Rhiannon Hendricks
Wedding toasts are a time-honoured tradition, with the ritual of clinking glasses together said to date back to the 16th and 17th centuries. But what should you put in those glasses? While champagne is a classic choice, it's not for everyone. Whether you're looking for something fun and creative or sophisticated and elegant, there are plenty of options to suit your wedding style and budget. From sparkling wine and craft beer to sake and signature cocktails, the possibilities are endless. And for those who prefer a non-alcoholic option, there's sparkling cider, mocktails, or even just tea and coffee. So, when it comes to choosing a beverage for your wedding toast, the most important thing is to pick something that reflects your personality and tastes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Formality of the event | A classic champagne toast is perfect for a formal setting, while a signature cocktail adds a playful touch to a casual celebration |
| Type of beverage | Sparkling options like champagne, prosecco, or sparkling wine; wines (red, white, rosé); craft beers; cocktails; non-alcoholic options like iced tea, lemonade, fruit juices, flavoured sparkling water, mocktails, sparkling cider, and creative virgin cocktails |
| Alcoholic vs non-alcoholic | If opting for a dry wedding, avoid serving alcohol for toasts to avoid guest confusion; alternatively, offer a mix of alcoholic and non-alcoholic options to cater to all guests |
| Seasonality | Consider refreshing options like iced tea, lemonade infused with fresh fruits, or spritzy cocktails with cucumber and mint for summer weddings |
| Personalisation | Create a signature cocktail named after the couple to add a fun and personal touch |
| Cultural significance | Consider beverages that hold cultural significance or align with your wedding theme, such as sake for a Japanese-themed wedding |
| Guest preferences | Ensure a variety of options to cater to different tastes and preferences, including non-alcoholic alternatives for guests who don't drink alcohol |
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What You'll Learn
- Non-alcoholic options: sparkling cider, mocktails, juices, lemonade, or creative virgin cocktails
- Champagne alternatives: sparkling wine, sake, or sparkling water
- Alcoholic options: cocktails, wine, beer, or spirits
- Seasonal choices: refreshing summer drinks or warm winter beverages
- Formality: elegant drinks for formal weddings and fun drinks for casual weddings
Non-alcoholic options: sparkling cider, mocktails, juices, lemonade, or creative virgin cocktails
There are many non-alcoholic options to choose from for wedding toasts, and you can even get creative and design a drink that reflects your personality! Here are some ideas to get you started:
Sparkling Cider
A popular choice for wedding toasts, sparkling cider is a great alternative to champagne and can be served to underage guests or those who don't drink alcohol. It's a common option for dry weddings and can be a good way to include non-alcoholic options without your guests noticing.
Mocktails
Mocktails are a fun and creative way to offer non-alcoholic options at your wedding. You can get as creative as you like with virgin cocktails, and they can even be designed to match your wedding theme or colours. For example, Welch's sparkling mocktails in mango bellini and pina colada flavours.
Juices
Freshly pressed juices are a healthy and refreshing option for wedding toasts, especially if you're having a morning or afternoon tea reception. You can offer a variety of juices, including white grape juice, apple juice, or even get fancy with sparkling juices.
Lemonade
Sparkling lemonade is a fantastic option, especially for a summer wedding. You can even get creative and offer different flavours like raspberry lemonade. It's a unique and fun way to add a twist to a classic drink.
Other Creative Virgin Cocktails
In addition to mocktails, you can offer non-alcoholic versions of classic cocktails like virgin daiquiris, piña coladas, or virgin Marys. These can be served as signature sips, adding a personal touch to your wedding toast.
Remember, the most important thing is to choose beverages that you and your guests will enjoy. Whether you opt for a classic non-alcoholic choice or get creative with virgin cocktails, your guests will appreciate the thought and effort put into making your special day memorable.
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Champagne alternatives: sparkling wine, sake, or sparkling water
Champagne is a classic choice for wedding toasts, but it can be expensive and may not be to everyone's taste. Here are some fantastic alternatives to consider:
Sparkling Wine
Sparkling wine is a great alternative to champagne for wedding toasts. It is synonymous with special occasions and its light, refreshing taste appeals to a wide range of palates, making it a crowd-pleaser. Sparkling wine is typically more affordable than champagne, with Italian Prosecco and Spanish Cava offering delightful and budget-friendly options. American sparkling wines are also often more reasonably priced than their European counterparts. If you're looking for more fizz for your buck, consider French Crémant. When choosing a sparkling wine, consider your audience, budget, and menu to make an informed decision. Sparkling wine should be served chilled, and you can add a personal touch by customising the labels with the wedding date or a special message.
