When it comes to planning your big day, wedding wine might not be the first thing on your checklist—but it’s definitely one of the most important details that can elevate your celebration from nice to unforgettable.
But choosing wine for a wedding can feel a bit intimidating. Red, white, rosé, sparkling… how much do you even need? Don’t worry! We’ll guide you through everything you need to know about selecting, pairing, and calculating wine quantities for your wedding. Let’s raise a glass and dive in!
Types of Wine Every Wedding Should Have
When it comes to planning your drinks for a wedding, balance is key. You don’t need a long, complicated wine list. Your guests will appreciate the effort when every sip feels intentional and complements the food beautifully. Below are the main types of wine every wedding should have:
1. Sparkling Wine or Champagne (for the Toasts)
No wedding is truly complete without a bit of bubbly! Sparkling wines are the ultimate symbol of celebration, representing joy, prosperity, and new beginnings. They instantly lift the mood and add a touch of glamour to your wedding toasts and speeches.
Champagne is the classic choice. Its fine bubbles and balanced acidity pair wonderfully with gourmet dishes or delicate hors d’oeuvres.
Sparkling wine’s effervescence makes it a natural match for canapés, seafood, sushi, and cheese platters. It even works surprisingly well with fried appetizers, as the bubbles help cut through richness and cleanse your palate.
Our top champagne recommendations for weddings:
- Moet & Chandon - Imperial Brut - 750ml
- Veuve Clicquot - Ponsardin Rose - 750ml
- Duval Leroy - Premier Cru - Brut - Fleur de Champagne - 750ml
- Armand De Brignac - Brut Gold - 750ml
2. White Wine
White wine is the perfect wine for any occasion, particularly for guests who prefer lighter, more refreshing flavors. It’s versatile, crisp, and ideal for warm-weather celebrations or daytime receptions.
White wines work best with lighter meals such as grilled chicken, seafood, vegetarian dishes, and anything with a creamy or citrus-based sauce. Their freshness balances flavors and keeps your guests feeling refreshed between courses, especially in warm climates or during lunchtime receptions.
If you want something easy-going and universally appealing, Pinot Grigio is an excellent choice. It’s light, crisp, and pairs effortlessly with a wide range of dishes.
Our recommendations for white wine:
- Mud House Sauvignon Blanc 750ml
- Penfolds - Bin 144 Yattarna - Chardonnay - 750ml
- HaHa - Sauvignon Blanc - Marlborough - 750ml
- Banrock Station - Moscato - 750ml
3. Red Wine
Red wine brings depth, sophistication, and a sense of warmth to your wedding menu. It’s the star of the show for evening dinners and cooler seasons, adding richness and body to hearty main courses.
Red wines shine with hearty dishes that can stand up to their boldness—think grilled or roasted meats, rich sauces, or dishes with umami flavors. The tannins in red wine also balance fatty textures, creating a satisfying, harmonious bite with every sip.
Our recommendations for red wine:
- Penfolds - Bin 138 - Shiraz Grenache Mataro - 750ml
- Penfolds - Bin 128 Coonawarra - Shiraz - 750ml
- Penfolds - Bin 407 - Cabernet Sauvignon - 750ml
- B&G - Reserve - Varietal Cabernet Sauvignon - 750ml
- Finca Las Moras Intis Malbec 750ml
4. Rosé (for All-Season Romance)
Rosé has become a wedding favorite and it’s easy to see why. With its blush-pink hue and delicate flavor, it embodies romance, fun, and versatility. It bridges the gap between red and white wines, making it a perfect choice for guests with varied preferences.
Rosé pairs with a wide variety of dishes—from grilled vegetables and chicken to Mediterranean fare and cheese platters. Its subtle fruitiness complements both light and savory foods, making it a fantastic all-around option. Plus, it photographs beautifully on wedding tables!
Our recommendations for rose wine:
- Whispering Angel - 750ml
- Luis Felipe Edwards - Pupilla - Rose - 750ml
- Mouton Cadet Bordeaux Classic Rose 750ml
- Black Cottage - Rose - 750ml
- The Pale - Rose Wine - 750ml
5 Beautiful Wine Ceremonies in Weddings to Inspire Your Celebration
Here are five most beautiful wine ceremonies in weddings if you’re looking to add a romantic and symbolic touch to your big day!
1. The Wine Blending Ritual
This ceremony is all about two lives becoming one. The couple pours red and white wine into one carafe, blending them together to create a new, unique wine—just like their shared life ahead. Sometimes, family members also contribute their own wine to symbolize the joining of two families.
2. The Laying Down Wine Ceremony
A perfect choice for sentimental couples! Each partner places a bottle of wine and a love letter in a box during the ceremony. The box is sealed and opened years later so the couple can share the wine, read their letters, and relive their wedding memories.
3. The Fruits of Creation Ceremony
In this ritual, the couple shares one glass of rosé wine to represent the fruits of the earth and human love. After sipping, they discuss what they taste to remind them that just like wine, they may see life differently at times. It’s a gentle reminder that harmony matters more than being right.
4. The Bitter and the Sweet Ceremony
This heartfelt ritual uses two wines to symbolize life’s ups and downs. The couple first drinks the sweet wine to represent joy, then the bitter one to acknowledge challenges. It’s a promise to face both happiness and hardship together as one team.
5. The Loving Cup (Quaich) Ceremony
A tradition rooted in Scottish and French culture, this ceremony has the couple sharing one goblet or “loving cup.” They take turns sipping (sometimes even with interlocked arms!) as a symbol of unity, love, and trust. In some weddings, the cup is passed among guests to include everyone in the moment of togetherness.
How Much Wine Should You Prepare for Your Wedding?
Now, here’s the big question: How much wine do you actually need?
The general rule of thumb for weddings is:One bottle of wine per two guests for every two hours of the reception.
But let’s make that even easier:
Let’s say you’re hosting 100 guests for a 5-hour reception with an open bar that includes wine, beer, and a few cocktails.
- Assume about 50% of guests will drink wine → That’s 50 wine drinkers.
- Each wine drinker will have about 2–3 glasses per 2 hours (average) → That’s around 6 glasses per person for the evening.
- One bottle of wine = about 5 glasses → 50 guests × 6 glasses ÷ 5 glasses per bottle = 60 bottles total.
Purchase Your Wedding Wine with Us!
In the end, choosing the right wedding wine is all about creating a celebration that reflects your taste, love story, and the joy of sharing great moments with the people you cherish most. And if you’re looking for the best place to find quality wines for your wedding, look no further than minuman.com.
At minuman.com, you can easily explore a wide selection of alcoholic beverages, from beloved, award-winning labels to rare and ultra-premium limited editions. You’ll enjoy the same great prices online as in-store, and if you’re planning a big celebration, bulk purchases are available at even better rates.
With its reputation for consistent growth, excellent service, and smooth shopping experience, minuman.com makes it effortless to stock up on everything you need for the perfect wedding toast. So raise your glass, celebrate love, and buy high quality wine online with minuman.com.
