What belongs on a wedding alcohol and drinks shopping list?

List only categories that guests can actually order. If the wedding offers beer, wine, sparkling wine, and alcohol-free drinks, do not add spirits simply because a generic checklist mentions them. If two signature cocktails are planned, decide whether they replace part of the wine or beer offer. Every added category divides demand and creates another package, storage, and service task.

Keep the wedding schedule beside the list, but do not expect the calculator to assign quantities to reception, dinner, and dancing. Brorano uses one event duration and one overall selection. Mark manual restrictions such as sparkling wine for the toast only, wine at dinner only, or cocktails after a certain time so the service team understands how the stock is intended to be used.

Beer servings convert directly into 330 ml bottles or cans in Brorano’s generic list. Wine uses five 150 ml servings per 750 ml bottle, and sparkling wine uses a practical seven-pour yield. Long-drink and cocktail categories convert into generic 700 ml spirit bottles plus mixer litres. These are planning packages, not named products or supplier SKUs.

Round only after category totals are known. Rounding every ingredient at every intermediate step exaggerates the reserve. Check the package sizes available from your supplier and adjust the generic conversion. Where unopened returns are allowed, keep returnable stock sealed and separate. Do not assume a retailer accepts alcohol returns; rules vary by seller and location.

Water, soft drinks, and juices are not a single backup crate. They serve children, drivers, non-drinkers, and drinking guests who hydrate between alcoholic drinks. Brorano estimates the combined alcohol-free category and converts it into litres, with a more detailed generic split available in the complete plan. You still choose exact products, still versus sparkling water, sugar-free options, and less-sweet or aperitif-style alternatives.

Weather can make this section the largest part of the list. Check chilled capacity instead of buying only shelf-stable volume. Clearly separate alcohol-free beer, wine alternatives, and mocktails from alcoholic versions at the bar. The calculator does not choose those products or test allergen and ingredient requirements, so confirm labels with the venue and guests where necessary.

Brorano estimates ice used in glasses with a melt reserve. Add bottle-cooling ice separately if the venue uses tubs, outdoor stations, or transport coolers. Also add any manual bar supplies required by the chosen recipes and service setup. Glassware, tools, napkins, straws, refrigeration, waste containers, and cleaning supplies are operational items, not part of the beverage estimate.

Before ordering, attach the assumptions to the list: guest count, duration, children, non-drinkers, weather, behavior, service style, and selected categories. Record who confirms final attendance, who receives delivery, and who checks stock on arrival. A shopping list is reliable only when the quantities, assumptions, and responsibilities stay together.