Are you planning your wedding? Don't overlook your reception or cocktail hour! A true opening to the festivities, this moment synonymous with conviviality and sharing indeed allows you to warmly thank your guests while creating a relaxed atmosphere between the civil or religious ceremony and the meal.
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Summary
What is a "vin d'honneur"?
In the context 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 vin d'honneur date back to ancient European traditions (particularly French) highlighting the central role of wine during moments of celebration.
In many medieval societies, wine was indeed a symbol of conviviality and festivity. 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 has evolved to become a convivial and festive moment, often marked by a cocktail or a light snack. This also provides the newlyweds with an opportunity to thank their guests for their presence and wishes, while sharing a moment of relaxation.
Lighter and less formal than the wedding meal, the reception often gathers a wider circle of guests, promoting interactions in a warm atmosphere.
The role of the reception in the dynamics of the wedding
The reception is a bit of a relaxation break before getting down to serious business! This key moment of the wedding therefore plays an essential role: it marks the smooth transition between the emotion-filled celebration and the feast to come.
It is also an opportunity for the newlyweds to share a drink (or several) with their loved ones, exchange laughter, smiles, and take the time to enjoy everyone's presence.
In short, the vin d'honneur is the perfect cocktail to start 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 organized on-site (in the same location as the ceremony or dinner), it is often shorter. If it requires travel, it may be slightly extended to allow guests to settle 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 adhere to a traditional duration of about 1.5 to 2 hours. This moment also often gathers more people than the meal. Thus, if you are considering 100 people for your meal, it is likely that this number will rise to 150 for the cocktail reception... but this depends above all on your wishes and the respective families! The drinks: at the heart of the cocktail reception At a wedding, the choice of drinks is essential to offer your guests a memorable experience. Here are some tips to help you choose and organize the selection of drinks for the cocktail reception.
What types of wines to choose?
- A Champagne or crémant for the toasts: to start the reception beautifully, 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 festive mood. Of course, a sparkling Vouvray or other regional sparkling wines can also do the job very well....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 small bites, we recommend opting for something light and fruity. A Sauvignon or a Chenin from the Loire would be ideal examples. This type of wine is indeed refreshing, agreeable, and pairs perfectly with light dishes. The idea here is to whet your guests' appetites! Of course, other wines, such as a mineral and elegant Chablis or even an Alsace Riesling are equally viable options. A smooth and accessible red wine: your red wine should meet the same criteria as your white wine and remain harmonious and fresh. Therefore, avoid overly tannic or intense vintages. Once again, we are just 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 we 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-based dishes. In this case, the Côtes-de-Provence are generally recommended.Nevertheless, do not overlook the possibility of opting for delicious rosés from the Loire, the Rhône Valley, or Languedoc-Roussillon !
We also recommend adjusting your wine selection according to the season of your wedding. In summer, choose 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 reception is the perfect opportunity to pair delicious wines with savory dishes. To enhance all your bites, 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 won't overpower the flavors of the petits fours.
- Verrines: For these small creations often based on 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 present 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 like mojitos or fruity spritzes without alcohol can be a refreshing and festive option. We recommend the range of NONA DRINKS !
- Water, Fresh Juices, and Artisan Lemonades: Of course, don't forget to offer still and sparkling water, fresh fruit juices, or homemade lemonades to add a sweet touch. These beverages fit perfectly into the atmosphere of a reception, providing guests with a healthy and refreshing alternative.
Refreshing cocktails for an unforgettable reception
The quantities to plan for
It's always better to plan a little extra than to run out! Here are some figures to consider:
- For your champagne or sparkling wine, plan for about 2 glasses per guest during the cocktail. Generally, 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, 1 glass of each color per person is sufficient for the cocktail part, which is about 1 bottle for 5 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 soda, 1 bottle for 4 people is generally sufficient.
Keep in mind that it is impossible to predict exactly how much will be consumed during your wedding! This will depend on several factors such as your guests' sense of celebration, the average age, or the organization regarding the venue and travel. So, do not try to calculate to the exact bottle and be generous, without excess.
The best key is indeed to find the right balance between wines, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks so that every guest feels considered during this unique wedding moment!
Our expertise at your service
At
We indeed offer a varied range suitable for all budgets, from delightful everyday wines to Grand Crus, including excellent value for money options.Keep in mind that wines and champagnes are generally not the specialty of caterers and they often have significant markups on this item, although this is often invisible as it is diluted in an overall quote.
We also offer customized advice to ensure your drinks perfectly complement your buffet and meal, notably by organizing in advance a home tasting session (in the Ile-de-France region only) to allow you to compare the proposed vintages!
Finally, we deliver all over France! No matter your reception location, we ensure the complete delivery of your wines so you can focus on organizing your wedding with peace of mind.
So, 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!
