Planning Guide

How Much Alcohol for 125 Guests?

Planning a mid-size wedding or event? Here is exactly what you need to stock the bar for 125 people.

Rachel MorganNov 202510 min read

TL;DR - Quick Answer

For 125 guests at a 4-hour event: 17 cases of beer (or 2-3 kegs), 35 bottles of wine, and 8 bottles of liquor. Total budget: approximately $1,300-1,700 for mid-range options.

Get exact numbers for your event

17 cases

or 2-3 kegs (408 beers)

35 bottles

Wine (175 glasses)

8 bottles

Liquor (128 drinks)

The Math for 125 Guests

125 guests is a sweet spot - large enough to need serious planning but not so large that you need industrial logistics. The 1-drink-per-person-per-hour formula applies.

For a 4-hour event with 125 guests:

500 total drinks

Here is the breakdown using a standard split:

Beer (40%):200 drinks = 17 cases or 2 kegs

Wine (35%):175 drinks = 35 bottles

Liquor (25%):125 drinks = 8 bottles

Shopping Lists by Event Length

Here is what you need for different event durations:

3-Hour Event

375 drinks

Beer13 cases

Wine26 bottles

Liquor6 bottles

Most Common

4-Hour Event

500 drinks

Beer17 cases

Wine35 bottles

Liquor8 bottles

5-Hour Event

625 drinks

Beer21 cases

Wine44 bottles

Liquor10 bottles

6-Hour Event

750 drinks

Beer25 cases

Wine53 bottles

Liquor12 bottles

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Budget Breakdown for 125 Guests

Here is what to expect for a 4-hour event at different quality levels:

Budget-Friendly

Beer$300-380

Wine$250-350

Liquor$130-200

Mixers/Ice$60-90

Total$740-1,020

Mid-Range

Beer$420-550

Wine$380-500

Liquor$250-380

Mixers/Ice$80-125

Total$1,130-1,555

Premium

Beer$580-750

Wine$580-850

Liquor$420-620

Mixers/Ice$120-170

Total$1,700-2,390

Logistics for 125 Guests

Key logistics to keep in mind for this guest count:

Ice Requirements

Plan 1.5-2 lbs per person. For 125 guests: 190-250 lbs (7-8 large bags).

Bartenders Needed

Plan for 2 bartenders minimum. Standard ratio: 1 per 50-75 guests.

Glassware

Plan 2-3 glasses per guest (250-375 total) to account for replacements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cases of beer for 125 guests?

For a 4-hour event with 125 guests, plan for 17-21 cases of beer (400-500 bottles). This assumes about 40% of drinks are beer. Consider 2-3 kegs as a cost-effective alternative.

How many bottles of wine for 125 guests?

Plan for 35-38 bottles of wine for 125 guests at a 4-hour event. Each bottle serves 5 glasses. Split approximately 60% white, 40% red for most events.

How much liquor for 125 guests?

For 125 guests over 4 hours, 7-8 bottles of liquor (750ml each) will cover cocktails. Stock vodka, whiskey, and rum at minimum for a basic full bar.

What is the budget for alcohol for 125 guests?

Expect to spend $1,000-2,200 on alcohol for 125 guests, depending on quality. Mid-range estimate: $400-550 for beer, $350-500 for wine, $250-400 for liquor, plus $75-150 for mixers and ice.

Should I get kegs for 125 guests?

Kegs make good sense at 125 guests. Two full-size kegs serve about 330 beers - perfect for this guest count. You save 20-25% compared to bottles and reduce waste.

Related Guides

100 Guests Guide

Smaller wedding planning

150 Guests Guide

Larger event planning

Budget Guide

Cost-saving strategies

Get Your Exact Shopping List

Our free calculator gives you personalized quantities for 125 guests based on your event type, duration, and crowd preferences.

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