
Alcohol summary for 200 guests:
- 140 bottles of wine = $1,400
- 350 bottles of beer = $1,750
- 30 bottles of liquor (750 ml) = $900
- 40 bottles of champagne for toast (optional) = $600
- Total before taxes and fees = $4,650
- Taxes (15%) = $697.50
- Service fees (15%) = $697.50
- TOTAL PRICE (alcohol only) = $6,045
Full Answer
How do you estimate alcohol for a wedding?
You need to consider four things:
- Who's drinking: How many drinkers vs non-drinkers are attending?
- Alcohol types: Beer, wine, liquor and/or champagne
- Party duration: Most weddings are 4-5 hours long, and people typically have 1-2 drinks per hour.
- Alcohol prices:: A nice bottle of Dom Perignon will set you back more than Kirkland Signature Prosecco.
How much alcohol should I have at my wedding?
Usually, wedding planners assume that guests will have 2 drinks in the first hour of the open bar, and 1 additional drink each following hour. Also, it is wise to add 1 more drink for situations when guests misplace their drink while dancing. So it brings our numbers to 7 drinks per person for a 5-hour event.
How much alcohol should I buy for my wedding?
Total Wine & More suggests 50 bottles of wine, six bottles of spirits, and 150 bottles of beer for a 100-person event lasting three to four hours. When the time increases to more than four hours,...
How to buy your own alcohol for a wedding?
Part 2 Part 2 of 3: Calculating the Alcohol Download Article
- Consider the drinking tendencies of your guests. You should calculate the alcohol you plan to buy based on what your guests are more likely to drink.
- Decide what types of alcohol you will serve. A general rule for wedding receptions is to have the alcohol you purchase consist of a ratio of 50% wine, 30% ...
- Professional Event Planner Expert Interview. ...

How much alcohol should you budget for a wedding?
According to our study, couples who hosted weddings of 50 or fewer people on their guest list spent an average of $1,300 on alcohol, while those with more than 100 guests spent over $3,000 on booze. Of course if your guests tend to be heavy drinkers, you'll spend more than if you've invited a bunch of teetotalers.
How much is alcohol for a 150 person wedding?
Let's look at an example to help – lets say you have 150 people at your wedding. It is always better to overestimate than to come up short so lets say the average person consumes 6 drinks. That means 900 drinks will be consumed at an average cost of $5 each. Your open bar budget should be $4500 in this example.
Is it cheaper to buy your own alcohol for a wedding?
Setting up a DIY Wedding Bar can save you massively– many event spaces mark up alcohol by 40%! When buying your own wedding alcohol, you'll likely spend less than going through your caterer who charges restaurant markup prices.
How many bottles of liquor do I need for 100 guests?
Open Bar for 100 GUESTS: 15 bottles of liquor (750 ml)
Who pays for the alcohol at a wedding?
The bride and her family pay for all professional services, including food and decorations. The groom's family pays for the DJ or band and liquor.
How do you calculate drinks for a wedding?
It turns out, there is a magic formula when it comes to calculating the amount of drinks you'll need for your wedding, sort of: Plan for at least one drink per person per hour. (So for a six-hour wedding with 100 guests, you'll need roughly 600 drinks.)
How much alcohol do you need for 150 guests?
How much alcohol do you need for 150 guests? For a 4 hour party with 150 guests, you will need approximately 600 drinks: 240 beers, 216 glasses of wine (44 bottles) and enough for 144 individual cocktails (amounts will depend upon what type of cocktail you serve). If you aren't serving wine, plan on 360 cocktails.
How can I save money to buy alcohol for my wedding?
Have a Limited Bar. Keep it simple with the essentials: wine, beer and a signature drink. ... Have a Brunch or Lunch Reception. ... Serve Only Wine and/or Beer. ... Serve Only a Signature Drink. ... Save the Good Stuff for Toasts. ... Serve One or Two Expensive Spirits.
What kind of liquor should I have at my wedding?
Vodka and bourbon are the two most common liquor choices for any wedding. On the one hand, you have a clear liquor with vodka, and alternately you have a colored liquor in bourbon. Both are easily drinkable on their own, and both are used in signature cocktail beverages, such as the vodka martini and the Old Fashioned.
How many bartenders do you need for 100 guests?
Typically, many venues recommended having 1 bartender for 75-100 guests. However, if you are looking for even better service, we suggest 2 as many guests report that 1 bartender was not enough for 100 people.
How much wine do I need for 150 people wedding?
For each guest to have one glass on arrival a good rule is: 100 guests: 15 bottles. 150 guests: 23 bottles. 200 guests: 30 bottles.
How much alcohol do I need for 60 guests?
Fully Stocked BarGuests10-2560-100Brandy/cognac13Aperitif12Cordial23Beer (bottles/cans)5010028 more rows
How much wine do I need for 150 people wedding?
For each guest to have one glass on arrival a good rule is: 100 guests: 15 bottles. 150 guests: 23 bottles. 200 guests: 30 bottles.
