Searching for unique wedding ideas? You've come to the right place! We've curated a list of ceremony and reception suggestions that range from the subtly different to the woah that's pretty ‘out there' variety! Whether it's elegant accessorizing, flower dogs, creating immersive entertainment for your guests (who knew wedding karaoke was a thing?!) or starring in your very own wedding magazine, our diverse selection has you covered.

Custom Pet Cutout for Photobooth

For those who consider pets as family, these custom cutouts ensure that even if the furry friend can't attend, they're still part of the fun. It's a delightful touch for memorable photos and a nod to the couple's love for their pets.

Entertain with Giant Lawn Games

Keep guests entertained with jumbo versions of favorite lawn games. Giant Jenga stacks will encourage mingling while oversized Yahtzee, Connect Four and cornhole sets transform the reception into a playground for young and old. We've put together a list of our favorite outdoor games here.

Indulge in a Gourmet Donut Wall

Indulge sweet teeth with the dessert display of their dreams – a donut wall laden with dozens of gourmet flavors. With options from classic glazed to decadent raspberry cheesecake-filled, it's a treat for the eyes and taste buds.

Create a Custom Scent for Your Special Day

Surround yourselves with the scents of love by developing a custom fragrance for your wedding. Wear it as your signature reminder of your special day and infuse stationery and decor with its notes to evoke nostalgia of your union.

Tech Fun with a Snapchat Geofilter

Add some tech-savvy whimsy by designing a personalized Snapchat geofilter for your wedding locale. Your custom animation gives guests' snaps a touch of your style.

Relive the Memories with Commemorative Wedding Magazines

Preserving your precious moments is not just about photos in a dusty album anymore. Design your own illustrative keepsakes with wedding magazines, a fresh and modern way to relive unforgettable times. Among the variety of options out there, MILK's Wedding Magazine stands out as one of our favorites.

Selfie Mirror

Infuse your wedding with a selfie mirror for instant, stylish memories. It's more than a photo-op; it's engaging, modern fun that preserves every laugh and smile.

Light Up the Party with Neon Signs

Illuminate the celebration with custom neon signs radiating your names, hashtag and more. Portable neon makes a cheeky accent for the bar, dance floor or photo booth.

Guest Phone Instead of Guest Book

Using a service like FeteFone, guests can leave voice messages for the couple. It's a modern twist on the traditional guest book, creating an auditory keepsake filled with love and well wishes.

Floral Phone Booth

A decorative twist on the guest phone idea, this booth, adorned with fresh flowers, becomes a picturesque spot for photos and messages, blending tradition with modernity.

Welcome Guests with Personalized Gifts

Make them feel special with personalized guest room gifts to welcome travelers. Monogrammed slippers, custom snacks, and thoughtful touches feel extra luxurious after journeying for your big day.

Toast with Custom Cocktail Creations

Cheers to you with cocktails specially crafted for the occasion by a mixologist. Custom concoctions like your signature sip or dreamy, love-themed libations add a personal touch to the bar menu.

A Wedding Scavenger Hunt

This is a fun and interactive way to keep your guests entertained at your reception. You could hide clues around the venue, and the first guests to find all of the clues win a prize.

A Wedding Karaoke Machine

This is a great way for your guests to let loose and have some fun at your reception. You could provide a selection of popular songs, or you could let your guests choose their own songs.

Mementos for Table Numbers

Instead of traditional table numbers, using personal mementos like concert tickets or boarding passes showcases the couple's shared adventures and stories. It's a conversation starter and adds a deeply personal touch to the wedding decor.

Live Event Painter

Imagine capturing the magic of your wedding day in real-time through art. A live event painter does just that, creating a masterpiece during the ceremony or reception, which serves as a lasting memory of the special day.

Gartered Bottle of Wine Dance

This unique dance celebrates enduring love. The couple gifts a special bottle of wine, adorned with a garter, to the longest-married couple present. It's a touching tribute and a nod to lasting commitment.

Portable Pizza Ovens

Freshly baked pizzas, made on-site, ensure guests enjoy a hot, delicious meal. It's interactive, aromatic, and a delightful deviation from traditional wedding fare, making the dining experience memorable.

