How many cocktails per person at wedding

Then consider your guests' beverage preferences. If you've invited many wine enthusiasts, for example, offer plenty of reds and whites.

On the other hand, if your relatives prefer rum, make sure to have sufficient amounts of the liquor as well as appropriate mixers on hand. The reception time also affects how much alcohol to serve. If you're tying the knot in the morning or early afternoon, guests will be less inclined to drink than at a nighttime celebration. Similarly, expect guests to indulge more on the weekends than during the week.

As a general rule of thumb, plan to serve one drink per guest per hour of reception. In other words, if you're having a four-hour reception with guests, provide servings of alcohol. Cocktail Hour - For a 1 hour cocktail reception, estimate 2 drinks per person. For a 2 hour cocktail reception, estimate 3 drinks per person and so on.

The idea here is that each person will go through roughly 2 drinks within the first hour then start to slow down a little. Frankly, when cocktails last more than an hour your guests will be hungry, drunk and sore on their feet by the time dinner is served.

So keep it to one hour max and everyone will be happy. This is pretty straightforward. Whether or not you have wine on the table unless that's the only alcohol you're serving it's the same idea, one 1 drink every hour.

Then take this number and multiply it by the most expensive beverage in the bar package you've chosen. Invitations Invitations. Thank Yous. Shop by Style Shop by Style. Shop The Knot Invitations. Start a Registry.

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Flower Girl Dresses. Engagement Rings Engagement Rings. Wedding Rings. Wedding Jewelry. Wedding Accessories. Get Fashion Inspiration. Engagement Engagement. Travel Travel. Fashion Fashion. Gifts Gifts. On a tight budget? Guests should never be expected to pay for their own drinks. Instead, consider skipping the hard stuff, which is pricey, and serve less-costly wine and beer only. Also, discourage the wait staff from refilling wine glasses at dinner without first asking guests if they want more.

The same is true with established independent caterers. If the caterer does not have a liquor license, he or she will coordinate purchasing the alcohol from a vendor and quote you a price per bottle.