Get a complete bar estimate for your reception — beer, wine, champagne, spirits, mixers, ice, and non-alcoholic options — plus a printable shopping list.
Results are estimates based on professional bartending standards. Actual consumption may vary.
Fill in your reception details and click Calculate My Bar to see your complete drink estimate.
Based on 2 drinks/guest in hour 1, then 1 drink/hour. Add 10–15% when purchasing. Verify venue alcohol policies before buying.
The formula behind the tool
The estimate is built on the professional bartending standard used across the US wedding industry: two drinks per person in the first hour, then one drink per hour after. Bar type, season, and drinking style each adjust the baseline up or down.
Drinking guests × (2 in hour 1 + 1 per additional hour), multiplied by your style setting: 0.75× light, 1× moderate, 1.25× lively.
Full bar: 50% wine, 30% spirits, 20% beer. Beer & wine: 60% wine, 40% beer. Spirits split: vodka 35%, whiskey 30%, tequila 20%, gin 10%, rum 5%.
Wine: 5 glasses per 750ml. Beer: 1 serving per can. Spirits: ~16 cocktails per 750ml (1.5oz pours). Champagne toast: 6 flutes per bottle.
Reference guide
Use this cheat sheet when shopping or double-checking the calculator's output. All figures use standard US bartending pour sizes.
| Beverage | Container | Servings | Pour Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red or White Wine | 750ml bottle | 5 glasses | 5 oz | Standard restaurant pour |
| Sparkling Wine / Prosecco | 750ml bottle | 6 glasses | 4 oz | Slightly less due to bubbles |
| Champagne Toast | 750ml bottle | 6–7 flutes | 4 oz | Toast only: 1 bottle per 6 guests |
| Beer (can or bottle) | 12 oz unit | 1 serving | 12 oz | 1 case = 24 units |
| Vodka / Tequila / Rum | 750ml bottle | 16–17 cocktails | 1.5 oz | Plus mixer; 1 liter = ~22 servings |
| Whiskey / Bourbon | 750ml bottle | ~16 cocktails | 1.5 oz | Often served neat or on rocks |
| Gin | 750ml bottle | 16–17 cocktails | 1.5 oz | Popular for signature cocktails |
| Still Water | 16.9 oz bottle | 1–2 guests | 8–16 oz | Higher in summer / outdoor |
| Soda / Soft Drinks | 2-liter bottle | 5–6 glasses | 12 oz | Also used as mixer |
Quick reference
These figures assume a 5-hour full open bar with moderate drinkers and a champagne toast. Use the calculator for a personalized result.
From wedding bartenders
Numbers only tell part of the story. These are the details professional wedding bartenders say make the biggest difference on the night.
Guests drink roughly twice as much in the first hour as they do afterward. Plan for 2 drinks per person in hour one, then 1 drink per hour after. Cocktail hour matters more than most couples realize.
Hot weather sharply increases water, sparkling water, beer, and white wine consumption. For outdoor summer receptions, add 20–30% to your water estimate and buy more ice than you think you need.
Both retailers accept returns on unopened bottles in most states. Buy 10–15% over your estimate, then return what's untouched. Keep your receipt and avoid refrigerating bottles you might return.
A pre-batched signature cocktail cuts bartender time and lets you buy one spirit in bulk. Add a non-alcoholic version as a mocktail — it reduces the need for a fully stocked bar without guests noticing.
Keep champagne for the toast separate from your sparkling wine supply. For toast-only service, plan 1 bottle per 6 guests. For champagne throughout the reception, add it to your total wine estimate instead.
About 15–20% of wedding guests don't drink alcohol. Tap water isn't enough. Have sparkling water, lemonade, iced tea, and at least one elegant mocktail — these guests will notice and appreciate the effort.
Frequently asked questions
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