How to Estimate Alcohol Needs (and Costs) for Your Wedding
Figuring out how much alcohol to buy for your wedding can feel like a guessing game. Order too much, and you’ll end up with leftover booze; order too little, and you might find your guests with empty glasses before the night is through. The good news? With some careful planning and calculations, you can estimate your alcohol needs—and your costs—so your wedding bar is stocked just right.
Here’s how to determine how much alcohol you’ll need for your wedding—and how to keep the costs in check.
Step 1: Consider the Number of Guests
The first thing you’ll need to do is estimate how many people will be attending your wedding. Once you know your guest count, you can figure out how much alcohol to provide per person.
Tip: On average, you can expect each guest to consume about 2–3 drinks during cocktail hour and 2–3 drinks during dinner. If your reception includes dancing or late-night partying, it’s safe to plan for an extra 1–2 drinks per person.
Example: For a guest list of 100, you might expect around 500–700 drinks total.
Step 2: Choose Your Drink Menu
Your drink options will play a big role in determining how much alcohol to buy. Will you have a full open bar with beer, wine, and spirits, or will you offer a limited selection of beer and wine? The more options you provide, the more variety you’ll need to purchase.
Tip: When estimating alcohol, keep in mind the balance between beer, wine, and liquor. As a general rule:
50% beer
30% wine
20% liquor
Step 3: Estimate Beer, Wine, and Liquor Quantities
Now that you know how many drinks to expect, you can break it down by type of alcohol. Here’s a basic guide for how much of each to buy:
Beer
For 50% of your total drinks, beer is typically the most popular choice at weddings. For every 100 guests, you’ll need about 6-8 kegs or cases of beer (this depends on whether you have draft beer or bottles/cans).
Quick Tip: If you’re offering a selection of beers, aim for a variety of light, dark, and local options, but keep the selection simple—3–4 options should be plenty.
Wine
Wine typically makes up 30% of your total alcohol. For a wedding of 100 guests, you’ll need about 10–12 bottles of white wine and 10–12 bottles of red wine. A standard bottle of wine contains about 5 glasses, so for each type of wine, you’ll have about 50–60 glasses.
Tip: If you’re offering both red and white wine, aim for a 60/40 split between white and red wine, unless you know your guests have a strong preference for one.
Liquor
Liquor generally makes up 20% of your total alcohol. The exact amount will vary depending on what cocktails you plan to serve. Here’s a rough guide:
For 100 guests, you’ll need about 4–6 bottles of each spirit (vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and whiskey).
A standard bottle of liquor (750ml) serves 15–20 drinks, so consider how many signature cocktails or mixed drinks you plan to serve when making your estimate.
Tip: If you plan on serving signature cocktails, you may need more of the key spirits (like gin or rum), but if you're sticking to beer and wine, you can cut back on liquor.
Step 4: Plan for Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Don’t forget about non-alcoholic drinks, which are just as important as the alcohol! Be sure to offer a variety of sodas, juices, and sparkling waters for guests who prefer not to drink alcohol. You’ll also need plenty of water available to keep everyone hydrated.
Tip: Plan for 2-3 non-alcoholic drinks per person, in addition to the alcoholic drinks. For a guest list of 100, this means you should have about 200–300 non-alcoholic drinks on hand.
Step 5: Factor in Extra Costs and Fees
When estimating alcohol costs for your wedding, there are several additional factors to consider:
Bartender/Service Fees: If your venue charges for bartenders or service staff, factor that cost into your budget. Bartender fees generally range from $20–$50 per hour, depending on experience and location.
Corkage Fees (if BYO): If your venue allows you to bring your own wine, be prepared to pay a corkage fee (typically around $10–$20 per bottle).
Glassware and Rentals: If you’re renting glassware for your wedding, you’ll need to factor those costs in. Glassware rentals can run around $1–$3 per glass.
Step 6: Keep Your Budget in Mind
When estimating your alcohol needs, always compare your estimates to your overall wedding budget. Alcohol can be a significant portion of your wedding expenses, but it’s important to stay within your limits.
Budget Tip: If you need to cut costs, consider offering a limited bar (beer and wine only) or cutting back on expensive liquor options. If you're using a venue with an in-house bar, ask about different pricing tiers based on your alcohol needs.
Step 7: Get Help from Your Venue or Caterer
Many wedding venues or caterers offer an alcohol calculator or can help you estimate your drink needs based on your guest list, drink preferences, and reception timeline. It’s always a good idea to consult with the professionals to ensure you’re ordering the right amount.
Don’t Overestimate (or Underestimate)
Estimating alcohol needs for your wedding is a balancing act. The last thing you want is to run out of drinks before the night ends—but you also don’t want to be stuck with cases of leftover wine and liquor. By carefully calculating your alcohol consumption based on your guest count, drink preferences, and event timeline, you can ensure you have the right amount of alcohol to keep the party going.
Bonus Tip: How to Save on Alcohol for Your Wedding
Shop Around for Prices: Consider purchasing alcohol from warehouse retailers or even a wholesale distributor to save money.
Offer Signature Cocktails: Customize the drink selection with a few signature cocktails instead of providing every possible liquor.
Limit Liquor Options: Instead of offering a full open bar, choose a few classic spirits and create a simple, streamlined drink menu.