Spice things up with these steamy flicks.
Updated Oct 14, 2024The Best Wedding Champagnes for Your Toast
Here's the bubbly you need for your big day, from budget to splurge-worthy. Cheers!
Photo: Stocksy
If you can't imagine tying the knot without a classic, elegant champagne toast, then scouting the best wedding champagne is probably on your long list of to-dos. Couples serve champagne at weddings because it symbolizes celebration, luxury and joy, says Gina Lyons, CEO at A Vine Affair, a champagne and caviar concierge service. "The tradition goes back centuries as champagne has long been associated with royalty, prosperity and special occasions," she says. And trust us—we're totally of the opinion that weddings and champagne make a perfect pair!
We're here to help you find the best champagne for a wedding toast, or just to hand out at your reception. Here, we'll also guide you through pricing and where to buy the bubbly you choose, and share some fun ideas if you're wondering how to serve champagne at a wedding in a slightly different way.
In this article: Types of Champagne for a Wedding | Wedding Champagne Cost | Where to Buy Wedding Champagne | How to Serve Champagne at a Wedding
FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT
What Kind of Champagne Is Served at Weddings?
Champagne is a sparkling beverage that's only produced in the Champagne region of France. Its bubbly fizz and crisp flavor profile—along with that iconic pop—make it an excellent beverage for a celebratory toast. Champagne ranges from very dry to very sweet, with the popular brut variety right in the middle of this range. It features a dry flavor and a slightly sweet finish.
Popular alternatives to authentic champagne are prosecco, which is made in Italy, cava from Spain and crémant, which hails from France (but not from the Champagne region). These blends offer more budget-friendly options with that favorite fizz we all know and love.
When it comes to serving champagne at a wedding, there are no hard and fast rules you need to follow, or any particular "best way" to do it. Instead, consider things like your favorite kind (if you have one), your budget and what food you might pair it with.
According to Lyons, about 90% of the champagne for weddings is brut. Many consider this a safe bet as the best champagne for a wedding toast, as it strikes a nice balance between dry and sweet, catering to a variety of tastes. She also sees lots of couples choose the following:
- Rosé: For a sweeter finish and a slightly pink hue
- Blanc de blancs: A crisp, clear option
- Blanc de noirs: An elegant, dark champagne with a heartier taste
- Vintage champagne: Some couples use this to pay homage to a certain year
- Prestige cuvée: This category contains some of the priciest champagnes, like Cristal and Dom Pérignon
How Much Does Champagne Cost for a Wedding?
The amount of money you can expect to shell out for a good wedding champagne varies widely, based mainly on the type you purchase. High-end bottles of champagne, like Cristal, can cost more than $300 per bottle, according to Total Wine. Evan Askey, general manager at Vast, says, "If you want real champagne without the heavy markup, try Jacquart or Charles de Cazanove—both offer great quality at a friendlier price [at $60 and $44 respectively at Total Wine]." Veuve Clicquot is another amazing brut in the $50 range.
In addition, you can snag a beautiful bottle of crémant for under $30, like the blush-colored Levert or a handsome green bottle of Henri Champliau. Prosecco, which Askey says offers an easy-drinking, crowd-pleasing and affordable base for bubbly signature cocktails, clocks in at as low as $10 to $15 per bottle.
But, Askey says, "If you're going big when choosing your wedding champagne, make it count. Billecart-Salmon rosé is a stunner—definitely one of those 'if you know, you know' bottles," he says. "Cristal gets side-eye from some, but it's consistently a top blind pick among master sommeliers for a reason—it's incredible. Dom Pérignon brings that iconic, smooth luxury, and Krug Grande cuvée is deep, bold and unforgettable. Any of these will have people talking—and remembering," Askey says.
The Knot Budget Advisor is a helpful tool to learn about local bar service or alcohol costs while customizing your budget. Keep in mind that the average cost of wedding alcohol is around $2,800. And your champagne costs may not be included in your open bar cost, depending on your venue, the type of alcohol you serve and the number of guests in attendance. Purchasing your own? Use this handy wedding alcohol calculator once you finalize your guest list in order to determine how much to buy.
Where to Buy Wedding Champagne
If you're supplying the bubbly for your big day, be sure to check out our list of the best places to buy good wedding champagne. But if this is your plan, be sure to check into the liquor laws in the state in which you'll wed. In keeping with some liquor laws, venues may require you to use a professional bartender to serve your champagne. If your venue requires a bartender, check out The Knot Vendor Marketplace to find a pro who'll ensure your champagne toast goes off without a hitch.
Here are some of the best places to shop if you're supplying champagne for a wedding.
