Post # 1

Member
3 posts
Wannabee
I would love to heaving your thoughts on Sering a glass of champagne during the sereamony?
This is my theame all Romance !
When guest are entering the chapel, The music from Nat King Cole, frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, etc will be playing, The Chapel will be lit by all candle light, you’ll walk through arches done in silk and pearls, Cream and Dark Red Roses tied to every other row of pews.
I want my guest to feel Love as we do !
So what is better then setting in a beautiful candle light setting listening to old love songs from the past and having a glass of champagne ?
any opinuns ?
Post # 3

Member
47412 posts
Honey Beekeeper
@Denaw: I think you could serve champagne before the ceremony in some venues. I do not think it would be appropriate (nor allowed) in a church.
Post # 4

Member
2639 posts
Sugar bee
- Wedding: April 2014 - Italian Villa
@Denaw: We are also serving wine during our ceremony, but we won’t have sparkling (not that it makes a difference). We are doing a “wine ceremony” rather than a unity candle, unity sand, etc. (One will have red wine and the other white, we’ll mix and drink). We wanted our friends and family to participate as a symbol of both their support for us and the blending of two families and groups of friends.
I don’t think it’s going to be a problem, but I would check with your church/chapel and see if they are okay with it. It would suck to have all that champagne and be unable to serve it at the last minute!
ETA: We are doing ours outside on private property, so we don’t have to deal with the “political” aspects of this.
Post # 5

Member
7305 posts
Busy Beekeeper
- Wedding: October 2011 - Bed & Breakfast
One of my short list of rules was no alcohol before the ceremony. The idea of actually drinking during the ceremony never even crossed my mind as something people would consider. We were making, and our people were witnessing and promising to hold us to, a huge commitment. I did not want that to be compromised in any way by alcohol.
As an aside, if you are having an entirely candlelit ceremony, please be very careful in selecting a photographer and understand that he/she will have a lot of shooting limitations due to the lighting you have choosen. Make sure you see at least one entire ceremony or reception that the photographer has shot under those lighting conditions, ask about their equipment and how they would mitigate such poor lighting, etc. I am sure it will look beautiful in person, but a photographer without the right specialty skill set will leave you with extremely disappointing photos.
Post # 6

Member
3 posts
Wannabee
@gingerkitten: I Love this idea ! We are big Wine Lovers that would be so perfect.! Would you mind if we used your idea ?
our venue is a wedding chapel they do not have services other then wedding. the owner Loved the idea of the champagne
Post # 7

Member
1632 posts
Bumble bee
Champagne before the ceremony sounds divine. During ddoesn’t sound all that fun because once the flute is empty I want to get rid of it. Not hold it or place it on the ground in case someone steps on it and breaks.
If I am given alcohol I expect some food served as well.
To keep it romantic…truffle popcorn or choc covered strawberries or those cookies dusted with sugar and shaped like hearts.
Post # 8

Member
3 posts
Wannabee
@lovekiss: Thank you for your concern for the photos.
we have been in and to alot of weddings and to us there is nothing worst the a photographer jumping around trying to snap a pic of you saying your vows. we have instructed our photographer that we will having her take pictures while the guest are escorted to the reception we are having a small wedding party with No Children
Post # 9

Member
2639 posts
Sugar bee
- Wedding: April 2014 - Italian Villa
@Denaw: Go for it! I Actually saw this idea somewhere else on the internet, so I can’t take credit.
For those concerned about alcohol consumption, our guests are each only going to get around 3 oz, and it will be after the vows.
Post # 10

Member
1209 posts
Bumble bee
@Denaw: One of my friends was married in Napa Valley, and they gave guests glasses of wine as we entered the ceremony site (outdoors). It was a gorgeous wedding; however, I will say that was the most drunk I have ever gotten at a wedding due to the alcohol flowing from 2pm onwards!
Post # 11

Member
1092 posts
Bumble bee
I think it is a nice idea but I also don’t want to sit there holding my empty glass throughout the ceremony. I think it would be sweet to do a toast at the end of the ceremony but the champagne would have warmed considerably by then.
I also am surprised that you are allowed to have champagne served at a chapel/church. We are getting married (actually we have the same wedding date!) at a chapel and alcohol is not allowed anywhere.
Post # 12

Member
2529 posts
Sugar bee
@Denaw: People get chatty when there is food/drink, so keep that in mind.
BUT, I don’t see a problem with it. Our venue actually provides a little bit of food/drink before the ceremony, and that includes champagne. So it’s not too far off.
I think actually the PP who talked about your photographer was concerned about the low-light conditions in the chapel (candlelight is a low-light photo environment). It’s possible to take photos like that, and totally can happen HOWEVER the actual time in takes to take the photo in the dark is a little bit longer, and they may need to use a flash/remote flash.
Just let your photographer know about the lighting conditions in the chapel so she has a heads up.
Post # 13

Member
3067 posts
Sugar bee
@Denaw: I would love that if I was a guest!
Post # 14

Member
3081 posts
Sugar bee
@Denaw: I would not be upset if someone handed me a glass of champagne as I walked into the ceremony lol.
Post # 15

Member
9121 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
- Wedding: August 2013 - Rocky Mountains USA
We had a cocktail hour before the ceremony and everyone was PSYCHED! I trusted our guests enough to assume that they wouldn’t get tanked in one hour and forget the vows we were making, lol. Everyone was perfectly respectful during the ceremony, and a little extra engaged and emotional I think.
@Denaw: I would be all about a glass of champagne before, during, and/or after your ceremony 🙂
Post # 16

Member
739 posts
Busy bee
Our cocktails & appetizers begin at 5:30, and the ceremony begins at 6. We love booze and food.