When deciding how much alcohol to buy for a wedding, let 2 Peoples Bartending help. Contact us for a FREE shopping list to be emailed along with a suggestion of quantities. Additionally, this post will offer a process to help arrive at the decision that is best for your wedding.
The following content will provide useful information for anyone planning an open bar wedding. However, it is important to note that when you request an estimate from 2 Peoples Bartending, we do the work for you. Your only job will be to sit down with a variety of options and choose the wedding bar that is right for your special day.
See the following table of contents for this page.
- Request a FREE estimate from a wedding bartender.
- Consider the drinking habits of your guests.
- Specialty cocktails to help focus quantities.
- Take into account shopping time and the logistics of delivery.
A Free estimate on how much alcohol to buy for a wedding
It is best to contact a few bartending companies that will give you an estimate for a standard bar menu. Since this information is often needed to finalize your bar menu, it can help to begin with a general idea. This includes the shopping list, quantities, and also a breakdown of the cost for your bartender to arrive with your full bar.
Your estimate will include not only a shopping list but also a range of quantities to complete open bar service for your guest count. If this is not the case with the estimate you receive from other companies, it is okay to ask for it. Seeing exactly what it takes in order to fulfill open bar service for the duration of your wedding will also help you to decide how much or how little you may want to provide yourself.
Keep reading to begin with taking into account the drinking habits of your guests.
Consider Drinking Habits
Once you receive an estimate with a shopping list and suggestions, consider the drinking habits of your guests. Take into account whether your guests are lighter, moderate, or heavier drinkers. See the list below for a general idea of each drinking habit.
- Lighter drinkers – 1 drink per hour
- Moderate drinkers – 2 drinks per hour
- Heavier drinkers – 3 drinks per hour
Don’t forget about shots! If guests will be enjoying group shots take note which spirits on the menu may also be poured for shots.
To view more in detail on quantifying alcohol for your wedding, see this wedding alcohol calculator from credit donkey. Or keep reading to begin with ways that specialty cocktails can help to narrow down your bar needs.
Specialty Cocktails Affects How Much Alcohol to Buy for a Wedding
Serving specialty cocktails can help to not only add a personal touch to the menu, but can also help focus your wedding bar budget. When you feature specialty cocktails on the menu you are able to adjust your quantities to match the demand you anticipate. The drinks you highlight on the menu tend to attract the attention (and ordering) of many guests. Knowing this allows you to purchase a smaller amount of the liquors that are not in your specialty cocktails. This, in turn, helps you to not over-purchase items that, with the guidance of the menu, your guests are likely to drink less of.
Shopping and Delivery
Be sure to consider the time and energy you’ll spend shopping and delivering your bar items. The ingredients for an open bar wedding can really stack up depending on your menu and guest count. You will most likely spend time at multiple stores on multiple days gathering all ingredients on your list. It can be quite labor-intensive as these are often heavy, bulky items. But it most certainly can be done! Consider divvying up the store trips and utilizing help from friends and family to make it easier.
Additionally, and perhaps most importantly, make sure you have a plan the day of your wedding ensuring ON TIME delivery of all bar items! You’ll want to give your bartender sufficient time to setup for service and make sure beer, wine, etc. are chilling on time.
Contact Us to get a free shopping list to help decide how much alcohol to buy for a wedding and to discuss the details of your wedding! Or email us directly at 2peoplesbartending@gmail.com.
