How many bartenders should I have?

The company we used suggested two every 70 people. So for our 160 guest list (125 drinkers) we have 2. Even if less RSVP when the time comes, the line will stay flowing.

At least three, preferably four. For 120 I'm having two.

Some of this depends on what you're serving; if you're having sig drinks that have to be made on by one (martinis, for instance), there should be some of them pre-poured because it's time consuming.

And it depends on how good your bartenders are too.....

Our venue was 1 bartender per every 100 guests. We had 150 guests and a lot of H's family and mine do not drink so we kept it at 1 bartender. We never had a line. I would do AT LEAST 2 or 3 depending on your guests.

We had slightly fewer guests than you (about 180) and 5 bartenders for the first wave through till after dinner at 2 different bars. after dinner they closed down one and we had 2 bartenders at 1 bar for the rest of the night. we just went with what the venue recommended to us and i'm glad we did.