Wedding alcohol calculator

How much beer, wine and liquor do you actually need for a wedding? This calculator gives you a sensible starting list based on guest count, hours of reception, and the mix of drinkers in your crowd.

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Drink mix (must total 100%)

Mix totals 100% ✓

Your shopping list

  • 15bottles of wine
  • 3bottles of spirits (750ml)
  • 72beers (cans / bottles)

Based on roughly 180 total drinks across the event. Always round up and keep a little extra.

Why this wedding alcohol calculator

  • Beer, wine, spirits and non-alcoholic estimates
  • Adjustable drinker mix (light / medium / heavy)
  • Accounts for the length of the reception
  • Prints or saves as a shopping list
  • Works for any event — not just weddings

How it works

  1. 01

    Tell us your numbers

    Guest count, reception hours, and roughly what kind of crowd.

  2. 02

    Pick your service style

    Beer + wine only, full bar, signature cocktail, or non-alcoholic-friendly.

  3. 03

    Get a shopping list

    Bottle and case counts you can take straight to the store.

Frequently asked questions

How accurate are these numbers?

They're a starting point, not a guarantee. Drinking volume varies a lot by region, age mix and time of day. Most caterers and bar service planners use the same formula.

Does it include non-drinkers?

Yes. The 'light drinkers' bucket assumes some guests will mostly drink water or soft drinks; the calculator generates the non-alcoholic estimate accordingly.

What if my reception is longer than the planner allows?

Just multiply the per-hour quantities. The formula scales linearly past the first hour.

Can I save the list?

Yes — print the page to PDF or screenshot to share with your bar shopper.