Wedding Drinks Packages and Corkage Explained

Corkage is the fee a venue charges when you bring your own drinks, usually wine, beer, or spirits, instead of buying them from the venue's own bar. You pay the venue a set amount per bottle or per guest, and they serve the drinks to your guests, provide the glassware, and sometimes chill or pour the wine. In the UK, corkage is common at venues that allow outside drinks, but not all venues offer it. Some venues have a no corkage policy, meaning you cannot bring any drinks in, and you must use their bar or drinks packages. Always ask about corkage before you book, because it can affect your overall drinks budget significantly. If you are having a religious ceremony, the rules about alcohol on the premises may also apply, so check with the venue or place of worship.

Corkage fees vary widely across the UK, and there is no standard price. Venues in cities and popular wedding areas often charge more than rural venues. The fee is usually per bottle, and it can be higher for champagne or wine than for beer or soft drinks. Some venues charge a flat rate per guest for unlimited corkage, while others charge per bottle opened. You should always ask for a written quote that includes corkage, service, and VAT, and confirm whether the fee covers glassware, chilling, and pouring. If you are comparing venues, ask for their corkage policy in writing and check whether they allow you to bring your own drinks at all. A venue with no corkage may have a cheaper package price, but you lose the flexibility to buy your own drinks from a shop or wholesaler. Remember that you cannot bring your own drinks to a venue that does not allow it, so always check the contract before you sign.

No corkage venues are places that do not allow you to bring your own alcoholic drinks, so you must use their bar or drinks packages. This is common at hotels, country houses, and purpose-built wedding venues that have an in-house bar. The advantage is that you do not have to organise drinks delivery or worry about corkage fees, and the venue handles everything. The downside is that you may pay more per drink than if you bought your own, and you have less choice. Some venues offer a no corkage policy but allow you to bring your own wine for the toasting drink or the wedding breakfast, while others have a complete ban. When you view a venue, ask directly: "Do you allow any outside drinks?" If they say no, ask to see their drinks packages and price list. If you have a favourite wine or a special family drink, you may need to choose a venue that allows corkage. Always read the contract carefully, because some venues charge a corkage fee only for certain types of drink, such as champagne, while allowing free corkage for wine bought from their own list.

Most UK venues offer two main ways to pay for drinks: a drinks package or pay by consumption. A drinks package is a fixed price per guest, and the venue provides a set amount of drinks, usually for a set time, such as the reception or the wedding breakfast. Packages often include a welcome drink, wine with the meal, and a toast drink, and sometimes a limited bar for the evening. Pay by consumption means you pay for exactly what your guests drink, based on the bar prices. You may open a tab behind the bar, or guests buy their own drinks. Pay by consumption can be cheaper if your guests do not drink much, but it can be unpredictable. A package gives you a clear cost per head, which helps with budgeting. Some venues offer a hybrid: a package for the meal and a pay as you go bar for the evening. Ask the venue for a sample bar price list and a sample package menu, and compare the cost for your estimated number of guests. Remember that a drinks package usually includes soft drinks, but check whether it includes tea and coffee after the meal.

There is no fixed rule for how many drinks each guest will have, but a common approach is to plan for one drink per guest per hour for the first two hours, then fewer as the evening goes on. For a wedding breakfast, you might plan for half a bottle of wine per person, plus a glass of fizz for the toast. For an evening reception, plan for two to three drinks per person over three to four hours. These are rough guides, not guarantees. Consider your guest list: a daytime wedding with older relatives may need fewer drinks, while a late-night party with friends may need more. If you are having a cash bar, guests will pace themselves, but if you are paying by consumption, you may want to set a spending limit with the venue. For a drinks package, the venue will tell you what is included, and you can add extra drinks if needed. Always overestimate slightly for a hot day, because guests drink more in warm weather. And remember, you can always ask the venue for advice based on their experience with similar weddings.

The wedding breakfast is the main meal after the ceremony, and the cost per head depends on the menu and the venue. A typical UK wedding breakfast is a three course meal: a starter, a main, and a dessert. Common mains include chicken, beef, salmon, or a vegetarian option like mushroom risotto or vegetable tart. For a budget friendly menu, choose dishes with cheaper ingredients, such as pasta, curry, or a sharing board. Many venues offer a set menu with two or three choices per course, and you can often reduce cost by choosing a two course meal or a buffet. Vegetarian menus can be delicious and cost effective, such as a roasted vegetable lasagne, a halloumi burger, or a chickpea and spinach curry. Indian wedding breakfast ideas include a thali, a biryani, or a selection of curries with naan and rice. For a budget reception, consider a street food station, a hog roast, or a fish and chip van. Always ask the venue if they can adapt their menu to your budget, and check whether the price includes tea and coffee after the meal. Remember that a wedding breakfast is usually served seated, while a reception can be more informal, so you can mix a formal meal with a casual evening buffet.

Before you book a venue or sign a drinks contract, ask for a full written breakdown of costs. Check whether the price includes VAT and a service charge, and whether there is a minimum spend. Ask what happens if fewer guests attend than you planned, because some venues charge for a minimum number of drinks. Confirm the bar opening times and whether the bar closes during the meal. Ask if you can supply your own drinks for a special toast, and if so, what the corkage fee is. Check whether the venue allows you to take home unopened bottles if you pay by consumption. For a drinks package, ask what happens if you do not use all the included drinks, and whether you can upgrade or downgrade the package. If you are having a civil ceremony, remember that the registrar cannot be present during the drinks reception, so plan the timing carefully. And always read the contract in full, and ask the venue to explain anything you do not understand. It is your day, and you should feel confident about what you are paying for.