Entertainment: Magician or Comedian

For weddings without a dance floor, hiring a magician or comedian ensures guests are entertained. It's a unique touch that guarantees laughter and amazement, making the event stand out.

Moms Giving Toasts

Breaking away from tradition, allowing mothers to share heartfelt words and memories adds a warm, inclusive touch. It's a celebration of maternal love and the journey leading up to the big day.

Professional Family Photos

As guests arrive for cocktails, they're greeted by a professional photographer. This ensures everyone gets a chance to capture beautiful family moments, making them feel cherished and special.

Caricature Artist

Offering guests the chance to get a personalized, whimsical drawing ensures they have a fun keepsake to remember the event. It's interactive, entertaining, and a delightful addition to the festivities.

Glow Table

A vibrant station filled with glow sticks and tattoos, this table becomes the epicenter of fun as the evening progresses. Perfect for evening celebrations, it adds a neon-lit, energetic vibe to the party.

Themed Tables

Tables themed around milestones or interests from the couple's life journey make for engaging conversation starters. It's a beautiful way to share their story and let guests in on their shared memories.

Lip Sync Battle

Engaging guests in a playful performance ensures an energetic reception. It's a chance for attendees to showcase their fun side, ensuring the dance floor remains lively and interactive.

Dog as Flower Girl

Pets hold a special place in our hearts. Incorporating them into the ceremony, like having a dog as a flower girl, adds a heartwarming, personal touch that's sure to melt hearts.

Private Vow Exchange

Exchanging personal vows during a private first look adds an intimate touch. It's a moment of raw emotion, ensuring the couple shares a deeply personal connection before the ceremony.

Parents Officiating the Wedding

Making the ceremony deeply personal, having parents officiate is a testament to the bond shared by the family. It's a touching way to start the couple's new journey.

Harpist

The ethereal sound of a harp adds a touch of classical romance to the wedding ambiance. It's an elegant musical choice that elevates the ceremony's atmosphere, making it feel timeless.

End the Night with a Fireworks Extravaganza

Save the best for last with a dazzling fireworks show lighting up the sky. Whether golden glittering waterfalls or booming bursts of color, an epic pyrotechnic finale is sure to leave guests breathless.

There's no end to the possibilities when it comes to infusing your wedding day with personal and unique touches. Whether you opt for playful entertainment, indulgent cuisine, sentimental keepsakes or ceremonial surprises, each unique addition allows you to shape your celebration into a more meaningful experience.

Focus on choosing elements that speak to your love story, interests, values and vision as a couple. Get creative, think outside the box, and don't be afraid to break from tradition to make the day distinctly your own.

When guests depart with smiles and stories to share, you'll know all the thoughtful details and special surprises made your wedding not just a ceremony, but a memorable affair cherished by all. Embrace imagination, fun and meaning to craft a distinctive celebration of your love. The memories you make will be as unique as your union.

But they are also fun, filled with chocolate, and one of the longest-running wedding traditions in the world.

We're talking grooms cakes.

(If you've missed the rest of our Grooms Week musings so far, catch up here.)

Cake by Artisan Cake Company, Photo by Hazelwood Photo via The Wedding Chicks

Grooms Cakes

The tradition for a groom's cake might be seen as one spawned in the Southern states, but it in fact, dates back to Victorian Britain, and is still observed by the British royal family today. (Prince William had a Rich Tea chocolate biscuit cake, FYI!)

There used to be a small bride's cake too, to complete the trio.

Nowadays, grooms' cakes are seen as a nod to the main man at the wedding, in a day that's otherwise all about the bride.

While we're sure you guys appreciate the gesture, many modern couples plan their day together, with both of their choices reflected in every aspect of the wedding. That said, who are we to turn down cake?!

Cake by Tealicious House, Photo by CJ Williams Photography via Bridal Musings

Grooms' cakes were traditionally a fruit or chocolate based bake, with a boozy element too (lots of our favourite things!) so for a modern take, a chocolate Guinness cake or brandy black forest would work beautifully.

As the Southern tradition for grooms' cakes has evolved, so too have the cakes themselves.

