Junior Rasmussen
Planning a wedding can be stressful, especially when it comes to figuring out how much alcohol to buy. It's important to calculate the number of drinks needed to ensure you don't run out during the reception, while also staying within your budget. To help you determine the right amount, various online wedding drink calculators are available, which consider factors such as guest count, season, wedding style, and drinking habits. These tools can provide an estimate of the number of bottles of champagne, wine, beer, and liquor required for your big day. Additionally, you can seek advice from wedding planners and bartending experts to create a memorable celebration.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of drinks | It is recommended to plan for at least one drink per person per hour. For example, for a six-hour wedding with 100 guests, you will need around 600 drinks. |
| Type of alcohol | The recommended mix is 50% liquor, 25% beer and 25% wine. It is typically a 50/50 split between red and white wine. |
| Guest preferences | Consider the tastes of your guests. For example, if your guests prefer bourbon to gin, you can select a premium bourbon and a less expensive gin. |
| Couple's preferences | Let the couple's preferences be the baseline. People will drink whatever is available at a wedding. |
| Signature cocktails | Consider offering a signature cocktail or two, such as a "His" and "Hers" option. |
| Non-alcoholic options | Include non-alcoholic options for non-drinking guests, such as alcohol-free sparkling wine. |
| Glassware | Ensure you have enough glassware for your guests. If you do not have washing facilities, you may need to multiply the amount of glassware by 3. |
| Bar service | Decide whether you will hire a professional bar service or stock a DIY wedding bar. A professional bartender can provide expertise and cost estimates. |
| Budget | Providing your own alcohol is typically more cost-effective and allows for flexibility in terms of brands and budget. |
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What You'll Learn
How much alcohol to buy
Planning a wedding can be stressful, and figuring out how much alcohol to buy for your big day is no easy task. The last thing you want is to run out of drinks halfway through the reception, but you also don't want to be left with a mountain of leftovers. Here are some tips and guidelines to help you estimate how much alcohol to buy for your wedding:
Estimate the Number of Drinks
The general rule of thumb is to plan for at least one drink per guest per hour. So, for a six-hour wedding with 100 guests, you'll need about 600 drinks. However, it's important to consider your guests' drinking habits. If you know your crowd tends to enjoy a few drinks, you might want to increase that estimate to two drinks during the first hour (cocktail hour) and one drink for each additional hour. On the other hand, if you anticipate a more conservative crowd, you can adjust your estimates accordingly.
Types of Alcohol
The type of alcohol you serve will depend on your preferences and your guests' tastes. Beer, wine, and liquor are the most common choices for a wedding. If you're serving liquor, consider the classic mixed drinks that can be made and stock up on popular spirit choices. You can also offer a signature cocktail or two to personalize the event. If you're unsure about quantities, a recommended mix is 50% liquor, 25% beer, and 25% wine. For wine, it's usually a 50/50 split between red and white.
Guest Preferences
While it's impossible to please everyone's palette, you can consider your guests' preferences to an extent. For example, if you know your friends are craft beer enthusiasts, you can offer a unique selection of craft beers. Similarly, if your guests are big bourbon drinkers, you can prioritize that over other spirits. However, remember that weddings are unique in that people will drink what's available, so don't stress too much about catering to individual tastes.
Other Considerations
Don't forget to factor in non-alcoholic options for those who don't drink alcohol or want to take a break. There are some excellent alcohol-free sparkling wines and creative mocktails you can offer. Additionally, consider the weather and location of your wedding. If it's an outdoor wedding in a warm climate, you might want to increase your estimate, as people tend to drink more in warmer temperatures.
Use Calculators and Expert Advice
There are wedding drink calculators available online that can help you estimate the quantities of beer, wine, and liquor needed based on your guest count and the duration of your event. These calculators can be a great starting point, but you can also reach out to bartending services or wedding planners for expert advice. They can help you refine your shopping list and give you a cost estimate.
Remember, it's always better to have a little extra than to run out, but don't go overboard. You can also consider return policies, as some places will allow you to return unopened bottles. Happy planning, and cheers to your special day!
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Types of alcohol to serve
It's your wedding, so you should serve your favourite drinks, but it's also important to consider your guests' preferences. If you know your guests well, you can tailor your drinks selection to their tastes. For example, if you know they are big bourbon drinkers, you can select a premium bourbon and a less expensive gin to balance out the overall cost.
It's a good idea to offer a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to cater to different tastes and ensure your guests don't get too drunk. Beer, wine, and liquor are common orders at receptions, and you can also serve cocktails. If you're serving cocktails, it's best to limit the number to two or three, including a popular classic like an Old Fashioned, as well as a mocktail. This will make it easier for guests to order and keep the bar service running smoothly.
If you're serving wine, it's typically a 50/50 split of red and white. For beer, it's a good idea to offer at least one well-known domestic brand and one well-known imported brand to keep most guests happy. If your friends love craft beer, you could also include an obscure collection along with a few favourites.
For liquor, stock up with an emphasis on the more popular spirit choices. You might also want to consider offering a signature "His" and "Hers" cocktail.
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Signature cocktails
When it comes to your wedding, signature cocktails are a fun and creative way to add a personal touch to your bar and offer your guests something unique and tasty. It's a way to incorporate your personalities and is especially memorable if the cocktail holds meaning in your relationship. For example, you could use local ingredients or flavours to pay tribute to your wedding location, or model a cocktail after your first date night. You could also get creative with the names of your signature cocktails, incorporating your pets, a play on words, or your wedding colours.
