Plan for two drinks per guest in the first hour of your wedding, and one drink per hour after that. For a five-hour party, that adds up to six drinks per guest. Then decide what proportion of those will be cocktails: this is usually between 40 and 60 percent, depending on your guests and what else is on the menu. For 100 guests and five hours of partying, that means around 240 to 360 cocktails, plus a 10 percent margin. Below you’ll find out how to calculate that number for each part of the day, when to round up or down, and how many mocktails to serve alongside them.
In short
- Basic rule: two drinks per guest in the first hour, then one per hour. This applies to all drinks combined, not just cocktails.
- Cocktail proportion: count 40 to 60 percent of all drinks as cocktails; the rest will be wine, beer, soft drinks and sparkling wine.
- Calculate for each part of the day: daytime guests, dinner guests and evening guests each have their own pace. Calculate them separately.
- Mocktails: include at least one full-flavoured alcohol-free cocktail on the menu, so that pregnant guests, designated drivers and non-drinkers can join in.
- Margin and toast: add an extra 10 percent and make sure the toast is ready for everyone at once.
Table of contents
- The rule of thumb: two in the first hour, then one per hour
- Calculation table: how many cocktails for 100 guests?
- Calculate for each part of the day: daytime guests, dinner and evening guests
- What increases or decreases consumption
- How many mocktails to serve alongside them?
- The toast: plan for one moment, not for an hour
- Your cocktail menu: small, personal and well chosen
- Our view: plan generously and keep it simple
- Cocktails for your wedding at Cocktails by Nina
- Serving alcohol at your wedding: the rules in the Netherlands
- Frequently asked questions
- Sources
The rule of thumb: two in the first hour, then one per hour
The most commonly used planning rule for weddings is simple: two drinks per person in the first hour of the reception, then one per hour. The first hour is higher because guests are just arriving, greeting each other and immediately want something in their hand. After that, the pace slows down.
You see this pattern at almost every party. Many guests drink a little more at the beginning of the evening and drop off later, so a generous start is wiser than a generous finish.
The formula you use for this is:
drinks per guest = 2 + (number of hours − 1)
And for the total number of cocktails:
cocktails = guests × drinks per guest × cocktail proportion × 1.1
That 1.1 is your margin of 10 percent. It covers a warm evening, a speech that runs over or a table of guests who are just a little more enthusiastic than expected.
Note: the rule of thumb counts all drinks. A guest who has a cocktail on arrival, drinks two glasses of wine at dinner and then switches to beer is included in the same total. That is why the cocktail proportion is the main dial you turn.
Calculation table: how many cocktails for 100 guests?
The table below assumes 100 guests who are present for the entire duration. For 50 guests, divide by two; for 150 guests, add half again.
| Duration of the party | Drinks per guest | Total drinks | Cocktails at 40% | Cocktails at 60% | Including 10% margin (60%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 hours | 4 | 400 | 160 | 240 | 264 |
| 4 hours | 5 | 500 | 200 | 300 | 330 |
| 5 hours | 6 | 600 | 240 | 360 | 396 |
| 6 hours | 7 | 700 | 280 | 420 | 462 |
| 7 hours | 8 | 800 | 320 | 480 | 528 |
When do you choose 40 and when 60 percent? Choose the lower end if you also have an extensive wine list and draught beer, if dinner takes up a large part of the evening or if many guests are real beer drinkers. Choose the higher end if cocktails are the centrepiece of your party, if you have a cocktail bar or signature drinks as an eye-catcher, or if your guests are on average younger.
Calculate for each part of the day: daytime guests, dinner and evening guests
A Dutch wedding is rarely one five-hour block. You usually have a ceremony with a toast, an afternoon drink with daytime guests, a dinner and an evening party where evening guests join. Each part has its own pace, so calculate them separately.
A calculation example with 60 daytime guests and 60 evening guests
| Part of the day | Guests | Drinks per guest | Cocktail proportion | Cocktails |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toast after the ceremony | 60 | 1 | 100% (welcome cocktail) | 60 |
| Afternoon drink, 2 hours | 60 | 3 | 60% | 108 |
| Dinner, 2 hours | 60 | mostly wine | 0% | 0 |
| Evening party, new evening guests, 4 hours | 60 | 5 | 40% | 120 |
| Evening party, daytime guests who stay, 4 hours | 60 | 4 | 40% | 96 |
| Subtotal | 384 | |||
| With 10% margin | approximately 420 |
Why do the daytime guests get four drinks in the evening and the evening guests five? For the evening guests, the party has just begun, so their first hour counts double. The daytime guests have already been in the rhythm of one per hour for hours.
