For many brides and grooms, receptions can often be the highlight of a wedding day.
But an expert has now revealed why you shouldn’t toast with champagne – and should instead use a cheaper option.
Sam Caporn, mistress of wine at Aldi, said choosing a sparkling alternative could potentially be less “expensive” for couples celebrating their big day.
She told FEMAIL that future brides and grooms should consider crémant: “It’s made in the same style and using the same methods, so few people notice the difference, especially as the bubbles are often pre-poured or from a white napkin.” be covered up.”
Elsewhere, she also shared nine more do’s and don’ts for your big day…
Sam Caporn, mistress of wine at Aldi, has now revealed why you shouldn’t toast with champagne – and instead opt for a cheaper option (archive image)
1. Make sure the staff knows how to serve the wine
Heavy downpours mean heavy bills! Make sure the staff is aware of how the wine will be served to keep temperature and bottle count under control.
Smaller pours, for example, prevent the wine from getting warm and also help reduce waste.
Also, consider serving screw-capped wines, especially at larger weddings, as this makes opening much easier for staff.
2. Drink an average of half a bottle of wine per person
This is generally a good rule of thumb. If 120 people come to your reception, that equates to 60 bottles of wine.
If in doubt, however, overorder. You don’t want to run out of wine.
3. Incorporate your wedding theme
Matching the theme and wine is a great way to set the tone for the big day. For example, if you are going for a vintage theme, consider something timeless and classic like a Sancerre, whereas a strong French red like Languedoc wines would be a good choice for a rustic theme.
4. Don’t ignore rosé
Rosé wine is certainly on the rise and should definitely be considered as part of any wedding wine list.
It’s fun, looks great in pictures and feels very celebratory, especially if you’re hosting a summer or outdoor wedding.
It also goes well with many foods.
Just make sure it’s properly chilled before serving.
5. Don’t think about it too much
Don’t make your wine selection more difficult than necessary! Just because you got engaged in Greece, for example, doesn’t mean you only have to serve Greek wine!
Many couples spend too much time thinking about what the guests want, but at the end of the day, it’s your wedding.
Buy what you want and everyone will find something they enjoy.
6. Don’t try to balance it with food
This is a common mistake when guests actually prefer to stick with a wine.
Since the food is really just a part of the wedding, it’s better to opt for easy-drinking wines, that is, not too woody or acidic, not too tannic or rich.
7. Match the wine to the season
Whether it’s a relaxed summer gathering outdoors or an elegant winter wedding indoors, the season can drastically change what wine is served.
For a winter wedding, strong, easy-to-drink but full-bodied reds like a Shiraz or Malbec are best—I’d recommend a 60:40 red to white ratio. For summer weddings, on the other hand, add rosé to the mix (30:30 rosé to whites).
8. Don’t splash around unnecessarily
Concentrate on high-quality but inexpensive favorites instead of expensive premium bottles.
The style of wines like Premier Crus is often not to everyone’s taste, so focus on more approachable wines.
9. Don’t forget the non-drinkers
Whether you’re a driver, pregnant, a teetotaler, or just don’t want to drink alcohol in general, enjoying no- or low-alcohol options makes everyone feel included.