How many stubby coolers do you actually need for a wedding?

It's one of the first questions we get after "can you do our design?" — and it's a fair one, because the answer isn't just your guest count. There are a few layers to it, and getting it wrong in either direction costs you money or creates a last-minute panic.

Here's how we think through it with every couple that comes to us.

Start with your guest count — but don't stop there

The obvious starting point is how many guests are coming to the reception. If you have 80 guests, you need at least 80 coolers. But weddings aren't quite that clean. Here's what actually needs a cooler:

• Every adult guest at the reception — yes, even the ones who "won't drink." A personalised stubby cooler is a keepsake, not just drinkware.
• The bridal party — often ordered as a matching set, sometimes with a different design. Count these separately if you want them personalised differently (e.g., "Best Man" or individual names).
• The couple's own set — a lot of couples want their own personalised pair to keep. Don't forget to count yourselves.
• Spares — things get lost, dropped, left in cars. Budget a buffer.
• Gifts for family or suppliers — celebrant, photographer, florist. Optional, but a lovely touch if you want to add a few.

The quick formula

In practice, most couples end up ordering 10–15% more than their bare guest count once they factor everything in. That's normal and smart. A few extras cost a lot less than a rushed reorder.

Quick reference by wedding size

Should the bridal party have a different design?

Completely up to you — and we do it both ways regularly. Some couples keep it uniform (same design for everyone, just different quantities), others want a custom set for the wedding party with individual names or roles printed on them.

If you're doing two designs, just flag that when you enquire. It's easy to split a single order across two print files — we do it on the same run so there's no extra setup cost beyond the second proof approval.

What about kids?

Stubby coolers are adult-sized (375mL can holders) so they're not really appropriate as kids' favours. If you have a significant number of children at your reception, they're typically not counted in the cooler order — their parents usually pocket the keepsake for them, or they receive something else entirely.

How far in advance should you order?

Our standard turnaround is 5–7 business days from proof approval, plus shipping. For most metro Australian addresses that's another 2–3 days. So you want to lock in your order at least 2–3 weeks before the wedding — more if you're in a regional area or if it's peak wedding season (October–March in QLD).

If you're cutting it close, get in touch and we'll tell you honestly whether we can make it happen. We'd rather give you a straight answer than scramble and deliver something that isn't right.

Can I reorder if I miscalculate?

Yes — but we'd strongly encourage getting it right first time. Reorders use the same print file, so the design will match exactly. The issue is timing and minimum quantities: each run has a 20-cooler minimum, and a second run close to your wedding date carries risk. Order with a buffer and you won't need to think about it again.