Calculating Wine and Champagne Quantities for a Wedding

If the newlyweds want to ensure their guests have everything they need, it is essential to calculate the quantities of wine and champagne as accurately as possible to stay within your budget.

The amount of beverages needed for a wedding depends on the number of guests, your catering menu, and your guests' preferences. We provide tips for calculating the number of bottles required for your wedding. Also, explore our selection of wines from top appellations, estates, and winemakers for your celebration.

Assessing the Guest List

To determine the number of bottles of red wine, white wine, and champagne required for your wedding, start by assessing the total number of guests. Identify how many guests will attend the cocktail hour and the meal. Be sure to account for the exact number of guests who will be drinking alcohol, excluding children, pregnant women, and non-drinkers who might prefer a soft drink, such as a fruit-based cocktail. Also, remember to provide enough still water, sparkling water, and soda to cater to all your guests.

From this number, estimate the consumption of light drinkers, those who will be driving and thus will have limited consumption, and guests staying overnight who may drink more. Once you have these figures and your event menu, you can more easily estimate the number of bottles of wine and champagne you will need for your wedding meal.

How Many Bottles of Red Wine for a Wedding?

If you have chosen a main course featuring meat, red wine will be the most served wine at your wedding. Therefore, it is necessary to plan for a larger quantity. Note that a bottle of red wine serves about 6 glasses.

For a main course with red wine, plan for one bottle of wine per 2 guests. If most of your guests are staying overnight and are likely to drink more, estimate about 2 bottles per 3 guests.

How Many Bottles of White Wine for a Wedding?

White wine typically accompanies the starter and cheese course. As white wine is consumed less than red wine and bottles stay on the table for a shorter time, you can estimate one glass of white wine per guest for the starter and one glass for the cheese course.

If you are serving a main course with fish, you will need more bottles of white wine. Plan for 2 to 3 glasses per person, or approximately 1 bottle of white wine for every 3 guests.

How Many Bottles of Champagne for a Wedding?

A bottle of champagne serves about 6 flutes. You can offer champagne at several times during your wedding reception. If serving champagne during the cocktail hour, estimate about 2 flutes per person. However, if you are also serving cocktails and other alcoholic beverages during this time, plan for only one flute of champagne per guest.

It is also customary to serve champagne with the dessert and the wedding cake. For the end of the meal, plan for 1 to 2 flutes of champagne per guest.

Quantity of Wine and Champagne for a Wedding of 100 People

To assist with your calculations, here is an estimate of the number of bottles of red wine, white wine, and champagne needed for a wedding of 100 guests who drink alcohol:

• Cocktail Hour: 33 bottles of champagne (2 flutes per guest)

• Starter: 17 bottles of white wine (1 glass per guest)

• Main Course: 50 bottles of red wine (approximately 3 glasses per guest) or 35 bottles of white wine (1 to 3 glasses per guest)

• Cheese Course: 17 bottles of white wine (1 glass per guest)

• Dessert: 25 bottles of champagne (1 to 2 flutes per guest)