If you’re dreaming of a champagne wall or a crowd-pleasing open bar, today’s goal is to help you figure out how much alcohol to buy for your wedding and how to serve it responsibly.
From calculating quantities of alcohol needed for a wedding to navigating the logistics of serving wine, beer, and spirits, there’s more to consider than simply deciding on your signature wedding cocktail (but your hired bar experts can help you create this beverage, too!)
Because alcohol service is a specialized part of wedding planning, we turned to the experts at Tipsy Wheels Mobile Bar Service and Bubbly Bartending, two companies offerring standout bartending experiences where you provide the alcohol and they handle the rest. Even better? Their services include a complimentary beverage consultation to help you plan with confidence.
We asked both owners to share their top tips for couples who want to calculate how much alcohol to buy and ensure it’s served smoothly and safely. In this guide, we’ll break down how to estimate your alcohol needs, choose the right mix of wine, beer, and spirits, and why hiring professional bartenders is key to responsible service on your big day.
Why You Should Hire a Professional Bar Service
Hiring a licensed bar service isn’t just a smart move – it’s often a legal requirement depending on your venue and local regulations. Services like Tipsy Wheels and Bubbly Bartending go beyond pouring drinks; they offer expert guidance, including consultations that help you calculate exactly how much alcohol you’ll need. Professional bartenders simplify the planning process and ensure your wedding bar runs smoothly from start to finish.
Carina from Tipsy Wheels explains, “When our clients hire us, they know we are a dry-hire service, so the only thing they’re responsible for is purchasing the alcohol. We provide a complete shopping list after finalizing their drink menu. Each type of alcohol is categorized, with the exact number of bottles or cases and recommended sizes listed. It makes the process so much easier – and it’s one less thing for our clients to stress about.”
The Basics of Calculating Alcohol Quantity
Before you can determine how much alcohol to buy, you’ll need to know:
- How many guests will be of legal drinking age
- What type(s) of alcohol you plan to serve
- How many hours your bar will be open
Once you have these details, you can estimate drink quantities based on your menu.
When it comes to alcohol, if you’re serving just beer and wine, the recommended split is a 50/50 ratio. If you’re offering a full bar with mixed drinks, beer, and wine, aim for 50% mixed drinks, 30% beer, and 20% wine. Planning to include popular signature cocktails alongside beer and wine? Go with 35% signature cocktails, 35% beer, and 30% wine.
Consider Signature Cocktails
Nikki of Bubbly Bartending notes, “If you’re serving signature cocktails, it’s recommended to add an extra handle of liquor for every 50 guests. Not sure how to choose a signature cocktail? Keep it fun – make a story out of trying different recipes while you’re out and about. You can always ask what’s trending or popular for the season!”
“Signature drinks are normally a hit,” Carina explained. “But if you’re serving something like margaritas or old fashioneds, keep in mind that some guests may avoid tequila or whiskey and opt for beer or a glass of wine instead. If signature cocktails are the only liquor option, guests will often lean toward the beer and wine.”
How to Acquire Beer, Wine, and Spirits
When it comes to purchasing alcohol for your wedding, Carina recommends shopping somewhere that allows returns for unopened bottles. “I always tell my clients to shop at Fine Wine & Good Spirits because they allow returns of unopened bottles, as long as you bring them back within the return window.” For beer, many distributors offer the same flexibility, allowing you to return unopened cases. However, discuss this return policy with your distributor beforehand to avoid any surprises. This planning step ensures you’ll only pay for the alcohol you actually use, avoiding excess costs.
Choosing Bottle Sizes
When it comes to choosing the right bottle size, Tipsy Wheels generally recommends going with 750ml bottles. “We try to have our clients buy 750ml bottles, but some opt for handles to save a few dollars,” Carina explains. “That’s totally fine, but the 750ml bottles are definitely easier to handle, especially when we add pourers.” While both options work, the 750ml bottles are typically the most practical choice for smooth service and efficient pouring.
