Weddingbee boards

We are trying to figure out how many beer and wine choices to offer at our reception.  We aren't having liquor at all, so we want to have it well rounded in beer and wine.  As far as I can tell, the caterer doesn't care how many choices we give.  Obviously with wine we pay by the bottle so if we have too many choices we end up paying for barely drank wine if it's opened at the end of the evening, so we'll limit that. Prices from our caterer are all pretty reasonable though-- wine bottles range from $19-39 and beers are $3.25 domestic, $3.75 import.

Our food is beef tenderloin, crab cakes, and chicken alfredo. 

It's a waterfront wedding with an inside space as well as a tented outside area where the bar is located.  It's a midday lunch buffet, August, Virginia. So, most likely, hot.

For wine, I am leaning towards 2 whites, 2 reds.  Probably a Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet and Pinot Noir.  Is that too many choices for wine?  Or am I missing a necessary style?  I personally don't like White Zinfandel and sort of on principal don't want to offer it :) and I don't think that a Riesling would be universally appreciated either.  Thoughts?

As far as beer-- is 5 or 6 choices too many?  I can't decide but I want to have various styles represented.  This is what I'm thinking so far-- Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Heineken, Sam Adams Lager, Carolina Blonde, Miller Lite, Killian's Irish Red. I'm leaving out Yuengling which I'm having a hard time with, but is it quiet similar to Sam Adams?  It's been awhile since I've had either :) 

Thanks for your help!

I think your picks for wine are great! I don't drink beer personally, but that seems like a lot of choices. I would think with 3-4 choices, everyone could find something they will drink.

thanks for all the input guys!

We are definitely not going to do a champagne because that means extra glassware to have the caterer deal with plus it's more expensive.

We are having lists printed and displayed with the choices too (once we decide on them!).

What are people's reasonings behind not having more than 3-4 beer choices?  That it'll slow down the line at the bar?  I'm just not seeing a reason NOT to offer as many choices as possible.  We don't have to purchase this beer.  Our caterer is a restaurant (and said restaurant is right next door to our venue so we can't really "run out"; they can always walk the 50 yards and bring more of something) so she will just bring it over, and whatever doesn't get drunk, we are not obligated to pay for.  She'll just bring it back to her restaurant cooler afterwards!  

Also you need to remember that we aren't having liquor, so often people are used to having a TON of choices at an open bar with every mixed drink you can think up.  So we just want to make sure we are giving people options.  I know we have beer snobs and wine snobs in multitude in attendance so I don't want to dissappoint!

I'm still leaning towards doing the 2 whites and 2 reds and 5 beers...(kicking out Carolina Blonde from my list)

My only advice is to order almost twice as much white if you have to purchase in advance.  We had about equal amounts of red and white and we ran out of chardonnay.  We had to send the caterer to the store to get more but it all worked out.  Not sure why but regardless of your menu people will probably drink more white wine than anything else. No one wants to spill on their clothes and especially if it is hot out.  Our friends who own a wine bar warned us about this and we definitely should have taken their advice.

We had 4 wine choices 2 reds, chardonnay, and champagne. We only had 3 beer choices and it was more than enough.  One light pale ale, a stronger IPA for the true beer drinkers, and my husband's favorite beer from his hometown.  Everyone will drink what you provide and be excited that it is open bar so don't stress :-)