When you are providing your own alcohol for your wedding bar it is important to supply just the right amount so you don't run out of alcohol, but you also don't waste money on drinks your guests don't consume. So how much alcohol should you buy? To help answer your bar questions I turned to bar extraordinaire, Olana, from Pour Girl Bartending for some advice on how many drinks to provide for your guest count.
For a standard wedding time frame (6 hours including the ceremony) Olana says that the general rule is about 5 adult beverages per guest; "50% being cocktails, 30% wine and 20% beer."
Keep in mind that you know your guests, so if you think it is a drinking crowd, estimate about 6-7 drinks per person. If you plan on having a longer wedding day than 6 hours, an extended cocktail hour or wine service during dinner, then you may want to add more drinks as well.
That being said, for about 100 guests, here is the estimated amounts of alcohol you will need:
Beer + Wine Bar
200 bottles of beer
60 bottles of wine
With champagne toast - two extra cases of sparkling white wine
12 count case of 750 oz. sparkling water or a soft drink like La Croix for a non-alcoholic option
Full Bar
15 Bottles of liquor
100 Bottles of beer
38 bottles of wine
With champagne toast - two extra cases of sparkling white wine
12 count case of 750 oz. sparkling water or a soft drink like La Croix for a non-alcoholic option
Mixers/garnish dependent on what drinks you offer
Glassware
For dinner tables:
100 water, 100 wine, 100 flutes if doing toast
Water station:
150 hi-ball or rocks glasses
For bar:
300 wine glasses (universal size)
200 rocks glasses - if doing full bar
100 flutes if offering sparkling wine
Note: If having keg, pint glasses may be necessary
Ice
Don't forget about the ice! Some venues have an ice machine on site, but for those who do not, estimate about 1-3 pounds of ice per person. The amount will depend on if you need to chill beverages, are having cocktails, or if it is a hot outdoor wedding. Also confirm with the venue that it has a potable water source for an infused water station.
Happy shopping!