The Day of Wine & Roses

Do It Yourself Wedding Reception Idea #1

Ahhh, do it yourself wedding receptions…now this is where the fun begins! Whether you want to save money in your wedding planning or want to be sure it is extra special and personalized, a reception is the focal point. While your ceremony will be short and whir by, your reception is where guests will let loose and celebrate. A do it yourself wedding reception is a party to be remembered!
You can do all the elements of a wedding reception yourself: food, entertainment, music, favors, drinks, centerpieces, other decorations and the dreaded clean-up afterwards…but it might be safer for you to look over the following idea.

Unique Wedding Reception Idea: Wine Tasting for a Wine Wedding Theme

If you are looking for a unique wedding reception idea and especially if you are having a wine wedding theme, a wine tasting at your reception is the perfect fit for you! A wine tasting at a reception is a fun way for guests to entertain themselves, especially the guests who aren’t as interested in dancing. Besides sampling and talking about the different wines, guests are also drinking and having a good time. A wine tasting at your wedding reception is also an excellent icebreaker for guests who don’t know each other.

Certainly if you are having a wine wedding theme, a wine tasting is nothing new to you, but it still is a unique wedding reception idea and fits perfectly with your theme! Rather than cheesy games, have a wine tasting table. A wine tasting table will add an element of sophistication and class to your wedding reception.

What You’ll Need For a Wedding Reception Wine Tasting

Table -- A separate table, preferably off to the side of the reception area that will strictly be the wine tasting table.

Sign -- Some sort of sign that identifies the table as a “wine tasting” table since this is a unique wedding reception idea...guests might not be familiar with the format. Perhaps another sign (or printed papers) listing the wines available to taste, including producer, vintage, region where it is from, etc.

Glasses -- Several tasting wine glasses are necessary. Extras can be stored under the table (cover table with fabric that drapes so it is hidden) so they don’t take up too much room on the table surface.

Wine -- Offer at least four different wines. You can offer two reds and two whites. You could offer all reds from the same wine region, or an assortment of wines from the same vintage. Select wines that compliment your wine wedding theme. Have several bottles of each wine you are offering, depending on your number of guests. Remember, these wines are for tasting not for gulping down, so you don’t need to have enough to get everyone drunk, that is what the other booze is for.

Ice Buckets -- If you are offering white wines at your tasting table you will need ice buckets for each different white to chill them.

Host -- Someone needs to supervise and “host” the wine tasting table so that guests don’t simply poor huge glasses of wine to gulp down and walk away. A host can be a hired person provided by a catering service or a special wine enthusiastic friend. This person can pour the wine and even answer questions about them if needed.

Optional: Spit Buckets, Bread, Water -- A spit bucket is offered so that guests can spit out the wines instead of swallowing. This is optional and most likely since it is a wine wedding theme reception, not needed. A small basket of bread can be available for guests to cleanse their palate and water can be available to rinse glasses in between wines. These items are optional.

It’s your wedding, do it the way you want!
The Secret to a Fabulous Wedding