Crafting the perfect wine selection for your wedding is an opportunity to enhance your celebration with thoughtful pairings that complement your menu and delight your guests. A well-planned wine menu creates memorable moments without overcomplicating your planning process or breaking your budget.
Here's how to curate a wedding wine selection that reflects your taste and works harmoniously with your event.
Start with Your Budget
Before diving into selections, establish how much you can allocate to wine. Wedding industry standards suggest budgeting £12-20 per guest for a full evening of wine service, but this can vary based on:
- Guest count and drinking habits
- Reception length
- Whether you're offering additional drinks
- Venue corkage fees if you're bringing your own wine
Consider Your Menu
Your food choices should guide your wine selections:
- For lighter fare like fish or chicken, consider crisp whites and light-bodied reds
- For richer dishes like beef or lamb, medium to full-bodied reds work best
- For diverse menus, choose versatile wines that pair with multiple dishes
Calculate Quantities
A general guideline is planning for one bottle per two guests, assuming a 5-hour reception. This accounts for:
- Half bottle (about 2-3 glasses) per person
- Different consumption rates among guests
- Service throughout cocktail hour, dinner, and toasts
Create a Balanced Selection
A well-rounded wedding wine menu typically includes:
For a Simple Approach (3 wines)
- One sparkling wine for toasts
- One versatile white
- One approachable red
For a More Complete Selection (5-6 wines)
- Sparkling wine
- Light white (Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio)
- Full-bodied white (Chardonnay)
- Light red (Pinot Noir)
- Full-bodied red (Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec)
- Optional: rosé or dessert wine
Incorporating Fine Wines and Special Bottles
While your main wine selection caters to all guests, there are elegant ways to incorporate special bottles or fine wines for select moments or people:
Reserved Table Selections
- Place premium bottles at specific tables where wine enthusiasts or VIP guests are seated
- Consider a higher-tier wine for the head table or family tables only
Strategic Service Timing
- Save special bottles for the intimate rehearsal dinner instead of the main reception
- Offer premium pours during cocktail hour when guests are more likely to notice nuanced flavours
Create a "Wine Journey" Experience
- Start with accessible wines for the general reception
- Move to finer selections as the evening progresses, perhaps bringing out special bottles after dinner
- Have servers quietly offer pours of exceptional wines to guests you know will appreciate them
Private Tasting Moments
- Arrange a pre-ceremony tasting with parents and wedding party featuring your prized bottles
- Set aside a quiet corner during the reception where you can share special vintages with select guests by invitation
The Cellar Table Concept
- Create a small "cellar table" display with your finest bottles and tasting notes
- Have a knowledgeable server stationed there offering small pours to interested guests who seek it out
- This naturally limits consumption while allowing appreciation of special wines
Seasonal Considerations
Adapt your selections to your wedding season:
- Spring/Summer: Lighter, more refreshing wines like Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc
- Fall/Winter: Richer, warming wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, full-bodied Chardonnay
Personal Touches
Add meaningful elements to your wine service:
- Feature wines from regions you've visited together
- Include a special bottle from your engagement year
- Create custom labels for your wedding date
- Offer a signature cocktail that tells your story
Tasting Strategy
Schedule tastings 3-6 months before your wedding:
- Bring your menu plan to help with pairing
- Take notes on each wine
- Consider value wines from lesser-known regions that deliver excellent quality
- Ask about case discounts or special ordering options
Final Tips
- Don't feel pressured to please everyone – focus on quality selections you enjoy
- Consider having a few non-alcoholic options for non-drinking guests
- Check if your venue allows outside wine and what their corkage fees are
- Label wines clearly at stations or include wine descriptions in your menu cards
- For your finest wines, brief servers on proper serving temperature and decanting needs
Creating your wedding wine menu should be enjoyable, not stressful. With thoughtful planning that balances your taste preferences, menu selections, and budget, you'll craft a wine experience that enhances your celebration and creates another beautiful layer of memories on your special day.
Still in Doubt?
Why not reach out to us and we'll help you craft your wine menu from our discerning selection of wines and spirits. Our team of experts can guide you through the selection process, recommend perfect pairings for your menu, and help you discover exceptional bottles that match both your taste and budget.
Let us take the guesswork out of wine planning so you can focus on enjoying your special day.
