When planning a wedding, selecting the right beverages is an essential part of the experience. What should be served for the welcome toast, dinner, and reception? How much do you need? And how do you balance taste, budget, and personality?
Here’s a guide to help you make the best choices.
1. Create a Consistent Theme
Your choice of drinks should reflect both you as a couple and the theme of the wedding. A summer wedding outdoors? Crisp white wines and sparkling options can be ideal. A fall or winter wedding? Rich red wines and warming spirits may be a better fit.
Try to create a cohesive experience where the drinks complement both the food and the atmosphere.
2. Champagne or Sparkling Wine?
A wedding often begins with a toast. Champagne is the classic choice, but there are also excellent alternatives such as crémant, cava, or prosecco.
A smart approach could be:
- Champagne for the wedding toast, if the budget allows
- A more affordable sparkling wine for the reception
- A signature cocktail for a personal touch
3. Choosing the Right Wine for Dinner
The wedding menu plays a key role in selecting wines. Here are some classic pairings:
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Appetizers: Light dishes with fish or seafood pair well with crisp chablis or sauvignon blanc
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Main Course: Hearty meat dishes go well with a bordeaux or rioja. For a lighter option, pinot noir is a great choice
- Vegetarian Dishes: Opt for a fresh white wine or a light red wine with good acidity, such as gamay
Tasting the wines with the menu in advance is always a good idea.
4. Don’t Forget the Non-Alcoholic Options
Not all guests drink alcohol, but they still deserve a great beverage experience. There are many high-quality non-alcoholic alternatives available today, including sparkling teas, non-alcoholic wines, and elegant mocktails.
5. How Much to Serve?
One of the most common questions in wedding planning is how much to order. A general rule of thumb is:
- One glass of sparkling wine per person for the toast
- ½–1 bottle of wine per person for dinner
- 1–2 cocktails per person after dinner
The amounts can be adjusted depending on the length of the wedding and whether there is a structured bar system.
6. A Memory for Life – Save the Corks
A wedding day is full of memories. One way to preserve them is by saving the corks from the champagne and wine served during the celebration. With a Corkframe, they become a beautiful piece of wall art and a lasting reminder of your special day.
No matter what drinks you choose, the most important thing is that they reflect you as a couple and that you enjoy every moment. Cheers to an unforgettable day!
