Deborah Chan
Champagne toasts are a common feature of wedding receptions, symbolising celebration, luxury and joy. However, some couples choose to forgo the traditional champagne toast, citing concerns about cost, waste, and the coordination required to pull it off. Those who do opt for a champagne toast typically serve it at the beginning or end of the wedding breakfast meal, with the couple or a friend leading the toast. Brut is the most popular variety of champagne for weddings, offering a balance between dry and sweet that caters to a variety of tastes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to serve | At the beginning or end of a wedding breakfast meal, or before dessert |
| Who pours the champagne | The servers or a friend |
| Who leads the toast | The couple, a friend, or a family member |
| Who toasts first | The maid of honour, then the best man, followed by the groom's parents and then the bride's parents |
| Who provides the champagne | The couple or the venue |
| How much to buy | A sensible measure, but not a mean one. A bottle contains six full glasses, so for a toast, you should aim for seven glasses. |
| Glassware | Tall, skinny flutes |
| Champagne type | Brut is the most popular, but other types include rosé, prestige cuvée, prosecco, cava, crémant, and asti spumanti |
| Budget-friendly options | Prosecco, Cava, or sparkling wine |
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What You'll Learn
When to serve champagne at a wedding
There are several options for when to serve champagne at a wedding. The champagne toast is usually an event at the beginning or end of a wedding breakfast meal. Some people prefer a toast at the beginning as most people's glasses are still full. However, others suggest that it is better to wait until after the meal, as guests may have already ordered drinks with their food. If you want to avoid wastage, you could time the champagne toast so that it happens before the meal, and then again before dessert, so that people are likely to still have some champagne left when the toasts are made.
If you are providing enough champagne for one glass per guest, you could serve it before the meal, and then again before dessert, so that guests have a drink to toast with. Alternatively, you could serve it only before dessert, and ask a friend to make a toast to the married couple. Typically, the maid of honour goes first, then the best man, and then the parents of the groom and the bride, if they haven't already toasted at the rehearsal dinner.
If you are serving a meal, you should consider the food on your menu when buying champagne, as some champagnes are best served with food, while others are best served on their own. For example, brut champagne is drier and better suits those who prefer crisp, highly acidic wines, while Prosecco lovers may find it too dry. Vintage champagnes are made from grapes harvested in the same year and aged for a minimum of three years, making them pricier. For a toast between 50 and 200 people, non-vintage brut champagne is the best option.
If you are having an open bar, you may decide to skip the champagne altogether, as it can be expensive and many guests may not like it. Prosecco, Cava, or sparkling wine are all affordable options that will also do the job.
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Who should lead the toast?
The host of the wedding should traditionally speak first and should take the microphone as soon as all the guests have found their seats. This first toast is usually made by the parents (or father) of the bride, combining a toast to the couple and a welcome message to the guests. If the groom's parents are also speaking, they should follow the parents of the bride. For same-sex weddings, it is up to the couple to decide whose parents kick off the evening.
The best man's speech is traditionally the most formal of all the wedding toasts and should occur only after all the wedding guests have been provided with a glass of champagne. It should be brief, lasting no more than a minute or two. It is fine if the best man's toast is the only speech, but it is becoming more traditional for the maid or matron of honour to give a companion toast.
The father of the bride's speech traditionally leads into the groom's speech. The bride and groom should take the mic to thank their parents and guests. They can do this after the maid of honour and best man have spoken, or wait until they cut the cake.
The number of toasts is up to the couple, but it is recommended to keep them short and sweet, with a maximum of two to four speeches.
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How much champagne to buy
When planning a wedding, it is important to ensure that there is enough champagne for the wedding toast. The amount of champagne you will need depends on several factors, including the number of guests, the size of the champagne bottles, and the pour size.
For a standard 750ml bottle of champagne, a pour size of 4 to 5 ounces is typical. This means that each bottle will yield around 4-5 servings. Therefore, for a group of 50 people, you would need a minimum of 10 standard bottles of champagne. If you are looking to serve a magnum (1500ml) or other jumbo-sized bottles, a 750ml bottle contains 25 ounces of champagne, while a magnum contains 50 ounces, or 10 servings. So, for a 50-guest toast, you could use either 10 standard bottles or 5 magnums.
If you are planning for a smaller, intimate gathering and anticipate serving a second round, it is recommended to plan for half a bottle per person. Additionally, consider the timing of your toast. If you are offering a single glass of champagne upon your guests' arrival, 15 bottles should suffice for a 100-person reception. However, if you anticipate guests staying for an hour or more and requiring top-ups, you may need up to 48 bottles (or half a bottle per person) to ensure everyone has enough.
