Wedding Alcohol Calculator

Category: Party
- May 14, 2025
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Estimate how much alcohol you need for your wedding based on guest count, event duration, and drinking preferences.

Event Details

Guest Drinking Profile

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Beverage Preferences

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Budget Options

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Wedding Alcohol Planning Tips

Planning alcohol for a wedding can be tricky. Here are some helpful tips:

General Guidelines
  • Standard Pour Sizes: Beer (12 oz), Wine (5 oz), Spirits (1.5 oz), Champagne toast (4 oz)
  • Bottles Yield: Wine (5 glasses per 750ml bottle), Liquor (17 drinks per 750ml bottle), Champagne (6 glasses per 750ml bottle)
  • 80/20 Rule: Typically about 80% of guests will drink alcohol
  • Consumption Rate: On average, guests consume 2 drinks during the first hour and 1 drink each hour after
Money-Saving Tips
  • Consider buying from stores that offer bulk discounts and allow returns of unopened bottles
  • Skip the full open bar and offer a limited selection of beer, wine, and perhaps 1-2 signature cocktails
  • Champagne is only needed for the toast - not throughout the entire event
  • Ask about corkage fees if bringing your own alcohol to a venue
  • Consider seasonal drink options which may be more affordable

What Is the Wedding Alcohol Calculator?

The Wedding Alcohol Calculator helps you estimate the right amount of alcohol for your wedding. It uses inputs like guest count, event duration, drinking habits, and drink preferences to give you a detailed plan. This tool simplifies the decision-making process and reduces the chance of running out or overbuying alcohol.

Formula Used for Estimation

Drinking Guests:
Drinking Guests = Total Guests × (Drinking Percentage ÷ 100)

Total Drinks Needed:
Total Drinks = (Drinking Guests × 2) + (Drinking Guests × Drinks Per Hour × (Duration - 1))

Drink Type Servings:
Drink Type Servings = Total Drinks × (Drink Type Percentage ÷ 100)

Bottles Needed:
• Beer: 1 bottle per serving
• Wine: 1 bottle = 5 servings
• Spirits: 1 bottle = 17 servings
• Champagne: 1 bottle = 6 servings

Total Cost with Buffer:
Total Cost = (Beer Cost + Wine Cost + Spirits Cost + Champagne Cost) × (1 + Buffer Percentage ÷ 100)

How to Use the Calculator

Follow these simple steps to get a complete alcohol estimate for your event:

  • Enter the number of guests attending your wedding.
  • Set the event duration in hours. This helps estimate drink consumption over time.
  • Input the percentage of guests who will drink. Most weddings have around 80% drinking guests.
  • Choose the average drinks per person per hour. A safe starting point is 1.5.
  • Distribute beverage preferences among beer, wine, spirits, and champagne. Make sure they total 100%.
  • Add your alcohol budget and a buffer amount to help account for last-minute needs.
  • Click “Calculate” to see the results including how many bottles you need and if you’re within budget.

Why This Calculator Is Useful

Planning alcohol can be tricky and expensive. This tool helps you:

  • Stay within your budget
  • Make sure guests have enough to enjoy
  • Avoid overbuying and wasting money
  • Get a clear breakdown of drink types and quantities

Whether you're working with a planner, venue, or shopping on your own, this calculator gives you the confidence to make informed decisions.

Example Scenario

If you're hosting 100 guests for a 5-hour wedding, with 80% drinking guests and an average of 1.5 drinks per hour, the calculator will estimate how many bottles of beer, wine, spirits, and champagne you’ll need—plus tell you if you’re within your $1500 budget.

FAQs

Do I need to serve all types of alcohol?

No. You can adjust the percentages so that you only include beer and wine, for example. Just ensure the total adds up to 100%.

What happens if I go over budget?

The calculator will show how much you're over and suggest where you may want to reduce costs—for example, cutting back on champagne or spirits.

What if my guests drink more than average?

You can increase the "drinks per hour" value to better reflect your guests’ habits. You can also increase the buffer percentage to plan for extra.

Can I use this calculator for Other events?

Yes. While it’s designed with weddings in mind, it can be used for birthdays, anniversaries, or any large gathering with similar structure and alcohol needs.

Planning Tips

  • Start early and revisit your estimates as your guest list changes.
  • Track RSVPs with drink preferences if possible.
  • Check with venues on alcohol rules and corkage fees.
  • Buy from retailers who allow returns of unopened bottles.

This calculator provides a practical and efficient way to plan alcohol service for your wedding, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone.