Being a bride and planning a wedding is one of the most magical times in a girl’s life but with the many, many decisions to make it can also be one of the most stressful. Since choosing the wine can be a challenge for some couples, I want to share my five best tips and tricks to help you make the right selections for your special day.
1. Choose What You Love
The most important “rule” any time you are planning to add wine to an event is to drink and serve what you like. Remember this is your day and people are there to celebrate the two of you, so if there’s a wine you both enjoy and would like to share with others, this is a wonderful time to serve it. It can also be fun to share the story of why a certain wine is your favorite wine or how it works into the story of your relationship..
2. Champagne Alternatives
If you’re planning to use a sparkling wine for your toast there are many options that will fit any budget. A few of my favorites are Prosecco from Italy, Cava from Spain, and Cremant from France. Cremant is made with the same method as Champagne but it cannot use the name as it is not made within the Champagne region. All of these bubbles are excellent values and will be delicious in your glass.
3. Corkage Fees
Corkage is a term that describes an additional cost per bottle that a reception location may charge if you opt to bring your own wine rather than use a wine from their list. It’s important to ensure you understand how the fee will be charged – will it be on all bottles purchased for the event or just those that are opened. If it’s on bottles opened then it is important to make sure that your caterer and serving staff know not to open additional bottles until needed.
4. Wine Selections
One red and one white are really all you need. If you’d like to pair a different wine with every course for you wedding it can most definitely be done, but offering one red and one white wine option is the standard. Also, remember that just like your cake and your meal you should make time to try the wine before you serve it on your wedding day.
5. Buying Guidelines
A general rule of thumb when purchasing wine in large quantities is to buy one 750 ml bottle each of red and white for every 10 guests. Note: A bottle of wine pours 4-6 glasses.
Finally, don’t forget to take a quiet moment somewhere in your day to share a glass of wine together to celebrate the new adventure you are both embarking on with each other.
Renowned as Western Canada's favourite sommelier and fast-becoming a national name, Erin Rosar is the creator of 'Wine in the Kitchen' and founder of WG Wines based in Calgary, where she goes by the alter ego of Wine Girl (WG). She is also an instructor with the International Sommelier Guild and is a recognized sommelier with the Court of Masters Sommeliers out of London, England. Learn more about Wine Girl at www.wgwines.com.