How much alcohol do we need??

First, find a location that lets you return un-opened bottles.

Next, if someone has offered to throw you a shower, maybe hint to them that you would like a "stock the bar" shower.

Last... here are some calculators and lists you can check out.

www.thatsthespirit.com/en/drinks/party_calculator.asp

Estimate the total bill for the alcohol

http://thesavvyevent.blogspot.com/2009/02/free-drink-calculator-for-your-next.html

estimate for how much beer/wine you will need

www.weddingannouncer.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-8638.html

sample shopping list for 100 people

How Many Drinks??? - figured for a 3 to 3 1/2-hour party - adjust as needed

www.greatpartyrecipes.com/how_to_stock_a_bar.html

Thanks ladies...a lot of our guests are more of beer or wine drinkers I think and there will be an estimated 20 children at the wedding. I will check out those links, thanks

We are supplying the alcohol...the venue requires us to use their bartenders if alcohol is being consumed.

We have to provide our own alcohol and cannot charge for it, not that I would anyway, but anyhow.....my FH and I decided to just do beer and wine. We are buying two cases of wine (24 bottles) and 40 cases of beer (I like canned beer better than bottles or keg and we bought cute can huggies for the wedding as favors). We are getting married in Louisville, KY the weekend before Derby and Derby is a huge party around here, so to bring in that theme and because my wedding colors are black, fuschia, and white, I am making a 5 gallon container of the "Oaks Signature Drink" which is called the Lily and it is bright pink! Once that is gone, it is gone but we are expecting about 150 people at our reception, and I feel like once this alcohol is gone it is gone. I will have my own stash of my favorite beer and so will my hubby. And we have also let guests know that they bring something they prefer and give it to the bartender we are providing and he will be more than happy to pour it!

Also, you have to consider how long your reception is going to last, ours will actually only be for about 3 1/2 hours at the most, from about 6 until 9:30 and not everyone coming to our wedding drinks. Both my hubby (future) and myself socially drink, so anything we don't serve at the wedding will be more than welcome in our house, so leftovers are not a problem for us! Another reason for canned beer as well

I am glad you asked this question. I have been trying to figure this out for my own reception. We are providing the alcohol, and our caterer is providing bar tenders. What we are going to do (since I want hard liquor) is pick 3 cocktails and 3 shots probably and stock up on the stuff for that (not sure how much we will need though), and then have beer. Then we will make a cocktail menu so people can see what their choices are. My FH is a jack and coke kind of person, while I'm a sex-on-the-beach kind of girl so our selection will include both strong and fruity drinks. I think that should satisfy everyone who wants do drink.

The company my sis is using for her DJ & photobooth also does bartending. Here is a link to a pdf brochure they had on their website. Page 3 has great suggestions for how much of what you will need per 100 people.

http://www.blacktieproductions.com/_brochures/pdfs/Bartending_Wedding_Brochure.pdf

Thank you @Dragonfly726 that brochure was awesome.