How much beer do I need for 150 guests?
How much alcohol do you need for 150 guests? For a 4 hour party with 150 guests, you will need approximately 600 drinks: 240 beers, 216 glasses of wine (44 bottles) and enough for 144 individual cocktails (amounts will depend upon what type of cocktail you serve). If you aren't serving wine, plan on 360 cocktails.
How much alcohol do you need for a wedding of 125?
125 glasses / 5 glasses per bottle = 25 bottles of wine. 25 bottles of wine / 12 bottles per case = 2 cases plus one extra bottle.) Liquor - Mixed drinks will contain between 1 and 1.5 ounces of liquor per drink, so a 750-ml bottle will make between 16-22 drinks depending on how heavy the pour.
How much alcohol do I need for 200 guests?
200 guests1-2 hours60 bottles of wine8 bottles of spirits3-4 hours100 bottles of wine10 bottles of spirits4+ hours120 bottles of wine12 bottles of spirits1 more row
What are some good drinks to serve at a wedding?
For a summer wedding, margaritas would be delicious with Tex-Mex appetizers and a BBQ meal. Tequila is the primary alcohol. Or if your friends love martinis, offer a few flavors--Cosmopolitan, Lemon Drop, and Appletini--that are all vodka based. That’s a fun option for a holiday or formal evening wedding.
How many drinks per hour at Total Wine and More?
According to both BevMo! and Total Wine & More, for each adult guest plan on two drinks the first hour and one drink for each additional hour.
What is a per person fee?
Your venue, or caterer, charges a “per person” fee for unlimited alcohol consumption. Per Consumption. Your venue or caterer charges per drink ordered. Beer and wine are often cheaper per drink than hard liquor or mixed drinks. DIY Bar. You buy the alcohol and may hire bartenders to serve it.
How many people drink beer at a party?
As mentioned above, approximately 40% of your guests might drink beer. But beer drinkers can be pickier to please than wine drinkers. If in doubt, offer at least one well-known domestic brand and one well-known imported brand to keep the masses happy.
How many people drink beer at Total Wine and More?
Both BevMo! and Total Wine & More suggest for a beer and wine-only menu, about 60% of guests will drink wine and 40% will drink beer.
What to do if your friends are obsessed with craft beer?
Or if you and your spouse went to different state colleges, create a friendly competition with regional brews from your college hometowns .
When is the wedding day for 2019?
Monday, January 21st, 2019 Wedding IDEAS, INSPIRATION AND INSIDER TIPS. Offering good food and drinks is usually a top priority for wedded couples. Wedding alcohol is more challenging than the food menu because it can be difficult to estimate alcohol costs. Let’s demystify this part of the reception budget.
How many cocktails can you make in a bottle of liquor?
The typical bottle of liquor for mixed drinks can make 18 cocktails.
How many bottles of alcohol per hour?
Use this as a rule of thumb – these are averages for the number of bottles needed per hour per guest: For every 25 guests, you will need 17 bottles of beer, 4 bottles of wine and 1 bottle of liquor (per hour). For every 50 guests, you will need 34 bottles of beer, 7 bottles of wine and 2 bottle of liquor ...
How many bottles of beer are needed for a 50 person party?
For every 50 guests, you will need 34 bottles of beer, 7 bottles of wine and 2 bottle of liquor (per hour). For every 100 guests, you will need 67 bottles of beer, 14 bottles of wine and 4 bottle of liquor (per hour). Keep in mind the above averages are PER HOUR, so multiply those by each hour your open bar will be available.
How long does a wedding bar stay open?
The average wedding keeps the bar open for up to 5 hours.
What is the most expensive day to host a wedding reception?
Bye, Saturday - Saturday is by far the most expensive day to host a wedding reception. Consider a Sunday brunch party to save serious cash. Also, ask your desired venue about any unbooked dates. Photograph natural beauty - Beach or outdoor celebrations generally require less decor - and the views still pack a punch.
What is dry wedding?
A dry wedding means more money for the food, desserts and entertainment! For your special day, consider morning/early afternoon affairs and scenic venues like recreational parks, nature preserves and lakes. Have fun!
How many bottles of beer are in a case?
One case of beer has 24 bottles or cans. There's so much that goes into entertaining guests for a wedding. To save time, you can hire a professional beverage service (hello, open bar!). To save money, go DIY. Before you decide, find out if stocking your own wedding bar is worth it below.
Can you supply your own alcohol?
But if you decide to supply your own alcohol, be sure to ask the venue for potential corkage fees. If so, don't forget to factor that into your total alcohol budget.
Can you have a memorable wedding without breaking the bank?
You can definitely plan a memorable celebration without breaking the bank. First, let's take a look at the different factors that go into a wedding alcohol budget.
Is it cheaper to buy your own alcohol for a wedding?
It's more work but you'll generally save money by buying your own alcohol. There are four main types of wedding bars:
How many drinks per person for an after party?
