Champagne Towers Are Back: 5 Tips & Tricks to Style This Iconic Wedding Feature
With the glamorous return of champagne towers at weddings in recent years, we are thrilled to see this tradition making a comeback.
As an iconic statement activity that can be placed anywhere in one’s reception, this photo-worthy feature is full of exciting potential.
For experienced wedding planners, the return of champagne towers brings back an important discussion: how to create a tower that is both visually stunning and fully functional.
While it’s true that some of the most memorable photos can happen when a tower unexpectedly collapses, the goal is always a display that enhances the celebration without a mishap.
Whether you’re a bride, groom, couple, or planner, here are five tips to creating the champagne tower of your dreams.
Why Champagne Towers Are Making a Comeback
Champagne towers have been around since the 17th century, celebrated for their beautiful cascading waterfall effect that makes serving guests an effortless spectacle. While especially popular over the past decade, they took a brief hiatus in recent years, only to return to their full glory. With the wedding industry increasingly embracing social media and the resurgence of luxury aesthetics, the champagne tower is experiencing its most impactful comeback yet. In this guide, we will be breaking down the five tips you need to know to build a champagne tower that will result in stunning photos and happy guests!
Tip 1: Choose the Right Glassware for Your Tower
Floral Design @flowerlystudios & Photography @paulavisco
Crystal vs. Acrylic: Pros and Cons
What you may not have realized when you first decided you wanted a champagne tower is that there are some important rules to follow for it to work perfectly, and the first key consideration is the glassware; most notably, crystal versus acrylic. While crystal is the most visually striking option, it’s important to weigh its pros and cons. Crystal is ideal for stylized photos and indoor ceremonies, but it requires careful setup. Acrylic, on the other hand, provides peace of mind for outdoor events, high-traffic venues, or large guest counts, addressing safety concerns while also being more budget-friendly.
Size and Shape Considerations (Flute vs. Coupe Glasses)
The other consideration that is truly just as important is the size and shape of your glasses. This impacts two key factors: how many bottles of champagne you need and the stability of your tower. A great way to create a plan for both of these factors is to consider your guest count and go from there.
Clearly, a champagne tower cannot be made infinitely large, as there is a structural limit to how many glasses can be stacked while remaining stable. However, you can always consider creating two smaller towers. Start by reviewing your guest count and planning accordingly to ensure both stability and visual impact.
If you’re unsure or have a particularly large guest list, you can always opt to hand-pour champagne later, which is a common practice at many larger weddings.
Next, once you’ve determined the number of towers and champagne bottles needed, you can select your glass shape. While you can choose from a few different styles, flute glasses are not suitable for this type of tower. Structurally, they cannot be stacked and will not achieve the cascading effect you’re aiming for. For this reason, we universally recommend using coupe glasses, as seen in the photo below.
Tip 2: Structure & Position for Maximum Impact
Ideal Locations (Entrance & Bar Area)
For a champagne tower to go off without a hitch, it’s important to consider where you set it up in your reception hall. Safety and security are key, so consider carefully where you want your tower located: near the entrance, the bar, or closer to the dance floor. Always check with your bar service to see if they offer setup assistance, as they can help guide placement. Above all, ensure the tower is in a safe area, away from direct walking paths, in case any glasses are accidentally knocked over.
Extra Tip: When deciding where you will place your tower, make sure to think about the photo possibilities. This will create some of the most memorable photos of your wedding day, so be sure to choose a background that complements the tower.
Ensuring Stability and Safety
It’s crucial that anyone assisting with building or pouring the champagne tower understands the importance of proper setup and execution. Ensuring that each step is done correctly helps maintain stability and safety.
A Key Tip: Pour slowly and steadily to maintain the tower’s structure. For added effect, ensure all champagne bottles are chilled in advance to minimize bubbling, which can disrupt the pour.
Tip 3: Colour & Personalization Options
Personalization is key. Here are some ideas to make your champagne tower visually striking:
Choose coloured champagne, rosé champagne, or sparkling wine for an extra visual effect.
Add custom monograms or ribbons to your glasses for a personalized touch.
Coordinate your wedding theme with the details of your tower.
For a pastel-colored wedding, consider acrylic pastel-coloured glasses.
For a mocha-inspired wedding, add a sweet decorative detail in mocha tones.
Tip 4: Pairing With Your Wedding Menu
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Champagne And Hors D’Oeuvres: What Works Best
Having a champagne tower at your wedding is one of those activities with so much room for creativity! A fantastic way to get playful is with the food you serve alongside it.
If your budget allows, you can include an entirely separate food station near the tower, or you can coordinate it with your main menu. Either way, serving food with your champagne tower is always a lovely touch.
Consider serving an hors d’oeuvres platter with options such as oysters, mini petits fours, or blinis topped with chives, smoked salmon, and cream cheese for crowd-pleasing choices.
Tip 5: More Tips & Tricks From A Professional Planner
Venue: Globe and Mail Centre & Photography: Mango Studios
As we conclude, let’s review some common pitfalls to avoid when planning your champagne tower. These are the areas where mistakes can happen, and planning ahead really pays off. Professional wedding planners can help you navigate these tricky spots, ensuring your champagne tower goes off without a hitch and helping you capture those show-stopping photos.
Unstable Base
The first thing to keep in mind is to always make sure your champagne tower is on a very sturdy base. The worst thing that could happen is someone knocking it over before you even have a chance to start filling it up!
Sticky Floors
Spills are inevitable with a champagne tower, so be sure to place it somewhere easy to clean and not on carpet or near high-traffic walkways.
Timing is Everything
Plan your champagne tower moment strategically. Having it too early may take away from the excitement later in the night, while saving it for a key moment, like before speeches or right after the first dance, ensures maximum impact and guest attention.
Adding Lighting or Décor Accents For Extra Glamour
Another tip to incorporate is to fill your space with plenty of lighting, especially around the tower table. This way, your photos will come out looking bright and shiny, with the glasses reflecting the light beautifully!
TL;DR
Champagne towers are making a glamorous comeback at weddings, and they’re as fun as they are photo-worthy. To make yours a showstopper:
Pick the Right Glasses
Position Carefully
Add Personal Touches
Pair with Delicious Food
Learn from Professionals
A champagne tower isn’t just a drink, it’s an interactive centrepiece your guests will love.
At Claudia and Co., we specialize in luxury weddings that stand the test of time, celebrations that people will talk about for years to come.
If you’re looking for a wedding planner who can bring your dream wedding to life, let’s connect!