Sake
Sake is a popular celebratory beverage in Japan and is often used in traditional Japanese wedding practices. It is considered a medium that brings people together, representing unity, friendship, respect, and love. One tradition, called Kagamibiraki, involves breaking open the lid of a traditional sake cask at the beginning of the reception to symbolise "breaking open good fortune". If you plan to include sake in your wedding, consider purchasing from a quality and reliable brand and adding it to your menu or using it for wedding favours. You can also explore different varieties to accommodate multiple taste preferences.
Sparkling Water
If you're looking for a non-alcoholic alternative, sparkling water is a refreshing option. It can be served on its own or infused with fruit juices to add a festive touch. You can even create creative mocktails for those who prefer non-alcoholic beverages.
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Alcoholic options: cocktails, wine, beer, or spirits
If you want to include alcohol in your wedding toasts, there are several options to consider. The traditional choice is usually champagne, but you can opt for other sparkling wines such as prosecco or a sparkling white wine, which can be more cost-effective. If you're looking for something unique, you can offer a signature cocktail, which can be a fun and creative way to add a personal touch to the celebration. This option is especially suitable for casual weddings. You can even name the cocktail after you and your partner to make it more special.
For a summer wedding, refreshing cocktails with cucumber and mint or fruit-infused drinks can be a great choice. If you want to offer a range of options, consider including wines such as red, white, and rosé, catering to different preferences and meal pairings. Craft beers are another option to consider, especially if you want to support local breweries.
Additionally, you can explore alternatives to the typical champagne toast. For example, sake can be a unique option, especially if it aligns with your wedding theme or honeymoon destination, like Japan. You can also offer sparkling cider or sparkling apple cider as an alternative to champagne for nondrinkers or those who prefer something different.
Remember, the choice of beverage depends on your preferences and the tone you want to set for your wedding. Whether you opt for a classic champagne toast or a signature cocktail, the most important thing is to choose what reflects your style and makes your wedding day memorable.
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Seasonal choices: refreshing summer drinks or warm winter beverages
Summer drinks
For a summer wedding, you'll want to serve refreshing drinks to keep your guests cool. Here are some ideas for summer wedding beverages:
- Iced tea
- Lemonade infused with fresh fruits, such as blackberries and mint
- Fruit punch with fresh fruit, mint, juice, and lemonade
- Mocktails, such as a virgin mojito or margarita
- Spritzes, such as a summer spritz or a passion fruit spritz
- Smoothies, such as a kiwi, mango, and pineapple smoothie
- Iced coffee
Winter drinks
For a winter wedding, warm beverages will help your guests cosy up. Here are some ideas for winter wedding drinks:
- Hot chocolate, such as a cardamom rose or blackberry hot chocolate
- Mulled wine or mulled non-alcoholic cocktails
- Hot toddies
- Warm apple cider or spiced cranberry apple cider
- Egg nog or egg nog lattes
- Chai tea with honey
- London Fog tea
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Formality: elegant drinks for formal weddings and fun drinks for casual weddings
The formality of your wedding sets the tone for your beverage choices. Here are some ideas for elegant drinks for formal weddings and fun drinks for casual weddings:
Elegant drinks for formal weddings
A classic champagne toast is perfect for a formal setting. If you want to splurge on good champagne, you can opt for a sparkling white wine for refills. You can also offer sparkling cider to non-drinkers or ask your bartender to make a non-alcoholic version of your signature cocktail using sparkling water. For a formal summer wedding, an Aperol spritz is refreshing and elegant, adding a gorgeous pop of colour to your wedding decor.
Fun drinks for casual weddings
For a casual wedding, a signature cocktail named after you and your partner adds a playful touch. You can also offer a variety of craft beers to support local breweries or a selection of wines to cater to different preferences. If you're having a summer wedding, you can offer refreshing options like iced tea, lemonade infused with fresh fruits, or spritzy cocktails with cucumber and mint. For a casual outdoor wedding, canned soda is a perfect choice, adding a vintage touch to your wedding. You can also offer juice pouches for the kids.
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Frequently asked questions
Some alcohol-free options for wedding toasts include sparkling cider, sparkling water, sparkling juice, and non-alcoholic beer. You could also ask your bartender to make a non-alcoholic version of your signature cocktail.
Champagne is a classic choice for wedding toasts, but you could also opt for sparkling wine, prosecco, or a signature cocktail.
Consider the formality of your wedding. For example, a classic champagne toast may be more suitable for a formal setting, while a signature cocktail could add a playful touch to a casual celebration. You should also take into account your personal preferences and any themes you may have, like the sake toast mentioned above that matched a Japan-themed wedding and honeymoon.
It is important to cater to different preferences and consider meal pairings if you are serving wine. If you are having a cash bar, some couples choose to provide tickets for one free drink for each guest. It is also a good idea to remind guests that they can toast with any drink they have at the time, especially if you are having a dry wedding.
