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Affordable Alternatives to a Champagne Wedding Toast

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Champagne is a popular drink of choice for wedding toasts, but it can be expensive. If you’re looking for affordable alternatives, there are plenty of other drinks that will do the trick.

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Your wedding day is one of the most celebratory events you will experience, and toasts from your family and wedding party are almost always a given. While champagne might be one of the most traditional drinks to serve for such a moment and an occasion, it’s definitely not a necessity for a few reasons:

  • Champagne is pricey, and the cost to provide it might fall outside of your budget. 
  • You and your love might not like champagne, so why serve it? 
  • Your wedding might be an alcohol-free event.

With these ideas (and more) in mind, we thought we would share five champagne toast alternatives that might better strike your fancy. Cheers to you and yours!

Prosecco: 

If you’re hoping to provide the feel of champagne at a lower price point, look to prosecco. Technically speaking, it’s a form of sparkling wine, which is why the cost is less. But most wedding guests (at least those who are not discerning champagne drinkers) won’t know the difference. Plan to serve prosecco in a champagne flute to continue to provide the same feel!

Shots:

If your goal is to make your wedding feel like a true party, shots might be the way to go! Rather than serving straight vodka, look to limoncello shots instead. This Italian-inspired drink involves lemon liqueur (usually a combination of lemon zest, sugar, and vodka) and offers a summertime feel. Another positive about shots? One bottle can go a long way since a shot requires less alcohol per glass than champagne.    

Sparkling Cider: 

If you’re having an alcohol-free wedding but would rather not toast with water or soda, sparkling cider is a drink to have on your radar. The base of most sparkling ciders is apple juice, and the crisp, sweet taste is perfect for any season. Plus, it’s relatively affordable! Tip: If you’re hosting a fall or winter wedding, think about toasting with mugs of warm apple cider instead. 

Classic Morning Drinks: 

Brunch weddings are something to consider if you don’t mind an early morning and are looking for more affordable ways to celebrate (breakfast menus are typically less costly). If you’re celebrating in the morning, why not toast with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate? All three can also be served iced (or frozen) during the summer and are great if you or your partner are known for your caffeine obsession. If you do want to serve a drink with a splash of champagne (or prosecco), look to mimosas! 

Guests’ Drinks of Choice: 

The reason why bars exist is to allow guests to order their drinks of choice. With that in mind, skip the specialty toasting drink entirely and simply ask guests to toast with whatever is in their glasses. This works well because it saves money, never asks guests to sip something they would prefer to skip, and prevents any stress that might occur while making sure everyone has the correct drink before the speeches kick off. 

Just like many other aspects of wedding planning, there is no right or wrong drink to serve for your wedding day speeches. The much more important thing is to listen to the loving words being said about the relationships you share — and any drink can be used to toast to that! 

Are you serving a champagne alternative at your wedding? Let us know your plans in our community! Cheers!


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Champagne is a popular drink of choice for wedding toasts, but it can be expensive. If you're looking for affordable alternatives, there are plenty of other drinks that will do the trick. 
Champagne is a popular drink of choice for wedding toasts, but it can be expensive. If you're looking for affordable alternatives, there are plenty of other drinks that will do the trick. 
Champagne is a popular drink of choice for wedding toasts, but it can be expensive. If you're looking for affordable alternatives, there are plenty of other drinks that will do the trick. 

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