What’s a wedding without oceans of alcohol to quell nerves, oil dance moves and ensure at least two guests end up copping off in a Portaloo?
Traditionally, of course, the order of the day is champagne, guaranteed to send bubbles to your head when it’s 27C. But there are other options.
The legendary Bertie de Rougemont of Cellar Society — the man responsible for Kate Moss’s champagne tower at her blessed nuptials with Jamie Hince — has seen an uptick in soon-to-be-weds requesting tequila; its reputation as a brilliant all-night party drink having apparently outstripped memories of teenage paintstripper. And, he says, sugar is practically banned from wedding booze these days. ‘Sweet drinks are very much out of fashion and as a company we cut the sugar content in all of our drinks including cocktails two years ago. Our clients prefer a drier taste. Gone are the days of a sickly sweet watermelon Martini.’
Fred Campbell, founder of wedding cocktail caterer Cock & Tail, agrees. ‘We’re definitely seeing a move towards more bitter, less sweet drinks,’ he says. ‘More and more people are drinking Negronis, so it seems they want to incorporate this taste into their wedding.’ As the all-booze Campari bombs are too strong to serve all day, he makes a lighter version: Campari, white vermouth, pink grapefruit and rhubarb bitters, lengthened with soda.
Not drinking at all? Don’t worry: you’re better catered for than ever. No UHT orange juice for de Rougemont’s clients, who ‘are requesting more interesting alternatives to the classic elderflower pressé or fresh juices. People want sophisticated soft drinks that taste as though they could be made with alcohol.’ He uses Seedlip, which ‘opens up a whole new world to a non-alcoholic drinker with a sophisticated palate’.
Ultimately though, a wedding just isn’t a wedding without corks a-popping. While champagne is forever, it’s cooler — and more royal — to have English sparkling nowadays. Kate and Wills had Chapel Down from Kent at their wedding, although given that the Camel Valley vineyard in Cornwall was the first English wine producer to get a royal warrant in March, it’s odds on that its crisp, appley fizz will feature at Saturday’s bash. So long as Prince Charles is cool with it. ‘We often find that our brides and grooms love the idea of English sparkling,’ says Campbell, ‘but it is sometimes a struggle to convince their parents!’