How the wedding alcohol calculator works
The Good Pour estimates how much alcohol to buy for a wedding reception from four things: how many guests will drink, how long the party lasts, how hard the crowd tends to celebrate, and what you plan to pour. Everything runs in your browser and updates as you type.
The core rule is one drink per drinking guest per hour, plus one extra in the first hour for the welcome round. That total is multiplied by 0.75 for a light crowd, 1 for average or 1.25 for a heavy party, then split by your drink mix — 50% wine, 30% beer and 20% spirits for a full bar.
A 750 ml bottle of wine pours about five glasses and a bottle of spirits about sixteen pours. Beer is counted in 24-can cases. Mixers are 0.15 L per spirit pour, with one lemon or lime per eight pours. The champagne toast allows one bottle per six drinking guests, and ice is 1.5 lb per guest plus 0.15 lb per guest for every hour. Every breakdown adds up exactly to its total.
How to use it
- 1Enter the number of adult guests, then how many won’t drink — designated drivers, guests who are pregnant, or anyone who has said no thanks.
- 2Set the reception length. Count from the first drink to last call, not from the ceremony.
- 3Pick the intensity that matches your crowd, then choose a drink mix or set your own.
- 4Set the champagne toast, units and currency to suit your plans.
- 5Open the budget panel to enter real prices from your shop, then copy or print the shopping list.
5 tips for saving money on wedding alcohol
1Read the venue’s corkage rules first
Some venues charge a fee for every bottle you bring in; others ban outside alcohol. Ask before you buy so the savings aren’t swallowed by fees.
2Keep the menu focused
Two wines, one beer and a signature cocktail cost far less than a full bar and still feel generous. Set a custom mix to see the difference.
3Buy by the case
Many shops discount mixed cases of wine, and bulk retailers often price beer and mixers below the supermarket.
4Check the return policy
Ask whether unopened, undamaged bottles can be returned. If they can, buying a little extra stops being a risk.
5Rent glassware and tubs
Hiring glasses, ice tubs and coolers is usually cheaper than buying disposables, and it means less waste on the night.
The limits of the estimate
This is a planning estimate, not a promise. Hot weather pushes up demand for beer, water and ice, generous bartenders pour bigger glasses, and late-night dancing can stretch a reception past its planned finish.
The prices you enter are samples: they don’t include tax, delivery, deposits, bar staff or corkage. Switching currency loads rough local sample prices, not live exchange rates. Round up where it matters to you, and check local laws on serving alcohol.
Frequently asked questions
How much wine do I need for 100 wedding guests?
For 100 drinking guests at a 5-hour reception with an average crowd and a full bar (50% wine), the calculator estimates 600 drinks in total, 300 of them glasses of wine. That is 60 bottles of 750 ml wine: 24 red, 24 white and 12 rosé.
Can I return unopened wedding alcohol?
Often, yes. Many wine shops and bulk retailers accept unopened, undamaged bottles for a refund or store credit, but policies vary and some places do not accept alcohol returns at all. Ask before you buy and keep your receipt.
How much ice do I need for a wedding?
Plan on 1.5 lb of ice per guest plus 0.15 lb per guest for each hour. For 100 guests at a 5-hour reception, that is 225 lb (about 102.1 kg). Count every guest, including non-drinkers, because soft drinks and water need ice too.
How many bottles of champagne do I need for a toast?
One 750 ml bottle pours about six 125 ml flutes, so divide your drinking guests by six and round up. For 100 drinking guests, you need 17 bottles.
How many drinks per guest should I plan for?
A good starting point is one drink per drinking guest per hour, plus one extra in the first hour. For a 5-hour reception at an average pace, that is 6 drinks per drinking guest.