🍷 Wedding Alcohol Calculator
How much beer, wine & liquor do you need?
Estimated Cost
The Standard Formula
The bartending industry standard is 1 drink per guest per hour for the first hour, then 0.5-0.75 drinks per hour after that. A 5-hour reception with 100 drinking guests needs approximately 350-400 drinks total. The typical split is 50% beer, 30% wine, 20% liquor for a full bar — but this varies heavily by crowd demographics.
A younger crowd (25-35) skews toward cocktails and beer. An older crowd (50+) drinks more wine and less beer. A hot outdoor wedding shifts toward beer and light cocktails. A formal indoor reception shifts toward wine and mixed drinks. Adjust the split to match your specific guest profile.
Open bar vs cash bar vs limited bar?
Open bar (host pays everything) costs $35-75 per guest for a 5-hour reception. Cash bar (guests pay) saves money but is considered poor etiquette by many. The compromise: limited open bar (beer, wine, and 2 signature cocktails) costs $25-40 per guest and satisfies 95% of guests without the full liquor expense.
How to save on wedding alcohol
Buy from stores with case discounts (10-20% off). Many stores accept returns of unopened bottles. Buy champagne only for the toast (1 bottle per 6 guests for a single toast). Skip top-shelf liquor — guests mixing with soda and juice cannot tell the difference between mid-range and premium. BYOB venues let you buy your own alcohol at retail prices instead of venue markup (often 2-3x).