- Mano's Wine: This online retailer is your place for unique, customized wine and champagne bottles. They produce beautifully etched and hand-painted bottles for your special event. Just be sure to allow plenty of time for product creation and shipping! Lots of online reviews indicate that Mano's takes their time, which is great, but this may not be the best option if you're on a tight schedule.
- McBride Sisters: McBride Sisters is the largest Black woman-owned wine purveyor in the world. And it's easy to see why they have a huge legion of devotees. Their popular Black Girl Magic brut is perfect for serving champagne at a wedding, with a clear, sparkling look and festive packaging. Save money and serve up a bit of variety when you purchase their signature Sparkle and Shine six-pack that includes a brut and a brut rosé blend.
- Wine Access: Here, you'll find an expansive selection with excellent shipping and customer service. The website cleverly includes short, informative blurbs about many of their favorite recommendations, making it easier for you to choose your libation. Your bottles will arrive on time, wrapped in cold packs to ensure top-notch quality. While prices are on the high side, there are plenty of promos and discounts online to take advantage of.
- The Zero Proof: Providing non-alcoholic champagne at your wedding is a super-amazing way to be inclusive in your toast! You may have guests who are pregnant or just choose not to imbibe. The Zero Proof offers several alcohol-free sparkling wines to choose from, with a taste that's just as festive as the real thing.
- Wine by Lamborghini: If you plan to splurge on your wedding champagne (and you love cars!), you'll adore these stunning blends from Lamborghini. These sparkling wines are pricey, but they arrive in beautiful packaging that's clearly high-end. Consider a membership to reduce prices a bit.
- Walmart and Sam's Club: These are your best budget-friendly types of champagne for a wedding. Choose from a variety of basic and affordable blends, with quantities to easily serve a large crowd.
- Buy Wines Online: With fast, reliable shipping anywhere in the US, Buy Wines Online is a great option if you're purchasing your own wedding champagne. A robust search function allows you to narrow down on your perfect blend by using filters such as ratings, region and price.
- Total Wine: Perhaps the most widely known brand for in-store and online alcohol purchases, Total Wine offers an extensive selection of beer, wine and other spirits at reasonable prices and dependable shipping to your home or to a local store. Online discounts and coupons can help you save even more on the champagne for your wedding reception.
How to Serve Champagne at a Wedding
By now, we've pretty much established that when it comes to weddings, champagne is the best way to celebrate—period. Whether you're serving it for toasts, handing out splits as favors or including a sparkling signature cocktail, there's no shortage of creative ways to drink bubbly at your reception (or even the ceremony).
Check out these creative ideas for how to serve champagne at a wedding. Find something you like? You can "favorite" the ideas below by clicking on the heart icon in the upper right-hand corner and signing up on The Knot. Then, you can refer back to them later to keep your wedding planning centralized.
1. Incorporate a Champagne Tower
There's a reason this is a wedding day favorite: A champagne tower is a fun yet elegant addition to your reception, and a great way to gather your guests and ensure they all get a glass of bubbly.
2. Take It Down the Aisle
Have your champagne toast right as your ceremony draws to a close. Once you hear those all-important words, "I now pronounce you married," it's time to pass the bubbly for a trip back down the aisle. Raise a glass!
3. White Glove Service
There are tons of ways of serving champagne at a wedding reception, and this one's definitely different. Decorate a faux wall with cut-outs for servers to hand out champagne in a refreshingly unique twist on white-glove service.
4. Escort Card Companion
When you neatly arrange your escort cards or table numbers atop graceful wedding champagne flutes, it's easy to ensure each guest gets a glass of bubbly—and a seat!
5. Hand Out Mini Champagne Bottles
Hand out or display mini champagne bottles at your reception, either as wedding favors or to use as champagne for a wedding toast. Find them in bulk at Total Wine.
6. Elevate It With Upscale Serving Trays
Sure, it's fun to incorporate cool new wedding cocktail trends into your big day. But there's nothing that says you can't simply pass the bubbly on beautiful trays. Opt for silver for elegance, something vintage for a touch of whimsy, or wood slabs if you're going for a more rustic vibe.
7. Backed With Black
Crystal clear champagne pops against a black background for a dramatic display that's unforgettable. This unique way of serving champagne at a wedding is perfect for a black-tie affair.
8. Use Wood for a Rustic Vibe
Build or rent a wood display to add a rustic touch to your champagne service. There are tons of different ways to do this, from serving champagne on slabs of wood to live-edge shelves and other great ideas for directing guests to your champagne for a wedding toast.
9. Add It to Your Table Centerpiece
A beautiful champagne flute is a great way to elevate any wedding table centerpiece, pulling double duty as a vessel for bubbly and a decoration. Place your glasses alongside your table florals for a beautiful display.
