NCEP: Need Party Help (beverages and glassware)

[nomad100]

We are hosting my parent's 50th anniversary party in 2 weeks.  

I am trying to figure out the glassware situation and the beverage situation.

Right now we have 45 confirmed attendees with 17 outstanding RSVPs.  I figure maybe half of those 17 will attend for a 53 headcount.  
Beverage list (most people are wine drinkers so keep that in mind)
30 bottles of wine (we are a wine people)
a case of Pelligrino
2-liters of Diet Coke and Diet 7 Up
Juices (OJ, cranberry, etc)
24 bottles of craft beer
6 bottle of cider (mainly for me)

Glassware (we are renting since I don't have this many glasses)
12 highballs
20 beer glasses (can also be used for waters and spritzers)
40 wine (or should I get one wine glass for every person?)

What do you think?  Or am I totally off in my calculations?

[Cicero]

How long is this going to last? Are you expecting people to show up with bottles of alcohol? My gut is telling me you'll need more wine.

[nomad100]

Cicero It is an open house from 6-10. I am sure people will show up with wine but don't want to count on it.

So 1/2 bottle of wine per person isn't enough? I don't drink much so am really bad at this part of party planning.

[Deleted]

Can you return unopened bottles? Some stores here allow that. If so, more of everything:)

I would guess an open house you have less drinking unless your folks are part of a real party crowd.

[nomad100]

Sept 15, 2015 16:12:14 GMT -5 @kcpokergal said:

Can you return unopened bottles? Some stores here allow that. If so, more of everything:)

I would guess an open house you have less drinking unless your folks are part of a real party crowd.

I think I need more wine.  This is a group that likes their wine.  And any leftovers will just be sent home with Mom and Dad since they like their wine.

[Cicero]

I should have prefaced my response with the disclaimer that we like to indulge. However, I would also assume that at an open house type event you're probably safe counting on people to bring stuff with them.

[shopgirl07]

If you anticipate most people drinking wine, I would definitely get more. I don't know if you need a bottle per person, but more than 30.

I would also rent more glasses. Often times, people will set their glass somewhere and forget it so they grab another glass.

[greeneyedgirl]

If you're renting I would have at least one glass per person. Some people may switch from wine to beer. When you call to order, the rental company should be able to talk you through it with an estimate.

I would also add more wine. Generally a bottle has four healthy pours/glasses so with 30 bottles you have around 120 glasses of wine for 53 people.

[sushi]

More wine more glasses.

Wherever you rent from should give you a good estimate.

I know that when I've had small parties I average about 3 glasses per person

[ECB]

I would definitely get more glasses all around.  As said, people put glasses down and forget them.  or if they're drinking wine but want some water, they need a 2nd glass. 

While it's a big wine drinking crowd, I would still get more than one case of beer.  

[msmerymac]

More wine, more glasses. Honestly, more beer. Just buy 2 large cases.

I'd do 1.5 wine glasses per person and 1 beer glass per person (to use for water as well).

[alleinesein]

Sept 16, 2015 11:13:13 GMT -5 whattheheck said:

2 bottles of diet soda for 53 people? More soda and some non-diet options.

Ditto!  You need more non alcoholic options- Iced tea, lemonade, coffee, etc.  And you need more glasses for stuff like water.  If you do coffee you will also need coffee mugs.  Unless you know that every single invitee is a diet soda drinker I would get some non diet options.  As someone who is typically the DD there is nothing worse than being stuck drinking water all night because the non alcoholic options are limited.

It would also be a very good idea to have a package of disposable plastic cups in case you do end up with a shortage of glasses.  

[Pom]

Definitely more wine and wine glasses: I'd rent a min. of 5 up to 6 dozen-wine glasses. From my catering experience, people will reuse their ice and rocks glasses, wine not so much. Beer, not as much of a worry although I'd get more beer. I'd offer additional n/a options. Will you have coffee service (due to age of guests? and drivers)? I agree with have extra nice plastics just in case.

[downtoearth]

It seems good, but I'm a beer person and so I'd double or triple the beer. One person could easily drink 3-4 beers in 4 hours and so that would put you with only 6 people drinking beer.

I always err on the side of too much.

Oh and if you get buckets of ice/coolers and fill those and put waters, sodas, and spritzers in there then people don't need glasses.