At dinner, we set the cocktail proportion to zero, because most couples serve wine then. If you want to serve an espresso martini or a digestif after dessert, add half to one cocktail per guest for that moment.
Shots at midnight
Many weddings have a second peak around midnight: the cake, the bridal dance or simply the moment the dance floor fills up. A round of shots is then an easy way to give everyone something at the same time. Count on one shot per evening guest who is still present. This is on top of your cocktail count, because a shot doesn't stop guests from having their next drink.
What increases or decreases consumption
The rule of thumb is an average. Whether your wedding ends up above or below it depends on a handful of factors.
The composition of your guests. A party with many friends in their late twenties drinks differently than a family wedding with three generations. Look at your guest list and be honest: who are the cocktail drinkers, who sticks to a beer, who doesn't drink?
Time and season. A summer garden wedding with an afternoon drink in the sun calls for more refreshing drinks than a winter wedding that starts at five o'clock. In warm weather, long, fresh cocktails run out faster.
The type of cocktail. Lighter drinks such as an Aperol Spritz run out more slowly than short, strong cocktails, because guests make them last longer. With a light spritz as the main cocktail, you can therefore plan a little more generously without consumption per guest rising sharply.
How you serve. If people are walking around with trays, more will be drunk than if guests go to a bar themselves. A queue for the bar slows down the pace, but also the atmosphere. Ready-made cocktails that you only need to pour over ice keep that queue short.
How much choice there is. With three cocktails, wine, beer and soft drinks, consumption is spread out. With one signature cocktail and only soft drinks otherwise, the cocktail proportion moves towards 70 percent or higher.
How many mocktails to serve alongside them?
Not every guest drinks alcohol, and there are often more than you think. Mocktails are ideal for guests who are pregnant, have to drive, do not drink due to their faith or consciously choose to be alcohol-free. A glass of cola during the toast feels like an afterthought to them. A real mocktail in the same glass as the cocktails does not.
For the choice: at a wedding with alcohol one good craft mocktail next to your cocktail menu is sufficient. If your entire wedding is alcohol-free, choose two special mocktails and supplement with other alcohol-free drinks.
This is how you calculate the number:
- Ask. Include a question like 'Do you drink alcohol?' or 'Are you a designated driver?' in your RSVP. Then you will know the number instead of estimating it.
- Apply the same rule of thumb. A guest who does not drink alcohol still drinks. Count on two for them in the first hour and then one per hour.
- Take a larger proportion. Those who do not drink alcohol choose beer or wine less often. Count on 60 to 80 percent mocktails for this group and soft drinks or water for the rest.
- Count designated drivers separately. Guests who have to drive often drink a cocktail in the first few hours and switch later. For them, a mocktail in the second half of the evening is exactly what you are looking for.
Guests who do drink also like to have something alcohol-free in between. A mocktail that looks just as festive as the cocktails is therefore often drunk more than you expect. In our guide on the mix of cocktails and mocktails you will find combinations that fit together on one menu.
The toast: plan for one moment, not for an hour
The toast is the moment when the rule of thumb does not work for a while. Then everyone wants a glass at the same time, within a few minutes. So it is not about how much you have in stock, but about how much you can hand out at the same time.
Three things make that moment go smoothly:
- Prepare in advance. Pour the toast drink before the bride and groom come out, so that the glasses are already on trays.
- Choose one drink for the toast. One welcome cocktail plus an alcohol-free variant in the same glass works faster than a full bar.
- Make sure there are enough hands. Count on one person walking around per 25 to 30 guests, or make a table where guests can pick up a glass themselves.
For larger groups, it helps to work in batches instead of mixing per glass. How to do that, you can read in our article on cocktails for large groups.
Your cocktail menu: small, personal and well chosen
With more choice, guests do not drink more, but the bar does become slower. Three cocktails is the maximum for most weddings: a welcome cocktail or sparkling wine, a fresh long drink and a mocktail. If you want more variety, change the menu per part of the day instead of offering everything at once.
Signature cocktails make it personal. Think of a drink that refers back to your first date, the city where you met each other or the flowers in your bouquet. Those looking for inspiration in local flavors will find beautiful ideas in signature drinks from Bruges, from local gin to special flavor combinations. More ways to match your drinks to your theme are in our piece on custom theme cocktails.
If you want to put together the menu per moment and per type of guest, our explanation on putting together a cocktail catering menu will help. And if you want to know how much cocktail catering for a wedding costs, our overview of the costs of cocktail catering at your wedding lists the items.
