Buying booze from France? - Wedding Forum

AngelaW · #1 (**permalink**) 14-08-2002, 07:27 AM

Hey groovers

Has anyone done a booze run to France for their wedding? One of my bridesmaids has reminded me that she can get cheap champagne from her local vineyard in France - I've tasted it before and it was wonderful! Its currently 11 Euros a bottle which works out as a mindboggling £7

As far as I remember, corkage at our venue is £4 a bottle (will check that tonight), so even with van hire and Chunnel costs added it should still work out lots cheaper than getting it through the caterers...

So, basically, does anyone know all the rules and regulations surrounding this? Will they get arrested for bringing over a couple of cases for us?? I'm a real doom merchant but I honestly don't have a clue about this sort of thing

Thanks!

Angela

Niddy · #2 (**permalink**) 14-08-2002, 07:37 AM

I'm interested in this too, were going to Euro Disney for xmas and was gonna do the same.

So if anyone knows, much appreciated!

J · #3 (**permalink**) 14-08-2002, 07:59 AM

I'm thinking doing it as well.

I know there was a case recently where Hoverspeed and some passengers took Customs to court to say they had no right to stop people randomly for searches, and they won. However, they are still stopping people every now and then so I'd say if you want to do it (which there is no reason why you shouldn't, you're only stocking up for a wedding), then take proof of the wedding along (maybe an invite, etc) to prove why you are buying the alcohol. Don't go in a van either, just a normal car.

Hey, a Groovy Booze Cruise!!!!!!!!

Jx

Libby · #4 (**permalink**) 14-08-2002, 09:22 AM

hi,

I used to work for P&O Stena Line (Dover to Calais route) and basically i think since all the laws have changed you can bring back as much wine, beer and tobacco as you like as long as you can prove it is for your own personal use.

I think there has been lots of stuff in the news about this lately, basically as long as it is for your own use (ie: wedding reception) there are no limits.

I am also planning to take a van over the channel and stock up for my reception, as you say it is still cheaper paying the corkage.

I hope this helps,

Libby

*Jo* · #5 (**permalink**) 14-08-2002, 01:16 PM

I think we're going to get our booze in France, as even with corkage (£4/£6 for wine/champagne - is that a good or bad deal, btw?!) we should be able to get it cheaper than over here, but also be able to buy nicer stuff too hopefully. Another possibility is sweet-talking the local supermarket and seeing if they can do us a good discount... At the mo, h2b is all up for making a stag-type-weekend of the booze cruise with his best man

which I'm trying to avoid because a) the best man hardly drinks anyway, b) h2b would drink all the purchases before they even made it back to Britain, and c) I might actually like to try it before I serve it up to everyone - if I'm blowing loads of £ on champagne etc, I want to know I like it!

So hopefully next spring we'll be off to some sweet little vineyardy place in France and sampling many of their fine wines etc, and will make a nice weekend of it... If I get my way!

Jo