Prepare to pop bottles and get a little bit extra! We’re talking about all things champagne tower related. This is one of 2022’s biggest wedding trends, and it’s not hard to see why. A champagne tower is the perfect photo opportunity with a dash of drama for good measure. Plus, who doesn’t love bubbles?
Alas, as with all daring, romantic, and luxurious things, there’s a logistical side to be considered. Can you DIY a magazine-worthy champagne tower? Where should you position your tower, and who sets it up? Will it break the bank? Never fear. Read on as we clue you in on how to make the process of creating your dream champagne tower almost as fun as drinking it. Bottoms up, baby!
Let’s get started!
Step away from the champagne bottles, Gatsby. The first step is to speak with your friendly venue liaison to make sure they’re on board. While a statement-making champagne tower in the Roaring Twenties might have required nothing more than a bootleg hook-up and a can-do attitude, all that slip hazard potential calls for some extra measures.
Your venue coordinator will be able to let you know if a champagne tower is something they can facilitate and, if so, how to make it the most efficient (and spill-free) process possible.
How big should my tower be?
Well, that depends on how many guests you have… and how thirsty they are. For a striking photo opportunity, a five to six-tier tower will be sufficient. A basic ascending grid pattern is the most efficient and spill-proof way to build. For a five-tier tower, your base should have a sturdy grid of 5×5, the next layer will have 4×4 glasses, and so on.
Jordan Racine, owner-operator of Melbourne mobile bar company Shakers on Wheels, says the size of your tower all depends on the impact you want to create. “Champagne towers have made such a comeback in the past year, and the size of the champagne tower really just depends on the size of the statement the client wants to make,” explains Jordan. “The setup costs are dependant on how many tiers are involved, so budget can also be a factor, along with having enough space to accommodate the tower.”
Can I DIY it?
Most venues will not permit a DIY champagne tower. Further, the last thing you’ll likely want to be doing on your wedding day is fussing around with a mountain of champagne coupettes. Mobile bar companies, like Shakers on Wheels, have made it quite literally their business to know everything possible about creating a jaw-dropping champagne tower. Perhaps best of all, Shakers on Wheels will allow you to purchase your own alcohol for your tower, giving this luxurious spectacle an affordable edge.
If you are going to try to DIY your tower, Jordan of Shakers on Wheels recommends you put extra care into your base, “Even a slight mistake in the bottom grid will affect the stability and look of the tower in the tiers further up.”
For more tips on building the perfect champagne tower, check out these expert advice answers from our amazing wedding bar suppliers.
How much champagne will I need?
A standard bottle of bubbles holds 750mls or approximately six glasses. To work out what kind of dent your tower will put in your bar budget, simply divide your total number of glasses by six. Keep in mind that there will likely be a set-up cost also.
Speaking of glasses, coupettes are by far the most popular choice, not only for their charming vintage aesthetic but for their surprisingly sturdy shape, which makes them ideal for stacking.
There’s no need to go overboard with selecting an expensive vintage to fill your glasses. Choose a reasonably priced, agreeable, dry drop that will please all celebratory palettes. Save the expensive bottle for special toast just between you two.
Your big champagne tower moment.
The moment has arrived! Anyone who has seen a champagne tower filled from the very beginning knows that this is one task where you won’t mind hearing, “Here’s one we prepared earlier.”
To save your guests from waiting around long after their “oohs” and “ahhs” have faded into boredom, have your caterer or bar staff fill the bottom glasses so that you and your partner can perform the final ceremonial pour. Just be sure that the glasses aren’t filled too early — there’s nothing less celebratory than bubble-less champers.
Hey, bartender! What else have you got?
Towers not really your vibe? There are plenty of other ways to make a statement with beverages at your reception. Here are some of our favourites:
- Cocktail towers. Jordan from Shakers on Wheels predicts cocktail towers will be the next big wedding beverage trend. Unlike champagne towers, each tier can hold a different drink— we love variety! Plus dry ice adds extra intrigue and keeps everything chilled.
- Champagne walls. As your guests enter your reception, encourage them to be merry with an eye-catching cocktail wall. These walls work much like the doughnut walls which became wildly popular in 2010s weddings. Best still, a champagne wall will prevent a bottleneck at the bar or your guests from having to crane their necks in search of the nearest roaming tray.
- Take-home cocktail favours. Lockdowns gave us the gift of teeny tiny bottled cocktails perfect for enjoying post-wedding. We love the chic, personalised bottled by Foxtails, filled with all manner of delicious libations.
