Noah Vinter
Planning a wedding can be stressful, and figuring out how much alcohol to buy is no easy task. There are many variables to consider, such as the number of guests, the duration of the event, the season, and the drinking preferences of your guests. To help with this, there are wedding drink calculators available online that can provide an estimate of how much alcohol you will need based on your specific inputs. These calculators can help you determine how many bottles of wine, beer, liquor, and mixers to buy, so you can avoid running out during the event. The type of bar you choose to have at your wedding, such as an open bar, limited bar, cash bar, or non-alcoholic bar, will also impact the amount of alcohol required.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of bars at weddings | Open, limited, cash and non-alcoholic |
| Most gracious approach | Open bar or hosted bar |
| Drinks for an open bar | Beer, wine, signature cocktails, and basic mixed drinks |
| Considerations for wedding drinks | Guest count, season and wedding style |
| Number of drinks | Two drinks the first hour and one drink for each additional hour of the event |
| Number of drinks per guest | One drink per guest for each hour of the event |
| DIY bar | Buy your own alcohol, mixers, and garnishes and hire bartenders to serve it |
| Standard bottle of wine | 750ml serves approximately 6 glasses |
| Number of bottles of wine | Divide the total number of glasses you need by 5 |
| Percentage of wine drinkers | 1/3rd of the total guests |
| Number of beers per person | 3-4 beers |
| Percentage of beer drinkers | 1/3rd of the total guests |
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What You'll Learn
How much alcohol to buy
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. To help you determine how much alcohol you'll need, consider the following:
Number of Guests
Firstly, you need to know how many guests will be attending the event and drinking alcohol. If there are non-drinkers or children, you can subtract them from the list.
Type of Alcohol
Next, decide on the types of alcohol you want to serve. Will it be a full bar with spirits, mixers, wines, and beers, or will you stick to just wine and beer? You could also offer signature cocktails, basic mixed drinks, or non-alcoholic options. According to retailers like Total Wine & More and BevMo!, 70-80% of wedding guests will drink beer and wine, while 20-30% will opt for spirits.
Duration of the Event
Consider the duration of the event to estimate the number of drinks per guest. A common guideline is to plan for two drinks for each adult guest during the first hour and one drink for each additional hour. However, some sources suggest 1.5 drinks per guest per hour as a more conservative estimate.
Season and Style
The season and style of your wedding can also impact drinking preferences. For example, people may drink more red wine at an indoor, fall, or winter wedding, whereas a warm, outdoor summer wedding might see guests opting for more white wine or beer.
Bartender or Self-Service
If you have a bartender, they can make standard pours and get more drinks per bottle or can. However, if it's a self-service bar, guests may take a whole can or bottle of beer and pour heavier on the wine.
Extras
Don't forget to include the costs of mixers, garnishes, soft drinks, and water in your calculations.
Using a Drink Calculator
To make things easier, you can use a drink calculator, such as the one provided by The Knot or Hub Tap. These calculators will help you estimate the number of bottles of wine, beer, and liquor you'll need based on your specific guest count and preferences.
Remember, it's always better to err on the side of caution and have extra drinks rather than run out. You can always return unopened or sealed beverages if you overestimate.
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Different types of alcohol
When it comes to different types of alcohol, the options are endless. However, you should consider what kind of bar you'd like to have at your wedding. There are four major types of bars at weddings: open, limited, cash, and non-alcoholic. An open bar is the most gracious approach, but it can also be the most expensive. If you choose to have an open bar, your guests can order any drink they like, and you will pay for the drinks after the party.
If you want to offer a full range of drinks at your wedding, you will need to purchase a variety of liquors, mixers, wines, and beers. You can also set specific consumption times for certain drinks, such as cocktails during the cocktail hour, followed by wine with the meal, and after-dinner drinks.
Liquor is a foundational staple for any wedding, and you can choose from a range of spirits, including vodka, gin, whiskey, bourbon, rum, and tequila. Vodka and bourbon are the two most common liquor choices for weddings. You can also offer signature cocktails to personalize your wedding. It is recommended to offer two to three craft cocktails, with no more than five to avoid complicating orders and slowing down bar service.
Wines are also essential at weddings, and it is customary to offer both red and white options. Typically, red wine is a Cabernet, while white wine is a Chardonnay. Sparkling wine or Champagne is also a must-have, especially for toasts.
Beer is another popular choice for weddings, and it is recommended to offer a variety of options, including domestic and imported beers.
When deciding on the types and quantities of alcohol to purchase, it is essential to consider your guest count, season, and wedding style. You can use a wedding drink calculator to help you determine the right amount and variety of drinks to serve.
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Alcohol budget
Planning the alcohol budget for a wedding can be tricky, as there are many variables to consider. The amount of alcohol needed will depend on factors such as the number of guests, the duration of the event, the type of alcohol served, and the drinking preferences of the guests.
To start, it is important to determine the number of guests who will be consuming alcohol. This can be estimated by considering the number of adult guests and subtracting any known non-drinkers. For example, if there are 75 adult guests, but only two-thirds are expected to drink alcohol, that would mean approximately 50 drinkers.
