Corkage nightmare!

waterrose

So, I’m suddenly having an absolute nightmare with my wedding venue. We went with them originally because they told us that they were really chilled out, no rules or restrictions and had no hidden costs. I asked before booking about any corkage fees for the wedding, as my Dad is a publican and really wants to supply the alcohol, and she told me that there was usually a nominal fee for corkage but she was happy to waive it given the situation, so I took her at her word and we paid the deposit.

Since then I’ve been chasing her up for months for an official contract and she’s kept ignoring me, but today has sent me a drinks price list. I got back in touch being friendly and reminded her that we had discussed corkage before and she is now saying that it’s £13 per person. Not per bottle, per person, and per person attending not just drinkers (so includes children even!) and I feel like such an idiot. Like now it’s obvious why she has been avoiding my question and not putting anything in writing. We are now three months out from the wedding, we don’t have an extra £1300 in the budget for this and I just have no idea what to do. 

I realise I was naive taking her at her word on this, but I do feel like this has been done really sneakily. Does that price for corkage sound right even? I’ve never seen corkage charged per person before, but it seems crazy expensive!

tacpot12

When did you pay the deposit? I’m inclined to think that a judge would be inclined to side with you if the deposit has been paid for months and the venue is only now contacting you with a drinks menu. 

You could offer to pay a lower corkage fee, or cancel and sue for the return of the deposit. 

waterrose

Thank you so much, we paid the deposit at the end last year, November, so it’s been a good few months without any of this information. I think what has most upset me is that I’ve repeatedly asked for it and either been brushed off or ignored. Feels now like we stuck between a rock and a hard place.

What do you think a sensible suggestion of corkage cost per person would be?

kingarhu

I was recently quoted £13.99 corkage per bottle of wine. No idea what they would have charged for beer or spirits. You do have the choice of NOT taking your own drinks and just letting your guests pay for their own. Not the happiest of outcomes, but don't let it spoil your day. Your Dad could use the money he would have spent on providing all the drinks to pay for the first one or two for everyone (and off the record, advise people to bring their own hipflasks ).