The corkage fee (in Italian, diritto di tappo) is the charge the caterer, or the venue, applies when you bring your own bottles: the family wine, the sparkling wine for the toast, a label you care about. It usually covers opening, glasses, chilling and service.
In Italy it is not governed by national law: each supplier decides whether to accept outside bottles and at what price, per bottle or per person. With an exclusive caterer it may be banned or higher; with outside catering the venue itself may charge it, among its costs for outside suppliers.
What to ask
Ask whether outside bottles are allowed, what the corkage fee is and what it covers. Then do the maths: sometimes the caterer's wine, with a clear package, works out better. Similar items are in the guide to catering extra costs; for drinks and formats see the wedding open bar.
