Plan the perfect wedding reception bar. Calculate exactly how much wine, beer, and liquor you need based on your guest count and reception length.
Calculate My Reception BarHow many guests are attending your wedding reception?
How long will your reception last? Most are 4-5 hours.
Wine bottles, beer cases, liquor bottles, plus cost estimates.
Full bar quantities for 4-hour wedding reception (standard crowd)
| Guests | Total Drinks | Wine | Beer | Liquor | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 200 | 15 bottles | 2 cases | 2-3 bottles | $400-750 |
| 100 | 400 | 30 bottles | 4 cases | 4-5 bottles | $800-1,500 |
| 150 | 600 | 45 bottles | 6 cases | 6-7 bottles | $1,200-2,250 |
| 200 | 800 | 60 bottles | 8 cases | 8-10 bottles | $1,600-3,000 |
Get personalized quantities with our full calculator - adjust for beer lovers, wine lovers, or light-drinking crowds.
Standard split for formal wedding receptions
Wine-heavy split typical for weddings without liquor
Pro tip: Know your crowd. Young guests drink more beer and cocktails. Older guests prefer wine. Our calculator lets you adjust for "Beer Lovers" or "Wine Lovers" crowds.
Where your reception bar budget goes (100 guests, 4 hours)
For a 4-hour wedding reception with 100 guests, plan for approximately 400 drinks total: about 80-100 beers (4 cases), 30-35 bottles of wine, and 4-5 bottles of liquor for cocktails. Our calculator adjusts these numbers based on your crowd preferences and reception length.
The standard rule is 1 drink per guest per hour. However, the first hour (usually cocktail hour) sees heavier drinking - plan for 2 drinks per guest. After that, 1 drink per hour. For a 5-hour reception, that is about 6 drinks per guest total.
For a full open bar: 50% wine, 30% liquor, 20% beer. For beer and wine only: 75% wine, 25% beer. These ratios vary by crowd - younger guests tend to drink more beer and cocktails, while older guests prefer wine.
Plan for 1 bartender per 50 guests for a full bar, or 1 per 75 guests for beer and wine only. For cocktail hour with a crowd of 100+, add an extra bartender. Fast service prevents long lines and keeps guests happy.
Open bars are traditional for weddings and seen as more hospitable. If budget is a concern, consider beer and wine only (saves 30-40%), a limited bar with select drinks, or a consumption bar where you pay by the drink up to a limit.
Many liquor stores allow returns of unopened bottles within 30 days with receipt. Check the policy before purchasing. This lets you buy extra without waste. Costco, Total Wine, and local shops often have good return policies.
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