Alcohol for a 100-guest wedding
One hundred guests is the reference Canadian wedding - the size the national cost averages describe, and the size where the bar decision (venue package vs self-supply) swings the budget by thousands. Venue open-bar packages in Canada commonly run $40-70 per person; the store-run numbers below are what the same drinks cost at retail, which is exactly why corkage math is worth doing.
- Wine (750 ml)54 bottles
≈ half red, half white · 5 glasses per bottle
- Beer (341 ml)162 beers
7 × 24-packs - mix a domestic, a light, and a local
- Spirits (750 ml)7 bottles
vodka, gin, rum, whisky + mixers, ice, garnish
- Sparkling toast17 bottles
6 flutes per bottle - cava/prosecco pours the same
≈ 540 drinks · assumes ~10% non-drinkers and a champagne toast. Buy 10–15% extra - most provincial retailers refund unopened bottles with a receipt.
What changes at 100 guests
Package vs self-supply, honestly
A $50/person open-bar package for 100 guests is $5,000. The retail shopping list above runs a quarter to half of that - but only venues that allow outside alcohol (usually with $10-25/bottle corkage or a flat fee) let you capture the difference. If the venue's package is mandatory, this list is still your negotiating benchmark.
Two bartenders, not one
The service rule of thumb is one bartender per 50-75 guests; at 100, two keep the line moving through the post-ceremony rush. Ask the venue whether bartenders are included, priced per hour, or gratuity-only.
Full pacing rules, serving sizes, and LCBO / BC Liquor price sourcing live on the main alcohol calculator.
Adjust for your wedding
Preloaded at 100 guests - change the bar hours, crowd, or toast and the list recalculates with the same math.
≈ 540 drinks · 90 drinking guests · 5h bar
- Wine54 bottles (750 ml)
split roughly half red, half white - 5 glasses per bottle
- Beer162 beers (7 × 24-packs)
mix a domestic, a light, and one local option
- Spirits7 bottles (750 ml)
vodka, gin, rum, whisky + mixers, ice, and garnish
- Sparkling toast17 bottles
6 flutes per bottle - cava or prosecco pours the same
Buy 10–15% extra - most provincial liquor stores (LCBO included) refund unopened bottles with a receipt, so over-buying the safe picks costs nothing. Check your venue's corkage policy before you shop.
This math is only as good as your headcount. A 20-guest miss swings the bill by hundreds of dollars - collect real RSVPs free with GetJoyBox e-invites, meal choices and household replies included. Planner apps charge US$99 for that.
Not sure how many will actually come? Estimate your turnout first.
100-guest wedding bar FAQ
How much alcohol do we need for a 100-guest wedding?
For a 5-hour reception with an average-drinking crowd (about 10% non-drinkers), plan on roughly 54 bottles of wine, 162 beers (7 24-packs), 7 bottles of spirits, and 17 bottles of sparkling for the toast - about 540 drinks and $1,670–$2,514 CAD at Canadian store prices.
How many bartenders do we need for 100 wedding guests?
Two - the standard is one bartender per 50-75 guests, and the cocktail-hour rush is the bottleneck. In Canada expect $30-50/hour each plus gratuity if bartenders aren't already in the venue package.
Is a venue bar package or self-supply cheaper for 100 guests?
Self-supply at retail typically costs a quarter to half of a $40-70/person open-bar package - if the venue allows outside alcohol. Corkage of $10-25 per bottle narrows the gap, so run both numbers: this page's shopping list plus corkage vs the package quote.
Is this wedding alcohol calculator really free?
Yes - free with no signup, like every GetJoyBox tool. The drink math is only as accurate as your headcount, so the natural next step is collecting real RSVPs: a free GetJoyBox account includes e-invites with RSVP tracking, meal choices, and household replies - features guest-management apps charge US$99 for.
Is it really 100? Collect RSVPs and know
Free GetJoyBox e-invites collect RSVPs with meal choices and household replies - a live headcount that feeds your bar run, seating chart, and budget. No paywalls.