Wedding Drink Calculator

Wedding Alcohol Planning Guide

One of the biggest questions when planning a wedding is "How much alcohol should I buy?" Buying too little can end the party early, while buying too much can waste budget (unless your venue allows returns).

The Golden Rule

The industry standard formula for calculating drinks is:

However, people tend to drink more in the first hour (often 2 drinks) and slow down later. This calculator adjusts for an "Average" rate that smooths this out to about 1 drink per hour over the lifespan of the event.

Standard Drink Ratios

For a Full Bar, the typical consumption breakdown is:

• 50% Wine: Popular with dinner and older guests.
• 20% Beer: Usually lighter options.
• 30% Spirits: For mixed drinks and cocktails.

For a Beer & Wine Only wedding:

• 60% Wine
• 40% Beer

Buying Tips

1. Wine: A standard 750ml bottle pours 5 glasses. Split roughly 50/50 between Red and White, or lean slightly towards Red for winter weddings.
2. Beer: Kegs are cheaper but harder to manage leftovers. Bottles/Cans are easier. A case usually holds 24 beers.
3. Liquor: A 750ml bottle yields about 16-17 drinks (1.5 oz pour). Focus on Vodka, Gin, Whiskey, and Rum.
4. Toast: If doing a champagne toast, add 1 glass per person specifically for that (1 bottle per 6-8 people for a small pour).