Budget guide · DrinksWhat a wedding costs
Wedding Drinks and Bar Costs
Drinks is the budget line that most often overruns, because it is the one you cannot fully control on the day.
- Illustrative planning range
- £1,500 – £5,000
- Suggested budget allocation
- 8–12%
Illustrative planning ranges, rather than national averages or supplier quotes. Costs vary by date, location, guest numbers and the services you choose; confirm prices with each supplier.
Behind the quote
What drives the cost.
- Whether the venue allows you to supply your own, and the corkage if so
- Package versus consumption-based pricing
- How long the free bar runs
- Guest count and the mix of drinkers
Where the savings are
Ways to spend less.
- Supply your own wine and pay corkage, where the venue allows it
- Run a free bar for the drinks reception and the meal, then a cash bar
- Two good options rather than a full bar for the reception
- Buy on sale-or-return so unopened bottles go back
Before you book
Questions to ask.
- What is the corkage, and does it apply per bottle or per head?
- Is the package price per head or per drink?
- Can we run a tab with a hard limit?
- What happens to unopened bottles?
Common questions
How much should we budget for drinks?
UK couples typically spend between £1,500 and £5,000, which is around 8–12% of a total wedding budget. Where you land inside that depends mostly on whether the venue allows you to supply your own, and the corkage if so.
How can we spend less on drinks?
Supply your own wine and pay corkage, where the venue allows it. Run a free bar for the drinks reception and the meal, then a cash bar.
What should we ask before booking?
What is the corkage, and does it apply per bottle or per head? Is the package price per head or per drink?