Customize Your Wedding Wines for the Big Day

Selecting the perfect wines for your wedding should be a delightful journey. The right wine experience can elevate your celebration and create lasting memories on one of the happiest days of your life. Here’s your guide to choosing wedding wines while having a good time.

Personalize It

Make it personal because it’s your wedding, and remember that wine is also personal. Think about the wines you’ve enjoyed together. Perhaps a bottle that holds a special place in your heart or a memorable time shared on a camping trip while drinking wine from a paper cup. These moments can help you choose wines that add a personal touch to your celebration.

If you don’t have a strong connection to wine, consider making some wine friends. 

“Most people don’t need to know more about wine, most people just need to know more wine people,” says Kirk Peterson, sommelier and owner of Copa Fina Nevada. “Visit your local wine shop, talk to your wedding venue or hosting restaurant, participate in wine tastings, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.” 

Also, start tasting wines when you dine out. Not only does this provide a welcome break from the stress of wedding planning, but it also introduces you to new wines and wine producers.

Budget

Once you’ve had some fun exploring, set a budget. No matter how small, remember not to let it keep you from making great choices. Talk to your event planner to determine how much wine you’ll need. 

“When budgeting, you can assume that most guests will drink an average of one glass per hour,” says Colleen Kestel-Raidmae, luxury event planner and owner of Ginger & Jade (@gingerandjadelv).

“But make sure it is charged on a bottle consumption basis and not a per person basis so you can save money there,” says Marissa Kilkenny, event producer at Marissa Kilkenny Events (@mkilkenny). 

Keep in mind that the amount of wine needed can vary depending on the length of the event and the drinking habits of your guests.

Wines Selection

With a budget set, select some wines. The first sip of the day is likely to be a welcoming toast. Naturally, Champagne is the perfect choice. Go for it, but keep in mind that it can also eat into your budget faster than you can spell Champagne. Alternatively, keep it classy and tasty by choosing sparkling wines made using the same method as Champagne. Look for Crémant from France, Cava from Spain, or Franciacorta from Italy. 

“Even though these tend to be a touch more expensive (but less than Champagne) the elevation of experience is typically worth a couple extra dollars a bottle,” says Peterson.

And something should be said about using the term “Champagne” as a catch-all term for any sparkling wine. A wine-knowledgeable guest will be disappointed when served “Champagne” when it turns out to be a budget-friendly wine like Prosecco. Peterson says it bluntly. “Don’t promise Champagne and serve an imitation; nobody appreciates eating sliders when promised a steak dinner.”

And speaking of food, refrain from spending too much time matching food and wine. Instead, go for easy-drinking people pleasers—wines that keep everyone from bestie to grandma happy, and wines that go with everything from start to finish. 

“A balanced selection includes a sparkling wine for the toast, a white wine, and a red wine. Any reception food should go with the sparkling wine, as should the first course. Entrees should sing with either a white or a red, but clash with neither,” says Peterson. He recommends dry Chenin Blanc, Albariño, and Vermentino for whites.

“Sangiovese, Gamay (the grape Beaujolais is made from), and Garnacha are hard to beat for reds,” says Peterson.

Luxury Inspirations

If you have a generous budget for your wine selection, the possibilities are truly endless. Explore a range of exquisite wines, from prestigious vintages to rare bottles. But, there are other ways to elevate the experience. 

“Create an intimate setting by hiring a sommelier and having a wine tasting lounge,” says Kestel-Raidmae. “This allows people to converse in an intimate area while enjoying a unique experience.” 

“Plan key moments for wine service, such as arranging a lineup of staff to hold trays of Champagne as guests enter the reception,” says Kilkenny. 

DIY Tips

Even with a modest budget, create a fun and memorable wine experience with a self-service bar or creative wine bottle displays using a claw-foot bathtub or galvanized buckets.

“Just have fun with it! Do things you enjoy. This is where you can get so creative and tell your guests about you as a couple,” says Kilkenny.