How Much Alcohol Do You Need for Your Wedding?
With dry-hire bartending you buy the alcohol and we handle everything else — so the first question every couple asks is "how much do we actually buy?" Here's the math we use when we build a custom shopping list for our clients across Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.
Wedding Alcohol Calculator
Enter your guest count, event length, and crowd type to get an instant shopping estimate.
Your shopping list
- Beer7 cases (160 drinks)
- Wine32 bottles (160 glasses)
- Liquor5 x 750ml or 3 handles (80 cocktails)
Estimates use the 2+1 formula (2 drinks the first hour, 1 per hour after) and standard bottle yields. We'll fine-tune a custom shopping list for your event.
Step 1: Count drinking guests
Start with your guest count and subtract children and non-drinkers. A good rule of thumb is that about 75–80% of adult guests will drink alcohol. For 100 guests, plan for roughly 75 drinking guests — and plan mocktails for the rest.
Step 2: Use the drink formula
The industry standard: 2 drinks for the first hour, then 1 drink per guest per hour after that.
Example
75 drinking guests × a 5-hour reception = 75 × (2 + 4) = 450 drinks.
Step 3: Split by beverage type
Split your total drink count across beer, wine, and spirits based on your crowd.
| Event type | Beer | Wine | Spirits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic wedding | 40% | 40% | 20% |
| Cocktail-forward crowd | 25% | 25% | 50% |
| Backyard party / BBQ | 55% | 20% | 25% |
| Corporate event | 35% | 45% | 20% |
Step 4: Convert drinks to bottles
| What you buy | What it pours |
|---|---|
| Wine (750ml bottle) | 5 glasses |
| Champagne (750ml bottle) | 6 toast pours |
| Liquor (750ml bottle) | 16 cocktails (1.5 oz pour) |
| Liquor (1.75L handle) | 39 cocktails |
| Beer (case of 24) | 24 drinks |
Sample shopping list: 100-guest wedding
Five-hour reception, classic 40/40/20 split, roughly 450 drinks total.
- ✓8 cases of beer (a mix of light, IPA, and a seltzer option)
- ✓36 bottles of wine (about 60% white/rosé, 40% red)
- ✓12 bottles of champagne or prosecco for the toast
- ✓3 bottles vodka
- ✓2 bottles tequila
- ✓2 bottles whiskey or bourbon
- ✓1 bottle rum
- ✓1 bottle gin
- ✓Extra of whatever your signature drinks use
Mixers, garnishes, ice, water, and bar tools are on us — that's part of every Vibe Box package, so leave them off your list.
Smart buying tips
- Buy on consignment where you can — many Virginia retailers accept returns on unopened cases.
- Round up on beer and wine, not liquor. Unopened bottles keep; leftover kegs don't.
- Ask about case discounts; 10–15% off is common at 6+ bottles.
- Plan one non-alcoholic option per guest per hour — mocktails, water, and soda go faster than people expect.
- Buying for a signature cocktail? Count how many pours it needs per guest before you shop.
Want a shopping list built for your event?
Every Vibe Box booking includes a custom shopping list based on your guest count, event length, and signature drinks — so you buy exactly what you need and nothing more.