How Many Bartenders Do You Need for 100 Guests at Your Wedding

Monica BrowneMonica BrowneMay 14, 2022
How many Bartenders for 100 Guests at you wedding reception?

So you're in the wedding planning process and planning the wedding reception.

You're planning to have a cocktail hour with an actual bar.

You will be serving beer and wine, have specialty drinks and your own signature drinks.

But then you ask yourself.

How many bartenders do I need?

How many bartenders do you need per guest?

How Many Bartenders Per Guest?

For a successful wedding, you must ensure you have enough bartenders.

The average number of drinks per person, per hour, is two.

That's two alcoholic drinks or two non-alcoholic drinks.

But, of course, this number will vary depending on your wedding guest list.

Some of your guests may be light drinkers while others may be heavy drinkers. And then there are always those wedding crashers who show up uninvited and try to drink your bar dry.

Assuming that each of your guests will drink two drinks per hour, you'll need one bartender for every 50 guests.

So, if you have 100 wedding guests, you'll need two bartenders.

Of course, having two bartenders is the bare minimum.

If you want your cocktail hour to run smoothly, we recommend having one bartender for every 25 guests.

This way, your bartenders won't be overwhelmed and your guests will be able to get their drinks quickly.

How many bartenders you ultimately need will also depend on the type of bar you're having at your wedding.

For example, if you're having a wine bar, you won't need as many bartenders as you would for a full open bar.

The bottom line is that you should have one bartender for every 25 to 50 guests. This will ensure that your bar runs smoothly and that your guests are able to get their drinks quickly.

Need help planning your wedding reception?

Book a call with Monica.

How Many Wedding Bartenders Do You Need?

Now that you know how many bartenders you need per guest, you're probably wondering how many bartenders you need for your entire wedding.

The answer to this question depends on a few factors:

  • The size of your wedding
  • The type of bar you're having
  • The length of your reception.

If you're having a small wedding with 50 guests, you'll need one or two bartenders.

If you're having a medium-sized wedding with 100 guests, you'll need at least two bartenders.

And if you're having a large wedding with 150 guests, you'll need three to four bartenders.

Note: If you hire a wedding planner or day of wedding coordinator, they can certainly answer this question for you, and help take care of everything else.

How many drinks can a bartender serve per hour?

How Many Drinks Can A Bartender Serve In One Hour?

The average bartender can make and serve 10 to 15 drinks per hour.

But, of course, this number will vary depending on the type of drinks you're serving and the experience of your bartenders.

If you're serving simple cocktails like vodka sodas or gin and tonics, your bartenders will be able to make and serve more drinks per hour.

But if you're serving more complicated cocktails like Mai Tais or Mojitos, your bartenders will be able to make and serve fewer drinks.

To keep your bartenders and your guest happy, create a drink menu.

A drink menu will let the guest know what drinks are available, and your bartenders will know exactly what will be served at your wedding.

How much alcohol should you buy for your wedding?

How Much Alcohol Should You Buy For Your Wedding?

Now that you know how many bartenders you need and how many drinks they can make in one hour, you're probably wondering how much alcohol you should buy for your wedding.

The answer to this question depends on a few factors, including the size of your wedding, the type of bar you're having, and the drinking habits of your guests.

If you're having a small wedding with 50 guests, we recommend buying 10 to 20 bottles of liquor. If you're having a medium-sized wedding with 100 guests, we recommend buying 20 to 30 bottles of liquor. And if you're having a large wedding with 150 guests, we recommend buying 30 to 40 bottles of liquor.

Of course, these are just general guidelines. The amount of alcohol you ultimately need will depend on the factors mentioned above.

So, if you're planning a wedding with 100 guests, we recommend buying 20 to 30 bottles of liquor. This will ensure that your guests are able to drink freely throughout the night without running out of alcohol.

How To Minimize Bar Waiting Time For Guests

While having a bar at your wedding is a great way to keep your guests entertained, you don't want them to spend the entire night waiting in line for drinks.

There are a few things you can do to minimize bar waiting time for your guests.

#1. Make sure you have enough bartenders

As we mentioned above, you'll need one bartender for every 50 guests.

So, if you have 100 guests, we recommend having two bartenders. This will help to ensure that there's always someone available to make drinks.

#2 Create a drink menu in advance

This way, your bartenders will know exactly what drinks to make and won't have to waste time looking up recipes.

#3 Set up a drink station where guests can help themselves to drinks

This is a great way to cut down on bar waiting time because guests can serve themselves while the bartenders focus on making more complex drinks.

#4 Provide non-alcoholic options for guests who don't drink alcohol

This way, everyone is happy without having to wait in line for the bar.

By following these tips, you can minimize bar waiting time for your guests and ensure that everyone has a great time at your wedding.

Final Thoughts

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task. But if you take the time to plan ahead, you can ensure that your big day is everything you've ever dreamed of.

One of the most important things to consider when planning your wedding is how many bartenders you'll need.

As we mentioned above, you'll need one bartender for every 50 guests. So, if you have 100 guests, we recommend having two bartenders.

Of course, the number of bartenders you'll need will ultimately depend on the drinking habits of your guests.

But if you follow the guidelines laid out in this blog post, you should be able to determine the perfect number of bartenders for your big day.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your wedding is a night to remember for all the right reasons.

Monica Browne

Monica Browne is a highly talented and creative wedding planner and day-of coordinator. She is the owner and creative director at Monica Browne Weddings serving all couples Maryland, DC, and Virginia.