The Wedding & Event Alcohol Buying Guide, Your New Best Friend
Hey gorgeous! Planning a wedding, or other type of event? Or maybe you’re just helping someone plan theirs? Either way, it’s time you fall in love with our event alcohol calculator to help with the life of the party: the drinks! 🥂💍
The event bar can be a bit of a conundrum, right? How much booze do you need? How much is too much? What kind of drinks should you serve? Well, thank goodness for the magic of a wedding alcohol calculator. This handy-dandy wedding & event calculator will save your bacon when it comes to figuring out the libations for your reception.
Now, let’s break this down before we get drunk.
Crunching the Numbers: The Nitty-Gritty of Wedding Booze Calculation
When it comes to planning the spirits for your shindig, there’s a lot to consider. How many guests will be there? How long will the reception last? What kind of drinks do you want to offer? And most importantly, what’s the vibe you’re going for?
How Much Booze Do You Need?
A good rule of thumb is to plan for one drink per person per hour. Of course, you’ll need to adjust for your guest count, event duration, and types of alcohol. And don’t forget to provide some tasty non-alcoholic options too!
Guest Count
The number of guests is crucial. You don’t want to run out of drinks, but you also don’t want to overspend on excess booze. So, make sure you’ve got enough to go around without going overboard.
Length of Reception
The average wedding reception lasts about 5 hours. Generally, guests will have about 2 drinks in the first hour and then one more each hour after that. Don’t forget to account for the inevitable lost drink on the dance floor!
Your Guests
Your guests’ preferences can greatly impact your alcohol needs. Some might prefer wine or cocktails, while others might lean towards beer or mixed drinks. Remember, offering a diverse selection of drinks ensures everyone has a good time.
The Event Itself
The time of day and theme of your wedding can greatly affect the type of drinks you serve. Daytime weddings often call for lighter, more refreshing beverages, while evening weddings might lean towards more sophisticated options.
The Booze
The types of alcohol you choose to serve should reflect the tastes of the couple and their guests. A common mix is 50% liquor, 25% beer, and 25% wine, but it’s important to offer non-alcoholic options too.
Serving Style
You’ve got a few options when it comes to how you serve your drinks. You can go with an open bar, a cash bar, or a limited bar. Each has its pros and cons, so consider your budget and guests’ preferences.
The Calculator
So, now that we’ve covered the basics, lets get down to the numbers. If you’re serving 100 guests, a typical shopping list might include:
- Six cases of beer
- One liter each of whiskey and bourbon
- Two to three litres of gin
- Two litres of scotch
- Two litres of rum
- Six litres of vodka
- One litre of tequila
- Two cases of champagne
- Two cases of red wine
- Three and a half cases of white wine
This might seem like a lot, but remember, it’s always better to have a bit extra than to run out. BC Liquor has a 60-day return policy for all unopened alcohol.
However, if you still don’t want to buy that much, here’s an alternative shopping list for 100 guests:
- 70 bottles of wine (23 white wines, 12 sparkling wines, and 35 bottles of red wine)
- 175 bottles of beer
- 15 750ml bottles of liquor (six vodkas, four whiskeys, two gin, two tequila, and one rum)
- 20 bottles of champagne
Always remember the extras that make a good drink great! Tonic, club soda, an assortment of juices – cranberry, orange, and grapefruit, ginger ale, triple sec, lime juice, sparkling water, bottled water, and both regular and diet coke are all fantastic mixers to have on hand.
And what’s a drink without ice? Stock up on plenty of it and remember to grab some ice buckets, chests or coolers, and stir sticks to keep things chilled and mixed just right. And unless your venue’s got you covered, you’ll want to snag some glassware, trash bins, and bags too.
For that extra touch, consider garnishing options like lime slices, cherries, and olives. They add a bit of flair and a lot of flavour! Just remember, the wedding alcohol calculator is a guide, not gospel. It’s based on averages, so feel free to tweak and adjust to match your specific guest list and their preferences.
In Conclusion
Using a wedding & event alcohol calculator can be a real lifesaver when planning your wedding reception. It takes the guesswork out of your bar service and can help ensure a good time is had by all. Just remember, these are guidelines, not rules. Adjust as needed to suit your specific guests and preferences.
The bottom line is, your wedding is a unique celebration, and the alcohol you choose to serve should reflect the tastes of you and your guests. While an alcohol calculator can provide a good starting point, it’s the personal touches and considerations that make all the difference.
Remember, it’s not just about quantity, but quality as well. Offering a selection that caters to a variety of tastes will ensure everyone feels included and catered for. From beer lovers to wine connoisseurs, cocktail enthusiasts to those who prefer non-alcoholic beverages, there’s room for everyone at your wedding bar.
At the end of the day, the goal is to create a memorable experience that leaves a lasting impression on your guests. Whether it’s a signature cocktail, a favourite local brew, or a special bottle of bubbly, the drinks you serve can be an extension of your wedding’s unique theme and vibe.
So, raise a glass, dear friends! Here’s to planning a wedding bar that’s not only well-stocked but well-loved. Cheers to a celebration that’s as unique and unforgettable as the special event it’s honouring. 🥂