How much alcohol for a wedding?
A free calculator for 50, 100, 150 or 200 guests, plus the rule of thumb we use to build every shopping list.
How much alcohol to buy.
Enter your guests and hours. After you book, we turn this into an exact shopping list built from your menu.
2 drinks per guest the first hour, 1 per hour after
The quick chart
For a 4-hour party with cocktails, wine and beer (60 / 25 / 15), here's what to buy:
| 4-hour party | Drinks | Spirits (750 ml) | Wine | Beer | Sparkling toast | Ice |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 guests | 250 | 10 | 13 | 37 | 7 | 75 lb |
| 100 guests | 500 | 19 | 25 | 75 | 13 | 150 lb |
| 150 guests | 750 | 29 | 38 | 112 | 19 | 225 lb |
| 200 guests | 1000 | 38 | 50 | 150 | 25 | 300 lb |
The rule of thumb
Plan 2 drinks per guest in the first hour, then 1 per guest each hour after. A 750 ml bottle pours about 16 cocktails at 1.5 oz, and a bottle of wine pours about 5 glasses. For a toast, 1 bottle of sparkling covers 7 to 8 guests. Ice: about 1.5 lb per guest, double for hot outdoor parties. Sources: Cascadia Liquor, Tasting Table.
Buy smart, return the rest
Many liquor stores take back unopened bottles. Ask about the return policy before you buy, keep the receipt, and keep extra bottles un-chilled with labels intact so they can go back.
Ice and mixers are on us
Every Bar Society package includes ice, syrups, juices, mixers and garnishes. You only buy the bottles. See packages.
Let's set up your bar.
Send your date, guest count and venue. We'll check availability and send you a quote.