The sky is the limit when it comes to your bar at your event. It’s perfectly acceptable to serve a full bar, or limited array of cocktails, keeping things simple with beer or wine, maybe only having a champagne toast or nixing the alcohol all together. Because of the variance in what you can offer at your drink station, it can get difficult to determine what to purchase and how much. This post is here to help you sort out some of those questions and make it a little easier for you to throw your bash!
The Basics
- Average out about 2 drinks per guest per hour
- One bottle of Champagne fills 6 glasses
- One bottle of wine fills 5 glasses
- One liter of alcohol can make 18 drinks
- A case of wine has 12 bottles of wine
- A case of beer has 24 cans or bottles
- A standard keg equals about 6 3/4 cases of beer or 165 12 oz. servings or 124 16 oz. (pint) servings
- One 740 ml bottle of alcohol equals 3/4 of a liter
***
The samples below are based on what an average crowd of 100 will drink during a 4 hour reception. Adjust more or less depending on your specific guest list and their preferences.
The Full Bar
This list of alcohol comes from the Wedding Channel website:
- Beer-2 cases
- White Wine-1 1/2 cases
- Red Wine-1 case
- Champage-1 1/2 cases
- Vodka-6 liters
- Gin-3 liters
- Sweet Vermouth-2 bottles
- Dry Vermouth-2 bottles
- Scotch-3 liters
- Bourbon-2 liters
- Whiskey-2 liters
- Rum-2 liters
- Tequila-1 liter
- Assorted Mixers: Grenadine, pineapple, orange and cranberry juices, Sprite/7up, Coke/Pepsi, club soda, peach nectar, etc.
Beer and Wine Bar
- Red Wine-3 cases
- White Wine-5 cases
- Beer-5 cases
Beer, Wine and Champagne/Signature Cocktail
- Red Wine-2 1/2 cases
- White Wine-3 1/2 cases
- Beer-3 cases
- Champagne-2 cases or 8 liters of alcohol type used in signature cocktail
Don’t forget the Non-Drinkers!
Some people don’t drink and that’s ok! Don’t make them feel like their only option at your event is water while everyone else indulges in expensive wines and cocktails. Offering assorted juices and sodas will give them options and make them feel like the special guest they are! My favorite takes on these are offering sodas and juices in bottles (Izze sparkling juices are at the top of my faves list). A more elegant look and a little more class-guests should also have the option of drinking from the bottle or being given a glass (for more formal events).
Cutting Costs
Alcohol is expensive and no doubt and it can be hard to integrate it into your event if your budget is tight. So before you go running for the “cash bar” or “no host bar” options (which goes way against the Emily Post wedding etiquette rules) consider getting creative.
- Champagne cocktails: No one will notice that you chose a more cost effective champagne when you blend it with mixers. Bellini’s, Blue Poms and Mimosas are delicious and more cost effective then cocktails mixed with hard liquor.
- Pre-mixed cocktails: Every time I’ve been to a party (or hosted a party) with sangria, it has been a huge hit! It’s perfect for summer weddings or holiday parties (mix with cranberry juice!) and you can control the servings a little easier. Plus, when it comes to sangria, the cheaper the wine you purchase for it, the better! You can also pre-mix champagne punches or other cocktails and have them in a pitcher ready at the drink table. A great option if your affair is more casual and you won’t have a bartender.
- Return policy?: Find out if the retailer you purchase your alcohol, beer and wine from has a return policy for unopened bottles or cases. Keep your receipt and any goods not used, you can take back. Perfect if you feel you need to buy a bit extra “just in case”!
- Affordably Elegant: Having a full bar from start to finish at your fete can be expensive! Cut the time your bar is open in half by passing glasses of champagne for cocktail hour. This limits guests to drinking only what is passed rather then giving them full bar access right away. Combine this with a paired wine during dinner and guests will feel like they are pampered while you save money on drinks! Liven up the party by opening the bar during the dancing-you can do a full bar or keep things affordable by offering beer and wine only for the rest of the evening.
- Cut out the champagne toast and let people toast you with the drink of their choice.
Safety First
Please play it safe when you serve alcohol at your parties!! Encourage guests to carpool, offer guest shuttle services if you’re hosting an out of town event near the hotel (or better yet, have your event at the hotel where everyone is staying!) offer cab #’s in your programs, HIRE A GOOD BARTENDER who will know how to mix drinks appropriately and cut people off when necessary and consider having your last call for drinks an hour before it officially ends so people can have time to sober up. Keeping your guests safe is essential to having a fun and successful event.
