One drink per hour?

You'd be surprised about someone drinking a 6 pack lol. But I think you're right on the dot with alcohol. Most calculators suggest 1 drink/hr and maybe 2 in the first hour (but I believe that includes soda, etc).

Well there's like two people we know could drink a six pack and we're having a talk with them before to ensure that doesn't happen because we don't want to deal with any sloppy drunks. The others I think are moderate drinkers and i'm assuming they'll see that it's not a stacked bar and will try to slow it down but I don't know. I mean I know the things I did as a guest at parties and the only way i'd have more than 2 drinks is if it were at a venue where they had a full bar but that's just me.

Sometimes, weddings inspire people to drink more than they normally would. But I think some people will stop at two and some people will have 5 or 6, so your estimate seems about right.

Dancingbearbride has a good point. People do lose track of their drinks and overzealous waitstaff may clear them before they are gone. That will definitely inflate your numbers.

You can't imagine someone drinking a 6-pack in 5 hours? You obviously have not met my crowd, especially at a wedding!

That's what I did 1 drink per hour per person. I ended up with some alcohol left over. I think it's a good way to count. Some people will have 1 or 2 drinks some will have more. It's better to have extra than to run out.

I can kill a 6 pack in a hour. Just saying....you also have to remember that people will set their drinks down, get distracted and leave them and get another. You're going to have to account for "waste"

Our open bar is consumption based, so we've been dealing with this, too. They recommend 2 drinks for the first hour then one per guest every hour after that. People tend to drink more at weddings because it's free AND people often set drinks down when they get cold to get a new one... I feel like we have a super high number, but our venue seems to agree that its accurate. Some people will have 2 and some are bound to have 10+

Maltese brings up a good point. When people mingle they will loose track of their drinks and just get a new one.

Um yeah.... I probably drank 3 drinks per hour at the last wedding I was at.

Ugh I didn't think about that grrr. Tape and marker with names? BUAHAHAHA. It's a party hall not a banquet hall so someone taking their drinks away won't happen but the setting it down and forgetting will.

I drink more when I'm at social events!

@dancingbearbride we're getting them at costco, i'm gonna ask if we can bring back leftovers but now that everyone pointed out the forgetting of drinks the chances are higher that we will run out.

Two drinks the first hour, one after that. At some point, SOMEONE in each couple switches to non alcoholic stuff so they can drive.

I think people will drink more than 1 an hour. I always heard estimate 3 pp per hour. I know my crowd are big drinkers and like everyone else said people tend to drink more cause its free and its a social occasion.

@Celia, that's another thing, the majority of the drinkers are driving

I think the 2 the first hour and 1 pp per hour after is accurate if you account for all your guests, not just the ones you know are drinkers. There are sure to be people who won't drink at all, but the surplus from those guests should cover the spread if others lose drinks or drink more heavily than you anticipate

I think you will be fine with sticking to the 2 drinks the 1st hour and 1 drink per hour per guest. Some people will drink more other will drink less. Some how it will all even out. I got that count from my bartender. If your bartender gave you that count, then trust the professionals. They have done tons of wedding and events. They will more than likely be pretty spot on. Also take into account that lots venues require you to shut down the bar 30mins to an hour before the end of the reception. I don't know if your revenue have the same rule. Look into that.

ETA: Also I been to weddings where they close the bar for dinner.

Every place we have checked with has said to count 2 drinks per person per hour so that's what we are going by. Better be safe than sorry.

Personally I drink more than 1 drink per hour but I'm sure there are people that won't drink at all so it should even out