Know which questions to ask your venue about corkage fees so you can compare quotes accurately and avoid surprise charges on your bar bill.
Corkage fee wedding: the short answer
A corkage fee is a charge a venue imposes for allowing you to bring your own wine, beer, or spirits instead of using their in-house bar package. You need to ask whether the fee is per bottle, per guest, or per hour, and whether it covers glassware, chilling, and pouring service. The exact amount is listed in your venue quote, not in a general guide. Compare this line item with what the venue's own bar package would cost to see which option fits your budget and guest experience.
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The decisions this settles
Know which questions to ask your venue about corkage fees so you can compare quotes accurately and avoid surprise charges on your bar bill.
Questions to answer before you commit
- Is the corkage fee charged per bottle, per person, or per hour, and does it apply to all types of alcohol or only wine?
- Does the corkage fee include ice, glassware, napkins, and a server to open and pour, or are those additional line items?
- What is the venue's policy on unopened bottles — can you take them home or are they forfeited?
- Is there a limit on the number of bottles you can bring, and do you need to provide a list of labels in advance for approval?
- Does the venue require you to use their own sommelier or bartender to handle your bottles, and if so, is that service included in the corkage fee or billed separately?
What each choice changes
| What to compare | What to ask for | The decision it changes |
|---|---|---|
| Fee structure | Request a written breakdown of the corkage fee: per bottle or per guest, and whether it varies by alcohol type (wine vs. spirits). | Determines whether you save by bringing your own versus using the venue's bar package for specific categories. |
| Included services | Ask if the fee covers glassware, ice, chilling, pouring, and cleanup, or if those are separate charges. | Affects the true cost comparison; missing services may shift the choice to the venue's package. |
| Bottle consumption policy | Clarify what happens to unopened bottles after the event: can you retrieve them, or are they considered property of the venue? | Impacts potential waste loss and the actual cost per bottle consumed if you cannot reclaim leftovers. |
| Advance approval requirements | Check if the venue requires you to submit labels, vintage, and quantities for pre-approval, and if they restrict certain brands or sizes. | Restrictions may limit your ability to bring cost-effective or sentimental selections, steering you toward the venue's list. |
| Service staffing | Ask whether the venue mandates their own staff to open and serve your bottles, and if that staffing cost is separate from the corkage fee. | Additional staffing fees can erase savings from BYO; you need the full service cost to compare fairly. |
Run the numbers: a corkage fee wedding example
Two quotes at the same guest count, with one unknown still open
- Price both quotes at the same 120 guests.
- Quote A totals $19,300.80 with every line priced.
- Quote B totals $18,093.60 so far, but staffing has no amount yet.
- Quote B looks cheaper only because an unpriced line is missing from its column, not because it costs less.
- Per guest that is $160.84 against $150.78 — and the second number will move.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Quote A known total | $19,300.80 |
| Quote B known total | $18,093.60 |
| Quote A per guest | $160.84 |
| Quote B per guest | $150.78 |
Where this usually goes wrong
None of these are exotic. They are the ordinary ways this decision goes wrong, and each one is caught by asking a single extra question.
Watch for
- Assuming the corkage fee covers all service: many venues charge extra for glassware, ice, and a dedicated bartender, turning a low per-bottle fee into a high total.
- Forgetting to account for wine consumed by the wedding party during pre-ceremony prep: corkage fees often apply to every bottle opened, not just those served to guests.
- Neglecting to get pre-approval on labels: a venue may reject your bottles at the door, forcing you to either pay a higher substitute fee or switch to their package last minute.
Your corkage fee wedding checklist
Your corkage fee wedding checklist
- Read the full venue contract for the corkage fee clause, noting any minimum purchase or consumption requirements.
- Get the per-bottle or per-person fee in writing, along with a list of all inclusive services (glassware, ice, pouring).
- Ask your venue for a sample list of bottles they approve and any restrictions on labels, vintages, or bottle sizes.
- Calculate the total estimated corkage cost using your guest count and planned bottles per table, then compare to the venue's own bar package quote.
- Request a timeline for when you must deliver your bottles to the venue and how they will be stored before the event.
- Confirm in writing whether unopened bottles will be returned to you after the reception.
Questions about corkage fee wedding
Can I bring my own wine to a wedding venue if they have a bar package?
Yes, many venues allow you to bring your own wine, but they will charge a corkage fee per bottle. You should check if they also allow spirits and beer, and whether the fee changes by type.
Is a corkage fee cheaper than buying wine from the venue?
Not always. Compare the total cost of your bottles plus the corkage fee with the venue's per-person wine package or by-the-bottle list. You need written quotes from the venue to make that comparison.
Do I tip on the corkage fee?
Generally, yes. The corkage fee covers the venue's service charge, but you should tip the bartender or server who opens and pours your bottles separately, as you would for any bar service.
What to settle next
Once you understand your venue's corkage policy, compare it with T3's bar package calculator to see if bringing your own bottles or opting for the venue's package better fits your guest count and drink preferences.
