EDGEUCATION: Bar Services - Should I Purchase Alcohol Myself?
When you’re planning your wedding, one of the big decisions couples face is how to handle alcohol. Do you want the control and potential savings of sourcing and licensing your own liquor? Or do you go with the convenience and peace of mind of letting your catering company take care of the bar for you?
In British Columbia the rules around wedding alcohol aren’t as simple as buying booze and setting up a cooler — there are real legal and logistical hoops to jump through that many couples don’t expect. Here’s what you need to know.
BC LIQUOR LAWS: WHAT YOU CAN DO AND CAN’T DO
In B.C., serving alcohol at an event that isn’t already licensed requires a Special Event Permit (SEP). A SEP is the permit couples need to legally serve alcohol if they want to buy the liquor themselves and have it served.
Key points about Special Event Permits:
You must obtain your "Responsible Service" training designation on line, in order to apply for a Special Event Permit (SEP)
You must apply for the permit ahead of time and post it visibly during your wedding.
You’re legally responsible for buying the liquor (only from approved B.C. outlets), tracking receipts, and ensuring service safety.
Guests cannot bring their own bottles under a SEP — BYOB weddings can’t be licensed and are basically not permitted outside of a private residence.
If your wedding is at a private residence, you may have more leeway, but otherwise your SEP obligations are significant.
SO WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU LET YOUR CATERER HANDLE IT?
Here’s where the catering-provided alcohol option shines.
Many professional caterers in BC now come with a catering license that includes liquor service (or can arrange it).
The benefits:
Zero permit paperwork for you – they manage licensing and compliance.
Servers are trained and certified — no extra hiring required.
Streamlined service — bar staff coordinate with your catering schedule.
Liability is neatly handled — licensed caterers understand and take on the responsibility.
Alcohol transport or removal - your caterer will bring and remove all alcohol, so one less thing to worry about, or burden family with.
Sure, caterers charge a markup on alcohol — that’s part of the cost of convenience and legal compliance. This markup pays for the service, safety, storage, and peace of mind.
Final Verdict: Let the Caterer Do It
If you want your wedding alcohol to be:
Legal and compliant with BC liquor law,
Smooth-running with trained staff,
Stress-free from planning through to clean-up,
…it’s almost always worth letting your catering company handle the alcohol service. Yes, it might cost a bit more than sourcing bottles yourself — but the time, risk, and administrative effort you save are huge benefits many couples don’t fully appreciate until after the wedding.
In British Columbia, where liquor rules are specific and sometimes complex, trusting your caterer with alcohol isn’t just easier — it’s a wise choice that keeps your celebration safe, seamless, and unforgettable.
THE APPEAL OF DIY ALCOHOL SERVICE IS UNDERSTANDABLE
Buying beer, wine and spirits yourself might save money compared to a caterer’s markup.
You get to choose exactly what’s on the menu — your favourite boutique wines, craft beers, or that special bottle of Scotch.
Sounds great — until you realize what comes with it…
Liability, Logistics, and Headaches
Here’s where the DIY option gets tricky:
1.You Become the License Holder
If you go the SEP route, you the couple, or a friend acting on your behalf, officially become responsible for:
Applying for the permit and understanding all the conditions., which includes the person who’s name is on the permit is not allowed to drink during the event. This includes permit posting at the event.
Buying all the alcohol within B.C. regulations.
Ensuring no guests bring alcohol (BYOB is not legal at licensed events except in private homes).
Transporting alcohol to and removing it all at the end of the night. This can often fall within allocating someone to be responsible for it, problematic if the couple is leaving early at the end of the event or have other plans through the day. This often falls on family or friends which is not always ideal.
This is suddenly not just buying booze — it’s running a temporary licensed business for the night.
2.You Still Need Staff
Even with all your bottles in hand, you can’t just let guests help themselves. You need trained, licensed servers to pour drinks, check IDs, and manage responsible consumption. That means hiring bartenders — often at rates that eat into your savings.
3.Administrative Burden
From permit applications to tracking receipts and complying with safety rules, DIY alcohol service adds significant planning and stress to an already busy wedding checklist.
A Quick Comparison
DIY with Your Own Permit (SEP) Caterer-Provided Service
Must apply and manage SEP Caterer handles permits
Must purchase all liquor legally Caterer procures & stores liquor
You are legally responsible Caterer takes responsibility
Possible savings on paper More costly but less stress
Photography: Mathias Fast - Venue: The Pipe Shop - Bar: Lavish Liquid - Rentals: Pedersen’s Event Rentals - Decor: Social Ingredients - Planner/Creative Director: Xochi Clara - Signage: Making Memories Stationary - Acrylic Signage: Box not Box -Lighting: Koncept Events - Candy: Karameller - DJ: Barron’s Music - Band: Julio Acila Cuban Band
