour to the seemingly endless flutes of champagne served during the reception, there's generally no shortage of alcoholic options available to guests at wedding. While providing your family members and friends with an array of boozy beverages is a considerate gesture that helps create a celebratory vibe, liquor shouldn’t be the only drink available at your nuptials. Weddings often span several hours and involve a lot of dancing (and therefore sweating), so ensuring your loved ones are properly hydrated is essential for their health, safety, and comfort. Every type of affair should have water available, but it becomes increasingly more important at summer weddings, those held in humid climates, or at celebrations taking place in areas with high elevation, according to planner Bianca Hall of Estera Events.
Meet the Expert
Bianca Hall is the co-owner and lead planner of Estera Events, a Chicago-based wedding planning company.
Instead of distributing plain cups of water, you can hydrate your guests in a way that tastes delicious and looks decorative. Whether it’s large dispensers or single-serve glasses, including seasonal ingredients will give your water more flavor. For instance, watermelon and mint are perfect for summer bashes, while cranberry and sage will complement the fall season. You can also decorate these drinks with beautiful decorations, such as a bar cart adorned with flowers or individual cups topped with flower petals at garden nuptials. It doesn’t matter when you serve these hydrating drinks: Throw water bottles into welcome bags, set up a hydration station at your ceremony, place water dispensers on your bar, or incorporate all three to quench your guests’ thirst.
Are you looking for more ideas and inspiration? We asked an experienced wedding planner for some of the best ways to incorporate drinks of water into your big day. We’ve also included 25 of our favorite ideas below. Here’s how to keep your wedding guests hydrated throughout the celebration.
How to Keep Guests Hydrated at Your Wedding
From the flavors of water you serve to where you set up your hydrating offerings, there are a few different factors you’ll need to keep in mind when creating a hydration station for your big day. Here, an expert shares some of her top tips.
Incorporate Fun Flavors
While you can certainly serve plain water, adding refreshing flavors is an opportunity to satisfy your guests’ taste buds, complement the season or your aesthetic, and add some color to your event. “Rather than doing a simple, plain water station, spice it up a bit,” Hall suggests. “Guests love infused water, and it looks beautiful when displayed, too.” Plus, it's a nice way to ensure that those who don't drink alcohol have something exciting to sip. For some ideas, Hall suggests flavor pairings like cucumber and mint; strawberry, lemon, and ginger; or lemon and blueberry. You could also ask your caterer or bartender what they'd suggest.
Choose an Accessible Location
Serving water at your wedding is essential, but if you place the spread in a location that’s hidden or out of reach, guests won't be likely to enjoy it. Assess the layout of your venue, and identify a spot that your friends and family will notice. “Whether it’s near the entrance to the ceremony, near the dance floor, or on the bars at the reception, make sure your guests have easy and quick access to water wherever possible,” Hall recommends.
Stock Your Setup With Essentials
Water isn’t the only ingredient necessary for a successful hydration station. First and foremost, you’ll need a table, bar, or other structure to place the beverages on, whether they’re dispensers or pre-portioned glasses. If your loved ones will be serving themselves from jugs, Hall advises filling them with ice, so each glass is chilled upon drinking. Then, complete the setup with cups—whether recyclable or glass. Decorations will also make the display more appealing. Hall suggests wrapping the table in a color-coordinating linen and adding edible flower petals to the drinks.
The Best Ways to Hydrate Your Wedding Guests
If you’re still unsure what you want your spread to look like, we’ve compiled a list of 25 unique ideas that are guaranteed to inspire you.
01 of 25
Place Your Station in the Shade
Photo by Rebecca Yale Photography
A hydration station is an important addition to any warm-weather wedding, but you don't want to just place it anywhere. Help guests cool down and hydrate by arranging your water offerings in a shady spot. At this Florida wedding, a selection of different infused waters were placed on a shaded bar, which kept the drinks cold and helped guests escape the heat.
02 of 25
Pass Beautiful Glasses of Water
Photo by KT Merry
Water can (and should!) be given the same special treatment that's afforded to signature cocktails. Choose beautiful glassware and garnishes, then have waiter tray-pass the refreshing option during cocktail hour. Everyone's more inclined to grab a drink of something beautiful!
03 of 25
Serve Chilled Lemonade
Photo by Shelly Anderson Photography
Offering water is important, but other cooling drinks can also be served as part of your hydration station. At this outdoor wedding, pre-portioned bottles of lemonade were left on ice at the ceremony for guests to grab on their way in.
