How much champagne should I buy for my wedding?
It's often the first question: how many bottles of champagne should you buy for your wedding? Here are some simple rules to keep in mind.
The basic calculation
A 75cl bottle of champagne will serve 6 to 8 flutes, depending on the type of glass used: flute, coupe or tulip. As a general rule, plan on one bottle for every 3 guests, counting two glasses for the vin d'honneur and one glass for dessert. Here are a few theoretical examples, depending on the number of guests who wish to drink alcohol:
- 50 guests: about 20 bottles
- 80 guests: approx. 30-35 bottles
- 100 guests: about 40 bottles
Refine according to your evening choices
The ideal quantity also depends on the place given to champagne in your wedding party:
- Champagne only for the vin d'honneur and dessert: 1 bottle for 3 people
- Champagne throughout the meal: go up to 1 bottle for 2 people, or even a little more.
- For connoisseurs: always allow a 10-15% margin to avoid stock-outs.
I advise you never to run out of bottles. Champagne missing from the toast is a memory you don't want to keep!
What type of champagne should I choose for my wedding?
There isn't just one perfect champagne for a wedding, there are several, depending on the moment and the dish served.
Here's the wedding champagne guide I wish I'd had when I first started shopping.
For the vin d'honneur and wedding cocktails
The aperitif calls for a fresh, elegant champagne, accessible to all palates. Three styles lend themselves particularly well to this:
- Brut tradition (a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier): the popular, versatile and festive champagne par excellence. The Champagne Deutz Brut Classic is a solid reference, with its finesse and consistency. The Champagne Lanson is also a safe bet for large volumes.
- The Champagne Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay): elegant, mineral, with fine bubbles. Perfect for a refined vin d'honneur that appeals to connoisseurs and laymen alike.
- Champagne rosé brut: festive, colorful, with fruity aromas. It creates a beautiful visual effect for the cocktail party and appeals to a large majority of guests.
For larger tables, consider champagnes from winemakers or cooperatives, for excellent value for money: Champagne H.BLIN or Chassenay d'arce offer affordable vintages from 21 to 25 euros, without sacrificing quality.
Champagne and food pairings for the meal
Would you like to serve champagne throughout the meal? Here are the perfect pairings for your dishes:
- Starters, seafood, champagne with fish: Brut or Extra Brut, or a Blanc de Blancs their freshness and minerality are a perfect match for the iodine and lightness of the dishes.
- Champagne with white meat or poultry: a Brut millésimé or a well-structured Blanc de Blancs. Champagne DrappierMillésime Exception or Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage.
- Champagne with red meat, rich dishes: prefer a Blanc de Noirs (100% Pinot Noir or Meunier), more powerful and full-bodied, which will stand up to intense flavors.
- Cheeses: a vintage Champagne or an Extra Brut to play up the tension and acidity against the fatness.
For dessert and the pièce montée
This is the most eagerly awaited part of the wedding toast. Two options depending on your dessert:
- Desserts with red fruits (strawberries, raspberries): the brut rosé champagne is the ideal accompaniment, gourmet and festive.
- Desserts with cream, chocolate or cake: opt for a powerful champagne, a vintage champagne, a Blanc de Noirs, or a Demi-Sec for those with a sweet tooth.
Le Champagne Gosset renowned for its generous, well-structured cuvées, is an excellent choice to accompany a pièce montée with character. Champagne Moët & Chandon and Champagne Veuve Clicquot continue to be recognized by all your guests as the best choice for this key moment.
Champagne in classic or large format?
The 75cl bottle: the basis of service
The classic champenoise bottle is the most practical choice for serving a large number of guests quickly at the vin d'honneur. It's easier to manage in terms of stock, temperature and service.
Large formats: for effect and keepsakes
A magnum of champagne (1.5 liters), a Jeroboam (3 liters) or a Methuselah (6 liters) on the dessert table, you're guaranteed an unforgettable moment. These large containers also have a gustatory advantage: aging takes place more slowly in larger formats, often resulting in champagnes that are more complex and fresher on the palate.
Please note: the production cost of large containers is higher than that of conventional bottles. Don't expect to save money on the unit price...
My advice: mix and match formats. 75cl bottles for the vin d'honneur in large quantities, and one or two large containers for the meal and dessert. You'll create visually powerful moments while keeping your wedding champagne budget under control. See all available formats in our bottle sizes FAQ.
How to serve champagne at your wedding?
Temperature, the key to successful service
Champagne should be served between 8°C and 10°C chilled, but never iced. Too cold and it loses its aromas. Too hot, and the bubbles will burst.
To maintain the right temperature during cocktails, place your bottles in ice buckets filled half with water and half with ice. Serve within 20-30 minutes. A practical tip: discreetly start serving when the penultimate speaker begins his or her speech, so that the champagne is at the right temperature for the toast.
The choice of glass
The champagne flute remains the classic choice for a wedding: elegant and practical, it highlights the string of bubbles. For a more complete tasting experience, sommeliers now recommend a tulip-shaped glass to enhance the aromas.
All you need to know about choosing a champagne glass
Storing opened champagne
Any bottles left over after the party? Open champagne can be stored in the refrigerator for 48 to 72 hours with a special champagne stopper. Perfect for prolonging the celebration with your loved ones the next day.
Take a look at our champagnes on sale to make great discoveries at the best prices, with free delivery on orders over a certain amount. Now you have all the information you need to choose the ideal champagne for your wedding, plan the right quantity and serve with elegance. Your big day deserves a champagne to match, and with this guide, you're armed to make the best choice. I'm counting on you to toast with style!
Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health. Drink in moderation.
