How Much Should You Budget For Alcohol For A Wedding?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Your costs can vary quite a bit based on the venue and alcohol package you choose. For a full open bar with premium liquors, The Knot puts the

average cost at $4,147

, while an open bar limited to cheaper spirits averages $2,550.

Is it cheaper to buy your own alcohol for a wedding?

1. Buy Your Own Booze.

Buying booze at your go-to spot is a lot cheaper than purchasing drinks directly through a caterer

. If your venue and caterer let you supply your own liquor, wine, and beer, you can hand-select your favorite brands without breaking the bank.

How much alcohol do you need for 100 guests?

As a general rule of thumb, plan to serve

one drink per guest per hour of reception

. In other words, if you’re having a four-hour reception with 100 guests, provide 400 servings of alcohol. Full bars typically offer beer, wine, and liquor.

How much alcohol do you need for a wedding of 150?

“If you plan on about one drink per hour per guest for a 150-person reception that lasts 5 hours, you’d need around

750 drinks

.” So that would mean, if you’re only serving beer, you could use up to six kegs or nearly 30 24-packs of bottles or cans.

Is it OK to just serve beer and wine at a wedding?

If you and your partner don’t drink but your friends and family do (and you’re not opposed to alcohol),

it’s nice to have a little bit of booze available

, even if it’s just beer and wine. If you feel strongly about not having any alcohol available at all, you can definitely skip it. But don’t let guests go thirsty!

How many kegs do I need for a 150 person wedding?

“If you plan on about one drink per hour per guest for a 150-person reception that lasts 5 hours, you’d need around 750 drinks.” So that would mean, if you’re only serving beer, you could use up to

six kegs

or nearly 30 24-packs of bottles or cans.

Who pays for the booze at a wedding?

Tradition. Typically, whoever is paying for the wedding and reception will pay for the open bar, should the couple choose to have one. Traditionally, this responsibility falls on

the bride’s family

.

How many bottles of wine do I need for 150 guests?

1-2 hours

45 bottles

of wine 135 bottles of beer
3-4 hours 75 bottles of wine 225 bottles of beer 4+ hours 90 bottles of wine 270 bottles of beer

How do you calculate drinks for a wedding?

To figure out how many bottles you need, just

divide the number of liquor drinks needed by 16

to be safe. Remember that for each bottle of liquor, you will need to figure in about 1 quart of mixers for every 3 guests or for every bottle of liquor figure in 3 bottles of mixers.

Should I have alcohol at my wedding?

From signature cocktails to flutes of Champagne,

alcoholic beverages flow freely at most wedding receptions

. But some couples may forgo the booze and have a dry wedding instead, often for religious, financial, or personal reasons. Luckily, you and your guests don’t need adult beverages to have a great time.

What are the most popular drinks at a wedding?

  • Gin Martini – Gin, Dry Vermouth, Olives/Lemon (optional garnish) …
  • Whiskey Ginger – Whiskey, Ginger Ale. …
  • Kalimotxo – Red Wine, Cola. …
  • Gin and Tonic – Gin, Tonic. …
  • Old Fashioned – Whiskey, Sugar, Bitters, Cherry (optional garnish)

Can you have alcohol at a wedding?

While every state has different rules regarding alcohol at events, the go-to authority on liquor in California is the California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). … If you use a venue,

the venue must have a valid liquor license and a 58 License

(caterer’s permit).

Is it cheaper to get a keg or cases of beer?

To get the same volume by ounce as a standard keg, you would need to buy seven cases of Budweiser for about $160 – resulting in over $55 in

savings

per keg. … The savings can be even greater for some brands of beers, as well as various keg sizes.

What beer should I serve at my wedding?

  • Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. …
  • Miller Lite. …
  • Heineken. …
  • Starr Hill The Love. …
  • Brooklyn Local 1. …
  • Russian River Consecration. …
  • Downeast Cider Original Blend. …
  • Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA.

What is a Pony Keg?

on the brewery, beers are kegged in various size containers, as follows: 1/2 barrel = 15.5 gallons = 124 pints = 165 12oz bottles – (Full Size Keg)

1/4 barrel = 7.75 gallons = 62 pints = 83 12oz bottles

(Pony Keg)

What does the maid of honor pay for?

The maid of honor, along with the rest of the bridal party, is expected to

cover all wedding attire costs

. This includes the dress (plus any necessary alterations), shoes, and any jewelry you’ll be wearing the day of. Occasionally, the bride will gift her bridesmaids with whatever accessories she wants them to wear.

Maria Kunar
Author
Maria Kunar
Maria is a cultural enthusiast and expert on holiday traditions. With a focus on the cultural significance of celebrations, Maria has written several blogs on the history of holidays and has been featured in various cultural publications. Maria's knowledge of traditions will help you appreciate the meaning behind celebrations.