How many cases of beer would be needed to serve 80 guests at a wedding? Also: how many bottles of wine?

Question

I am getting married in Oct 2008. We have a price quote of approx $1000 for beer/wine to be served to our 80 guests. My fiancee and I are thinking we can save money by purchasing our own beer/wine for the event. I am wondering how many cases of beer and how many bottles of wine would serve 80 guests.

Answer 1

Our local liquor store owner was a godsend on this issue. She knew how much, what variety and also allowed us to return any unused bottles. We saved ALOT of money by purchasing our own. We only did beer and wine, no hard alcohol and hired a bartender. But be aware, you will need to check with your reception site to see if they allow this. A lot of places do not because they make big bucks on the booze.

We did our whole wedding for about 80 people under $5,000. And it was a blast!

Answer 2

For 160-170 guests, we served 6 cases of wine and 1 keg of beer. However we ended up with about 1 case left over. We did not serve hard liquor (that will escalate your cost) and if you decide to, it's better to limit to just a couple signature drinks so that you are only buying a couple types of liquor. You'll also spend a lot less on just getting one type of beer in a keg (less than $50 many places) instead of 10 different beers with a case of each.

For 80, I'd recommend 3 cases of wine and one keg --perhaps a half keg if you think they are not big beer drinkers.

Champagne is more difficult. People drink more champagne b/c it is the more expensive, more unique offering. Also you will need more if you are putting it into a fountain. A fountain has a bare minimum it needs to run. So you will need to have at least that in the fountain, prior to the amount people will drink.

Also what time of day affects it greatly. Earlier in the day, people drink less. Partly b/c they stay less time and partly b/c many people don't drink if it's "too early". An evening wedding will go through more alcohol.

It's a very good idea to bring your own. You save a LOT of money that way. Good luck!

Answer 3

i think it might be cheaper if you just get an open bar and not worry if there is enough

I guess it depends on your family too...my family likes to drink.
I would estimate 5 beers and 3 wines per person soo.....

67 cases of 6 packs
and about 60 bottles of wine

you also would like to over estimate a little...just in case you have a few ppl that really like to drink

good luck

Answer 4

You can't save any money that way. First of all you need to pick it all up and get it there. If you only calcualate your time at minimum wage and then your gas cost, you will have spent more money, not to mention your time and how many other things you will have to do during that time.

And in most states after a certain volume amount, you need a special permit to buy that much alcohol. For example you may only be allowed to purchase five cases at a time.

If you contract with someone it's thier problem to get it there, set it up and insure that everything is ready and on time.

And for 80 people if you include wine, plan on spending 2k.

cheers.

Answer 5

the price quote should have told how much of each...some people wont drink at all..i would say at least 240 bottles of beer...and 25 to 30 bottles of wine...im guessing..