Wine and bubbly planning for the day itself
Our wedding wine planning service is for couples who want confident choices without overbuying or running short. We help you decide what to pour for the welcome drink, the meal, the toast and the late evening service, with careful attention to guest count, food style, venue rules and the time of year. In summer weddings around Stellenbosch, Paarl and Constantia, chilled white wines and sparkling drinks need to hold up in warmer weather, while winter receptions in Franschhoek or Somerset West often call for fuller whites, lighter reds and a little extra stock for guests who stay longer indoors.
We focus on South African wine and bubbly so the final selection reflects local producers and gives your guests something memorable. If your venue has corkage rules, serving cut off times or strict delivery windows, we factor that in early. We also help with practical matters like glass counts, ice requirements, backup bottles for the bridal table and whether your caterer needs separate stock for pre-drinks. The aim is simple: the right wine, in the right amount, at the right temperature.
What is included in the planning service
Every wedding is different, so we build the service around your menu, budget and preferred style of drinking. Some couples want a crisp, easy-drinking list, while others want a more detailed tasting journey across still wines and sparkling options. We can work with a fixed budget per head or help you shape a range that leaves room for a special bottle on the top table.
- Initial planning call or enquiry review
- Menu and guest profile assessment
- Wine and bubbly shortlist with serving suggestions
- Tasting session for selected options
- Quantity guide based on guest numbers and service length
- Advice on chilling, storage and delivery timing
- Support for corkage, venue access and final order confirmation
For couples planning a celebration in Durban or Johannesburg, we also consider travel time, heat and venue logistics, which can affect chilling and delivery schedules. If your wedding is at a farm, hotel or private estate, we help map the flow from arrival drinks to final service so nothing gets missed.
How we work from first enquiry to final tasting
Our process is straightforward and keeps decisions manageable. Once you send an enquiry through the contact form, we review the wedding date, venue, menu style and estimated guest numbers. From there we suggest a tasting plan and a shortlist that suits your budget and preferred flavour profile. Couples often come to us knowing they want bubbly for the toast but are unsure about the rest, and that is completely normal.
- Enquiry review and wedding brief
- Budget and style guidance
- Shortlist of wines and sparkling options
- Tasting and feedback session
- Final quantities, labels and delivery timing
- Check-in closer to the wedding date
We keep in touch as the guest list changes or the menu gets finalised. If the venue is near Franschhoek village or further out towards Paarl and the Helderberg, we confirm access details early so loading and drop off go smoothly. Small changes happen often in wedding planning, so we allow room for those adjustments without making the process feel heavy.
Pricing approach and what affects the total
Pricing is based on the scope of support rather than a one-size-fits-all package. A simple wine and bubbly selection for a smaller wedding needs less tasting time and fewer revisions than a full service with multiple menu pairings, staff briefing and delivery coordination. We quote according to guest count, number of tasting sessions, complexity of the wine list and whether you need help with chilled stock management or corkage planning.
For most weddings, we recommend working with a per-head drink allowance as a starting point, then building the list from there. That keeps the budget clear and helps avoid excess stock left behind after the event. If you want premium bottles for the couple only, or a separate sparkling option for the reception, we can include that in the plan. We are also happy to advise where it makes sense to spend a bit more and where a good everyday wine will do the job well enough. No need to overspend on every line item.
Tasting notes, serving temperatures and quantity guides
Good wedding wine planning depends on the numbers as much as the tasting. A chilled sparkling drink tastes very different at 6 degrees versus 12 degrees, and red wine that has sat too long in the sun can lose its shape by the time dinner starts. We give you practical serving notes for each bottle, including temperature ranges, food pairings and how long to chill stock before service.
- Sparkling and welcome drinks: 6 to 8 degrees
- White wines: 8 to 10 degrees
- Light red wines: 14 to 16 degrees
- Typical planning range: 1 bottle for every 5 to 6 glasses
- Toast planning: allow extra for speeches, spills and top-ups
- Warm weather check: increase chilled holding time for outdoor venues
If your wedding is in a coastal area or at a venue with no proper cold room, we plan for more ice and earlier delivery. In humid conditions near the coast, labels and cartons can soften quickly, so we take storage into account when confirming the final drop. It is the kind of detail that saves stress on the day, especially when a venue team is already juggling flowers, linen and seating.
Final checks, delivery timing and support before the wedding
We do a final review closer to the wedding date to make sure the quantities still match the guest count and the menu. This is especially helpful when RSVPs change or when a couple decides to add a second bubbly option for the reception. Our maintenance interval for wedding planning is simple: one planning session at the start, one tasting stage where needed, then a final check-in about 2 to 4 weeks before the wedding and a last confirmation in the week of the event.
Delivery timing depends on venue access, storage space and the service schedule. For some weddings, stock can be delivered the day before and held on site, while others need same-day delivery to keep bottles properly chilled. We will also advise on backup stock for busy periods, especially where guests may arrive earlier than expected or the reception runs long. A little extra planning here makes a big difference and keeps the bar service steady through the evening.
Couples in Cape Town, Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, Johannesburg and Durban often have different venue requirements, so we keep the advice practical and location aware. If the venue has a strict load-in time, we work within it. If the ceremony and reception are at separate locations, we plan the transfer so the wine arrives where it should, when it should.
Key facts
| Service area | Franschhoek, Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Somerset West, Constantia, Johannesburg and Durban |
|---|---|
| Typical lead time | 2 to 6 weeks before the wedding, with final confirmation in the week of the event |
| Planning scope | Wine and bubbly selection, quantity guidance, serving temperatures, venue coordination and final delivery timing |
| Tasting format | Guided tasting session for shortlisted bottles, in person or arranged around your planning schedule |
| Pricing model | Quoted according to guest numbers, number of tastings, list complexity and delivery requirements |
| Maintenance interval | Initial plan, tasting stage, 2 to 4 week review, then final check-in before delivery |