Search for grooms' cakes online, and you'll find all manner of odd shapes and novelty bakes, from sugar paste Lego men to icing crafted into baked hams – there's also quite a few dead ducks – hunting is a common theme, as are food and football.

Cake by Cakes By Chloe, Photo by Nancy Ray Photography via Wedding Chicks

Now while we love all things novel (and we've lots of inspiration for it below) we're also partial to the idea of something a little more classy, for stylish grooms who want their cake to be just as elegant as the rest of their day.

Your groom's cake can be an opportunity to feature a showstopping centrepiece to your dessert table, or to add a non-traditional cake into the mix.

A fig and chocolate naked bake, chic crepe stacks covered in salted caramel, hand-painted chalkboard tiers (like that fab one up top by Elizabeth Marek of Artisan Cake Company ) or perhaps a cheese wheel wedding cake for the groom who has more of a savoury tooth; all are masculine desserts, that would work perfectly as a groom's cake with a refined feel.

Cake by Brown Betty’s Bakery, Photo by Byron Loves Fawn via Burnett's Boards

The groom's cake is often served at the rehearsal dinner or a next day BBQ (there's already a LOT of cake and dessert after your reception dinner) but can also be dished out to your guests during cocktail hour too.

There is a rehearsal dinner tradition to box up slices of the groom's cake up and gift it to your single female guests to sleep with under their pillows. Legend has it, they'll dream of their perfect man the night before the wedding.

Though I've a feeling your single friends wouldn't thank you for the gesture!

So, now that we're clued up on all the traditions, let's get on with the inspiration. From the oddball, to the opulent, check out these ideas for a groom's cake all of your own…

Cool Runny

Cake by Nine Cakes, Photo by Karen Wise Photography via Style Me Pretty

Half and Half

 Photo by Trevor & Allison Photography via Photographer Central

Boozy Berry Caramel

Cake by Sea Island, Photo by Ashley Seawell Photography via Style Me Pretty

To The Hunt

Cake by Barb’s Cakes, Photo by A Bryan Photo via Southern Weddings

Ice Cream Alternative

Cart, Jackson's Ice-Cycle, Photo by Jose Villa Photography via Style Me Pretty

For The Banjo Boy

Cake by Cup a Dee Cakes, Photo by Tim Will Photo via Southern Weddings

Cheese Please

Photo by Aneta Mak Photography via Bridal Musings

Cookie Lover's Cake

Cake, Perfect Wedding Cake, Photo by Our Labor of Love via Southern Weddings

Count The Crepes

Cake, Red Bird Cake Company, Photo by CJ Williams Photography, via Nouba

Sentimental City Scape

Cake by Elysia Root Cakes, Photo by Artistrie Co. via Style Unveiled

Grizzly Groom

Cake by Layered Bake Shop, Photo by Sara & Rocky Photography via Southern Weddings

Baked Bleachers

Cake by Laney Cowan of Delicious Desserts, Photo by Nancy Ray via Southern Weddings

Lego Love Token

Cake by Cake It via Cakes Decor

Ruffles His Collar

Cake by The Cupcake Theory, Photo by Marlon Capuyan via Burnett's Boards

So many sweet ideas, from the eccentric, to the elegant. Which one's your favourite?

Do share if you've seen any amazing ideas for grooms' cakes, we'd love to hear about them.

Check out the rest of our Grooms' Week Musings here. 

(That's probably for the best though – I scoffed a massive bag of popcorn just putting together this post!)

We've chatted before about food trends at weddings and when it comes to hot (meal) ticket items, hog roasts, pie pops, and dessert tables have all been growing in popularity over the last few years.

And a cool new trend is set to join them, it's all about the food trucks!

Photo by Sara K Byrne Photography via Bridal Musings

Street food has been enjoying a massive surge of late in cities across the world. Every city has its own delicacies, in New York it's the hot dog, LA loves a taco truck, Hanoi boasts the Banh Mi, Amsterdam has chips and peanut mayo, and here in London? Well, it ranges from cod ‘n chips or kebabs to pulled pork or pies, (and everything in between). I've become rather partial to a Fish Dog of late!

