If you and your groom are wine connoisseurs and your perfect date involves visiting a vineyard and sipping fine wines, consider a wine theme wedding for your upcoming nuptials.
The first thing to consider when planning your wine theme wedding is the location for the ceremony and reception. The obvious and best choice is a winery, with its acres of lush beauty. The rows after rows of sprawling grape vines make an ideal backdrop for starting your lives together. Many wineries can accommodate weddings and offer everything needed including the linens, tables and chairs, and catering services for the reception.
If you are planning your ceremony during the colder months, look for a winery with a large tasting room where you can hold your ceremony. With such a beautiful setting, you cannot go wrong even if the ceremony and reception are held indoors.
Next, decide on the food to be served, and what wines you will be sharing with your guests. Make sure to have a variety of wines available including red, white, and blush varieties, and your personal favorites. By including many different types of wines, you will insure that all your guests will be happy.
Instead of a cocktail hour before your reception, consider having a wine tasting. For a formal affair, have tuxedo-clad servers pour samples of a few select wines. This will add a touch of elegance to the event.
If you are planning a sit-down or buffet style dinner, you will want to offer wine during the meal as well. If you eliminate serving a meal at your reception, you may instead choose to offer wine and delectable hors d'oeuvres, followed by wedding cake and dessert wine.
Once you have chosen your wedding site and planned your food and drinks, start thinking about the little details that will make your wine theme wedding memorable. First, choose invitations that hint at your theme. Consider an invitation using clipart images of bunches of plump grapes or two wine glasses below your names.
Your wedding colors can also add to your theme. Consider deep purple or burgundy for everything from the color of the bridesmaids' dresses to the napkins. Elegance should be what you strive for when planning a wedding of this type. To help accomplish this, consider hiring a string quartet, or play classical music CDs to add to the ambiance.
Your flowers should be beautiful yet understated. Consider bouquets of deep red or luscious cream roses. Long-stemmed calla lilies in clear vases on the tables also make a lovely statement. For your wedding favors, offer your guests tiny wine charms or silver wine stoppers; complete with your names and the date engraved on them.
If you would like to continue your wine wedding theme on to your honeymoon destination, consider a trip to the French countryside, or a less expensive option might be a stay in California's wine country.
Don't forget to raise your glasses in a toast as you enjoy your special day. An elegant wine theme wedding will result in a memorable wedding for the bride and groom, and all of the people lucky enough to share in it.
