How Much Alcohol Do I Need for My Wedding?

Start with the number of adults choosing each drink and plan the drinks reception, meal, toast and evening separately. A 75cl bottle provides six 125ml pours: for a single toast, 50 adults need 9 bottles, 100 need 17 and 150 need 25, rounded up before allowing for spillage.

The guide below shows the calculation so you can adapt it to your guest list. These are serving examples, not a recommendation for how much anyone should drink or a complete order for the day.

Ask us about drinks for your wedding or explore our mixed cases and cocktail cans.

Wedding drinks quantity guide: 50, 100 and 150 adults

Use the number of adults who will choose the fizz, rather than your entire guest list. Both columns assume 75cl bottles and 125ml pours. Choose the column that matches your plans; do not add them together unless the reception and toast are separate servings.

Calculation: adults choosing fizz × planned pours per adult × 125ml ÷ 750ml. Round up to whole bottles, then adjust for the pack sizes you are buying. The table excludes spillage, extra guests, meal wine and evening drinks; agree any spare stock with your venue or caterer.

For example, if 60 of your 100 guests choose one fizz toast, you need 60 ÷ 6 = 10 bottles before any spare stock. Plan a non-alcoholic alternative for the other 40 guests.

In this guide: Calculate your whole-day order · Choose your drinks · Plan the timings · Serving options · Ordering checklist

How much alcohol do you need for the whole wedding?

There is no single bottle count that fits every wedding. Your order depends on the adults drinking alcohol, their preferences, the length of each part of the day and what the venue already supplies.

1. Split the day into occasions. List the reception, meal, toast and evening bar. Include any pre-ceremony service if you are offering it.
2. Count the people choosing each option. Wine, beer and cocktails are alternatives for many guests. Avoid ordering a full allowance of every drink for everyone.
3. Agree serving quantities with your caterer. Record the pour size and planned number of servings for each occasion.
4. Convert servings into packs. Round up each drink separately, then check bottle, can and case sizes before ordering.

Convert your planned servings into bottles or cans

• Wine or fizz: a 750ml bottle gives six 125ml pours or four full 175ml pours with 50ml left over. Match the calculation to your actual glasses and pouring plan.
• Ready-to-drink cans: if serving one unopened can per person, the number of cans equals the number of people choosing that option. A 250ml can contains twice the volume of a 125ml pour; alcohol strength also matters when comparing drinks.
• Beer: choose a serving size, then order the planned number of those servings. A 330ml bottle and a pint are different quantities, so do not treat them as interchangeable.
• Spirits: calculate from your cocktail recipe and bottle size. For example, a 700ml bottle provides 28 measures of 25ml, before spillage. Add mixers and garnishes separately.
• Soft drinks and water: plan these for everyone throughout the day, including people also choosing alcoholic drinks.

Choose drinks to suit your guests

Ask about preferences when planning with your venue: how many guests prefer wine, beer, fizz or alcohol-free options? Keep the menu manageable and make non-alcoholic choices easy to find.

For a ready-to-pour option, explore our gin-infused fizz bottles, including SloeGasm, RazzGasm and PlumGasm. Check the volume, alcohol strength and pack size on the product you choose.

Plan the reception, meal, toast and evening separately

• Drinks reception: agree its duration and the options your caterer will serve. The table above is a fizz serving example for this part of the day.
• Wedding breakfast: calculate meal wine separately, using the guests choosing wine and your chosen pour size.
• Toast: confirm whether guests will use their existing drink or receive a fresh pour, so you do not count the same serving twice.
• Evening: include additional evening guests and check which drinks the venue bar provides. Ask the bar team to help estimate its stock from your timings and menu.

Choose how drinks will be served

A staffed bar, table service and a drinks station each need a different practical plan. Confirm who will chill, carry, open and serve the drinks, and who will clear glasses and empty containers.

• Pre-mixed bottles and cans: simplify preparation, but still need chilling, storage and a serving plan.
• Hosted bar: agree the menu, budget and service hours with the venue.
• Cash bar: confirm what guests pay for and communicate this clearly in advance.
• Signature cocktails: give the caterer a measured recipe so spirits, mixers and garnishes can be ordered together.

Before you order wedding drinks

• Confirm adult guest numbers, evening arrivals and non-alcoholic choices.
• Check what your venue package includes and any corkage or outside-supplier restrictions.
• Agree pour sizes, glassware, chilling space, ice and serving staff.
• Check current product prices and calculate the cost of the packs you actually need, including any delivery or venue charges.
• Confirm delivery timing, storage and the supplier's returns terms before ordering spare stock.

For help choosing Gasm Drinks for your celebration, send us your wedding date, guest count and drinks plans. You can also browse our wedding drinks reception page, mixed cases or cocktail cans.