Alcohol Issue!

Are you having to supply the liquor/beer/wine? I agree, err on the side of caution and buy what you think will be plenty so people stay at your reception and don't have to go elsewhere to have a good time.

I think there are some good estimators out there, and that might help!

I don't get the problem. Just buy more. Christ.

Can your caterer help you estimate? I know ours gave us a whole worksheet to figure out how many bottles of wine/beer/liquor to buy. . .

ETA: We are choosing to error on the side of buying more. In fact our caterer recommend buying 1-2 extra bottles of liquor and extra bottles of wine and cases of beer as well, because you don't want to run out.

I agree that you should plan on having extra. There are also some stores that will allow you to return unopened bottles when you buy in bulk. If possible I'd find a store that will allow you to return so you don't feel like you wasted any money!

I would buy extra. Ask your caterer or venue how much they recommend. But I would get a little more than I thought I would need. Especially because I know there are some drinkers in my crowd. I definitely wouldn't want people leaving and going to bars either.

You should talk to your bartender to help you figure out how much alcohol you need. There are also alcohol calculators you can use online. Like @Meaghan, I was going to point out that you can return unopened bottles of alcohol...just check with the store first!

FLgihty- lol Oh the problems here that aren't really problems. Must be nice.

I'm buying extra, just making sure that the beer and wine I get are kinds that we like to drink in case I have leftovers

There are a bunch of calculators online if you google. Some places also let you return unopened wine (and maybe liquor?), so it could be an option to return it if you don't end up needing that much. A decent general estimate is to calculate about 1 drink per person per hour of the cocktail hour and reception. That's probably underestimating for some, but overestimating for others (not everyone will drink). Once you have that number in mind, you can break it down by type of alcohol (wine, beer, cocktails, etc.). I think it's better to overestimate than underestimate. If you have extra, you'll have some stuff for drinks to keep you company over the next couple months (we had lots of wine left over after ours, but it didn't go to waste!).

We are buying extra to ensure we have enough. Check around because some liquor stores will let you return unopened bottles of wine/liquor and unopened beer cases. That is what we are doing.

Absolutely, positively estimate way high and return unopened bottles! It is horrible hosting to run out!

I have a list to go off of, most coming to the wedding are pretty heavy drinkers. I'm just scared of running out to quick. I know it's probably a stupid thing to stress about so far away, but I do.

@OGKathryn and @Flightyflutist something minor to you is major to someone else, just like something minor to me, might be an issue for you. No need to be rude. Just venting. Jesus.

We are providing our own alcohol as well. My venue actually gave us a great list to show approximately how much alcohol we would need for our amount of guests. I have a suggestion for you. Each week when you go grocery shopping start picking up a bottle of wine or liquor. It makes it much easier to spread the cost out rather than paying all at once.

Buy double what you need and return the rest.

We have to provide alcohol ourselves for the bartenders as well. We are going to ask our bartenders first to see how they would approach it, then use an alcohol calculator, then probably buy that and then some, so I know I won't run out. So if it said 8 bottles of vodka, I'd probably buy 10 or 11. FH's family are heavy drinkers, so I definitely want to keep the party going lol. Ask your bartenders for advice first.

I would purchase the alcohol from a place that will let you return anything that is unopened. This way you can make sure you have plenty and not worry about anything going to waste if it is not used.

Buy extra and return... or use it as gifts for housewarmings, birthdays, or any other social occasion

I didn't know places did that. Thank you!

Are you supplying your own? we are. We are planning on getting everything through Sams, they will let you return the unused, unopen portions with receipts within 160 days (maybe 120 I forgot) So we are going to by extra because I'd rather have extra than not enough.

ETA: Sams has to be returned to the same club you purchased from