how many soft drinks will people have?

I would say at least 2 drinks ea. try this website: hope this helps

www.perfect-party-planning.net/drinks_calculator.html

I don't know where your event will be but could you do water and sweet tea? I'm in the South so, tea is a given and less expensive. My friend did water, tea and lemonade and she a pretty fancy affair and it worked very well.

I would do probably 2 -3 per person of soda and then extra water!

Almost Mrs. White-

The recommended number of drinks is 2 per every three hours, more if you have a heavy dancing crowd or if you are outside in the heat. You always round up...so I would go with 3 drinks for five hours. Also as Amy V. said don't forget that some sodas go in mixed drinks so if you are buying the soda seperately and still using it at the bar, make sure you account for those mixed drinks as well.

It doesn't matter what it is, soda is $2, water is $2, juice is $2. we're only allowed to get it through our venue (can't bring in outside stuff), so I need a total number to see if there's any way FH and I can pay for it. How much water, etc? how many soft drinks per hour? also it's August and the ceremony is outside (we're providing water for that though). reception/cocktail hour is indoors.

I would say at least 3 drinks per person for 5 hours. So i would budget in at least 450 drinks total.

Wait they are charging you $2 for water?! I think you need to estimate higher if you have to pay for water. They must have tap water that is good to drink and shouldn't charge for that!

Cooking for Large Groups: http://www.greatpartyrecipes.com/cooking_for_large_groups.html

Says 2 to 3 cups/12oz-cans per person

Yes! Be careful when people say "cups". A measuring cup is actually just 8 ounces. Think 2 - 3 cans per person.

I was thinking of asking the caterer if we could do pitchers of water on tables, not sure what they would charge for that versus $2/water.. my parents are paying for the whole thing, supposedly. my mom just told me that doesn't include ANY drinks. I think it's amazingly rude, but the cost of them is between 1/3 and 1/2 of what FH and I make in a month.. wedding is 2 months away, not sure how to cover this.

Most Venues I've been at just charge $4 for 4-5 hours per person to get soda, sweet tea and water