The wedding reception: organization and advice

Are you planning your wedding? Don't overlook your reception or cocktail hour! As a true introduction to the festivities, this moment synonymous with conviviality and sharing allows you to warmly thank your guests while creating a relaxed atmosphere between the civil or religious ceremony and the meal.

Find out with La Cave Éclairée how to perfectly prepare this essential part of any wedding. From the choice of drinks to quantities and food and wine pairings, you will know everything about the vin d'honneur after reading this article!

What is a vin d'honneur? 

As part of a wedding, the vin d'honneur, sometimes also called a "cocktail", is a precious moment.For the bride and groom as well as their guests, it is indeed a convivial interlude where warm and informal moments are shared before the start of the main festivities.

The origins of the wine reception go back to ancient European traditions (particularly French ones) highlighting the central role of wine during moments of celebration.

In many medieval societies, wine was indeed a symbol of conviviality and celebration. Thus, at weddings, it was customary to offer wine to all participants as a sign of gratitude and generosity. This also marked the union of families and communities around a beverage shared by all.

Over time, this custom evolved to become a convivial and festive moment, often marked by a cocktail or a light snack.This also gives the newlyweds the opportunity to thank their guests for their presence and their wishes, while sharing a moment of relaxation.

Lighter and less formal than the wedding meal, the cocktail reception often brings together a wider circle of guests, encouraging interaction in a warm atmosphere.

Role of the cocktail reception in the dynamics of the wedding

The cocktail reception is a bit like a relaxing break before moving on to the main event! This key moment of the wedding therefore plays an essential role: it gently marks the transition between the emotional celebration and the upcoming feast.

It is also an opportunity for the newlyweds to share a drink (or several) with their loved ones, exchange laughter and smiles, and take the time to enjoy everyone's presence.

In short, the vin d'honneur is the perfect cocktail to kick off the celebration in style!

The vin d'honneur: a unique moment to share love 

Typical duration and number of guests

If the vin d'honneur is held on site (at the same location as the ceremony or dinner), it is often shorter. If it requires travel, it may then be slightly extended to allow guests to settle in temporarily.

Modern and casual weddings generally offer a longer vin d'honneur, sometimes up to 3 hours, incorporating entertainment (speeches, music, games). On the other hand, a more classic or formal wedding will often follow a traditional duration of about 1h30 to 2h.

This moment often brings together more people than the meal itself. So, if you are planning for 100 people at your meal, it is likely that this number will rise to 150 for the cocktail reception… but this above all depends on your wishes and those of both families!

Beverages: at the heart of the cocktail reception

At a wedding, the choice of beverages is essential to offer your guests a memorable experience. Here are some tips to help you choose and organize the beverage selection for the cocktail reception.

Which types of wines should you choose?

• A Champagne or crémant for the toasts: to start the reception in style, nothing beats a glass of champagne or a well-chilled crémant. These sparkling drinks are indeed perfect for toasts and will symbolize the elegance of your ceremony. They also mark the beginning of the festivities and immediately put your guests in a celebratory mood. Of course, a sparkling Vouvray or other regional sparkling wines can also do the trick....Champagne is not a requirement!

• A light and fruity white wine: if you are looking for a white wine to accompany appetizers, verrines, and other canapés, we recommend choosing something light and fruity. A Sauvignon or a Chenin from the Loire will be ideal, for example. This type of wine is refreshing, crowd-pleasing, and pairs perfectly with light dishes. The idea here is to whet your guests' appetites! Of course, other wines, such as a Chablis mineral and elegant or even an Alsace Riesling are just as suitable.

• A smooth and approachable red wine: your red wine should meet the same criteria as your white wine and remain harmonious and fresh. Therefore, avoid cuvées that are too tannic or intense.Once again, we are only at the beginning of your celebration! A delicate Pinot Noir from Alsace or Burgundy, a  fragrant Cabernet Franc from the Loire, or even a juicy Gamay will all be excellent choices !

