Drinks

The traditional wedding drink is of course champagne. However, there are hundreds of alternatives in addition to this. Bellinis (peach juice and sparkling wine), cocktails, Pim-Poms (Pimms and pomegranate juice), mulled wines and punches... If serving champagne, will you want it instead of, or as well as, the toasting champagne? Will you serve red or white wine with the meal or both? Will you provide bottled or tap water? Perhaps you'd like a dessert wine with the cake or dessert?

Most venues will allow you to provide your own alcohol, but in most cases will charge a corkage. Unless you are planning to serve fine wines and champagnes you are likely to save a significant sum of money by bringing in your own alcohol. If hiring outside caterers, for a marquee wedding at home for example, ask if they'll charge corkage, because some don't. It's therefore an important consideration when assessing which company to choose. If buying direct from a wine merchant, sk for "sale or return" on unopened bottles or cases. If you've access to storage , remember Christmas is a great time to secure good deals on champagne and fake fizz.

Never underestimate the amount of alcohol you'll require and don't forget a plentiful supply of water and soft drinks. When calculating how much to budget for , there are roughly six glasses to a bottle. On average guests drink two glasses per hour over the course of a wedding reception. Then add 10-15% to the calculation you've made.

If your reception is at an hotel or restaurant, will you be paying for guests' drinks following the wedding dinner? Carefully consider the bar prices and who your guests are before requiring them to pay. Prices at a top hotel may not be what you or your family are used paying. So you need to work out not only what you can afford, but what they can afford. You should be able to offer free drinks all day if you stick to wine, beer and soft drinks. Forget about the champagne if you are on a tight budget.  Do the calculations so you don't under-budget. Ask to see a bar tariff and decide what you will and won't provide; you don't have to offer a full bar, even when you serve more than just wine and beer. Seek advice from your venue's banqueting manager who will be able to advise the "average drinks spend" for previous weddings they've catered and how the costs broke down.