Wedding guides / Bar & Drinks
Bar & Drinks
Covers the bar service, alcohol, and non-alcoholic drinks for the reception — sometimes bundled with catering, sometimes a separate vendor.
R8 000 – R30 000
Varies enormously by open bar vs. cash bar vs. a fixed number of drinks per guest, and by how many hours it runs.
Why it matters
Drinks packages are a common source of hidden costs — corkage fees, per-hour bar staffing, and consumption-based billing can all change the final number significantly from the initial quote.
When it should happen
3–4 months out, once the venue's alcohol policy (bring-your-own vs. in-house only) is confirmed.
Questions to ask
- Is this a consumption-based tab, a flat per-guest package, or a cash bar?
- Does the venue charge corkage if outside alcohol is brought in?
- How many bar staff are included, and is that enough for the guest count?
- What happens if the bar runs out of a popular drink — is restocking arranged in advance?
Mistakes to avoid
- Not confirming the venue's corkage policy before buying alcohol independently.
- Underestimating bar staff needed for the guest count, causing long queues.
- Choosing consumption-based billing without a rough cap, risking an unexpectedly high final bill.
Worth knowing
If going consumption-based, ask for a running total at the halfway point of the reception — it's much easier to adjust than to be surprised at the end.
Turn this into your checklist
6 steps for bar & drinks, tracked alongside every other decision - and a second ceremony if you are having one.
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