• Can you opt for a rosé? Of course ! A rosé can definitely be a good idea, especially in summer. Light and fresh, it pairs well with seafood or cheese dishes. In this case, the Côtes-de-Provence are generally recommended. Nevertheless, do not overlook the possibility of choosing delicious rosés from the Loire, the Rhône Valley, or Languedoc-Roussillon !

We also recommend that you adapt your wine selection according to the season of your wedding. In summer, opt for fresh and light wines, such as a mineral white or a fruity rosé. In winter, warmer wines can be offered to bring a comforting touch to the atmosphere of the reception.

Champagne (or crémant) for a toast to the happiness of the newlyweds

What food & wine pairings?

The cocktail hour is the perfect opportunity to pair delicious wines with tasty dishes. To enhance all your appetizers, here are some pairings that will delight your guests.

• Canapés: these savory miniatures, whether topped with foie gras, smoked salmon, or grilled vegetables, pair perfectly with a light and fruity white wine.A Sauvignon Blanc or an unoaked Chardonnay will be perfect for their freshness and subtle aromas. If you prefer red, choose an elegant red wine that will not overpower the flavors of the canapés.

• Verrines: For these small creations often made with vegetables, fruits, or fish, rosé works wonders. A fresh and light Côtes-de-Provence will bring a fruity and invigorating touch, ideal for balancing the richness of the ingredients in the verrines!

What are the alternatives to wine?

It is important to consider all your guests, including those who prefer non-alcoholic refreshments. Offering alternatives to wine will indeed make the reception accessible to everyone.

• Non-alcoholic cocktails: Cocktails such as mojitos or fruity spritzes without alcohol can, for example, be a refreshing and festive option. We therefore recommend the NONA DRINKS  !

• Water, fresh juices, and artisanal lemonades: Of course, don't forget to offer still and sparkling water, fresh fruit juices, or homemade lemonades to add a sweet touch. These drinks fit perfectly into the atmosphere of a wedding reception, offering guests a healthy and refreshing alternative.

Refreshing cocktails for an unforgettable wedding reception

The quantities to plan for

It is always better to plan a little extra than to run out! Here are some figures to keep in mind:

• For your champagne or sparkling wine, plan for about 2 glasses per guest during the cocktail. In general, each glass is about 12 cl, which corresponds to one bottle for 3 people. For 100 guests, plan for example 30 to 36 bottles.

• For the wine, one glass of each color per person is enough for the cocktail portion, which is about one bottle for every five people. For 100 people, plan for 18 bottles of red wine and 18 bottles of white wine.

• Non-alcoholic beverages: Plan for 1L of water per person for your entire wedding. For fruit juices and sodas, 1 bottle for every 4 people is generally sufficient.

Keep in mind that it is impossible to predict exactly how many bottles will be consumed during your wedding! This will depend on several factors such as your guests' party spirit, the average age, and the organization regarding the venue and travel. So, do not try to calculate down to the exact bottle and be generous, without excess.

The key is indeed to find the right balance between wines, cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages so that every guest feels considered during this unique wedding moment!

Our expertise at your service

At La Cave Éclairée, we put our know-how at your service to make your cocktail reception and your wedding an unforgettable moment .

We indeed offer a varied range suitable for all budgets, from affordable wines to Grand Crus, including excellent value for money options.Also keep in mind that wines and champagnes are generally not the specialty of caterers and that they often apply significant markups on this item, although this is often invisible as it is diluted in an overall quote.

We also offer you personalized advice to ensure your drinks pair perfectly with your buffet and meal, notably by organizing in advance a tasting at home (in the Île-de-France region only) to allow you to compare the proposed cuvées!

Finally, we deliver throughout France! No matter your reception venue, we ensure the complete delivery of your wines so you can focus on organizing your wedding with complete peace of mind.

So, are you ready to celebrate the most beautiful day of your life? Contact us and discover our services to organize a perfect ceremony. Long live the newlyweds!