How Much Alcohol Do You Need for Your Wedding? The Math Behind Stocking Your Bar

Running out of alcohol on your wedding day? Not exactly the kind of memory you want to make. Whether you’re planning a spirited open bar or just offering a signature cocktail and some chilled bubbly, figuring out how much alcohol to buy is one of those quietly critical planning tasks. It’s easy to overlook until the week of your wedding—and harder to course-correct once the party’s started. But with a little foresight (and a few smart formulas), you can serve drinks confidently and keep everyone hydrated, happy, and on the dance floor.

Here’s a fresh, realistic approach to calculating alcohol for your wedding—plus some expert tips you won’t find in every roundup.

Start Here: The Wedding Bar Equation (With Wiggle Room)

Let’s begin with some rough benchmarks—then we’ll talk variables. A common rule of thumb is to plan for one drink per guest per hour. That may sound like a lot, but it accounts for half-finished glasses, drink-swapping, and a little extra for your most enthusiastic guests.

Here’s a starting point for a 5-hour reception:

Beer: ~½ bottle per guest per hour
Wine: 1 bottle per 2.5 guests
Champagne: 1 bottle per 6 guests (for toasts or welcome pours)
Spirits: 1 bottle per 5 guests (for every 3 hours of open bar)
Cocktail hour or after-party: 1–2 drinks per person

And if you’re doing a dry wedding or offering limited alcohol? Plan your non-alcoholic options just as thoughtfully (more on that below).

Rethinking the Order: When Guests Drink (and When They Don’t)

Here’s where things get more nuanced. Not every hour of your wedding has the same level of consumption. The cocktail hour tends to be the busiest (and thirstiest), with a drink per person, minimum. Once dinner is served, the pace slows a bit—guests sip wine or water between courses. Then, when the dance floor opens, you’ll usually see another uptick.

Late-night drinks? Think strategically. If you want to keep things lively without encouraging excess, consider lowering the ABV: beer, wine spritzers, espresso martinis (yes, they’re still going strong), or even fun zero-proof cocktails.

Beyond the Math: What Actually Impacts Alcohol Consumption

1. Your Crowd

A Sunday brunch wedding for your low-key family? Probably not a tequila-heavy crowd. A New Year’s Eve party with your college friends? Totally different. Consider who’s coming, their drinking habits, and any known preferences.

Pro tip: If your crowd skews non-drinker, make your dry options feel just as celebratory—mocktails, infused waters, and bubbly NA alternatives go a long way.

2. Time of Year

Seasonal drinking is real. In the heat of summer, expect guests to reach for crisp whites, rosé, beer, and sparkling cocktails. In colder months, red wine, spiced rum, and old fashioneds tend to shine. You may also want to scale down your champagne needs for a winter wedding—unless you’re hosting during the holidays, when sparkling wine is basically expected.

3. Length of Your Event

A three-hour afternoon ceremony and cocktail reception will require a completely different inventory than a full weekend wedding with a welcome party, reception, and Sunday brunch. Break it down by event and plan accordingly. Your bar team (or caterer) can help estimate totals based on flow and format.

Choosing Your Bar Style: How It Impacts Quantity and Cost

The kind of bar you offer is one of the biggest factors in how much alcohol you’ll need:

Full Open Bar: Expect the highest consumption (and highest cost)
Beer + Wine Only: More streamlined, great for daytime or outdoor weddings
Limited Signature Cocktails: Chic, memorable, and budget-friendly
Cash Bar: Lowers consumption dramatically—but may feel less celebratory

Want something in-between? Try a “curated” open bar—two signature cocktails, wine, beer, and a couple of versatile spirits (vodka and whiskey are usually safest).

Don’t Forget the Extras

Even if you’re hiring a bar team, be clear on what’s included. If you’re stocking your own bar, add these to your checklist:

Mixers: Tonic, soda water, ginger beer, juices
Garnishes: Citrus, herbs, olives, cherries
Ice: Plan on 1.5 pounds of ice per guest
Glassware or Cups: At least 1.5–2 per guest (or more for eco-friendly disposables)
Bar tools: Shakers, strainers, bottle openers, coolers

Final Tips to Keep Things Flowing (Not Flooding)

As you finalize your bar plans, a few small decisions can make a big difference. If you’re supplying your own alcohol, designate someone—ideally not in your wedding party—to manage restocking and bar logistics throughout the night. The last thing you need is to be whispering instructions from the head table about missing tonic water. Think ahead about chilling too: extra beer and wine should be kept cold in backup coolers or behind-the-bar storage so your bartenders can swap in fresh bottles as needed.

It’s also smart to consider pacing. If you’re offering hard liquor, think about capping it after a certain hour to avoid things getting too rowdy (especially toward the end of the night). And when it comes to shots—just don’t. They’re expensive, they disappear fast, and they can turn a joyful dance floor into a scene you weren’t hoping for. Keep the vibe elevated and easy. Your guests (and your caterers) will thank you.

At the end of the day, your bar should reflect your style—not just your spreadsheet. Whether you’re planning a polished black-tie affair or a breezy backyard celebration, a little strategy (and a lot of ice) will go a long way.

Cheers to that.