Stocking Up for a Wedding? Here’s How to Buy Liquor the Smart Way
Planning a wedding comes with a million little details, and making sure you have enough alcohol is one of the big ones. You want to keep your guests happy and the party going, but you also don’t want to overspend or end up with stacks of leftover bottles you’ll never use.
Whether you’re planning a small backyard wedding or a huge ballroom reception, getting the right amount of liquor at the best price takes some strategy. Here’s how to do it the smart way—without stress, waste, or unnecessary costs.
How Much Alcohol Do You Really Need?
One of the trickiest parts of stocking a wedding bar is figuring out exactly how much to buy. You don’t want to run out mid-reception, but you also don’t want to buy way too much. A good rule of thumb is to estimate one drink per guest per hour.
So, if you’re hosting 100 guests for a five-hour reception, you’ll need about 500 drinks total. This gives a rough estimate, but you can adjust depending on your guest list. If your crowd includes a lot of light drinkers or non-drinkers, you might scale back a bit. If you know they love an open bar, it’s better to round up.
Here’s a basic drink breakdown for those 500 drinks:
- 50% Wine (250 servings)
- 30% Beer (150 servings)
- 20% Spirits (100 servings, with mixers)
This mix works for most weddings, but if you know your guests lean heavily towards one type of drink—maybe they love cocktails or prefer beer over wine—you can tweak the ratios.
If you’re serving champagne for toasts, plan for one glass per guest, which means you’ll need about one bottle for every six people.
Choosing the Right Types of Alcohol
Most weddings keep it simple with a mix of beer, wine, and a few basic liquors. Unless you’re offering a signature cocktail, there’s no need to buy every kind of alcohol under the sun. Sticking to the basics helps keep costs down and ensures your bartenders (or whoever’s serving) don’t get overwhelmed with complicated drink orders.
Here’s what you’ll typically need:
- Beer: A mix of light and regular beers works well. Popular choices like lagers, pilsners, or a crowd-pleasing IPA will cover most guests’ tastes.
- Wine: One red and one white is usually enough. Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are safe bets, but Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir are also popular choices.
- Spirits: The essentials are vodka, whiskey, rum, and tequila—these cover most classic cocktails.
- Mixers: Club soda, tonic water, cola, fruit juices, and garnishes like lemons and limes.
You don’t need expensive top-shelf brands. A good mid-tier option will do just fine for mixed drinks, and most guests won’t notice the difference.
Where to Buy Liquor for the Best Prices
Buying alcohol for a wedding can get expensive fast, but there are ways to save. The best strategy is to buy in bulk from a liquor store near me that offers wholesale pricing. Many liquor stores offer discounts when you purchase a certain number of bottles or cases, especially for large events like weddings.
If you’re working with a caterer or bartender, ask if they have any connections with local liquor stores. Some vendors have relationships with suppliers and might be able to get you a discount. Another great option is checking if the store allows returns on unopened bottles—this can be a lifesaver if you overestimate your order.
How the Bar Setup Affects Your Order
Before you finalize your liquor order, think about how drinks will be served at your wedding. This can make a big difference in how much alcohol you need.
- Bartender Service: If you’re hiring bartenders, they’ll control portions and make sure drinks are served evenly. This helps prevent guests from over-pouring and can make your alcohol supply last longer.
- Self-Serve Bar: If guests are making their own drinks, expect them to be more generous with their pours. You might need a little extra liquor in this case.
- Beer and Wine Only: If you want to keep things simple, skipping hard liquor altogether can save you money. This is a good option for a more casual wedding.
Make sure you also plan for essentials like ice, cups, bottle openers, corkscrews, and cocktail napkins.
Ways to Save Even More Money
Even with bulk discounts, alcohol can be a big wedding expense. Here are some easy ways to keep costs down:
- Skip the Premium Brands: Guests won’t notice if you choose a well-known mid-range vodka instead of an expensive top-shelf brand.
- Buy Bigger Bottles: Larger bottles (1.75L) usually cost less per ounce than smaller ones.
- Limit the Drink Menu: Offering just a few drink options instead of a full bar makes things easier and cheaper.
- Opt for a Cash Bar: If you’re really trying to cut costs, consider providing beer and wine for free and charging guests for cocktails.
- Choose a Store with a Return Policy: Being able to return unopened bottles ensures you won’t be stuck with excess liquor.
What to Do with Leftover Alcohol
Even with careful planning, you might end up with leftover bottles. If your liquor store allows returns, that’s the best-case scenario. If not, you can always use the extra alcohol for future parties, holiday gatherings, or even as gifts for your wedding party.
Some couples even plan an informal post-wedding get-together with friends and family to enjoy the leftover drinks—it’s a great way to wind down and relive the big day without any pressure.
Final Thoughts
Buying liquor for a wedding doesn’t have to be stressful. With a little planning, you can make sure your guests have plenty to drink without overspending. Stick to the basics, buy in bulk, and work with a liquor store that offers good deals and return policies.
At the end of the day, your guests will remember the fun, laughter, and celebration—not whether you served top-shelf whiskey or mid-tier vodka. So, focus on creating a great atmosphere and let the drinks flow without worry!