Free planning tool from Mr. Barrtenderr
Wedding Alcohol Calculator
Enter your guest count and how long the bar is open. You'll get how many bottles of liquor and wine, cases of beer, and bags of ice to buy, with a 10% buffer so you don't run out.
Your shopping list
0
total drinks, including a 10% buffer
- Liquor750 mL bottles0
- Or buy handles1.75 L bottles0
- Wine750 mL bottles0
- Beer24-can cases0
- Champagne for the toast750 mL bottles0
- Ice10 lb bags0
Buying is the easy part. Want a licensed, insured team to serve it, pace it and keep the line short?
Check your dateHow we calculate how much alcohol you need
We've run bars at more than 2,000 events across Florida and Georgia. These are the same rules of thumb we use when we plan a wedding bar.
- Count your drinkers. Multiply your guest count by the share of guests who drink. At most weddings that's about 85%.
- Plan one drink per drinker per hour. Use less for a light crowd and up to 1.5 for a party crowd.
- Add a 10% buffer. Running out at a wedding costs more than a few leftover bottles.
- Split it by drink type. For a full bar we plan 60% cocktails, 25% beer and 15% wine. For beer and wine only, 45% beer and 55% wine.
- Turn drinks into bottles. A 750 mL bottle of liquor makes about 16 cocktails (1.5 oz pours). A bottle of wine pours 5 glasses. A case of beer is 24 drinks.
- Add the extras. One bottle of champagne covers 6 toast pours. Plan 1 lb of ice per guest, or 2 lb outdoors or in summer.
Example: 100 guests, 5-hour full bar
With 85 drinkers at one drink an hour for five hours, plus a 10% buffer, you need about 468 drinks. Here's the shopping list:
| Item | Buy |
|---|---|
| Liquor (750 mL bottles) | 18 |
| Wine (750 mL bottles) | 15 |
| Beer (24-can cases) | 5 |
| Champagne for the toast (bottles) | 17 |
| Ice (10 lb bags) | 10 indoors, 20 outdoors |
Common questions
How many drinks per guest should I plan for at a wedding?
Plan one drink per drinking guest for every hour the bar is open. A 5-hour reception means about 5 drinks per drinker. Guests drink more in the first hour and less after dinner, so it evens out.
How much alcohol do I need for 100 wedding guests?
For a 5-hour full bar: about 18 bottles of liquor, 15 bottles of wine, 5 cases of beer and 17 bottles of champagne if you're doing a toast. That includes a 10% buffer.
How many bottles of wine do I need for a beer and wine only wedding?
For 100 guests over 5 hours, a beer and wine bar needs about 52 bottles of wine and 9 cases of beer. Use the calculator above for your exact numbers.
Should I buy extra alcohol?
Yes. The calculator already adds 10%. Before you buy, ask your store whether it takes back unopened bottles.
Can I buy my own alcohol and still hire a bartender?
Yes. Many venues require a licensed, insured bartending service even when you supply the alcohol. Our Bartender Only package covers that: you buy, we serve.
Let us handle the bar
Mr. Barrtenderr is a Jacksonville mobile bartending company serving weddings and events across Florida and Georgia. We'll build your bar plan around your guest list, so you only pay for what you need.
Check your date
