Buying beer and wine in bulk?

You can google search an alcohol calculator to help you with that. That's what I did.

If you have a BJ's membership that would be a good place to buy in bulk. I bought wine cases from there for my centerpieces and to give some as favors. They come 12 in a case.

I know you can buy Kegs of beer at most liquor stores, maybe try to call around and see what kinds they offer? Now the wine I really am not sure about....

My FSIL got married last year and they got all the alcohol at Costco. They had a really good selection and quality was on par with what I've had at other weddings

Buy from places that a) gives you a great deal and/or 2) allows you to return open bottles. We are purchasing our beer and liquor from ACE Liquors; they will deliver/pickup day-of and refund unopened bottles. I belong to Virgin Wines and am buying our wines from there. They don't allow for return of unopened bottles but give members amazing discounts. I'm a wino so I'll be using the leftover wine to start my own wine celler.

Oh, and we expect to spend $2000 for 150 adults for 5 hours of open bar.

I called around and found a liquor store that let us return unopened bottles. They had me email them our information and sent us a guide for how much to purchase.

Wherever you purchase (except places like Costco), ask if they discount bulk purchases. Most liquor stores here take 10 to 20% off cases of wine and have a 10% discount on bulk beer purchases.

Look for a liquor distribution center in your area, lots of times they will buy back anything in-opened so you don’t have to worry about buying too much or too little.

I live in MD and getting married in PA... two of the states with the strictist alcohol laws. Regular stores like Costco can't sell alcohol, and none of the online wholesale places eill ship here. Anyone have any ideas?

View Quoted Comment Take advantage of Delaware's tax free shopping (stop on your way from MD to PA). I believe it applies to liquor and beer purchases too.

View Quoted Comment Oh thats a good idea that we haven't thought of! We live too far south for it to be "on the way" but that could make a fun weekend trip right before!

Those calculators are great! We're almost certainly buying at Costco.
Not sure how you intend on serving, but after checking out event insurance the other day I was pleased to find that Progressive does not charge extra for either having professional bartending or self service. So, the only thing they charge extra for is if you (or conceivably a member of your family or another non-professional) are standing behind a bar serving drinks. I'm all over insurance right now. I'll be all over this forum for the next couple of weeks singing it's praises.