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.
Wedding alcohol planning combines drink consumption estimates, bottle yields, and guest demographics to determine how much to buy and what it will cost.
Core formulas: Total Drinks = Total Guests × Hours of Reception × Drinks Per Hour Per Guest Bottles of Wine Needed = (Wine Drink % × Total Drinks) ÷ 5 (5 glasses per 750 mL bottle) Cases of Beer Needed = (Beer Drink % × Total Drinks) ÷ 24 (24 cans/bottles per case) Bottles of Spirits Needed = (Spirits Drink % × Total Drinks) ÷ 16 (~16 drinks per 750 mL bottle at 1.5 oz per pour)
Standard planning assumptions:
- Drinks per person per hour: 1 drink for the first hour, 0.75 for subsequent hours
- Typical reception length: 4–5 hours (cocktail hour + dinner + dancing)
- Guest mix (general average): 40% wine, 35% beer, 25% spirits (adjust for your crowd)
Worked example: 120 guests, 5-hour reception (1 cocktail hour + 4 reception hours). Estimated drinks = 120 × (1 + 4 × 0.75) = 120 × 4 = 480 total drinks
Wine (40%): 192 drinks ÷ 5 = 38 bottles of wine (~3.2 cases) Beer (35%): 168 drinks ÷ 24 = 7 cases of beer Spirits (25%): 120 drinks ÷ 16 = 7.5 bottles of spirits
Budget estimates (2025):
- Beer: $25–$45/case
- Wine: $12–$25/bottle (bulk/wholesale)
- Spirits: $25–$60/bottle (well brands)
- Estimated total for 120 guests: $800–$1,800 (self-catered)
- Licensed bar service with bartenders: Add $25–$40/person
Always add 10–15% buffer for heavy drinkers and unexpected guests. Return policies vary — buy from stores that allow unopened bottle returns.