Wedding Alcohol Calculator
Estimate beverage quantities for cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing so your bar stays stocked and on budget.
Total drinks
552
5 hour reception
Wine & beer
50 wine · 194 beer
240 L water recommended
Liquor & toast
5 liquor · 1 champagne
72 signature cocktail pitchers · 1 NA bubbly bottles
Timeline pacing
- Cocktail hour: 2–3 drinks per guest with passed appetizers.
- Dinner: 1 drink per hour (wine pairings or beer refills).
- Dancing: 1–1.5 drinks per hour plus water stations and coffee.
Bar setup tips
- Stock garnishes: citrus wedges, cherries, fresh herbs.
- Provide signage for signature cocktails and mocktails.
- Assign 1 bartender per 50 guests to minimize lines.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter guest count & reception length
The calculator allocates drinks across cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing.
Toggle cocktail hour, toast, and bar type
Include champagne and signature cocktails to get accurate bottle counts.
Review per-phase guidance
Use the timeline to coordinate with caterers, bartenders, and rental companies.
Formula
Drinks = Guests × [Cocktail hrs × 1.2 + Dinner hrs × 0.6 + Dancing hrs × 1.1]
Wine bottles = Wine drinks ÷ 5 · Liquor bottles = Spirit drinks ÷ 25
Example: 120 guests, 5-hour reception with cocktail hour → ≈ 540 drinks → 49 wine bottles, 189 beers, 22 liquor bottles, 22 champagne bottles.
Tip: Offer 2 signature cocktails to streamline liquor inventory—each 750 ml bottle yields ~25 pours.
Full Description
Wedding bars require careful planning to balance budget, guest experience, and responsible service. This calculator estimates wine, beer, spirits, champagne, water, and signature cocktails based on guest count and reception length. Toggle bar preferences to match your vision—whether you’re hosting beer-and-wine only or a full open bar.
Share the breakdown with your caterer, venue, or bartending service to finalize purchase orders. Remember to offer plenty of water, coffee, and non-alcoholic options alongside alcohol service.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bartenders do I need?
Plan one bartender per 50 guests for an open bar. Add a bar-back for every 75 guests to restock supplies.
Can I return unopened alcohol?
Many stores allow returns if kept unopened and in original cases. Confirm policies before buying in bulk.
What about non-drinkers?
Offer mocktails, sparkling water, and coffee. Include them in water counts and provide festive glassware.
Should I add late-night snacks?
Yes. Food slows alcohol absorption and keeps guests energized—plan tacos, sliders, or pizza during dancing.