How much wine to provide for a wedding? The complete guide

How much wine to plan for a wedding? The complete guide For a wedding, count on an average of between 0.5 and 0.75 liters of wine per adult per hour of the meal, which is about one bottle per person for dinner. For the appetizer, add 1 to 2 glasses per guest. With 100 guests, plan for between 100 and 120 bottles, always with a 10% safety margin. The basic rule: calculate by stage of the evening We don't drink the same way during the appetizer, the meal, and the dance party. To avoid bad surprises — and midnight runs to the corner store — we distinguish between three moments in a wedding. The appetizer usually lasts 1.5 to 2 hours. Count 2 to 3 glasses of wine per person, or about 0.4 to 0.5 liters. Opt for bubbles or fresh whites: light, easy to drink, and festive. The meal is the heart of consumption. Count 0.5 to 0.75 liters per adult, all colors combined. Depending on your menu, you will serve white with starters and fish, red with meats, and perhaps a rosé or an orange wine as a continuous thread. The party varies greatly from one wedding to another. If you serve wine after dinner, plan for 1 to 2 additional glasses per person. Many guests switch to hard liquor or soft drinks after midnight — keep this in mind. Table of quantities according to the number of guests Here are the quantities of wine to plan by guest bracket, appetizer and meal included. 50 guests: about 40 to 50 bottles (or 4 to 5 10L BIBs / 8 5L BIBs) 80 guests: about 65 to 80 bottles (or 7 to 8 10L BIBs / 13 5L BIBs) 100 guests: about 80 to 100 bottles (or 8 to 10 10L BIBs / 16 5L BIBs) 150 guests: about 120 to 150 bottles (or 12 to 15 10L BIBs / 24 5L BIBs) Always add a margin of 10 to 15% — it is better to have too much than to run out at dessert. Leftovers are easily drunk or kept, especially in BIB. What distribution between colors? There is no absolute rule, but a general trend that works well for a wedding in France: For a wedding of 100 people with a sit-down dinner, a reasonable distribution would be: 30% white (for starters, fish, vegetables), 50% red (for meats and cheeses), and 20% rosé or orange (for fans and for the duration of the meal). Adapt according to the season — a summer wedding in Provence will call for more rosé and white. For the choice of grape varieties and pairings, our guide wedding food and wine pairings by type of menu gives you all the details. BIB or bottle for a wedding? The BIB changes the game for large quantities. A 5L BIB is equivalent to 6.5 bottles — but it is much easier to store, transport, and serve. No chain uncorking, no empty bottles piling up, no waste if a particular vintage isn't popular. And above all: wine opened in a BIB stays intact. If the meal is delayed or the evening drags on, there is no risk of oxidation. To compare everything, read our article BIB or bottle for a wedding: the real comparison. For eco-responsible weddings, the BIB also significantly reduces the carbon footprint — we discuss this in our article BIB vs bottle: the real carbon footprint. Also think about non-drinkers and soft drinks On average, 15 to 20% of wedding guests do not drink alcohol or drink very little. Think about soft drinks, fruit juices, sparkling waters, mocktails. Providing quality alternatives is also a sign of thoughtfulness for your guests. Classic mistakes to avoid Underestimating consumption at the appetizer is the first mistake — guests often arrive with an appetite and good humor, and the glasses go quickly. Not planning enough red is another: meats often arrive late in the meal and consumption picks up again. Never open everything at the same time: start by opening the first few bottles (or plugging in the first BIBs) and observe consumption. This will give you a clear view of your actual rhythm before making everything available. And for organic wedding wine? Choosing an organic or natural wine for your wedding is also a choice of values that your guests appreciate more and more. Our complete guide on organic wedding wine explains why and how to choose well. An eco-responsible wedding starts at the table. For a quote or a volume order, contact us via our Pro Access area — we regularly support weddings of 80 to 300 people. Frequently asked questions about wine quantities for a wedding How many bottles of wine for 100 people at a wedding? For 100 guests, plan for between 80 and 100 bottles to cover the appetizer and the meal, plus a margin of 10 to 15%. If you use BIBs, count about 16 to 20 5L BIBs. How much wine for a wedding appetizer? Count 2 to 3 glasses per person for a 1.5 to 2-hour appetizer, or about 0.4 to 0.5 liters per adult guest. How to choose wine for an eco-responsible wedding? Opt for certified organic or natural wines, packaged in BIB to reduce the carbon footprint (less glass, less transport). Also discover our tips on eco-responsible weddings. Read also: Organic wedding wine: why and how to choose well Wedding food and wine pairings: the guide by menu type BIB or bottle for a wedding: the real comparison Eco-responsible wedding: 10 ideas for a meaningful celebration BIB vs bottle: the real carbon footprint