Mindy Weiss Provides Wine Tips for Your Reception

Celebrity wedding planner Mindy Weiss is well-known for creating ceremonies for ABC’s “The Bachelorette” Trista Rehn, Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey, Shaquille O’Neal, Brooke Shields, Adam Sandler, Gwen Stefani, and others.

Whether she’s planning a star-studded affair or giving advice that you can use for your wedding, Mindy Weiss knows that the wine selection for a couple’s wedding reception is an important part of the day. This becomes a lasting memory throughout your marriage. Later you’ll enjoy these wines during anniversaries and other life celebrations and think back to the day when you became husband and wife.

Here are Mindy’s tips for selecting wines for the special day when you will truly be the star of the show:

THE FIRST IMPRESSION

Once the guests arrive at the reception, the first thing they will look for is a beverage, which truly becomes the first impression of what’s to follow. For many of my clients, I arrange for the servers to line up at the entrance with beautiful flower-adorned trays filled with glasses of wine, water and perhaps a signature cocktail.

Wine tasting bars at wedding receptions are very popular now, and some of my clients even hire a sommelier to help the guests with the wine experience. This adds an element of elegance, and can serve as an icebreaker at the beginning of the reception.

COST-CUTTING TIPS

A Chardonnay offered during the cocktail reception will please most everyone. Try to avoid overly “oaked” Chardonnays, especially since this will be served either before food or with hors d’oeuvres. A light-fruit-forward white wine such as Mirassou Central Coast Chardonnay is idea.

When couple are looking for a good cost-cutting technique for the beverage tab, I always recommend cutting the champagne toast and having the guests toast with the wine that’s been served to the. A glass of wine goes a lot further than a sip of champagne.

GIFT IDEAS

A great gift for engagement parties or bridal showers is putting together the couple’s first wine “cellar” by filling a wine rack with different bottles of wine designated for special occasions. Attach tags with pretty ribbons and notes such as, “Enjoy on your one-month anniversary” or “For a romantic movie night in.” A group of friends can give this gift together, or family members can each contribute one bottle of wine with a special note. Wine can also serve as a great gift from the bride and groom. When asking attendants to be a part of the wedding, give them a bottle of wine with a note that reads, “A toast to our bridesmaids [or groomsmen] – thank you for being a part of our wedding day.”

Wine served during the reception will also make an enjoyable wedding favor that helps continue the memories. When choosing wine for gifts, take the packaging into consideration as well as the taste. Choosing one with an attractive label, such as Mirassou Winery’s sunburst, can eliminate the need for gift bags. Just tie a beautiful bow around the neck and attach a personalized card.

Also see:

Wine & Your Destination Wedding An exclusive interview with Mindy Weiss

Wedding Reception Pairings that Take the Cake: recommendations by celebrity wedding planner Mindy Weiss and Mirassou Winery