Wedding Drink Calculator

The standard rule is 1 drink per person for the first hour and 1 drink per person for every hour after that. So a 5-hour reception is about 5 drinks per guest. In practice, about 20% of guests are non-drinkers or very light drinkers, so you can plan for 4 drinks per person and have enough. Always have non-alcoholic options available too.

Buying your own alcohol is typically 40-60% cheaper than an open bar through a venue or caterer. A full bar for 100 guests (5 hours) costs roughly $800-$1,200 if you buy it yourself vs $2,000-$4,000 through a venue. Check if your venue allows outside alcohol and if you need a temporary liquor license. Many stores offer case discounts and accept returns on unopened bottles.