04 of 25
Consider Hydrating Alternatives
Photo by Erich McVey
If a water station doesn't feel special enough for your wedding, consider a hydrating, festive alternative—branded coconuts, which were arranged for guests to enjoy at this wedding in Mexico, will help rehydrate attendees while also speaking to your celebration's overarching theme.
05 of 25
Make It Special
Photo by Kelly Hornberger
Cucumber and mint infused water is undeniably cooling, which makes it a great option for an outdoor wedding. It also feels more special and elevated than standard H20, and, when served on a flower-covered table alongside monogrammed cups, it'll be just as at home at your nuptials as your signature drinks are. Need ideas on how to make your display special? Look to this stunning setup, created for a wedding in Texas, for inspiration.
06 of 25
Kick Off Your Ceremony
Photo by Caileigh Langford
A pre-ceremony cocktail hour is an excellent way to encourage your guests to mix and mingle before the rest of the day’s events. To avoid over-serving anyone, stick with non-alcoholic, hydrating drinks. Set up a stand with a water dispenser and glasses at the beginning of your aisle, so attendees can help themselves before taking their seats.
07 of 25
Set Up a Self-Serve Station
Photo by Ninety Three Creative
Instead of presenting a tray of single-serve cups of water, consider filling a few dispensers with infused water, where guests can serve themselves. Not only will the liquid stay cooler in an iced jug, but also the display will present more decorating opportunities. We love how this spread from this couple’s colorful spring wedding in Cincinnati, Ohio, features a pink and white striped umbrella and bud vases brimming with pink blooms.
08 of 25
Add Water Bottles to Welcome Bags
Photo by Stephanie Sunderland
While welcome bags aren’t a requirement, they’re a nice touch to thank those who have traveled far distances to witness your vow exchange. In addition to filling them with hangover kits and local treats, add a few water bottles, so your guests will have access to a hydrating drink at the very start of the celebration. Choose your favorite brand or purchase a regional one for destination weddings to introduce loved ones to the culture.
09 of 25
Hand Out Coconuts
Photo by Lilly Red
Who says you have to serve plain water in a no-frills cup? To hydrate your guests at a tropical destination, whether it’s Bora Bora or Aruba, distribute real coconuts filled with fresh coconut water. Coconut water is just as hydrating as regular water, plus the fun glassware will get everyone excited to quench their thirst. You can even personalize each shell with your joint initials and wedding date, like this duo did at their tropical wedding in Jamaica.
10 of 25
Infuse Water With Seasonal Produce
Photo by Alexandra Lee Photography
If you’re looking to doctor up your dispensers, fill them with in-season fruits, vegetables, and herbs, like this couple did at their botanic garden wedding in Chicago. For summer soirées, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, peaches, watermelon, cucumbers, and many other types of produce are at their peak, which means your water will taste more flavorful. During the winter season, turn to lemons, limes, oranges, kiwi, or other seasonal options.
11 of 25
Use Your Venue's View as a Backdrop
Photo by BrancoPrata
While choosing an easily accessible spot for your water-based drinks is the main focus, why not make it scenic, too? Since most of your guests will stop by the water station at some point during your event, position it in front of a picturesque backdrop for them to marvel at. Think: a setup overlooking the ocean at a waterfront affair, the skyline at a rooftop venue, or the rolling hills in the countryside.
12 of 25
Switch Up the Presentation
Photo by Caileigh Langford
Most couples serve glasses or jugs of water on a flat surface, whether it’s a table or bar, but for an unexpected display, try a different structure. These gold shelves topped with glass cups and a glass dispenser will coordinate beautifully with a glamorous or contemporary wedding.
13 of 25
Rethink a Standard Bar Cart
Photo by Amber Gress Photography
Another unique display is a bar cart on wheels. At their pink wedding in Westhampton, this pair loaded a chic white mobile cart with a glass vessel filled with lemon and lime-infused water, accompanied by liqueur-based cocktails. For a striking setup at warm-weather events or botanical settings, decorate with a floral installation using hues found in your color palette.
14 of 25
When in Doubt, Put It Near the Booze
Photo by Brandi Crockett
Infused water is a great addition to any bar, whether it’s for the purposes of making sober guests feel included or providing options for those who want to alternate alcoholic beverages with hydrating ones. Alongside wine, beer, and spirits, consider including a pitcher of ice-cold water combined with citrus fruits, which is a practical and visually appealing addition to summer nuptials.
