Flavours are very evocative. Think about the wines that you love (or even just the champagnes!) and you’ll probably be able to remember exactly when you first tasted them, or when you first realized that they were among your favourites. Quite often we associate a particular taste with a particular occasion so strongly that we remember it for the rest of our lives. That’s why the choice of champagne and other wines is a very important part of planning any luxury wedding.

Here’s a bit of handy advice: at most wedding receptions, you’ll find that about a third to half of people will want to drink white wine, about a third to half will want to drink red wine, and about a tenth to a third will want to drink rose or white zinfandel. Most of the women will be white wine drinkers, and most of the men will drink red – so if you’re expecting a lot more women than men, or vice versa, it’s a good idea to have a word with your caterer and make sure that the proportions will work out. These are only a rough guide, and your caterer will probably be able to offer lots of ideas and suggestions of his or her own anyway.

You’ll also need your caterer’s input because he or she will be able to help you work out just how much wine you’re going to need, and will probably be willing to make wine recommendations that suit the food being served. The most popular white wines are Chardonnay (works well with chicken, pork and seafood), and the most popular red wines are probably Merlot and Cabernet (which go better with beef and red pasta sauces). But for toasting you’re going to want Champagne – no wedding would be complete without it!

Champagne is almost certainly going to be the priciest wine you’ll be serving, so it’s a good idea to keep it in reserve until you want it for toasting – otherwise your guests might finish it off before you know what’s happening. Most caterers will tell you that a couple of glasses of Champagne per person is what you ought to be aiming for. And the other advantage of saving the Champagne for a toast is that you’ll make it seem that much more special, and add another touch of magic to your wedding.