Wedding Alcohol Calculator
Estimate how many bottles or cases of beer, wine, and cocktails you need for your wedding based on guest count and event length.
Alcohol Estimate
Wedding Alcohol Estimation:
The standard rule of thumb is 1 drink per guest per hour for the first hour, then 0.5 drinks per hour after that.
Drink type assumptions:
- Beer only: 100% beer
- Wine only: 100% wine
- Cocktails only: 100% spirits
- Mixed (typical): 50% wine, 30% beer, 20% cocktails
Bottle servings:
- Wine bottle (750ml): 5 glasses
- Beer (12 oz can/bottle): 1 drink
- Liquor bottle (750ml): 16 cocktails (1.5 oz pours)
- Champagne for toast: 1 bottle per 6 guests
Cases:
- Wine: 12 bottles per case
- Beer: 24 cans/bottles per case
Tips:
- Assume 10–20% of guests will be non-drinkers
- Hot weather increases consumption
- An open bar uses more than a limited selection
- Buy returnable cases for unused bottles