It is recommended that no more than two to five signature cocktails are served at a wedding, as offering too many can overwhelm guests and slow down the bar service. One idea is to serve one cocktail designed by each partner and a third one created together, inspired by your pet or relationship.
- "Cosmadott": Gin, lavender syrup, lemon juice, soda water, and a lavender sprig.
- "Mai Tai The Knot": A play on words, combining the popular cocktail with the idea of tying the knot.
- "Matrimony Margarita": Another pun, combining marriage with the classic margarita.
- "Mint-To-Be Mojito": A refreshing and playful take on the traditional mojito.
- "Aperol Spritz": A simple, classic cocktail with aperol, lemon juice, crémant, and a raspberry shrub.
- "Lavender Collins": A unique twist on the traditional Tom Collins, using gin and lime instead of lemon.
- "Raspberry Bliss": Fresh raspberries blended with lemonade and your choice of liqueur, like raspberry-flavoured vodka, for a pretty pink colour.
- "Rum Runner": Bring island vibes to your cocktail hour with this classic, served in tiki-style glasses with colourful straws and sliced pineapples.
Remember, the possibilities are endless, and you can always consult your catering team or bartender for help in brainstorming ideas.
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Guest drinking habits
Planning a wedding is an exciting time, and ensuring your guests are well-watered is an important part of the day. It's a tricky calculation to make, but there are some rules of thumb to follow.
Firstly, it's good to remember that, while some guests may not drink at all, others may drink more than the average. It's a good idea to plan for at least one drink per guest per hour. So, for a six-hour wedding with 100 guests, you will need 600 drinks. It's also a good idea to add a couple of extra drinks per guest to be safe.
It's also important to consider the type of wedding and the time of year. A summer wedding may require more drinks, for example. If you are having a full bar, you will need to consider a variety of liquors, mixers, wines, and beers. If you know your guests have a preference for a particular type of drink, you can stock up on that. For example, if you know your guests are big bourbon drinkers, you can select a premium bourbon. It's a good idea to have a mix of popular spirit choices, and some non-alcoholic options, too.
Most guests will have one reception drink, while some will have two. It's a good idea to have some soft drinks available, too. If you are serving cocktails, two to three is a good number to offer, with one being a classic, and perhaps a mocktail, too.
In terms of quantities, for a six-hour wedding, you are looking at an average of six drinks per guest. This is based on an average ratio of beer, wine, spirits, and soft drinks. If you are keeping the bar open for longer, you will need to increase the amount of drinks.
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Cost of alcohol
The cost of alcohol for a wedding can vary depending on several factors, including the number of guests, the duration of the event, the type of alcohol served, and the drinking habits of the guests. Here are some estimates and tips to help you plan and manage the cost of alcohol for your wedding:
Estimating Alcohol Quantity
A general rule of thumb is to plan for at least one drink per guest per hour. For example, for a six-hour wedding with 100 guests, you would need approximately 600 drinks. However, it is recommended to round up and provide a little extra, considering some guests may drink more than others. Party planner Alex Tornai suggests providing for two drinks in the first hour and one drink per hour for the rest of the evening, which amounts to seven drinks per person for a six-hour reception.
Types of Alcohol
The type of alcohol served can impact the overall cost. Beer, wine, and liquor are common choices at weddings. According to some sources, the recommended mix is 50% liquor, 25% beer, and 25% wine. Within this mix, you can offer a variety of options to cater to different tastes. For beer, consider a mix of craft beer, domestic brands, and imported brands. For wine, offer a selection of red and white, typically a 50/50 split. If you are serving liquor, factor in the need for mixers to create classic cocktails. You can also offer a signature cocktail or two, personalized for the couple.
Guest Preferences and Drinking Habits
Consider the preferences and drinking habits of your guests. If you know your guests' preferences, you can select premium options for their favourite drinks and less expensive alternatives for drinks they are less likely to choose. For example, if your guests are big bourbon drinkers, you can opt for a premium bourbon while choosing a less expensive gin. However, it is important to remember that you won't be able to please everyone's palette, and people will generally drink what is available.
Cost-Saving Measures
Providing your own alcohol, or going the "BYOB route," can be significantly more cost-effective than sourcing alcohol through a caterer. It allows you to choose specific brands and labels that fit within your budget. Additionally, consider buying your stock from a supermarket or a store that offers a sale-on-return basis, enabling you to return any unopened and non-perishable goods.
Glassware and Staffing
If you are managing your own bar, don't forget to factor in the cost of glassware, staffing, refrigeration, and other bar essentials. If you have washing facilities and staff to turn around glassware during the event, you can reduce the amount of glassware needed. Alternatively, you can opt for a fully inclusive mobile bar hire option, where a provider will take care of the setup, staffing, and cleanup for you.
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Frequently asked questions
A good rule of thumb is to plan for at least one drink per guest per hour. For example, for a six-hour wedding with 100 guests, you’ll need roughly 600 drinks.
It depends on the type of alcohol. If you're serving beer, take 40% of your total guest count and plan for two drinks in the first hour and one drink per guest per remaining hour. For wine, the recommended mix is 25% of your total drink count, typically split evenly between red and white. For liquor, the recommended mix is 50% of your total drink count.
First, determine the number of guests who will be drinking. Then, decide what types of alcohol you will serve and use a wedding drink calculator to estimate the quantities needed.
Consider your guests' drinking preferences, but don't worry about pleasing everyone. You can also offer signature cocktails or a "His" and "Hers" option. If you're looking to save money, providing your own alcohol is typically more cost-effective.
You can return unopened and non-perishable goods if you buy from a supermarket or a liquor store that offers sales on return.
