How many bottles of wine do I need for my wedding?

A standard wine bottle serves 5 glasses. For 100 guests at a 5 hour reception, expect about 140 glasses of wine (assuming 40% of drinks are wine). That is roughly 28 bottles. Buy 32 to 35 to have a safe buffer.

How much beer should I buy for a wedding?

Plan for about 30% of total drinks to be beer. For 100 guests over 5 hours, that is roughly 105 beers. A standard case holds 24, so you need about 4 to 5 cases. Offer a mix of lager and IPA or a local craft option.

How many bottles of spirits do I need?

A 750ml bottle of spirits makes about 16 standard cocktails. For 100 guests with 20% choosing spirits, you need roughly 70 drinks, so 4 to 5 bottles. Stock at least vodka, gin or whiskey, and a rum or tequila for variety.

Should I have a signature cocktail?

A signature cocktail is a great way to add a personal touch and control costs. Pre batch it in large dispensers so bartenders can serve quickly. It also reduces the variety of spirits you need to buy.

How much ice do I need for a wedding?

Plan for about 0.5 kg (1 lb) of ice per guest for a standard reception. For 100 guests, that is 50 kg (110 lbs). Double this if you are doing outdoor summer events or using ice for chilling bottles.

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Estimates assume standard serving sizes. Adjust upward for longer events or heavier drinkers. Always have 10 to 15% extra.

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How much alcohol do you need for a wedding?

A general rule is 1 drink per guest per hour for the first two hours, then about half a drink per hour after that. For a 5 hour reception with 100 guests, that is roughly 350 drinks total. Split this between wine (40%), beer (30%), and spirits (20%), with 10% for non alcoholic options. Always buy 10 to 15% more than your estimate to avoid running out. Most shops allow returns on unopened cases, so overbuying is low risk.

Frequently asked questions

: A standard wine bottle serves 5 glasses. For 100 guests at a 5 hour reception, expect about 140 glasses of wine (assuming 40% of drinks are wine). That is roughly 28 bottles. Buy 32 to 35 to have a safe buffer.
: Plan for about 30% of total drinks to be beer. For 100 guests over 5 hours, that is roughly 105 beers. A standard case holds 24, so you need about 4 to 5 cases. Offer a mix of lager and IPA or a local craft option.
: A 750ml bottle of spirits makes about 16 standard cocktails. For 100 guests with 20% choosing spirits, you need roughly 70 drinks, so 4 to 5 bottles. Stock at least vodka, gin or whiskey, and a rum or tequila for variety.
: A signature cocktail is a great way to add a personal touch and control costs. Pre batch it in large dispensers so bartenders can serve quickly. It also reduces the variety of spirits you need to buy.
: Plan for about 0.5 kg (1 lb) of ice per guest for a standard reception. For 100 guests, that is 50 kg (110 lbs). Double this if you are doing outdoor summer events or using ice for chilling bottles.