How Much Alcohol for a Wedding? The Formula, Bottle Counts & Examples
Published on · 3 min read
Running out of drinks is a party-killer; over-buying wastes money. A simple planning rule gets you close, and the right split between wine, beer and spirits does the rest.
The formula
The common planning rule is one drink per guest per hour of reception, plus one for the toast. Multiply your drinking-age guests by the number of hours, then split the total by what your guests actually drink.
Total drinks ≈ drinking guests × reception hours (+ one toast each). Then split, for example, 50% wine, 30% beer, 20% spirits — adjust for your crowd.
Drinks per bottle
| Bottle | Standard pour | Servings per bottle (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Wine, 750 ml | 5 oz / 150 ml glass | 5 |
| Sparkling wine, 750 ml | 4 oz / 120 ml flute | 6 |
| Spirits, 750 ml | 1.5 oz / 45 ml shot | 16 |
| Beer | 1 can or bottle | 1 |
Worked examples (5-hour reception)
| Drinking guests | Total drinks | Wine (50%) | Beer (30%) | Spirits (20%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 250 | 25 bottles | 75 beers | 4 bottles |
| 100 | 500 | 50 bottles | 150 beers | 7 bottles |
| 150 | 750 | 75 bottles | 225 beers | 10 bottles |
Add a toast: one flute per guest is about one bottle of sparkling wine per six guests. Round up slightly, and ask your supplier whether unopened bottles can be returned.
Adjust for your guests
Lower the estimate for daytime receptions, warm weather with lots of soft drinks, or a crowd that drinks lightly; raise it for long evening parties or a dancing-heavy crowd. Always provide plenty of water and good non-alcoholic options.
Ways to cut the bar bill
Offer beer, wine and one or two signature cocktails instead of a full bar; serve the toast with whatever guests are already drinking; close the bar for the meal; and check whether your venue charges corkage before buying your own.
Choosing your bar style
| Bar style | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full open bar | Highest | Beer, wine and spirits all night |
| Beer, wine & signature cocktails | Medium | Most popular compromise |
| Beer and wine only | Lower | Add sparkling wine for the toast |
| Limited hours | Lower | Open bar for cocktail hour, then beer and wine |
| Cash or partial cash bar | Lowest for you | Check local etiquette — less common in some regions |
Signature cocktails
One or two signature cocktails reduce the spirits you need to stock and give the bar a personal touch. Choose batchable drinks (a spritz, a margarita, an old fashioned) so bartenders can serve quickly, and name them after the two of you.
Buying your own vs venue packages
Venue drink packages are simpler but usually priced per guest per hour. Buying your own can cost less if your venue allows it — ask about corkage fees, licensed bartenders, glassware and whether unopened bottles can be returned to your supplier.
Don't forget the non-drinkers
Plan good alcohol-free options: sparkling water, a non-alcoholic signature cocktail, alcohol-free beer and soft drinks. Budget roughly one to two non-alcoholic drinks per guest per hour in warm weather, and keep water available all night.
Alcohol & Bar Estimator
Enter guests and hours for an instant bottle count.