Which wines to choose for your wedding reception

How to Perfectly Host Your Wedding Reception: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Drinks

After the ceremony at the town hall (and possibly at the church), you’ll definitely deserve a refreshing drink with your guests! That’s why the wedding reception, which is both convivial and enjoyable, is one of the favorite moments at a wedding. But what beverages should you serve? To ensure everything is perfect and to toast with your guests as you should, discover our tips for a successful wedding reception.

What is a “vin d’honneur”?

The vin d’honneur is a friendly reception held between the official ceremony and the wedding meal. Deeply rooted in French cultural tradition, it’s the perfect moment to thank those who attended the civil or religious ceremony without necessarily inviting them to the dinner or evening party. It offers a festive atmosphere around an aperitif cocktail, a few canapés, and a fine selection of wines.

Usually, the vin d’honneur takes place right after leaving the town hall, the place of worship, or directly at the reception venue, whether indoors or in a decorated outdoor space. Its duration is flexible, generally lasting one to two hours: just enough time to raise a glass, chat, enjoy a few cold bites, and appreciate some light background music. It’s also an opportunity for the newlyweds to slip away briefly for photos.

How to organize your vin d’honneur

Planning a vin d’honneur involves considering logistics, atmosphere, and beverages. To ensure your guests have a pleasant time, focus on smooth service, chilled drinks, and quality appetizers. Start by choosing a venue suited to your guest count, a reception hall, terrace, garden, or estate. If you are in Loire-Atlantique or another wine region, take advantage of the setting to host a rustic vin d’honneur amid the vineyards or at a château. Don’t forget to plan for the weather: consider marquees or parasols, especially in summer.

For the ambiance, opt for live music or a well-curated playlist. Event professionals also recommend offering fun activities like wedding games, a candy bar, or a cocktail bar to keep the afternoon lively. As for furniture and presentation, choose practical buffet setups, glass dispensers for homemade cocktails, proper wine glasses, elegant disposable tableware, or porcelain cups for decoration.

What to serve at a vin d’honneur

At a vin d’honneur, drinks are typically light and festive: chilled beverages, wine, champagne, a few cocktails, and a buffet of savory and sweet bites. Here are some of the best options to delight your guests.

Champagne for your vin d’honneur

The ultimate celebratory drink, champagne remains the star of the vin d’honneur. To impress your guests, opt for a Champagne Blanc de Blancs, a Premier Cru, or even a vintage Champagne for an elegant touch. For great value while pleasing most palates, choose a Brut cuvée directly from a small producer. And if your budget is tighter, turn to a Crémant de Loire or Crémant de Bourgogne, both offer fine, festive bubbles at an affordable price.

Different wines for your vin d’honneur

Ideally, wines should match the buffet you’re serving. For a cold buffet featuring charcuterie, local cheeses, or savory vegetable bites, consider:

• A light red wine such as an AOC Beaujolais to accompany cured meats
• An AOC Alsace Pinot Noir for cold cuts or meat platters
• An AOC Entre-deux-Mers white wine for fish bites, seafood verrines, or chilled pea soup

Serve all wines slightly chilled, including reds. Dry whites and light rosés are always crowd-pleasers, especially in summer.

Cocktails for your vin d’honneur

Homemade cocktails appeal to all generations. In addition to the traditional Champagne punch, consider white sangria, mojito fountains, or a stylish cocktail bar. You can even plan a cocktail-making workshop as entertainment, or add a few food trucks for a modern, relaxed vin d’honneur.

Wedding Reception with Champagne!

It’s the most beautiful day of your life! What better way to celebrate than by popping the champagne and toasting to your marriage before starting the festivities? As you might have guessed, champagne is one of the ideal drinks for any wedding reception. To please the majority and keep costs in check, opt for a good value AOC Champagne Brut from a small estate.

However, given the number of guests, this can still be quite an expense... Don’t worry, you can find excellent, affordable options in AOC Crémant de Loire or AOC Crémant de Bourgogne. This way, you can still add sparkle to your wedding reception, even on a tight budget!

What Wines to Serve at a Wedding Reception

If you’re not a fan of bubbles or if you prefer to impress with perfect food and wine pairings for your buffet, serve wine at your reception instead. Nowadays, the wedding reception is an opportunity for your caterer to showcase their skills and impress your guests before the main meal. Whether it’s in the form of canapés, verrines, or a plancha, there’s something for everyone!

