Guides / Events
Open bar buy list: how much alcohol for a wedding?
Two drinks the first hour, one an hour after, a buffer, then split by beer, wine and spirits into bottles.
2 minute readUpdated September 28, 2026
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Build the buy listThe rule that works: two drinks per guest in the first hour, one per hour after that, plus a buffer. Split by what the crowd drinks, then convert to cans, bottles and mixers.
The formula
Drinks = guests × (2 + hours − 1) × (1 + buffer). Wine bottles = wine drinks ÷ 5. Spirit bottles = spirit drinks ÷ 16 (1.5 oz pours from 750 ml). Mixers = spirit drinks ÷ 3 per litre.
What good splits look like
40 / 30 / 30
Beer, wine, spirits for a mixed crowd.
10% buffer
Enough. Unopened bottles usually go back.
What to do about it
- Ask the store about returns on unopened stock before you buy.
- Ice at 1.5 lb per guest. Nobody ever has enough ice.
- Check your province's licence rules for a private event bar.
Now do it with your numbers.
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Build the buy list