Next, it is helpful to decide on the types of alcohol that will be served. This could include beer, wine, spirits, and/or signature cocktails. The drinking preferences of the guests can be considered when making this decision. For instance, according to retailers like Total Wine & More and BevMo!, 70-80% of wedding guests prefer beer and wine, while 20-30% prefer spirits.
Once the types of alcohol have been decided, the amount needed can be estimated. A standard bottle of wine (750ml) serves approximately 5-6 glasses. So, for 50 drinkers, one might estimate needing around 30-36 bottles of wine. Similarly, for beer, one can estimate the number of bottles or cans per drinker, depending on the brand and bottle/can size. For spirits, one can assume that a 750ml bottle will provide approximately 16-24 drinks, depending on the pour size.
It is always a good idea to overestimate slightly to ensure that there is enough alcohol for the entire event. Any unopened bottles can often be returned, or they can be given as gifts to the wedding party or enjoyed later. It is also important to consider the costs of mixers, garnishes, and other non-alcoholic beverages. These additional items can add up, so allocating a portion of the budget specifically for these items is advisable.
In terms of budgeting, there are a few options to consider. One option is to have an open bar, where the couple covers the cost of all alcohol consumed. This can be done on a per person basis, with a set fee for unlimited consumption, or on a per consumption basis, where the couple is charged for each drink ordered. Another option is to have a cash bar, where guests pay for their own drinks. A middle ground could be to have a limited bar, where the couple provides some alcohol, and guests can purchase additional drinks if they prefer something else.
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Alcohol serving options
There are four major types of bars at weddings: open, limited, cash, and non-alcoholic. Here are some options for alcohol service at your wedding:
Open Bar
An open bar, also known as a hosted bar, is the most gracious approach, as it allows guests to order any drink without paying. However, it is also the most expensive option. To manage costs, you can set specific consumption times for certain drinks, such as during the cocktail hour, meal, toasts, and after-dinner drinks. You can also inform the bartender in advance if you know anyone who tends to over-imbibe.
Limited Bar
A limited bar offers a selection of drinks, such as beer, wine, signature cocktails, and basic mixed drinks. This option allows you to control costs by limiting the types of alcohol served.
Cash Bar
With a cash bar, guests pay for their own drinks. This option eliminates the need to worry about estimating alcohol quantities or managing the associated costs.
DIY Bar
For a DIY bar, you buy your own alcohol, mixers, and garnishes, and typically hire bartenders to serve them. This option gives you control over the types and quantities of alcohol served, but it requires more planning and estimation. You can use a drink calculator to help determine how much alcohol, mixers, and garnishes to purchase.
Non-Alcoholic Bar
A non-alcoholic bar can be a good option if you prefer not to serve alcohol at your wedding. This option can include a variety of non-alcoholic beverages, such as mocktails, juices, soft drinks, and water.
When deciding on alcohol serving options, it is important to consider your preferences, your guests' preferences, and your budget. Using a drink calculator can help you estimate the quantities of alcohol needed and plan your budget accordingly.
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Signature cocktails
When deciding on signature cocktails, it's important to consider the number of drinks and the types of alcohol you want to serve. A good rule of thumb is to plan on two drinks per adult guest during the first hour of your wedding and one drink for each additional hour. This will help you estimate the amount of alcohol you need to buy. You can also use a wedding drink calculator to determine how many bottles of wine, beer, and liquor you will need based on your guest list.
- "Otterly Fashioned", made with bourbon, simple syrup, bitters, an orange wedge, and a cherry.
- "Cosmadott", a combination of gin, lavender syrup, lemon juice, soda water, and a lavender sprig.
- "Mai Tai The Knot", a playful take on the classic Mai Tai cocktail.
- "Matrimony Margarita", a fun twist on the traditional Margarita.
- "Mint-To-Be Mojito", a refreshing option for your guests.
You can also elevate a simple lemonade cocktail by adding lavender and elderflower liqueur, and topping it off with a splash of bubbly and a sprig of lavender. For a unique touch, consider incorporating local ingredients or flavours that tie into your wedding's location. For example, opt for whiskey and bourbon-based drinks for a Southern wedding or fruity cocktails for a beach destination.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the number of guests, the duration of the event, and the type of alcohol being served. A common rule of thumb is to plan for one drink per guest per hour of the event. For the first hour, some sources suggest planning for two drinks per guest.
The types of alcohol served at a wedding are typically beer, wine, and liquor. According to retailers like Total Wine & More and BevMo!, 70-80% of wedding guests will drink beer and wine, while 20-30% will drink spirits. It's important to consider your guests' preferences and whether you want to offer a full bar, a limited selection, or a signature cocktail.
There are online alcohol calculators that can help you determine the quantity of alcohol needed for your wedding. These calculators consider factors such as the number of guests, the duration of the event, and the types of alcohol being served. Alternatively, you can manually estimate the quantities by applying the above rules of thumb and adjusting based on your specific guest list and event details.
