QUICK ANSWER
The practical starting point
For 100 total guests with 85 drinking guests at a five-hour evening reception, the Wedding Bar Planner model estimates 362 servings for a Lean plan, 402 for Recommended, and 474 for Safe before package rounding. Your actual result should reflect your non-drinkers, service time, drink preferences, and return policy.
01
Start with drinking guests—not the full headcount
Subtract guests who are under legal drinking age and known adult non-drinkers before estimating alcohol. In this example, 15 guests are excluded from alcoholic servings, leaving 85 drinking guests. Keep the full 100-person headcount for ice, cups, and other supplies.
- 100 total guests
- 10 underage guests
- 5 adult non-drinkers
- 85 drinking guests
02
Estimate demand for the service window
The calculator starts with 1.5 drinks per drinking guest in the first hour and 0.75 in each later hour. A five-hour service window therefore starts at 4.5 drinks per drinking guest before event timing, crowd profile, waste, and planning-scenario adjustments.
For 85 drinking guests, the Recommended scenario rounds to 402 planned servings after the model’s waste allowance. This is an inventory estimate—not a consumption target.
03
Divide the same total by guest preferences
Drink preferences divide the plan; they do not add more drinks. If you use the calculator’s balanced starting split, the Recommended total is allocated across beer, wine, cocktails, and hard seltzer, then divided further into the varieties you select.
| Category | Example share | What to customize |
|---|---|---|
| Beer | 25% | Light versus craft or regular |
| Wine | 30% | White, red, rosé, and sparkling |
| Liquor / cocktails | 35% | House spirits and signature recipes |
| Hard seltzer | 10% | Cases or 24-packs |
04
Convert servings into purchasable packages
The final shopping list must round calculated servings up to packages you can actually buy. A standard 750 mL wine bottle supplies about five 5-ounce servings. A 750 mL spirit bottle supplies about 16 standard 1.5-ounce pours, while a 1.75 L bottle supplies about 39. Beer and seltzer are counted as individual servings and rounded to the case size you choose.
05
Choose Lean, Recommended, or Safe intentionally
- Lean reduces leftovers but makes category shortages more likely.
- Recommended is the balanced starting point for most weddings.
- Safe adds protection when turnout, pours, or preferences are uncertain.
- Confirmed unopened returns can reduce the financial risk of choosing Safe.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Questions about this plan
Is 402 drinks enough for every 100-person wedding?+
No. It is an example for 85 drinking guests, five hours, an average crowd, and an evening event. Brunches, longer receptions, party crowds, and different non-drinker counts change the result.
Does the champagne toast count?+
Toast quantities should be calculated separately because the pour is smaller and may include guests who otherwise prefer beer or cocktails.
Should I buy exactly the calculated number of servings?+
Use the package-rounded shopping list and select the planning scenario that matches your tolerance for shortages and leftovers. Always confirm package sizes and return rules locally.
These are inventory-planning estimates, not consumption targets or legal advice. Actual needs vary. Follow applicable alcohol laws, venue rules, and responsible-service practices.