Alcohol for 75 Guests

The full drink shopping list for a wedding with 75 guests, worked out with the WedCalc wedding defaults: 85 percent of guests drinking, a 5-hour reception, average drinking level, a 30/40/20/10 beer, wine, spirits and non-alcoholic mix, a signature cocktail, a champagne toast and 1 lb of ice per guest.

Quick answer: for 75 guests, buy 5 cases of beer, 31 bottles of wine, 15 bottles of champagne, 9 bottles of spirits, 9 non-alcoholic 12-packs and 8 bags of ice — $962.00 in total at the example prices.

Shopping list for 75 guests

Each drinker is allowed 6 drinks (2 in the first hour, then 1 per hour over 5 hours at the average level). That is 64 drinkers and 382 drinker drinks in total, split by the mix above. Buy quantities are rounded up to whole cases, bottles, packs and bags.

ItemDrinks neededBuy
Beer115 cans5 x 24-can cases
Wine153 glasses31 x 750ml bottles
Champagne (toast)75 toast glasses15 x 750ml bottles
Spirits140 drinks9 x 750ml bottles (or 4 x 1.75L)
Signature cocktail servings64 servings (counted in spirits above)included
Non-alcoholic106 drinks9 x 12-packs (106 cans)
Ice75 lb8 x 10 lb bags

Cost for 75 guests at example prices

ItemBuy quantityExample priceCost
Wine31 bottles$12.00$372.00
Champagne15 bottles$14.00$210.00
Beer5 cases$19.00$95.00
Spirits9 bottles$22.00$198.00
Non-alcoholic9 12-packs$7.00$63.00
Ice8 bags$3.00$24.00
Estimated total$962.00

Your numbers will differ if your guests, hours, mix or prices differ. Open the wedding drink calculator to change any of them and get a list built for your day.

Build my own drink list

Frequently asked questions

How much alcohol do I need for 75 guests at a wedding?

At the wedding defaults used on this page (75 guests, 85 percent drinkers, 5 hours, average level), you need 115 beer cans, 153 wine glasses, 140 spirits drinks and 106 non-alcoholic drinks. That buys as 5 cases of beer, 31 bottles of wine, 15 bottles of champagne, 9 bottles of spirits, 9 non-alcoholic 12-packs and 8 bags of ice, for $962.00 at the example prices.

How many bottles of wine do I need for 75 guests?

153 wine glasses divided by 5 glasses per 750ml bottle, rounded up, is 31 bottles. The champagne toast is separate and adds 15 bottles.

How much beer do I need for 75 guests?

Beer is 30 percent of the drinker mix, giving 115 cans. Divided by 24 cans per case and rounded up, that is 5 cases.

How much ice do I need for 75 guests?

At 1 lb of ice per guest, 75 guests need 75 lb of ice, which is 8 bags of 10 lb.

How much will drinks cost for 75 guests?

At the example prices on this page (wine $12.00, champagne $14.00, beer $19.00 a case, spirits $22.00, non-alcoholic $7.00 a 12-pack, ice $3.00 a bag), the total is $962.00: $372.00 wine, $210.00 champagne, $95.00 beer, $198.00 spirits, $63.00 non-alcoholic and $24.00 ice.

How many non-alcoholic drinks do I need for 75 guests?

106 drinks: the non-alcoholic share of the drinker mix plus 6 drinks for each of the 11 non-drinkers. That buys as 106 cans, or 9 packs of 12.

Estimate only — not a guarantee. These figures come from standard planning rules of thumb and the numbers you enter. Always confirm drink, food and cake quantities with your venue, caterer or bartender before you buy, and check venue rules on outside alcohol. WedCalc accepts no responsibility for shortages, overspend or other loss from using these estimates. Prices are editable examples, not live prices or quotes.