Wedding Alcohol Calculator
Figure out exactly how much beer, wine, spirits, and champagne to buy for your reception. Get a full shopping list with cost estimates.
Event Details
Your Bar Shopping List
Pro Tips
- Buy 10-15% extra to account for spills and heavier drinkers. Most stores accept returns on unopened bottles.
- A beer-and-wine-only bar can save 30-40% compared to a full open bar with spirits.
- Buy in bulk at wholesale clubs like Costco or Total Wine for the best per-unit pricing.
- For summer weddings, increase beer percentage. For winter, increase wine and spirits.
Capture every toast and celebration moment
While your guests raise their glasses, they can also snap photos and upload them to your shared wedding album instantly. No app download needed, just a QR code scan.
How to Plan Your Wedding Bar
Planning the bar is one of the trickiest parts of wedding budgeting. Buy too little and you risk running out mid-reception. Buy too much and you are stuck with cases of leftover drinks. Our calculator uses industry-standard formulas to get you the right amount.
The general rule is one drink per guest per hour for moderate drinkers. Light crowds (afternoon tea, brunch weddings) consume about half that, while party-heavy receptions can go up to 1.5 drinks per person per hour.
- •A 100-guest, 5-hour reception with moderate drinkers needs roughly 500 total drinks.
- •Most couples split their bar 40% beer, 40% wine, 20% spirits, but adjust based on your crowd.
- •Summer weddings tend to be more beer-heavy. Winter weddings lean toward wine and cocktails.
- •Always buy 10-15% extra. Most retailers let you return unopened bottles.
Open Bar vs. Limited Bar: Cost Comparison
A full open bar with premium spirits is the most expensive option, typically running $50 to $100+ per guest for a 5-hour reception. A beer-and-wine-only bar cuts that cost by 30-40% while still keeping most guests happy.
Another popular option is a signature cocktail bar: offer 2-3 pre-mixed cocktails alongside beer and wine. This gives guests variety without the cost of stocking a full spirits selection.
Where to Buy Wedding Alcohol for the Best Price
Wholesale clubs like Costco and Sam's Club offer the best per-unit pricing on beer, wine, and spirits. Total Wine and local liquor warehouses often give case discounts of 10-15%. Some states allow you to buy directly from wineries at wholesale rates for bulk orders.
Always confirm your venue's alcohol policy before purchasing. Some venues require you to use their bar service, while BYOB venues let you bring your own at a much lower cost per drink.
Wedding Bar FAQ
Everything you need to know about our free tools and how they help your wedding day.
Plan for about 1 drink per guest per hour for moderate drinkers. For a 5-hour reception with 100 guests, that is roughly 500 drinks total. Adjust down for daytime or brunch weddings, and up for late-night parties.
A standard split is 40% beer, 40% wine, 20% spirits. If your crowd skews younger, increase beer. If it is a more formal evening affair, increase wine and spirits. Know your audience.
For 100 guests at a 5-hour moderate reception with a 40% wine allocation, you need roughly 40 bottles of wine. Each bottle pours about 5 glasses.
Champagne toasts are traditional but optional. One bottle serves about 6 flutes. For 100 guests, you need 17 bottles. If budget is tight, skip it and let guests toast with whatever they are already drinking.
Most liquor stores and wholesale clubs accept returns on unopened, undamaged bottles. Check the return policy before you buy. This is why buying 10-15% extra is a safe strategy.
A DIY bar typically costs $15 to $35 per guest for a beer-and-wine setup, or $30 to $60 per guest for a full open bar. This is significantly less than venue-provided bar packages which can run $75 to $150+ per guest.
Beer and wine only is the most affordable option. Buy in bulk at warehouse stores, skip premium labels in favor of crowd-pleasers, and offer a single signature cocktail instead of a full spirits bar.
For 150 guests over 5 hours with moderate drinking and 40% beer allocation, you need about 300 beers or roughly 13 cases. Round up to 14-15 cases to be safe.
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