How Much Alcohol Should You Get for Your Wedding? Follow These 5 Rules

In collaboration with Oscar Collins

Planning the ultimate luxury wedding lies in the details. Every day is filled with decisions, from finding your dream dress to landing the perfect venue and booking. Amid the floral arrangements and cake tastings, one detail can be surprisingly tricky to figure out — how much alcohol to order.

You want your guests to have a fantastic time, but nothing says “wedding disaster” like running out of drinks to serve in the middle of your reception. Neither do you want to be left with hundreds of half-opened wines and bubbly.

Rule 1: Know Your Guests

Take a moment to think about your guest list. Are you hosting a crowd of wine connoisseurs or cocktail enthusiasts? Perhaps your college friends prefer craft beers, while your new in-laws sip single malt scotch. Keep people’s preferences in mind when planning which drinks to order.

Also, consider your demographics. A destination wedding in the Hamptons might call for crisp rosés and refreshing gin and tonics, while a winter wonderland celebration could lean toward full-bodied reds and warming whiskey cocktails. Be sure to include a couple of global favorites to make everyone feel at home if you’re welcoming international guests.

Rule 2: Allocate a Budget

While you want to ensure everyone enjoys themselves, set a budget to guide your choices. This also makes it easier for the wedding planner or caterer to provide exactly what you need on your special day. Consider these factors to get estimates right:

●      Plan for the season: Certain drinks are more appropriate for different seasons. A summer wedding might call for light, refreshing cocktails, while a winter celebration could feature heartier options like mulled wine.

●      Anticipate beverage preferences: The types and brands of alcohol you plan to serve will determine a large portion of your budget. For example, you should generally dedicate 15% of your overall reception budget to wine and champagne.

●      Consider a splurge: Are you dreaming of a flowing champagne toast with a prestigious brand? Allocate a bigger share of your budget to this highlight, then select other offerings that complement it. Perhaps you are looking to explore options beyond the traditional open bar. Invest more in premium bar packages, bartender-guided tastings or a station service for specific drinks.

How Much Alcohol You Need to Buy

When it comes to how much alcohol to buy, a simple rule is one drink per person every hour. This is probably because the human liver breaks down one standard drink per hour, which is 1.5 ounces of liquor, 5 ounces of wine or 12 ounces of beer.

If your reception lasts five hours and you have 150 guests, aim for at least 750 drinks. Following this rule guarantees a steady flow of beverages without over- or underwhelming your guests.

Rule 3: Select Premium Varieties

Your luxury wedding deserves nothing but the best. A good mix for an upscale event looks like this:

●      Champagne: Plan for a glass per guest for the toast, plus extra for those who prefer to sip bubbly all night. Consider offering both a brut and a rosé option.

●      Wine: A standard bottle is 750 milliliters (ml), and a wine glass is 150 ml, translating to four or five servings. A good rule of thumb is to plan to serve one bottle per two guests each hour.

●      Spirits: Stock your bar with top-shelf options — Grey Goose or Belvedere for vodka, Hendrick’s for gin, Macallan for scotch.

●      Signature cocktails: Work with a professional mixologist to create bespoke cocktails that reflect your style and love story. These will be a real talking point.

Rule 4: Work With Your Venue or Caterer

Your venue or caterer can be a fantastic resource when deciding the amount of alcohol to serve at your wedding. They’ve likely managed dozens of events and can provide insight into how much you’ll need based on your guest count and preferences. They also have established relationships with high-end distributors, wineries and breweries and could get you a good deal on bulk purchases. It makes planning much easier.

Rule 5: Plan for the Unexpected

Adding an extra 10% to your calculated quantities is recommended. This buffer will cover you for unexpected situations — perhaps the weather turns warmer than anticipated, leading to increased consumption, or maybe your aunt’s new beau is a sommelier who’s generous with the pours.

Consider having a local premium wine shop or specialized alcohol delivery service on standby. Many high-end providers offer last-minute help for those “just in case” moments.

Above all, remind your guests to practice responsible drinking by being mindful of their limits, planning transportation from the event and not drinking on an empty stomach, especially if they’re not seasoned toasters.

Cheers to the Perfect Wedding Bar

Planning a luxury wedding is all about the details — nothing sets the tone quite like a perfectly stocked bar. Whether your guests are wine connoisseurs, craft beer aficionados or cocktail enthusiasts, getting the right amount of alcohol is vital to a flawless celebration.