Lyla Dejesus
Planning a wedding can be stressful, especially when it comes to figuring out how much alcohol to buy. The last thing you want is to run out of drinks halfway through your wedding reception. The general rule of thumb is to plan for at least one drink per guest per hour. However, some sources suggest that you should plan for two drinks in the first hour and one drink per hour for the rest of the evening. This means that for a 4-hour wedding with 80 guests, you would need approximately 320 drinks. Of course, this number will vary depending on the drinking habits of your guests and the types of drinks you serve.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of drinks needed for a 4-hour wedding with 80 guests | 320 |
| Number of drinks needed for a 6-hour wedding with 80 guests | 480 |
| Number of drinks per guest per hour | 1 |
| Number of drinks per guest for the first hour | 2 |
| Percentage of liquor, beer and wine | 50%, 25%, 25% |
| Percentage of red and white wine | 50% each |
| Number of bottles of wine per glass | 20% |
| Number of bottles of champagne for a champagne toast | 10 |
| Number of cocktails | 96-160 |
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What You'll Learn
Recommended drink quantities: 1 drink/hour/guest
Planning a wedding can be stressful, especially when it comes to drinks. You want to make sure you have enough for your guests, but you also don't want to overspend or have lots of leftovers. The general rule of thumb is to plan for one drink per guest per hour. So, for a wedding with 80 guests, you will need 80 drinks per hour. This means that for a four-hour wedding, you will need approximately 320 drinks in total.
It is important to consider the type of alcohol you will be serving. If you are offering a full bar, you will need a variety of liquors, mixers, wines, and beers. If you are only serving wine and beer, you will need less variety but larger quantities. The recommended mix is 50% liquor, 25% beer, and 25% wine. Typically, it's a 50/50 split between red and white wine, but this can change depending on the season. For example, at an indoor, fall, winter, or spring event, people tend to drink more red wine, so you should plan for 50% red, 25% white, and 25% sparkling.
When it comes to beer, a standard 16-ounce pint is a common serving size. A case of beer typically contains 24 12-ounce bottles or cans, which can be helpful for calculating how much you need. For wine, a standard 750ml bottle serves approximately 5-6 glasses. However, to be safe, you may want to calculate based on 5 glasses per bottle. So, for 80 guests, you would need 16 bottles of wine per hour or 64 bottles for a four-hour wedding.
In addition to alcoholic drinks, don't forget to provide non-alcoholic options like water and juice. You may also want to consider signature cocktails or a "His and Hers" option. These can be a fun reflection of the couple and a way to save money, as guests are more likely to order a signature cocktail to be part of the wedding experience. You can offer 2-3 craft cocktails, with a popular classic like an Old Fashioned and a mocktail.
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Signature cocktails: 2-5 options
For a wedding of 80, it is recommended to plan for at least 80 drinks per hour. This means that for a six-hour wedding, you will need 480 drinks. This calculation assumes that each guest will consume one drink per hour, but some may have more and others less. Generally, consumption is higher earlier in the event and slows down later.
Now, onto the fun part: signature cocktails! These are a creative way to incorporate your personalities and add a personal touch to your bar. Here are some ideas for 2-5 options:
- His and Hers: Choose cocktails that reflect your individual tastes. For example, if you met on Hinge while joking about Star Trek, you could have an aperol spritz for the bride and a vodka soda with a twist for the groom. Or, you could each create your own signature cocktail, like a "His" Old Fashioned and a "Hers" Lavender Collins.
- Location-Themed: Use local ingredients or flavours as inspiration. For instance, opt for whiskey and bourbon-based drinks for a Southern wedding or fruity flavours for a beach wedding.
- Love Story-Inspired: Model your signature cocktails after significant moments in your relationship, such as your first date. If you bonded over a shared love of a particular movie, incorporate that theme into your drinks.
- Pet-Themed: If you have a furry friend, why not name a cocktail after them? Or, incorporate their favourite treat into the ingredients.
- Seasonal: Choose ingredients that reflect the time of year, like fresh raspberries and lemonade for a summer wedding, or add a festive twist with rosemary sprigs and cranberry garnishes.
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Drink type breakdown: 50% liquor, 25% beer, 25% wine
For a wedding with 80 guests, it is recommended to plan for one drink per guest per hour. This means for a 4-hour wedding, you will need 320 drinks.
Now, let's break this down according to your request: 50% liquor, 25% beer, and 25% wine. This means you will need:
Liquor:
40% of 320 drinks is 128 drinks. A standard 750ml bottle of liquor serves approximately 17 drinks, so you will need around 7.5 bottles of liquor.
Beer:
25% of 320 drinks is 80 drinks. A standard keg of beer contains 165 12-oz servings, so you will need just over half a keg of beer. Alternatively, you can plan for around 53 bottles of beer.
