How Much Alcohol Do You Need for a Wedding?
The bar is one of the biggest — and most over-bought — lines in a wedding budget. Order too little and the bar runs dry at 9pm; order too much and you're hauling home cases of warm chardonnay. This guide gives you the formulas to get it right, what an open bar actually costs in 2026, and the levers that cut the bill without anyone noticing.
Start with the drinking rule of thumb
Plan on each guest having about two drinks in the first hour and one drink for every hour after that. For a 100-guest, 5-hour reception, that's roughly 600 drinks total. Not everyone drinks, but planning to the rule gives you a comfortable cushion.
How much to buy for 100 guests (5-hour reception)
| Drink | Approx. amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beer | ~200–250 bottles/cans | About a third of drinkers prefer beer |
| Wine | ~30–40 bottles (≈150–200 glasses) | 5 glasses per bottle; split red/white |
| Spirits | ~10–15 (750ml) bottles | If offering cocktails; ~16 drinks per bottle |
A common planning split is roughly 50% beer, 30% wine, 20% spirits, but adjust to your crowd. Always round up — most stores let you return unopened bottles.
What an open bar costs
A full open bar typically runs $20 to $50 per person. For 100 guests, expect somewhere between $2,000 and $4,500, with an average around $3,000. The spread depends on whether you offer top-shelf spirits, how long the bar stays open, and your service style.
Bar service styles compared
| Style | What it is | Cost impact |
|---|---|---|
| Full open bar | Everything's free to guests | Highest |
| Beer & wine only | No spirits | 40–50% cheaper |
| Signature cocktails | 1–2 batched drinks + beer/wine | Controls spirit cost |
| Limited / dry hours | Bar closes during dinner | Lower |
| Cash bar | Guests pay | Lowest — but widely seen as poor etiquette |
Etiquette note: a full cash bar is generally frowned upon. If budget is tight, it's better to offer beer and wine only — for free — than to ask guests to pay. A signature cocktail plus beer and wine is the classic budget-friendly compromise.
Don't forget the extras
- Ice: about 1–1.5 lbs per guest (for drinks and chilling).
- Mixers & garnishes: tonic, soda, juice, citrus, bitters.
- Glassware: plan ~2–3 glasses per guest if not using disposables.
- Bartenders: roughly one per 50 guests keeps lines short.
- Non-alcoholic options: a mocktail or two, plus water and soda, for drivers, kids and non-drinkers.
Five ways to cut the bar bill
- Beer and wine only. The single biggest saver — 40–50% off a full bar.
- Signature cocktails. Batching one or two drinks limits the spirits you buy and speeds service.
- Bring your own alcohol if your venue allows it, and pay only for bar staff.
- Close the bar during dinner and the toasts.
- Skip the champagne toast — guests can toast with whatever's already in their glass.
Want to see how the bar stacks up against catering, flowers and the rest? Our wedding budget breakdown puts every category in proportion.
Frequently asked questions
How much alcohol do I need for 100 guests?
For a 5-hour reception, plan on roughly 200 to 250 beers, 30 to 40 bottles of wine, and 10 to 15 bottles of spirits if you're serving cocktails. The rule of thumb is two drinks per guest in the first hour and one per hour after.
How much does an open bar cost for a wedding?
A full open bar typically runs $20 to $50 per person. For 100 guests that's about $2,000 to $4,500, averaging around $3,000, depending on whether you offer top-shelf spirits and how long the bar stays open.
Is a cash bar rude at a wedding?
A full cash bar is generally considered poor etiquette. If money is tight, offering beer and wine only — for free — or a signature cocktail plus beer and wine is a far better-received compromise than asking guests to pay for their own drinks.
How many bartenders do I need for a wedding?
Plan on about one bartender per 50 guests to keep lines short. For a 100-guest wedding that's two bartenders; add more if you're serving made-to-order cocktails rather than beer, wine and batched drinks.
How can I save money on wedding alcohol?
Serving beer and wine only cuts 40 to 50 percent off a full bar. Other savers include offering one or two signature cocktails, bringing your own alcohol if the venue allows it, closing the bar during dinner, and skipping a separate champagne toast.