How much alcohol do you need for a wedding?

Estimating alcohol for a wedding depends on your guest list, the length of the event, and how much people drink. A simple rule is one drink per guest per hour. For a five-hour wedding, that means about five drinks per person. But not everyone drinks alcohol, so include soft drinks, water, and juice. You can also offer a limited bar, like beer, wine, and a signature cocktail, rather than a full open bar. Think about the time of day, as guests tend to drink less at lunchtime than in the evening. Older guests may prefer wine, while younger guests might like beer or spirits. You can buy in bulk from a wholesaler or supermarket, but check if your venue allows you to bring your own alcohol. Many venues have a corkage fee, so ask in advance. For wine, plan for half a bottle per person for the meal. For sparkling wine at the reception, one glass per guest is usually enough. For beer, allow one to two bottles per beer drinker. Always have plenty of water and non-alcoholic options. It is better to have a little too much than to run out, but you can often return unopened bottles if you buy from a shop with that policy.