Wedding Alcohol Shopping List
A printable wedding alcohol planning list organized by category for 50, 100, 150, and 200 drinking guests.
Generate Your Custom Shopping List
Enter your event details for rounded beer, wine, and liquor estimates, then adjust the subtype mix for your menu and guests.
Quick Reference - 100 Guests, 5 Hours
Planning Shopping Lists by Guest Count
These lists assume every listed guest is included as a drinker, a 5-hour reception, no optional buffer, the Standard Crowd split (33% beer, 33% wine, 34% liquor), and a separate toast at six 4-ounce pours per sparkling-wine bottle. Beer cases contain 24; wine bottles yield five pours; 750ml liquor bottles yield 17 pours. The beer, wine, and liquor subtype splits below are illustrative allocations, not predictions of guest behavior; reallocate within each category total for your event.
50 Guests Shopping List
- 3 cases light lager as an editable starting allocation
- 1 case craft/IPA option
- 1 case of another style supported by your menu or known preferences
- 8 bottles white (Sauv Blanc, Pinot Grigio)
- 8 bottles red (Pinot Noir, Merlot)
- 4 bottles rosé
- 2 bottles vodka
- 1 bottle whiskey/bourbon
- 1 bottle rum
- 1 bottle gin
- 1 bottle tequila
- 9 bottles sparkling for one 4-ounce toast pour per guest
- Compare sparkling-wine styles by local bottle price and taste
100 Guests Shopping List
- 5 cases light lager
- 2 cases craft/IPA
- 2 cases import/Mexican lager
- 16 bottles white (mix varieties)
- 16 bottles red (mix varieties)
- 8 bottles rosé
- 4 bottles vodka
- 3 bottles whiskey/bourbon
- 2 bottles rum
- 2 bottles gin
- 1 bottle tequila
- 17 bottles sparkling for toast
- Compare 17 individual bottles with case pricing; 2 cases would provide 24
150 Guests Shopping List
- 7 cases light lager
- 4 cases craft/IPA
- 2 cases import
- Two full kegs provide about 330 nominal 12-ounce servings before draft loss, versus 312 packaged servings in 13 cases
- 24 bottles white
- 24 bottles red
- 12 bottles rosé
- Five 12-bottle wine cases equal 60 bottles
- 6 bottles vodka
- 4 bottles whiskey/bourbon
- 3 bottles rum
- 3 bottles gin
- 2 bottles tequila
- 25 bottles sparkling for toast
- Two cases plus one individual bottle equal 25
200 Guests Shopping List
- 9 cases light lager
- 5 cases craft/IPA
- 3 cases import
- Two full kegs + 3 cases provide about 402 nominal servings before draft loss
- 32 bottles white
- 32 bottles red
- 16 bottles rosé
- Six cases plus 8 individual bottles equal 80; compare pricing
- 8 bottles vodka
- 6 bottles whiskey/bourbon
- 4 bottles rum
- 3 bottles gin
- 3 bottles tequila
- 34 bottles sparkling for toast
- Three 12-bottle cases provide 36 bottles
Get Your Estimated Shopping List
Enter your specific guest count and preferences for a personalized list.
Use the CalculatorMixers & Non-Alcoholic Shopping List
- Club soda or sparkling water: recipe total plus alcohol-free service plan
- Tonic water: planned drinks × recipe amount
- Cola: planned drinks × recipe amount
- Diet cola: include only if selected for the menu
- Ginger ale: planned drinks × recipe amount
- Lemon-lime soda: include only if selected for the menu
- Orange juice: recipe and alcohol-free service totals
- Cranberry juice: recipe and alcohol-free service totals
- Lemons: planned garnishes ÷ confirmed yield per fruit
- Limes: planned garnishes ÷ confirmed yield per fruit
- Oranges: include when called for by the selected drinks
- Maraschino cherries: planned garnishes ÷ pieces per package
- Olives: planned garnishes ÷ pieces per package
- Simple syrup: total recipe volume ÷ bottle size
- Bitters: total recipe uses ÷ package yield
- Fresh mint (mojitos/juleps)
Ice Shopping List
| Quote Input | What Changes It | Confirm With |
|---|---|---|
| Drink ice | Cocktail menu, planned servings, and pour setup | Beverage provider |
| Chilling ice | Pre-chilling, product volume, tubs, and refrigeration | Venue and beverage provider |
| Conditions | Service duration, weather exposure, and storage | Venue |
| Delivery and reserve | Supplier schedule, freezer capacity, and replenishment | Ice supplier and coordinator |
Use an Event-Specific Ice Quote
Ask the provider to account for the menu, equipment, service duration, expected conditions, delivery, storage, separate ice uses, and replenishment. Document who is responsible for each step.
Where to Shop for Wedding Alcohol
Warehouse Stores
- Compare package sizes, membership requirements, taxes, and delivery options
- Confirm whether alcohol sales and return rules differ in your jurisdiction
- Price the exact products and quantities on your list
Specialty and Local Stores
- Ask for an itemized event-order quote and substitution policy
- Compare case pricing with individual-bottle pricing
- Ask whether delivery, pickup, or a tasting is available
Shopping Tips
- Ask whether case pricing is available; do not assume a fixed discount
- Get the exact current return policy in writing before purchasing
- Set the purchase date from current retailer lead times and the venue's delivery and storage plan
- Bring a vehicle that can handle the weight and volume
- Keep receipts organized for potential returns
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I buy alcohol for my wedding?
Compare current itemized quotes from warehouse, specialty, and local retailers. Include taxes, membership costs, delivery, deposits, case requirements, and written return terms rather than assuming one seller is always cheapest.
How many varieties of each alcohol should I buy?
There is no universal number of varieties. Start with the drinks on your menu, then divide each category total using any preferences you know, the tasting selections, and current supplier availability. Every subtype allocation in this guide is editable.
Should I buy cases or individual bottles?
Compare case and individual-bottle prices for the exact products you want. This guide treats a beer case as 24 beers and a wine case as 12 bottles, but package sizes and discounts vary by retailer.
What mixers should be on my wedding shopping list?
Use the final drink menu as the source: multiply each recipe by its planned servings, then convert the totals into the package sizes you will buy. Add alcohol-free drinks separately and confirm garnish yield, waste allowance, and ice with the caterer or beverage provider.
How much should I spend on wine per bottle for a wedding?
Set a per-bottle ceiling from the total wine budget and estimated bottle count, then taste options within that range with your planned menu. Compare current local quotes, selection, taxes, delivery, and written order terms.
Can I return unused wedding alcohol?
Policies vary by retailer, product, and jurisdiction. Confirm eligible products, receipt requirements, deadlines, and case-sale rules in writing before relying on a return. Sipulus offers an optional 20% buffer, but it is not automatically appropriate.
Wedding Drink Calculators
Related Guides
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Our calculator generates rounded beer, wine, and liquor estimates from your event inputs; adjust the subtype mix and supplies locally.
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