Champagne: Is It Worth It

Oh Shakespeare, who would have thought that we owe the phrase “toast” to you at weddings? I’m sure that when you think of a champagne toast, bread is the last thing that comes to mind, but that is where it all began. A small piece of stale bread at the bottom of your champagne glass to soak up the acidity is what we can officially blame for this wedding tradition. But is it necessary?

A champagne toast brings with it elegance, tradition, and a sense of celebration. Champagne is a sparkling white wine, that comes from the Champagne region of France. The bubbles are its signature look and before, it was only associated with royalty and nobility. Having champagne at your wedding was considered a sign of très élégant.

Do you have to have champagne at your wedding? Absolutely not. Champagne, like anything, is an acquired taste, and not everyone likes drinking champagne. If you are one of those brides who don’t like the taste, why have it at your wedding? We suggest instead having what is known as a “toast in hand”. Let your guests go to the bar, order whatever drink they prefer, and have them toast you with that. That way everyone drinks what they want, including you, and you don’t have to worry about having champagne.

However, if you are a bride who loves champagne and you know your guests enjoy it too, here are our suggestions! One 750ml bottle is good for 6-8 glasses, depending on how generous you pour. That should give you an idea of how many bottles you’ll need based on your guest count. Do not pour the champagne hours before or the bubbles will fizz, and the champagne won’t taste good. Make sure the bottles have been refrigerated for a good couple of hours before serving. Have the champagne served 15 minutes before the toasts. Your coordinators will make sure that your bride and groom's flutes are ready for toasting time.

If you are having champagne, have a few bottles of sparkling cider for the guests who don’t drink alcohol so that they can partake in the toasting. And lastly, go for the champagne whose taste you like. Don’t worry about the label.

Whether you go for champagne or not, having a loved one toasting you on your wedding day is a beautiful tradition that you will remember for many years to come.