How many glasses do I need for an event?
By Kirsty Cook, Govino SA · Updated · 2 min read
Short answer: A simple rule: 1 glass per guest per drink type if guests keep their glass, or 1.5–2 per guest if glasses are cleared and not washed during the event. Add 5–10% spare. With reusable Govino glasses and a wash station or dishwasher, you can run a 200-person event on about 250 glasses.
Quick calculator
| Event style | Glasses per guest | 200 guests |
|---|---|---|
| Guests keep one glass all event | 1 + 10% spare | 220 |
| Two drink types (e.g. bubbles toast + wine) | 2 + 10% spare | 440 |
| Glasses cleared, washed during event | 1.25 | 250 |
| Glasses cleared, not washed | 2 | 400 |
Which shapes should I order?
- Wine-led event: mostly Govino Shatterproof Wine, plus Govino Shatterproof Flute if there's a toast
- Beer and cocktail bar: Govino Shatterproof Can and Govino Shatterproof Rocks
- Mixed crowd: roughly 50% Wine, 30% Can, 20% Rocks or Flute
Buying vs hiring
If you'll host more than a couple of events, owning reusable glasses is usually cheaper than hiring or buying disposables each time (see the maths). Retail per-glass prices drop at 4, 6, 8 and 12 glasses. From a full case (72 Wine or Flute, 48 Can or Rocks), wholesale pricing applies: Wine from R80 a glass, R68 from 5 cases (full price guide).
Ordering for an event? Wholesale pricing starts at R80 a glass by the case (minimum order R2,000). Download the wholesale catalog (PDF) or contact our wholesale and events team.
Quick answers
How many wine glasses do I need per guest?
One if guests keep their glass, two if glasses are collected and not washed during the event, plus 5–10% spare.
How many glasses for 100 guests?
About 110 if guests keep one glass; about 200 if glasses are cleared and not rewashed.