Event calculators

Each tool runs in your browser, shows its formulas under the result and is tested against fixed cases before every release. Wage-based tools use Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Tools

Count it before you buy it.

Wedding Alcohol Calculator

Work out bottles of wine, cans or kegs of beer and bottles of liquor for your guest count and bar hours, with a budget at your bottle price.

How it works: Drinks = guests × % who drink × (hours + 1); Wine bottles = drinks × wine share ÷ 5 glasses

Bartender Cost Calculator by Metro (BLS Wages)

How many bartenders your guest count needs and their wage cost for your event length, using BLS median bartender pay for your metro area.

How it works: Bartenders = guests ÷ 75, rounded up; Wage cost = bartenders × metro median hourly wage × hours × 1.35

Open Bar vs Cash Bar Cost Calculator

Compare what an open bar costs the host with what guests would spend at a cash bar, using your guest count, hours and drink prices.

How it works: Drinks = guests × % who drink × (hours + 1); Open bar = drinks × your cost per drink

Wedding Budget Calculator

Split a wedding budget into categories with percentages you control, and see your spend per guest. The starting split is an example, not survey data.

How it works: Per guest = total budget ÷ guests; Category amount = budget × category % ÷ sum of all %

Catering Cost Calculator

Turn a caterer's per-person quote into a full total with service charge and sales tax, and see how many servers each service style needs.

How it works: Total = guests × price per person × (1 + service %) × (1 + tax %); Servers = guests ÷ 25 (buffet), ÷ 20 (family style), ÷ 12 (plated), rounded up

Venue Capacity Calculator

Estimate how many guests a room holds for standing, cocktail, theater, banquet or classroom layouts from its size in feet.

How it works: Usable area = length × width − reserved space; Capacity = usable area ÷ sq ft per guest, rounded down

Champagne Toast Calculator

How many bottles of champagne or sparkling wine you need for a toast, at six 4-ounce flutes per 750 ml bottle.

How it works: Flutes = guests × % taking a glass, rounded up; Bottles = flutes ÷ 6, rounded up

Ice Calculator for Parties

Pounds, kilograms and 20 lb bags of ice for your party by guest count, hours and weather, plus extra for chilling bottles in tubs.

How it works: Base = 1 lb per guest for 3 hours (2 lb in hot weather); Longer events = +25% for each hour past 3

Batch Cocktail Calculator

Scale a one-drink cocktail recipe to any number of servings, with water for dilution and the number of 750 ml spirit bottles to buy.

How it works: Each ingredient = oz per drink × servings; Water = (sum of ingredients) × dilution %

Wine Calculator

Bottles of wine for your guest count and hours, split into red and white, at five 5-ounce glasses per 750 ml bottle.

How it works: Drinks = guests × % who drink × (hours + 1); Wine glasses = drinks × wine share

Beer Keg Calculator

Beers needed for your party and the number of half, quarter or sixth barrel kegs or 24-can cases to cover it.

How it works: Drinks = guests × % who drink × (hours + 1); Beers = drinks × beer share

Wedding Flower Cost Calculator

Total your wedding flower quote: centerpieces, bouquets, boutonnieres and ceremony pieces, plus the florist's service fee and sales tax.

How it works: Subtotal = tables × centerpiece + bouquets × price + boutonnieres × price + ceremony; Total = subtotal × (1 + fee %) × (1 + tax %)

Event Staff Calculator

How many servers and bartenders your event needs by service style, and their wage cost at BLS median pay, labor only.

How it works: Servers = guests ÷ 25 (buffet), ÷ 20 (family style), ÷ 12 (plated), rounded up; Bartenders = guests ÷ 75, rounded up, if there is a bar

Wedding Guest List Cost Calculator

How many wedding guests your budget allows after fixed costs, and what your planned guest list will cost at your per-guest price.

How it works: Guests covered = (budget − fixed costs) ÷ cost per guest, rounded down; List cost = fixed costs + guests × cost per guest

Event Liquor Permit Checker by State

Pick a state and the type of event to see the state's event alcohol permit, its fee and filing time, and what the agency says about private events.

How it works: Data = the main event permit row for each state, from the state agency or statute; Private, free drinks = shows the agency's own statement when we have one

Before you serve

Rules that come with the bar.

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