The golden rule for a successful wedding reception is to offer freshness. Since weddings often take place in the summer under a scorching sun, don’t hesitate to serve light and well-chilled wines. Even red wine should preferably be kept in an ice bucket (but no ice in the glass, of course). Remember, wine will warm up faster than it will cool down!

If you have a Spanish ham carving station, offer a bottle of light red wine such as AOC Beaujolais or AOC Alsace Pinot Noir with red fruit notes and soft tannins.

For avocado and shrimp verrines, and assorted appetizers, serve a bottle of Provence rosé wine. With its citrus aromas (pink grapefruit), vine peach, and freshness, Provence rosé wines are an essential asset at a wedding reception.

Finally, if you’re hosting a plancha station with calamari and scallop skewers, opt for a bottle of dry white wine from an AOC Entre-deux-Mers estate. With its crisp profile and aromas of exotic fruits and citrus, this cuvée will be a hit with your guests.

Some Cocktail Ideas for Your Wedding Reception

Lastly, cocktail enthusiasts should not be left out at a wedding reception. It’s common to see sangria fountains, punch bowls, or Champagne soup (or “soupe champenoise”) being popular choices at the reception! For a trendy touch, you can even offer Mojitos, Gin Tonics, or other cocktails. Let your imagination run wild!

How much should you plan for your vin d’honneur?

For a successful vin d’honneur, plan for about two to three glasses per person. If you’re hosting an aperitif-style cocktail before the meal, it’s essential to estimate quantities based on your guest count.

Here’s an approximate guide for 100 guests:

• Champagne or Crémant: 20 to 25 bottles
• White, rosé, or red wine: 30 to 35 bottles
• Homemade cocktails: 10 to 15 liters (depending on the recipe)
• Juices and non-alcoholic drinks: 10 to 15 liters as well

If you’d like to add a unique touch, why not set up a small tasting or cooking station, or offer guests a mini cocktail recipe booklet as a keepsake from your special day?

Our wine selections for your vin d’honneur

On Avenue des Vins, you’ll find a curated selection of gems, perfect for creating a vin d’honneur that exceeds expectations. Whether you’re looking for a Champagne Blanc de Blancs, a refined Crémant, a refreshing white wine, or a fruity red to pair with your appetizers, each cuvée has been carefully selected. And if you wish to host an eco-friendly wedding celebration, consider organic, biodynamic, or natural wines, the perfect sustainable choice before you head off on your honeymoon.

You now have all the keys to ensure your wedding reception is a success! Discover on Avenue des Vins, all our cuvées directly from the estate or château of your choice, with home delivery. Explore our beautiful selection of white wines, reds, rosés, champagnes, and crémants at the best prices for your wedding reception and meal.

FAQ - Wedding reception wine

How many bottles of champagne should you plan for a 100-guest wedding reception?

Plan for 20 to 25 bottles of champagne or crémant for one hundred guests, based on two to three glasses per person. Add 30 to 35 bottles of white, rosé or red wine if you vary the drinks, plus 10 to 15 litres of homemade cocktails.

Which red wine should you serve at a summer wedding reception?

Choose a light, fruity red such as an AOC Beaujolais or an AOC Alsace Pinot Noir, with soft tannins and red-fruit notes. Serve it chilled, ideally after a few minutes in an ice bucket, as a summer reception calls above all for freshness.

What is a budget-friendly alternative to champagne for a wedding reception?

Turn to a crémant, such as AOC Crémant de Loire or AOC Crémant de Bourgogne. These sparkling wines offer fine, festive bubbles at a gentle price, letting you add sparkle to your reception even on a tight budget.

Should red wine be served chilled at a wedding reception?

Yes. Weddings often take place in high summer, so every wine benefits from being served cool, including light reds kept in an ice bucket. Just avoid ice cubes in the glass, and remember that wine warms up faster than it cools down.

How long does a vin d'honneur last?

A vin d'honneur usually lasts between one and two hours. It takes place between the ceremony and the meal, long enough to raise a glass, chat and enjoy a few cold bites while the newlyweds slip away for photos.