Calculator 2026
Wedding alcohol calculator
Tool author: Patryk Raba, IT engineerWielki Dzień, a wedding decoration studio in the Tri-City
Planning the alcohol for a wedding is one of the trickier logistical tasks. Too little – and your guests will be disappointed; too much – and it is money wasted. Our calculator takes into account the number of guests, the length of the party and how your guests drink, to give you concrete numbers of bottles of vodka, wine, beer and prosecco.
Wedding alcohol calculator
How to calculate the alcohol for a wedding
The calculator is based on tried-and-tested rules of thumb used by wedding planners in Poland. The baseline quantities per guest at a standard 10-hour wedding are:
| Drink | Quantity per person | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vodka | 0.5 litres | 1 bottle of 0.5 L per person |
| Wine | 0.5 bottle | About 375 ml per person |
| Beer | 3 pieces | 0.5 L bottles or cans |
| Prosecco | 1 bottle / 6 guests | For the welcome toast |
| Soft drinks | 1.5 litres | Water, juices, fizzy drinks |
These quantities are then multiplied by factors for the length of the party and the drinking style:
- Length: 8 hours (x0.85), 10 hours (x1.0), 12 hours (x1.15)
- Moderate style: x0.7 – weddings with mostly older guests, or family-focused celebrations
- Heavy style: x1.3 – a young crowd, summer weddings
- Open bar: an extra 30% on all alcohol
Tips for ordering wedding alcohol
When should you order?
Order your alcohol 2–3 weeks before the wedding. Wholesalers offer better prices on early orders and can guarantee that your chosen brands are in stock. Avoid leaving it to the last minute – popular brands of vodka can sell out during the wedding season (May to September).
Where should you buy it?
Alcohol wholesalers offer 10–15% off compared with retail shops. Popular wholesale chains include Duży Ben, Centrum Wina and local drinks wholesalers. It is also worth checking the supermarkets – Makro and Selgros have attractive prices on larger orders.
Return terms
Before you buy, agree the terms for returning unopened bottles. Most wholesalers accept returns within 7–14 days of the event. That means you can buy 10–15% more than the calculator suggests, without the risk of overspending.
Storage and transport
Wine should be stored somewhere cool (10–15°C) and beer in the fridge. Plan your transport – for 100 guests, that is over 100 kg of alcohol. Many wholesalers offer delivery to the wedding venue included in the price or for a small extra charge.
Popular alcohol brands for weddings
Vodka
The most popular vodka brands at Polish weddings are Żubrówka Biała, Wyborowa, Sobieski and Żołądkowa Gorzka (de Luxe). In the premium segment, people choose Belvedere, Chopin and Grey Goose. Prices per 0.5 L bottle range from 25 to 80 zł.
Wine
Wines in the 30–50 zł per bottle range work well for a wedding. Whites: Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling. Reds: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Primitivo. Polish wines from Małopolska and Podkarpacie are becoming increasingly popular.
Beer
The classic choices are Tyskie, Żywiec and Lech. At weddings with an open bar, it is worth adding craft beers – an IPA, a wheat beer or a lager from local breweries. Cans are easier to handle than bottles and chill more quickly.
Prosecco and champagne
For the welcome toast, the most common choices are Prosecco (30–60 zł) or Cava (25–40 zł). Champagne is a premium option – Moët & Chandon or Veuve Clicquot cost 150–250 zł a bottle. One bottle of prosecco is enough for 6 glasses.
Frequently asked questions
How much alcohol do I need for a wedding with 100 guests?
For a wedding with 100 guests and a standard drinking style (10 hours), you need about 100 bottles of vodka (0.5 L), 50 bottles of wine, 300 beers, 17 bottles of prosecco for the toast and 150 litres of soft drinks. Quantities can vary depending on your guests’ preferences.
What is the right ratio of vodka to wine at a wedding?
The traditional ratio is roughly 1:1 – one bottle of wine for every bottle of vodka. In practice, vodka dominates at Polish weddings, while wine is popular mainly with the meal and among women. It is also worth allowing for beer, which is the drink most often chosen by men.
Is it better to buy too much or too little alcohol?
It is definitely better to buy a little extra – unopened bottles can be returned to the shop (most wholesalers accept returns). Running out of alcohol during the wedding is hard to put right and can spoil the atmosphere. We recommend adding a 10–15% margin to the calculator’s figures.
How much beer should I allow per person at a wedding?
For a standard 10-hour wedding, allow 3 beers per person. This is an average that takes into account the fact that not every guest drinks beer. At a wedding with mostly younger guests (aged 25–35) or in the summer months, it is worth increasing that number by 20–30%.
Where is the cheapest place to buy alcohol for a wedding?
The cheapest option is an alcohol wholesaler, which offers discounts on bulk purchases (10–15% cheaper). Popular chains include Duży Ben, Centrum Wina and local wholesalers. Order 2–3 weeks in advance and agree the terms for returning unopened bottles.