Wine:
For the remaining 25%, you will need 80 glasses of wine. A standard 750ml bottle of wine serves approximately 5 glasses, so you will need 16 bottles of wine.
It is important to note that these calculations assume that each drink is poured perfectly and that guests will drink consistently throughout the event. In reality, some guests may drink more or less, and there may be some spillage or over-pouring, so it is generally a good idea to have a buffer and purchase slightly more than the exact amount.
Additionally, consider the time of year and the location of your wedding. If it is an outdoor wedding during the summer, you may need more white wine, beer, and refreshing cocktails. If it is an indoor wedding during the colder months, you may want to opt for more red wine.
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Wine: 5 glasses per 750ml bottle
When planning drinks for a wedding, it's important to consider the duration of the event, the number of guests, and the type of alcohol being served. For a wedding with 80 guests, the amount of wine needed will depend on the duration of the event and whether other alcoholic beverages will be served alongside.
If you are serving only wine, for a 4-hour event, you will need approximately 192 glasses of wine. Using the calculation of 5 glasses per 750ml bottle, this equates to 38.4 bottles of wine, which we can round up to 39 bottles to ensure you have enough. If you are serving other alcoholic beverages alongside wine, the amount of wine needed will be less. For example, for a 4-hour event with 80 guests, serving beer, wine, and cocktails, you will need approximately 160 glasses of wine, which is 32 bottles of wine using the 5-glasses-per-bottle calculation.
It's worth noting that the recommended mix of alcohol for a wedding is 50% liquor, 25% beer, and 25% wine. Typically, it's a 50/50 split between red and white wine, but this can be adjusted based on the season. For an indoor, fall, winter, or spring event, consider offering more red wine, with 50% of the bottles being red and 25% each for white and sparkling. On the other hand, for an outdoor or summer event, you may want to offer more white and sparkling wine options.
When planning, it's always advisable to estimate a bit higher to ensure you don't run out of drinks during the event. Additionally, consider the drinking habits of your guests. If you are expecting a lot of heavy drinkers, you may want to purchase more alcohol than if your guests are mostly light drinkers.
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Budgeting: BYOB is cost-effective
When it comes to wedding planning, budgeting is crucial, and drinks can be a significant expense. A cost-effective option to consider is bringing your own beverages (BYOB). This approach offers several advantages in terms of flexibility, cost savings, and personalisation.
Firstly, BYOB allows you to choose the types and brands of alcohol that fit your budget and preferences. You can select less expensive options or opt for premium brands, depending on your priorities. This flexibility ensures that you stay within your budget and avoid the high markups often associated with catered alcohol. For example, a caterer may charge $40 per bottle of wine, whereas purchasing it yourself can reduce the cost to around $3 per bottle, resulting in significant savings.
Another advantage of BYOB is the ability to personalise your drink selection. You can create signature cocktails that reflect your unique taste as a couple, adding a fun and memorable touch to your wedding. These signature drinks can also help save money, as guests tend to opt for them, reducing the need for a full bar. Additionally, you can design custom wine labels, adding a creative and personal element to your celebration without breaking the bank.
To estimate the amount of alcohol needed for your wedding, consider using a wedding drink calculator. These tools consider variables such as guest count, duration of the event, and the desired mix of liquor, beer, and wine. As a rule of thumb, plan for at least one drink per guest per hour, with some guests consuming more and others less.
When opting for BYOB, it's important to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all. Consider hiring a bartender to serve the drinks communally, which can help prevent overconsumption and keep the event well-organised. Additionally, providing food can help offset excessive drinking, ensuring guests are well-fed and creating a memorable dining experience. Finally, have a clear plan for trash and recycling to ensure responsible disposal of bottles and other waste.
In summary, BYOB for your wedding is a cost-effective option that offers flexibility, savings, and personalisation. It allows you to choose brands that fit your budget, create signature drinks, and stay within your financial means. With proper planning and consideration, you can provide a delightful drinking experience for your guests while sticking to your budget.
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Frequently asked questions
For a wedding with 80 guests, you will need approximately 320 drinks for a 4-hour party. This breaks down to 160 beers, 128 glasses of wine (26 bottles) and enough for 96 individual cocktails. If you aren't serving wine, plan for 192 cocktails.
The general rule is to plan for at least one drink per guest per hour. Some sources suggest two drinks in the first hour and one drink per hour for the rest of the evening.
The recommended mix is 50% liquor, 25% beer and 25% wine. Typically, it's a 50/50 split between red and white wine. If you're on a budget, it's not necessary to offer spirits, and you can provide a limited bar with just beer and wine.
It's always good to estimate a bit higher than your calculations to be prepared. You can also take a poll of your guests to find out who likes what, or get a professional bartender to lend their expertise and give you a cost estimate.
Don't forget that all guests will need water at some point during the event. If you're serving champagne for a toast, you'll need one bottle for every 8 guests. You can also offer signature cocktails, which can help to personalise your wedding.
