Wines

If you are holding your wedding reception at a hotel or other venue with catering facilities you will be offered a good range of wines and other drinks, together with specialist advice on what to offer your guests that is appropriate to your budget. A few establishments will allow you to supply your own wines charging you a 'corkage' fee for each bottle consumed.

If you are having the reception at home or hiring a function hall you will probably need advice on what and how much to purchase. Most local wine merchants offer a sale or return facility whereby you only pay for the drinks used, any surplus bottles being returned to the retailer. Glasses are usually available for hire, sometimes free of charge for large orders.

On arrival serve champagne or sparkling wine, sometimes mixed with orange juice to make Bucks fizz, or sherry. Red and white wines are served with the meal. Champagne or sparkling wine is the traditional drink for the toasts. Make sure that there is water available and don't forget to provide soft drinks for those of your guests who want to avoid drinking alcohol.