Finalize Your Quantity One Month Before Your Wedding
Many factors can shift as your wedding day approaches, especially after receiving final RSVPs. Nikki from Bubbly Bartending advises waiting until the last month before your wedding to finalize your alcohol order. “RSVP changes, weather, adjustments in service needs – like toasts or table pours – and even budget changes can all impact your quantities. We also recommend making a phone call to verify the details one final time.” This extra step helps avoid last-minute surprises and ensures smooth service on your big day.
Know What Alcohol Your Guests Drink
Consider the specifics of your event and your guests’ preferences when finalizing your alcohol choices. Here are a few helpful tips:
- For morning or lunch events that end before 5 p.m., scale back your alcohol quantity by about 10%.
- Outdoor events in warm weather will benefit from more refreshing options, such as spritzers, light beer, or white wine.
- Colder seasons tend to call for red wines or stronger liquors, like whiskey.
- Don’t forget to offer a mocktail option to ensure all guests feel included.
“It’s perfectly fine to offer a signature bar,” Nikki adds. “This means you’ll provide limited alcohol options, which can save on costs. For example, if your crowd isn’t big on wine, you might want to consider offering sangria as a fun alternative.” By tailoring your selection to the event and your guests, you can create a more personalized experience without overspending.
Tips for Serving Liquor
One of the biggest questions couples have is about liquor. This is also an area where you can be smart about saving money. The recommended liquor lineup from our experts includes: whiskey, bourbon, rum, gin, and vodka.
Keep in mind that the right amount to buy depends on your crowd. A liter of liquor typically makes 18 drinks, while a handle (1.75L) provides around 30 drinks. If you’re offering signature cocktails, it’s smart to include an extra handle for every 50 guests.
During cocktail hour, most guests will consume about two mixed drinks. For a light to moderate drinking crowd, plan on one drink per guest per hour, while a heavy-drinking crowd may go through two drinks per guest for the remainder of the evening.
Tips for Serving Beer
When it comes to beer, simplicity is key. This is also an area where you may want to purchase extra. Opt for two popular options, like a light beer and a lager. If your wedding falls in a seasonal month, you can also consider adding a seltzer, IPA, or cider to cater to different tastes.
If you plan to serve beer from kegs, be mindful that they require special handling. Kegs are large, difficult to move, need to be properly chilled, and must be tapped correctly. Unless your venue is equipped to accommodate a keg setup, it might be easier to stick with bottles or cans.
During cocktail hour, expect each beer drinker to consume 2 – 4 beers. For the remainder of the evening, plan for one beer per guest per hour for light drinkers, two for moderate drinkers, and three for heavy drinkers.
Tips for Serving Wine & Champagne
Wine and champagne are almost expected at weddings, but they don’t always get consumed as much as you might assume – except during toasts or dinner pours. When buying wine, consider the preferences of your guests: younger crowds tend to favor sweeter wines like Moscato, middle-aged guests often prefer Cabernet or a dinner Chardonnay, and older guests lean toward Zinfandel. It’s always a good idea to have both red and white options available. If your crowd leans more toward beer and liquor, buying just a few bottles can be a good idea, and according to Nikki, “they can also make great gifts!”
For brunches or toasts, champagne is a popular choice. However, just like wine, champagne consumption tends to drop after the first hour of the event. “There are exceptions,” Nikki explained, “like signature drinks that use Prosecco, but generally, we don’t serve as much champagne during evening receptions. Remember that serving champagne requires more preparation: you’ll need glassware (which adds to the cost), extra time for chilling, and additional ice. As bartenders, we typically switch guests to a more manageable drink later in the evening to ensure everything stays under control.”
Seasons will heavily influence which type of wine will be consumed. In general:
- One bottle of wine serves 4 – 5 guests.
- One bottle of champagne serves 5 – 6 guests.
- For champagne toasts, plan on one bottle for every 10 guests.
