How Much Alcohol for 50 / 75 / 150 Guests? Quick Wedding Drinks Cheat Sheet
One of the most common wedding planning questions we hear is: “How much alcohol do we actually need?”
Buy too much and you overspend. Buy too little and you risk running out halfway through the night. This simple cheat sheet gives you realistic quantities for 50, 75, and 150 guests—based on what actually gets drunk at weddings.
Before We Start: A Few Assumptions
Every wedding is different, but these estimates are based on a typical UK wedding:
- Guests drinking over a 6–7 hour reception
- A mix of beer, wine, spirits, and soft drinks
- Some non-drinkers and lighter drinkers included
- Drinks served after the ceremony (not an all-day festival)
If your crowd are heavier drinkers or your party runs late, you may want to slightly increase quantities.
How Much Alcohol for 50 Guests
- Beer: 120–150 bottles/cans
- Wine: 25–30 bottles
- Spirits: 6–8 bottles (vodka, gin, rum, whisky)
- Prosecco / Champagne: 10–12 bottles
- Soft drinks & mixers: Plenty (colas, lemonade, tonic, juice)
This works well for smaller weddings, evening receptions, or venues where guests aren’t drinking heavily all day.
How Much Alcohol for 75 Guests
- Beer: 180–220 bottles/cans
- Wine: 35–45 bottles
- Spirits: 9–11 bottles
- Prosecco / Champagne: 14–18 bottles
- Soft drinks & mixers: Increased to match spirits
This is a very common wedding size and usually provides a good balance without large amounts left over.
How Much Alcohol for 150 Guests
- Beer: 350–400 bottles/cans
- Wine: 75–90 bottles
- Spirits: 16–20 bottles
- Prosecco / Champagne: 30–36 bottles
- Soft drinks & mixers: Large quantity (don’t underestimate this)
For larger weddings, drinks planning becomes more critical. Running out is far more noticeable with bigger guest numbers.
Common Mistakes Couples Make
- Buying too much of one spirit (usually whisky)
- Underestimating mixers and soft drinks
- Forgetting non-drinkers and designated drivers still need options
- Assuming everyone drinks the same amount
A balanced bar almost always performs better than a huge stock of one drink.
Want to Avoid All the Guesswork?
Many couples choose mobile bar hire so they don’t have to calculate, store, transport, or manage drinks at all.
At Viva Bar Hire & Events, we handle:
- Drink quantities based on guest numbers
- Professional bar setup
- Experienced staff
- Glassware, ice, and service
You get a smooth, stress-free bar—without leftover crates or last-minute panic.
Get Help Planning Your Wedding Bar
If you’d like help choosing the right setup for your wedding, we’ll happily advise based on your guest numbers and venue.
Visit: https://vivabarhire.co.uk/
Tell us how many guests you’re expecting and whether you want a staffed bar or a Bar in a Box option.