How much alcohol do you need for 100 wedding guests?
A simple drink-count formula, a bottle-by-bottle shopping estimate, and the Ontario permit you may need.
7 min read · By the Everest team · Updated October 2026
For 100 adult guests over a typical five-hour reception, plan for roughly 400 to 500 drinks. The standard rule of thumb is one drink per guest per hour, which for 100 guests is about 100 drinks an hour at the start, tapering as the night goes on.
- Rule of thumb: one drink per guest per hour.
- A common split is about 40% wine, 40% beer, 20% spirits.
- In Ontario, a licensed venue or a Special Occasion Permit is required to serve alcohol.
How many drinks do 100 guests actually drink?
The widely used planning rule is one drink per guest per hour. Over a five-hour reception that is about 500 drinks for 100 guests – but people drink more during cocktail hour and dinner and less toward the end, so 400 to 500 is a realistic range.
Not every guest drinks, and that evens out against the heavier drinkers. If you know your crowd skews light, plan closer to 400; if it is a party crowd, plan closer to 500 and keep a small reserve.
How do you split it between beer, wine and spirits?
A balanced starting point for a mixed adult crowd is roughly 40% wine, 40% beer, and 20% spirits. Shift the mix toward whatever your guests actually prefer.
How many bottles is that?
Here is where the drink count turns into a shopping list. A 750 ml bottle of wine pours about 5 glasses; a 750 ml bottle of spirits makes about 16 one-ounce drinks. This estimate assumes 100 guests, a five-hour reception, and roughly 450 total drinks.
| Category | Share of ~450 drinks | Estimated quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Wine (750 ml, ~5 glasses each) | ~180 glasses | ~36 bottles |
| Beer (bottles/cans) | ~180 servings | ~180 (about 7–8 cases) |
| Spirits (750 ml, ~16 drinks each) | ~90 drinks | ~6 bottles, plus mixers |
Round up and keep a reserve case of wine and beer. Many couples buy on a return-unopened basis where available, so leftovers are not wasted money.
What changes the numbers?
- Time of day and year. Summer afternoons mean more beer and sparkling; winter evenings pull toward red wine and spirits.
- Signature cocktail. A featured drink is popular early and can shift demand toward spirits.
- Dinner service. Wine consumption spikes during a seated dinner.
- Open vs. cash bar. People order a little more at an open bar, so plan the higher end.
What does Ontario require to serve alcohol at a wedding?
Alcohol service in Ontario is regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). If your venue is already licensed, it handles the permit and provides Smart Serve-certified staff. If you are supplying your own alcohol at an unlicensed space, you generally need a Special Occasion Permit, and servers should be Smart Serve certified.
This is one reason many couples choose a venue with an in-house bar: the licence, trained servers, and liability all come with it. If you are still comparing options, our guide to choosing a wedding venue lists the questions to ask, and our receptions page covers bar service.
Quick answers
How many bottles of wine do I need for 100 guests?
For a five-hour reception where wine is about 40% of drinks, plan on roughly 35 to 40 bottles. One 750 ml bottle pours about five standard glasses.
How much beer for 100 people?
If beer is about 40% of consumption, estimate around 180 servings – roughly seven to eight cases of 24 – for a five-hour event, plus a reserve case.
Is one drink per guest per hour too much?
It is a safe planning ceiling, not a prediction. Non-drinkers and the natural slowdown late in the night usually mean you have a small surplus, which is better than running out.
Do I need a permit to serve alcohol at my wedding in Ontario?
If the venue is licensed, no – it covers service. If you supply your own alcohol at an unlicensed site, you generally need a Special Occasion Permit from the AGCO and Smart Serve-certified servers.
Should I offer a signature cocktail?
It is a nice touch and easy to batch, but it raises spirits demand. Keep beer and wine well stocked alongside it.
How much ice do I need?
Plan about 1 to 1.5 pounds of ice per guest when you are chilling drinks and serving cocktails – roughly 100 to 150 pounds for 100 guests on a warm day.
Planning a reception in Chatham-Kent?
Everest has a full in-house bar with licensed, Smart Serve-trained staff, so the permits and pouring are handled for you. Ask us about bar options on a tour.