It is worth noting that not all guests may drink alcohol or prefer champagne. Some may opt for non-alcoholic beverages or other drink options. To accommodate this, you can consider providing alternative options such as sparkling cider or juice for those who do not wish to drink alcohol. Additionally, you can offer a variety of alcoholic beverages, such as wine or cocktails, to reduce the number of champagne bottles needed.
To save on costs, you may consider purchasing prosecco, cava, or sparkling wine instead of champagne, as they serve a similar purpose at a typically lower price point. Ultimately, the decision on how much champagne to buy depends on your specific needs, guest preferences, and budget. It is generally recommended to have a few extra bottles on hand to ensure you don't run out during the celebrations.
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Choosing the right champagne
There are several factors to consider when choosing the right champagne for your wedding toast. Firstly, you should decide on the type of champagne or sparkling wine you want to serve. Champagne is typically made in the Champagne region of France and is known for its refined bubbles, toasty notes, and prestige. However, other sparkling wines such as Prosecco, Cava, or sparkling wine from other regions can also be a good option and may be more affordable.
If you decide to go with champagne, you should consider the taste preferences of you and your guests. Brut Champagne is a popular choice for weddings as it is typically drier with a good balance of sweetness and acidity. Demi-Sec Champagne, which is sweeter, is also an option, especially if you are serving it with dessert. You may also want to consider vintage or rosé Champagnes, which pair well with food.
Another factor to consider is your budget. Champagne can be expensive, so you may want to look for more affordable options or serve a combination of champagne and other sparkling wines. You can also save money by serving a smaller amount of champagne for the toast, such as a delicate measure, rather than a full glass.
When choosing a specific champagne, it's a good idea to taste a variety of options before making your final decision. You can start by tasting different Champagnes at your engagement party and then bringing your favourite to your caterer for their opinion. You can also ask for recommendations from wine experts or specialists, who can help you choose an option that fits your budget and taste preferences.
Finally, don't forget to calculate the right amount of champagne needed based on the number of guests and the duration of the reception. As a rule of thumb, you can plan for half a bottle per guest for a typical drinks reception, but you may need more or less depending on the timing of the toast and the drinking habits of your guests.
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Alternatives to champagne
There are many alternatives to champagne that can be used for a wedding toast. Firstly, if you are looking for a similar taste and appearance, prosecco or cava are great options. They are usually more affordable, and your guests may not be able to tell the difference. Prosecco is lighter and fruitier, with a very fresh and fragrant flavour.
If you are looking for something non-alcoholic, there are several options that mimic champagne. Non-alcoholic sparkling wines, such as the Kylie Minogue AF sparkling rosé, Vinada AF champagne, or Fre NA champagne, are all alternatives. Nozeco is another non-alcoholic champagne option that has been described as "refreshing" and "look [ing] the part". You could also try Camillia Grove Kombucha in Meadow, which is said to be perfect in colour, fizz, and flavour for a wedding toast.
For a unique twist, you could offer a signature cocktail for your guests to toast with. This can be a fun way to elevate the experience and can be tailored to your wedding theme or your favourite flavours. You could also offer mocktails for non-drinkers and children. If you're having a midday wedding or brunch reception, mimosas or bellinis are a great option.
If you're a wine lover, you could choose a special wine that is meaningful to you as a couple, such as the wine from your first date or engagement. For an intimate crowd, a high-end, cellar-worthy red wine like Brunello di Montalcino is a good choice. If you're feeling crafty, you could even brew your own fruit wine, with flavours like strawberry, plum, pomegranate, pineapple, dandelion, or cherry.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not necessary. Some people prefer to skip the champagne toast altogether and just toast with their own drinks.
The champagne toast usually takes place at the beginning or end of a wedding breakfast meal. However, there are no hard and fast rules, so you can do it whenever you like.
A standard champagne bottle contains 750ml of liquid, which equates to five to seven glasses of champagne. You should plan for half a bottle per guest.
Champagne ranges from very dry to very sweet. Brut is a popular variety as it strikes a nice balance. Other types include rosé and prestige cuvée. If you are looking for a cheaper alternative, consider prosecco, cava, or sparkling wine.
The couple getting married do not usually give the toast themselves. Typically, the maid of honour goes first, followed by the best man.
