What champagne for a wedding? Our advice & quantities

Between the dress, the rings and the menu, choosing champagne for your wedding can quickly become a headache. And yet, it's the one that opens the festivities and seals the toasts of the evening. So to speak it deserves all your attention.


Whether you're organizing a country aperitif, a refined dinner or a lively garden party, here are our tips for choosing your champagne well — and avoiding false notes.

What style of champagne for each moment of the wedding?

For the cocktail hour or aperitif
At this time of day, we want freshness, elegance, and above all, a champagne that will please all palates. Opt for:

  • A non-vintage Brut : lively and balanced, it's unanimous.
  • A Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay) : perfect for a chic aperitif, with its fine bubbles and its mineral tension.
  • Gourmet pairings : gougères, fresh verrines, sashimi, dried fruits.  

For the meal: starter, main course, cheeses

Serving champagne throughout the meal is original... and often magical. You just have to choose it well:

  • Starter : A Blanc de Blancs goes very well with a fresh and iodized starter like a Saint-Jacques carpaccio, a ceviche or a sea bream tartare.
  • Main course : A Blanc de Noirs (Pinot Noir / Meunier), more structured, accompanies wonderfully a roasted poultry, a creamy risotto or a veal fillet with morels.
  • Cheeses : Champagne and cheese? A connoisseur's pairing! Try a fleshy brut or a champagne aged in barrel with aged comté, truffle brie or mountain tomme.
  • Chic bonus: a champagne granita between two courses, for a fresh and festive touch instead of the Norman hole

For dessert

Here, we forget the brut!

  • A demi-sec or sec champagne will pair better with the sugar of the dessert, from tart to wedding cake, including cheesecake.
  • A Rosé Champagne will enhance desserts based on red fruits.
  • Bold alternative: a generous brut with a frangipane-based dessert or a pear sweet wine.

Understanding your champagne style: dosage and grape varieties

Two criteria not to be confused: dosage (sugar level) and grape composition (composition in grape varieties). Dosage (from least to most sweet) Dosage is often linked to the time of service: we start with dry champagnes at aperitif, we finish with sweeter bubbles with dessert.

  • Brut nature (or non-dosed) : no added sugar. Very dry, mineral style.
  • Extra-brut : very lightly dosed, ideal for aperitif or light cuisine.
  • Brut : the most versatile category. Fresh, lively, balanced, it adapts to almost everything.
  • Sec / Demi-sec : sweeter, perfect for desserts or sweet-salty pairings.

Grape composition (linked to the type of dish) Grape varieties determine the style and intensity of champagne. They should be paired according to the type of dish:

  • Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay) : tense, lemony, perfect on seafood, fish or refined starters.
  • Blanc de Noirs (100% Pinot Noir or Meunier) : more vinous, structured, ideal for white meats, braised dishes or cheeses.
  • Rosé : fruity, often more gourmet. Perfect for desserts, sweet-salty dishes or romantic moments.
  • Classic blend (Pinot Noir + Meunier + Chardonnay) : It combines the finesse of Chardonnay, the structure of Pinot Noir and the fruitiness of Pinot Meunier. Very versatile, it works as well at aperitif as on a complete meal, from starter to cheese.

How much champagne for a wedding?

In general, count 1 bottle for 3 people for the cocktail hour and 1 bottle for 2 people during the meal and dessert. Example for 100 guests:

  • Cocktail hour: 35 bottles
  • Meal: 50 bottles
  • Dessert: 20 bottles (if you change style or dose differently)

A little more if you plan a champagne bar, a dance evening... or a good thirst!

Our selection of champagnes for a successful wedding

At Vinodelice, we have selected for you cuvées perfect for the big day:

And why not a champagne gift box?

A champagne gift box also makes an excellent gift for your witnesses, parents or guests of honor. Elegant, timeless, always appreciated.

A moment to sparkle

Choosing the right champagne for your wedding is much more than just a box to check: it's creating an emotion, sublimating a moment, and signing an unforgettable day.

At Vinodelice, we help you find the perfect cuvées: with character, heart, and bubbles worthy of the event. Browse our selection of Champagne with good quality-price ratio and find your happiness.
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