Wedding Drinks Calculator
Enter your guest count, the length of each phase of your day, and your guests' drinking style to get bottle and quantity estimates for white wine, red wine, prosecco, beer and cider, spirits, and soft drinks. All quantities are rounded up so you do not run short.
Explain like I'm 5 (why is drinks planning complicated?)
At a wedding, people drink different things at different times. During the drinks reception, most people want something fizzy or a cold beer. During the meal, wine is more popular. In the evening, beer and spirits go up. If you just buy "a load of wine", you will probably run out of white and have leftover red. This calculator splits the day into three phases, works out what people are likely to drink in each one, and adds it all up into a shopping list. It rounds up so you always have a little more than you need, because running out of drinks is the one thing guests remember.
Calculate
Enter your details, then press Calculate quantities.
What to buy
- White wine (750 ml bottles)–
- Red wine (750 ml bottles)–
- Prosecco / champagne (750 ml bottles)–
- Beer and cider (cans or bottles)–
- Spirits (700 ml bottles)–
- Soft drinks (litres)–
Summary
- Estimated glasses per person–
- Total glasses served–
Prove it
Consumption rates: drinks reception 1.5 glasses/person/hour; wedding breakfast 1.0 glass/person/hour; evening reception 1.5 glasses/person/hour. Style multipliers: light 0.7×, moderate 1.0×, heavy 1.4×. Drink mix: drinks reception is 25% white, 15% red, 10% prosecco, 35% beer, 15% soft; wedding breakfast is 35% white, 25% red, 15% beer, 25% soft; evening is 20% white, 10% red, 45% beer, 15% spirits, 10% soft. Toast adds 1 prosecco flute per guest. Wine: 5 glasses per 750 ml bottle. Prosecco: 6 flutes per bottle. Soft drinks: 400 ml per glass. Spirits: 28 measures per 700 ml bottle. All quantities are rounded up.
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Buy more than you think you need
These quantities are based on statistical averages. Your actual guests may drink more or less. Add a 10–15% buffer on wine and beer, and check whether your supplier offers sale-or-return on unopened cases. Most independent wine merchants and many supermarkets do. This means you can over-order without financial risk and return what is left.
Running out of wine at a wedding is memorable in all the wrong ways. Having unopened cases left over is not a problem at all.
What to offer at each phase
Drinks reception
Arrival drinks set the tone. Most guests want something in their hand quickly, so service speed matters more than variety. Offer two or three options: a sparkling wine or prosecco, a beer or cider, and a clear non-alcoholic option. Having a single tray of one drink ready at the door as guests exit the ceremony means no one waits. Expand the bar options once everyone is through.
Wedding breakfast
Wine with the meal is the expectation for most UK weddings. Offer both white and red; some guests will want both. Have water on tables throughout. If you are providing a bar during the meal for spirits and beer, budget more for that category. This calculator assumes a table wine service with beer on request.
Evening reception
Beer and cider pick up significantly in the evening, particularly once dancing starts. Spirits (usually served as mixed drinks: gin and tonic, rum and cola) become a larger share. Have soft drink options clearly available and well-stocked: a third of your guests may not be drinking alcohol at any given point.
The toast drink
One glass of prosecco, champagne, or cava per guest for the toast is standard. If you want to use a non-alcoholic alternative for guests who do not drink, have it ready poured before the toast begins so no one is waiting. One glass per person is enough; most guests take a sip rather than finishing the glass.
Related calculators
Drinks are one line on a longer list.
Frequently asked questions
How many bottles of wine do I need for a wedding?
A rough guide is one bottle per adult guest for a full-day wedding. This calculator gives a more precise figure based on your reception lengths and drinking style. Always add a 10–15% buffer and check for sale-or-return on unopened cases.
How many glasses of prosecco per bottle?
A standard 750 ml bottle gives approximately 6 flutes at 125 ml each. This calculator uses 6 glasses per bottle for prosecco and champagne, and 5 glasses per bottle for wine (at 150 ml per glass).
Should I buy more than the calculator suggests?
Yes. Add 10–15% on wine and beer. Running out is far worse than having leftovers. Many suppliers offer sale-or-return on unopened cases, which removes most of the financial risk of over-ordering.
How much soft drink do I need?
Plan for at least 400 ml per person per phase for non-drinkers, plus extra for children. Offer a variety: water, juice, and a fizzy option. Having only sparkling water as the soft option is a common mistake.
What is the "drinking style" setting?
It applies a multiplier to the base consumption rate. Light (0.7×) suits a group with a significant number of non-drinkers or early leavers. Moderate (1.0×) is the baseline for a typical mixed group. Heavy (1.4×) suits a group of enthusiastic drinkers with a late finish. When in doubt, use Moderate and add a buffer.