15 of 25
Create a Branding Moment
Photo by Caroline Lima Photography
For those who are interested in distributing welcome bags, you can hydrate your guests by gifting them a reusable water bottle—complete with your very own logo. At this camp wedding in Texas, the duo gave their loved ones custom “Camp Siratt” merchandise as a way to introduce the theme and reference their married last name. One of the items was a plastic water bottle that attendees could fill and refill throughout the wedding, which is both thoughtful and practical.
16 of 25
Give Your Display a Tropical Twist
Photo by Heather Waraksa
Whether you’re throwing a celebration with a beachy aesthetic or in a coastal locale, choose adornments that will contribute to the intended ambiance. Incorporate colors, textures, and materials that support your vision, like this wooden table featuring citrus accents, coconut shell cups, and green glassware. The palm tree-filled backdrop and sandy surface also channeled the right vibe.
17 of 25
Use Monogrammed Cups
Photo by Amber Gress
Reusable plastic cups are sometimes more convenient and functional for a self-serve water station than crystal glassware, but they don’t always look as upscale. To elevate these glasses, engrave them with your custom monogram, using illustrations and colors from your décor. Personalized containers will contribute to a more cohesive affair and make the experience more meaningful for your guests.
18 of 25
Top Glasses With Edible Flowers
Photo by Abby Jiu Photography
If you’re thinking about enlisting your waitstaff to pass out cups of water instead of having your friends and family serve themselves, there are still plenty of opportunities for embellishments. Edible flower petals will add a pop of color to plain water at any affair, especially garden venues or floral-filled functions.
19 of 25
Provide Multiple Options
Photo by Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Since it’s likely that your guests all have different preferences, giving them choices will go a long way—and make your setup more eye-catching. Set up multiple dispensers, each permeated with a different fruit, so everyone will find something that appeals to them. Remember to add signs that list the ingredients in each, so friends and family can make an informed decision.
20 of 25
Choose Your Favorite Flavor
Photo by Rebecca Yale Photography
On the other hand, you might just want to choose a single type of infused water as an accompaniment to a larger drink station. If that’s the case, settle on your favorite flavor or one that represents your relationship. For instance, maybe you and your partner always guzzle down watermelon and mint-infused water on your annual trip to Florida; sharing that experience with your guests at your reception is a fun idea.
21 of 25
Opt for a Hydrating Signature Cocktail
Photo by Jenny Fu Studio
You can even designate an infused water concoction as your signature drink. While this is a great option if you and your partner are sober, a hydrating, zero-proof beverage is also a wonderful accompaniment to alcohol-based cocktails if you don’t want to commit to a completely dry wedding. There are so many ways to dress up these drinks: Swap plain water for sparkling water, mix in cucumber slices, and garnish with mint leaves, for example.
22 of 25
Keep Your Bar Stocked
Photo by M. K. Sadler
There are a few pivotal items needed for a worthwhile setup, and cups are one of the main components. Stock your spread with different types of drinkware, from stemware to stemless glasses, for friends and family to choose from. Then, arrange them on different sized shelves to create depth and dimension.
23 of 25
Offer Other Beverages
Photo by Love Tribe Weddings
Glasses of water don’t have to be the only drink option. Whether you’re setting up the station at your ceremony or cocktail hour, consider including some other alcohol-free beverages, like this berry punch topped with a lime wedge at these brides' Napa Valley micro wedding. Fruit juices might not be as hydrating as water, but they’re tasty and vibrant.
24 of 25
Support the Environment
Photo by K.R. Moreno
While many couples include plastic water bottles in their welcome bags, they aren’t always the most sustainable. For an eco-friendly alternative, consider boxed water, which is made with recyclable materials. Weddings generate a lot of waste, so this packaging will help reduce your carbon footprint.
25 of 25
Pair Water With Seasonal Options
Photo by Marquez Fotos
Spring and summer weddings have a lot of in-season produce on the market that will amplify the taste of water, but the fall and winter also have their fair share of fresh fruits and vegetables. If you’re saying “I do” in the autumn, fill one dispenser with cranberry and sage water and the other with rosemary apple cider. Guests will be able to hydrate and enjoy a wide array of seasonal flavors.
