Stocking My Bar...Yikes!

DeClue82

So we will be stocking our own bar for the wedding. This is a huge task as we want our reception to be a big party. Running out of alcohol is NOT an option, and I've never done this before. Is anyone else stocking the bar? I've looked at the online drink estimaters and I don't think they are very accurate...

Second.. a FULL bar is not an option, too many varieties, and I have no idea what guests will want, so buying 5 of this and 4 of that is just too much for me to think about. We are going to do Beer (a few varieties), Wine (Red, and White), Champangne, and basic liquor choices (vodka, rum, whiskey, tequila) I just can't get anymore complex than that... is that horrible? Where I'm from originally (NY) full bar is all out top shelf madness... 

Opinions, advice?

colstj1

Beers: Coors light, mich golden light, and a dark beer would be good
Wines: White Zin, Chardonnay, Cabernet would be the three I would stick with
And I think doins like a smirnoff vodka, Captain and bacardi rums, a whisky and tequila would be just fine.

DeClue82

Well for beer we are planning on Bud light, Yuengling, and one other probably either Heinekin, or Stella. Based on what we know our guests like to drink...

I was meaning more amount of cases, how much wine...etc... I'm not sure how to estimate how much of anything...

rojacobs

Some stores allow you to retun unopened bottles of wine, so in case you get too much you can return them, might be worth looking into if you know where you are getting your wine.  

SFlvr83

We are doing beer, wine, and one cocktail (margaritas). We are estimating about 200 guests.

Since FI and I both work at a brewery we are doing 3 different kegs from our brewery, 3 cases of merlot and 2 cases of sauvignon blanc, and I found some awesomely delicious pre-mixed margaritas at Costco and bought 18 bottles of that. I am hoping this is enough alcohol but now I am second guessing and might go buy more...

TomCat2012

We are also stocking our own, and we decided to go for 4 signature cocktails something old, new, borrowed, and blue and a champagne toast. We are also doing iced tea and lemonade as non alcoholics, as well as bottled water. That gave us variety without breaking the bank.

jezabella

Ooh I love the idea of those pre-mix margaritas!  I might have to use that idea!!  Our caterer suggested 3 kinds of beer, 2 kinds of wine per colour (total of 4 wines), vokda, rum, rye (whiskey), a bottle or two of scotch (for all the old men).

I considered tequila (make you buy limes too!! lol) but knowing our friends, we thought this might be a recipe for disaster!