Calculating Alcohol for Your Guests
One of the key elements of wedding planning is ensuring your guests have a great time, and providing alcohol is often a part of that equation. However, calculating how much alcohol to supply can be a bit of a puzzle. Let's break down the steps to help you determine the right amount of alcohol for your wedding.
Photo credit The Love Diaries
1. Guest Count: The first step is to determine how many guests you'll have. The more guests you have, the more alcohol you'll need.
2. Hours of Service: Consider how long the bar will be open. A typical wedding reception lasts around 4-5 hours. The longer the bar is open, the more alcohol you'll need.
3. Alcohol Preferences: Consider your guests' alcohol preferences. Are they primarily wine and beer drinkers, or do you have a crowd that enjoys cocktails? Different types of alcohol have varying consumption rates.
4. Drinking Habits: Think about your crowd's drinking habits. If you have a group of heavy drinkers, you'll need more alcohol than if you have a more moderate or light-drinking crowd.
5. Beverage Options: Will you be offering a full bar with a wide selection of spirits, cocktails, and mixers, or will you stick to beer and wine? The more choices you provide, the more you'll need.
6. Estimating Consumption: To estimate how much alcohol you need, you can use a general guideline like this:
For beer: Approximately 2 drinks per person per hour.
For wine: About 1 glass per person per hour.
For spirits (for cocktails): 1-2 drinks per person per hour.
Use these guidelines to estimate the average consumption per guest for the duration of the event.
7. Additional Factors:
Consider the time of day. Evening receptions tend to have higher alcohol consumption than daytime events.
Factor in the season. People may drink more in hot weather or during holidays.
Check with your venue or catering staff for any specific restrictions or regulations regarding alcohol service.
8. The Rule of Thirds: One common approach is the "rule of thirds." This means that you'll allocate one-third of your alcohol budget to beer, one-third to wine, and one-third to spirits. Adjust these percentages based on your guests' preferences.
9. Consider Non-Alcoholic Options: Don't forget to provide non-alcoholic options like water, soda, and mocktails for those who don't drink alcohol.
10. Consult with Your Bar Service Provider: Your bar service provider or bartender may have experience with similar events and can provide valuable insights into how much alcohol you'll need. They can also help you create a customized plan.
11. Beverage Replenishment: It's better to have some extra alcohol on hand than to run out. Have a plan for replenishing your bar if necessary.
12. Responsibility and Safety: Ensure that responsible alcohol service and transportation are in place to guarantee the safety of your guests.
13. Use Online Calculators: You can also find online alcohol calculators that can provide more specific estimates based on your guest count and event duration. In Perth WA we recommend using Dan Murphy's https://www.danmurphys.com.au/party-planner
Photo Credit The Love Diaries
In conclusion, calculating how much alcohol to supply for your wedding is a combination of estimation, planning, and understanding your guests.
Remember that it's always better to have a little extra than to run out, and consider the specific preferences and habits of your guests to make your wedding day an enjoyable and safe celebration.
If you feel you need someone to help you plan the perfect day, then don't hesitate to get in touch with us here at Jem Wedding Planners
Cheers to a memorable wedding!