A fee charged by a venue or caterer when a client supplies their own alcohol instead of purchasing through the venue.
Corkage fees compensate the venue for the revenue lost when a client bypasses in-house beverage sales. Fees are typically charged per bottle and can range from $10 to $50+ per bottle. Some venues prohibit BYO entirely. Corkage is most common in the wedding and private dining market, where couples want to serve a particular wine or spirit not available through the venue's supplier.
BEO
Banquet Event Order — the definitive catering document listing every food, beverage, setup, and service detail for an event.
Canapé
Small bite-sized food items served during a cocktail reception or pre-dinner drinks period.
Cocktail Reception
A standing food and drink service, typically held before a formal dinner or as a standalone social event.
Plated Service
A formal meal service where each guest's dish is individually plated in the kitchen and served by waitstaff at the table.
Buffet
A self-service meal format where food is laid out on a table or station and guests serve themselves.
Family Style
A meal format where shared dishes are placed on the table and guests serve themselves and each other.