Wedding Planning

How Much Alcohol for 75 Guests Wedding?

The sweet spot wedding size - big enough for a celebration, manageable enough for DIY. Here is your complete bar guide.

Rachel MorganNov 202510 min read

TL;DR - Quick Answer

For 75 guests at a 5-hour wedding: 7 cases of beer, 21 bottles of wine, 4 bottles of liquor, and 11 bottles of champagne for the toast. Total budget: $1,100-1,800 depending on quality.

Get exact numbers for your wedding

7 cases

Beer (168 bottles)

21 bottles

Wine (105 glasses)

4 bottles

Liquor (64 drinks)

11 bottles

Champagne (toast)

Why 75 Guests is the Sweet Spot

A 75-person wedding hits the Goldilocks zone for bar planning. It's large enough to justify bulk buying and get good deals, but small enough to manage without hiring a full catering team. Many couples find this size perfect for an intimate celebration that still feels like a proper party.

The Math Behind 75 Wedding Guests

Using the standard wedding formula (heavier drinking early, tapering off):

First hour (cocktail hour): 2 drinks per person150 drinks

Hours 2-5: 1 drink per person per hour300 drinks

Total for 5-hour reception450 drinks

Here's how we split those 450 drinks:

Beer (30%):135 drinks = 7 cases (24-packs)

Wine (35%):158 drinks = 21 bottles (5 glasses per bottle)

Liquor (20%):90 drinks = 4 bottles (16-17 drinks per 750ml)

Champagne (15%):75 toast pours = 11 bottles (7 pours per bottle)

Wedding Bar Styles for 75 Guests

Full Open Bar

Maximum flexibility for your guests

7 cases of beer (2-3 varieties)

21 bottles of wine (red, white, rosé)

6-8 bottles liquor (full selection)

11 bottles champagne (toast)

Estimated cost:$1,800-2,500

Beer, Wine & Signature Cocktails

Elegant and cost-effective

7 cases of beer (2 varieties)

23 bottles of wine

2 signature cocktails (100 drinks)

11 bottles champagne (toast)

Estimated cost:$1,100-1,600

Beer and Wine Only

Simple and classic

9 cases of beer

26 bottles of wine

11 bottles champagne

Estimated cost:$900-1,300

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Budget Breakdown for 75 Guests

Beer (7 cases)$200-300

Wine (21 bottles)$260-420

Liquor (4 bottles)$120-200

Champagne (11 bottles)$130-275

Mixers & Garnishes$50-90

Ice (150 lbs)$30-45

Non-Alcoholic Options$40-75

Total Estimate$830-1,405

DIY Bar Tips for 75 Guests

At 75 guests, you're in prime DIY territory. Here's how to pull it off:

One bartender is enough

A skilled bartender can serve 50-75 guests comfortably. Add a helper for the first hour when it's busiest.

Pre-batch cocktails

If offering signature drinks, make them in advance. Pitchers or dispensers keep lines short.

Self-serve beer and wine

Set up a clearly labeled station where guests can pour their own. Saves bartender time for cocktails.

Buy returnable

Most stores accept returns on unopened bottles. Buy 15% extra and return what you don't use.

Shopping List for 75 Guests

Beer (7 cases)

Light lager4 cases

Craft / IPA2 cases

Import1 case

Wine (21 bottles)

White9 bottles

Red7 bottles

Rosé5 bottles

Liquor (4 bottles)

Vodka1 bottle

Whiskey/Bourbon1 bottle

Rum or Gin1 bottle

Signature spirit1 bottle

Logistics Checklist

Cooler space10-12 cubic feet for beer & white wine

Ice150 lbs minimum (5-6 large bags)

Glassware150 glasses (2 per person)

Corkscrew/openersAt least 3 available

Trash and recyclingPlan for bottle disposal - you'll have a lot!

Frequently Asked Questions

How many bottles of wine for 75 wedding guests?

For 75 guests at a 5-hour wedding reception, plan for 19-22 bottles of wine. Each bottle serves about 5 glasses. Split roughly 60% white and 40% red for warm weather, or 50/50 for cooler seasons.

How many cases of beer for a 75 person wedding?

Plan for 6-8 cases of beer (24-packs) for 75 guests at a 5-hour reception. This assumes about 30% of drinks are beer. For a beer-loving crowd, increase to 9-10 cases.

How much champagne for 75 guests wedding toast?

For a champagne toast with 75 guests, you need 10-11 bottles. Each 750ml bottle pours about 7 flutes. Add 1-2 extra bottles as a buffer for spillage and seconds.

How much does alcohol for 75 guests wedding cost?

Budget $1,100-2,200 for alcohol for 75 guests depending on quality. Mid-range estimate: $300-375 for beer, $300-450 for wine, $150-300 for liquor, and $75-120 for champagne.

Is 75 guests a good size for a DIY bar?

Yes, 75 guests is ideal for a DIY bar. It is large enough to benefit from bulk buying but small enough to manage without professional bartenders. One bartender can handle 75 guests comfortably.

How much ice do I need for 75 wedding guests?

Plan for 110-150 lbs of ice for 75 guests. This covers drink chilling, coolers, and ice buckets. Order extra if it is a summer outdoor wedding.

How Much Alcohol for 50 Guests?For intimate celebrations How Much Alcohol for 100 Guests?Scaling up your wedding bar Wedding Bar ChecklistEverything you need for the perfect bar Wedding Wine CalculatorGet exact wine quantities

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