Our view: plan generously and keep it simple
After many parties we always see the same thing: the couple that calculates exactly how much is needed is rarely left empty-handed. The couple that 'just sees how it goes' is standing in line at the bar at half past ten.
That is why we give everyone the same advice. Calculate for each part of the day, add the margin and choose a small menu of cocktails that your guests immediately recognize. We make our cocktails and mocktails with premium ingredients and spirits, so that they are bar-quality and ready to serve immediately. You do not have to measure or shake anything on the day itself: pour over ice and you are done.
That saves more than time. Those who do not have to mix can have all the glasses ready at the same time for the toast and are not dependent on one bartender who determines the pace. And those who serve a mocktail that is just as beautiful as the cocktails ensure that every guest counts.
Are you torn between two numbers? Choose the higher one. You only celebrate a wedding once.
Ruud
Cocktails for your wedding at Cocktails by Nina
At Cocktails by Nina, you can order ready-made bar-quality cocktails and mocktails, made with premium ingredients and ready to serve. For the midnight peak, we offer a shot package, and for presentation, we offer glassware and cocktail accessories.
We offer free shipping on orders over €75, and in Amsterdam, you can pick up your order directly. If you would prefer to leave your wedding entirely in our hands, we can help with custom options and provide cocktail catering for your event. A nice extra for party favors or as a gift for the newlyweds is our cocktail boxes.
Serving alcohol at your wedding: the rules in the Netherlands
If you are getting married at a venue with a hospitality license, you usually do not need to worry about permits: the venue takes care of that. If you are getting married at home, in a garden, or in a barn, it is good to know the rules.
A private party on private property. For example, the municipality of 's-Hertogenbosch states that a private party such as a wedding on private property does not require an event permit or notification. The rules vary by municipality, so check your municipality's website.
Selling alcohol without a license. If you want to temporarily sell or serve alcohol at a location without an alcohol license, for example with a paid bar, you can apply for an exemption from the Alcohol Act with the municipality. This only applies to weak alcoholic beverages with less than 15 percent alcohol, and sometimes you also need an event permit. Municipalities such as Westerkwartier expressly mention a wedding as an example of such an exceptional occasion.
Apply in time. Lelystad requires that the exemption be requested at least three weeks in advance, with a manager who is at least 21 years old, for a maximum of 12 consecutive days. The exemption comes with a price: in Assen, the rate in 2026 is €187.15. Check your own municipality's page for the timeframe and rate.
Always valid. Alcohol may not be sold to young people under the age of 18 or served to anyone who is visibly drunk. If teenagers attend your wedding, agree with the people behind the bar who can receive what, and give those teenagers a mocktail that looks just as festive. Also agree how your guests will get home safely at the end of the evening, for example with designated drivers or a taxi arrangement.
Frequently asked questions
How many cocktails per person should you calculate for a four-hour evening party?
Calculate five drinks per guest: two in the first hour and one per hour after that. If about half of those are cocktails, you will need two to three cocktails per guest. Add a 10 percent margin to that.
How many cocktails do you need for 50 guests?
At a five-hour party, 50 guests will drink approximately 300 drinks in total. With a cocktail share of 40 to 60 percent, that is 120 to 180 cocktails, or 132 to 198 with a margin. If evening guests are added, calculate them as a separate block.
Should I calculate one welcome cocktail per guest?
Yes, calculate one per guest who is present for the toast, and an alcohol-free version for those who do not drink alcohol. A Belgian wedding guide even recommends at least two glasses per person for the aperitif cocktail with the snacks. After the toast, the usual rule of thumb applies again.
How many types of cocktails should I put on the menu?
Two to three is enough: a welcome cocktail, a refreshing long drink, and a mocktail. With more choice, guests will not drink more, but the bar will become slower. You can provide variety by choosing a different menu for each part of the day.
Sources
Prezola: 25 top signature wedding cocktails Cocktailnieuws: How many cocktails per person? Trouwen.nl: Mocktail bar at your wedding The Knot: Wedding mocktail ideas Municipality of 's-Hertogenbosch: Event permit or notification Ondernemersplein: Selling and serving alcohol Municipality of Westerkwartier: Temporary alcohol serving exemption Municipality of Lelystad: Alcohol Act, Article 35 exemption Municipality of Assen: Alcohol Act Article 35 exemption Dutch Government: Limiting alcohol-related harm Huwelijk.be: How much alcohol for a wedding?
