Wedding Alcohol Calculator
Calculate the exact wine, beer, and spirits quantities for your bar based on guest count, reception length, and crowd type.
~85 of 100 guests drinking
Alcohol Shopping List
Total Drinks Needed
425
85 drinking guests × 5 hours = 425 · 1x drinking modifier
Assumes 1 drink per guest per hour, 5 drinks per 750ml wine bottle, 1 beer = 1 drink, and ~16 drinks per 750ml liquor bottle.
43
Bottles of Wine
213 wine drinks (50%)
4
Cases of Beer
+10 extras (106 total, 25%)
7
Bottles of Spirits
106 liquor drinks (25%)
Your math is only as good as your headcount.
The average wedding has a 15% drop-off rate. If you buy drinks today, you are buying for ~15 people who aren't coming, wasting $101. iDoTogether sends one personal link to their phones, getting you hard RSVPs instantly so you only buy what you actually need.
Estimated Budget
Safe Minimum
$672
Generous Buffer
$1,061
Based on typical retail prices. Actual costs vary by brand, region, and store.
The math is done. Now go get the actual data.
Stop chasing adults for their basic information.
You are organizing an event for 100 people. You shouldn't manage it with chaotic group texts and a fragile spreadsheet. Send one personal link. Let guests enter their own addresses, meal choices, and RSVPs. You just watch the numbers update.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For a 5 hour reception with 100 guests and average drinking levels, plan 43 bottles of wine, 4 cases of beer, and 7 bottles of spirits for 85 drinking guests. Total budget: 842 to 1,367.
A 5 hour reception needs about 25% more alcohol than a 4 hour reception. For 100 guests at average drinking levels, that means roughly 17 additional bottles of wine and corresponding increases in beer and spirits. Use the duration slider to compare the two scenarios.
It provides a strong planning baseline using industry averages: 1 drink per guest per hour, a drink split based on your selected event style, plus standard servings per bottle. Use the Event Style selector to match your crowd. A backyard BBQ skews heavily toward beer while a wine dinner needs far less spirits.
Yes. Use the Event Style selector to match your event type. Backyard BBQ skews heavily toward beer (65%), Wine Dinner is 70% wine, and Open Bar puts more weight on spirits (50%). Each preset uses real world crowd averages for that event type.
Use the drinking level toggle. Light works well for daytime or family heavy events, Average fits most receptions, and Heavy is better for bar forward crowds.
Absolutely. Kids, pregnant guests, and teetotalers all reduce your actual alcohol need. Use the Non Drinker % slider to exclude them from the drink calculations. The default 15% is a reasonable starting point for a typical mixed age crowd.
The champagne card accounts for a single toast glass for every guest, including non drinkers, since most people will take a glass even if they don't usually drink. At roughly 6 glasses per 750ml bottle, this is a separate purchase from your reception alcohol.
Yes, a 10-15% buffer is standard for larger weddings. But remember: the best way to protect your budget isn't guessing your buffer. It's having a accurate, confirmed headcount before you head to the liquor store.
No. This calculator estimates alcohol only. Plan mixers, water, soda, juice, coffee, and ice separately based on your menu and venue requirements.
Finalize your major order 4 weeks out, right after your RSVP deadline. (Pro-tip: If you use iDoTogether to collect RSVPs, your dashboard will show you exactly when 100% of your guests have answered, so you aren't guessing when it's safe to buy).
Done planning drinks? Set up your guest list and get confirmed RSVPs →
Alcohol for a 5 Hour Wedding Reception
A 5 hour reception is longer than average and means 25% more alcohol versus a 4 hour event. With 100 guests and 85 drinkers, you need 43 bottles of wine, 4 cases of beer, and 7 bottles of spirits. Budget between 842 and 1,367. The extra hour makes a meaningful difference: roughly 425 total drinks versus a 4 hour event. Consumption typically peaks during cocktail hour and the first hour of the reception, then levels off after dinner service and picks back up slightly during dancing.
A 5 hour reception gives guests more time to drink, but also more time for RSVPs to not come in. Lock in your real headcount with iDoTogether before adjusting your order for the extra hour.