How Much Wine Do I Need for My Wedding? A Complete Guide

Whether you're serving wine exclusively or alongside beer and cocktails, getting the quantity right is key to keeping your guests happy—and your budget in check.

General Rule: How Much Wine Per Person at a Wedding? A good rule of thumb is half a bottle of wine per guest for every two hours of your reception. Most wedding receptions last 4 to 5 hours, so you can estimate one full bottle per adult guest.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• 1 bottle of wine = 5 glasses

• 100 guests = 100 bottles (or about 8–9 cases)

Hosting a cocktail hour + dinner? Plan for extra!

Wine vs. Beer vs. Spirits: How to Split the Quantities If you’re offering a full bar, wine usually accounts for 40–50% of total alcohol consumption, with beer and spirits making up the rest.

Use this basic ratio for a 100-guest wedding:

• 50 bottles of wine

• 75 bottles of beer

• 10 bottles of liquor (750 ml each)

Mixers and non-alcoholic options to round it out

If you're serving only wine and beer, bump wine up to 60% of your alcohol order.

Red, White, or Sparkling? What Type of Wine to Serve

When deciding how much red vs. white wine to serve at your wedding, consider the season, your menu, and the time of day:

• Summer weddings = 60% white, 40% red

• Winter weddings = 60% red, 40% white

Serve sparkling wine or champagne for toasts: one glass per guest is sufficient

For a 100-person wedding, that’s 2 cases of bubbly (about 24 bottles) just for toasts.

Here’s a quick snapshot for 100 guests over a 4-5 hour reception:

• Red wine: 40 bottles

• White wine: 40 bottles

Multiply this for larger guest lists. For 150 guests, plan for around 150 bottles; for 200 guests, around 200 bottles.

Buy by the case to get bulk discounts

Choose affordable but crowd-pleasing varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, or Sauvignon Blanc

Offer fewer choices to simplify logistics and reduce waste

So, how much wine do you need for your wedding? Plan for one bottle per adult guest, adjust based on your bar offerings, and factor in a little extra to be safe. With the right planning, your wedding wine can be memorable, budget-friendly, and just the right amount of fun.