After-party: 1.5 drinks per person per hour. Keep in mind that you will want to have options within those categories, such as a lager and an IPA; at least one varietal of white wine and one varietal of red; plus a mix of liquors and mixers.
How long does a wedding party last?
The longer your party lasts, the more alcohol you are going to need. “Most of the weddings I run last seven hours and are open-bar for the first five hours, which includes: hospitality, cocktail hour, reception and after-party,” says Castillo.
Do you need alcohol for an evening affair?
If it’s a daytime event, you probably won’t need as much alcohol as you would for an evening affair. If it’s the height of summer, you might want to consider ordering more white and rosé than red wine, for example, and the reverse if it’s a winter affair.
How many glasses of wine are in a bottle?
Usually, one bottle of wine is approximately 5 drinks (750 ml bottle). One bottle of champagne equals 8 glasses, while one bottle of hard liquor will make around 18 drinks (750 ml bottle). And of course, one bottle of beer is one serving. Also, don’t forget, that drinks do not pour themselves!
What is an open bar wedding?
An open bar is an approach your guests would appreciate the most. Open bar wedding cost can be a bit over the top, though – guests don’t pay for anything, which means some of your guests might get completely drunk. If you know a friend who can indulge too much – warn the bartender in advance.
How many liters of mixer for every liter of hard liquor?
On average, for every liter of hard liquor, you need 3 liters of mixers like soda, juice etc. Also, the more mixed drinks you serve, the more ingredients you’ll need on hand, so if you want to be frugal, keep it simple and limit the varieties. If you are going to play drinking games, make sure you have all the ingredients.
How long should a wedding reception last?
So before you start your estimations, you need to understand the length of the party. On average, a wedding reception lasts about 5 hours.
Can you make a DIY wedding bar?
Making a DIY wedding bar can seem quite frustrating at first, but in reality, it only requires several simple calculations. Do not forget, that all the numbers above are nothing but statistics – you know your guests better. So feel free to change the numbers as you see them.
Is a full bar expensive?
A full bar is a more costly option, as apart from the liquor, which is expensive by itself, there are also mixers. Whatever you choose, remember, that people usually drink the heaviest the first 2 hours of a party.
Can you serve alcohol at a wedding without a bartender?
Also, don’t forget, that drinks do not pour themselves! Beer is easiest to serve if you are wondering how to serve alcohol at a wedding without a bartender. An open bar requires at least one bartender to pour wine, liquor, and champagne, a limited bar needs a couple of waiters to serve drinks, while a cash bar will require regular bar staff from the venue.
How Much Alcohol Should You Buy?
They then assigned a drink range to each category (i.e. three to four drinks for an average drinker; four to six drinks for a heavy drinker). The pair also tried to account for anyone drinking more than expected as well as all the half-drunk cocktails that get placed down and forgotten about at a wedding. Once they had their rough calculation, they figured how many drinks would come out of a bottle of wine or a handle of hard spirits to determine how much to order. They ended up buying three handles of vodka, three handles of tequila, five cases of wine, two cases of sparkling wine, cases of beer, and bottles of bourbon and gin. Oh, and the White Claws.
What do Katie and Nick drink?
Katie and Nick kept their cocktails pretty simple; they bought tequila, vodka, gin, and bourbon. As is the case with alcohol, buying mixers in bulk is also cost effective, so the couple went to Costco and purchased boxes of seltzer water and juices for cocktails. They sliced up lemons and limes themselves and bought spouts for the handles because, while their caterer supplied bartenders, it did not provide any of the bar accouterments. They also had to order a large amount of ice from a local vendor—both cocktail ice and ice for the coolers.
Where did Katie and Nick Dunn have their wedding?
When Katie and Nick Dunn kept having to postpone their venue wedding, they decided to nix the whole plan and have a backyard wedding at Katie’s parents’ house —her childhood home. And, while a backyard wedding may sound simple, it actually requires a lot of DIY-ing, including buying all the alcohol to stock the bar. “At one point, our whole garage was filled with alcohol, and I couldn't actually park my car in there. You’d open it up and it was just a mountain of cases of alcohol and beer,” she says.
Can you return unopened alcohol?
Regardless, according to Dawn, it’s always a good idea to buy more alcohol than you think you need—especially because when buying cases in bulk. You can typically return anything that has been unopened and not chilled. Or, you can always keep what you don’t use.
Is it complicated to buy alcohol?
Buying alcohol in bulk is a bit complicated. “There’s actually a lot of math involved,” says Fallon Carter of Fallon Carter Events. Luckily, there are drink calculators and helpful tips online from places like Total Wine & More. Experts and couples who have been there have advice too.
Do Dawn and Carter recommend bartending?
Both Dawn and Carter recommend hiring a bartending service , and the level of DIY will depend on the level of service you choose to get. For Carter’s events, the cocktail experience is very important, and she sees value in splurging for a full bartending service complete with garnishes and the proper glasses.
