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UK Wedding Corkage Fees: What Venues Charge Per Bottle

Direct answer

Corkage is the charge a venue levies for opening and serving alcohol you supply yourself. In the UK there's no standard rate, but two independent sources converge on roughly £12–£15 per bottle of still wine, £15–£20 for sparkling (Cava/Prosecco), £20–£40 for champagne, and £50–£60 for spirits. Do the math before assuming BYO saves money: at £15/bottle corkage, supplying your own £8 wine costs £23 landed — sometimes more than the venue's own list price. Corkage pays off on good wine you buy cheaply, not on budget bottles.

Run the landed-cost number before choosing BYO

The corkage decision is arithmetic the venue hopes you skip. Add corkage to what you paid per bottle to get the landed cost, then compare to the venue's list price. A £15 corkage on a £25 wine you love (landed £40) can beat the venue charging £55 for the same bottle — real saving. The same £15 corkage on a £6 supermarket wine (landed £21) rarely beats the venue's house option and adds hassle. And check the ban: many UK venues don't allow BYO at all, or set corkage high enough to erase the saving, precisely because the bar is their margin.

Assumptions

  • Two independent UK sources converge — shown as an estimate range, not a fixed rate.
  • Each venue sets its own corkage (or bans BYO entirely) — always confirm with yours.

What changes this answer

  • The specific venue: some ban BYO, some charge well above these ranges.
  • Bottle type: spirits corkage (£50–60) can exceed the drink's value.
  • Your wine's price: corkage only saves money on wine you buy well below the venue's markup.

Common questions

How much is corkage at a UK wedding venue?

Typically £12–£15 per bottle of still wine, £15–£20 sparkling, £20–£40 champagne and £50–£60 spirits — but there's no UK standard, and many venues either ban BYO or set corkage high. Always confirm with the venue.

Sources

Last checked 2026-07-22. Tiers: 1 government/regulator · 2 industry body · 3 official supplier docs · 4 large surveys · 5 professional material.

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