These trucks might be more used to feeding festivals and farmers' markets, but they've started honing their skills and catering for weddings too. Cool, casual, and totally tasty, food trucks can be a quirky, memorable and an often budget-friendly way to feed your guests at a laid back wedding.

What could be a more personal touch to the food at your wedding, than having it supplied from your favourite local Friday night food truck?

Photo by Sara K Byrne Photography via Bridal Musings

Top Tips for Having a Food Truck At Your Wedding

– This might seem like a no-brainer, but make sure you'll have enough food. Some of your guests may have big appetites (people often won't have had lunch or even breakfast before the wedding) so be sure to have a burger/taco/donut contingency so that your hungry guests can go for seconds.

– Think about sides and toppings. Talk to your food truck vendor about additional extras, they may serve up one specialty dish, if that's the case, perhaps feature a buffet table with salads and sides alongside the truck.

– Choose standing-friendly food. Food trucks are perfect for late night eats and cocktail hours, if this is the case, be sure to choose small dishes that your guests can manage (with a glass of bubbly in hand!).

– Talk to your truckers. Food truck owners may be used to serving big groups of people over the course of a day, but there is a certain standard of service (and speed) expected at weddings. Chances are you're a casual couple if you're opting for street food, but be sure your vendors know what's expected (napkins, presentation, time-frame), and have enough staff and supplies to meet the demands of your guests.

Photo by Sara K Byrne Photography via Bridal Musings

– Check with your venue. Ask about permission for parking/trading outside your venue, you might even need to enquire about electricity hook-ups. Make sure there's room for your truck to park, with space for your guests to queue outside.

– Pick vendors you love and have a report with. Street food vendors tend to be some of the friendliest people around, and they're passionate about food, select somebody whose dishes you've tried and loved, to make your wedding day food extra special.

– Depending on your friends or family, food truck refreshments might seem a little unconventional. Perhaps let your key guests know in advance what to expect, so they'll get into the spirit of casual dining. It's good to have signage, or someone with a mic on hand to let guests know when and where the truck is, so you don't have to herd your guests yourself!

– Don't forget to take some photographs in front of your food truck. It's the perfect chance to get some quirky, candid snaps during the day.

– Finally, as with any al fresco element, think of the weather. What if it rains, is baking hot, or super windy on your wedding day? Consider all options when choosing where to position your truck, and how to plan the logistics.

So, without further ado, check out ten of our favourite ways to feature a food truck at your wedding.

1. We All Scream

Photo by Markow Photography via Bridal Musings

Photo by Jose Villa Photography via Style Me Pretty

Fun, tasty, and the perfect photo op, an ice-cream truck at your wedding is probably the easiest of the bunch to pull off.

They're readily available and pretty inexpensive. While there are some event specific ice-cream carts (like this cutie above!) which you may need to hire for a set time or price, local Mr Whippy style ice-cream trucks will often happily take time away from the local seaside/park for the promise of a 75-cone sale.

2. Coffee Stop

Photo by Photophilcro via Style Me Pretty

Are you and your other half caffeine addicts? Why not treat your guests to your favourite pick-me-up at your wedding?

Lots of coffee companies will send out carts or trucks to local events, try serving them with wedding cake, doughnuts, or cookies instead of the typical cocktail hour.

3. Burger Bus

Photo by Joielala Photography 

When it comes to street food, the burger reigns supreme. Pulled pork, falafel, chicken or beef, chat to your caterer about creating your favourite combos.

One tip though, perhaps opt for mini sliders rather than bigger buns, especially if it's part of your cocktail hour or evening bites, rather than a main sit-down meal.

4. Just Desserts

Photo by Laura Gordon Photography via Style Me Pretty

Photo by Eliza Claire via Love My Dress

Yum! As you know, dessert tables have become incredibly popular over the last year or so, the next step in this trend? Dessert trucks!

Imagine how chuffed your guests would be with a truck pulled up filled with sweets, cupcakes or donuts! This is such a nice way to break up your dinner and prevent food comas from sitting down too long over your eats!

5. Bar on Wheels

Photo via Tom Collins Caravan Bar

We're a little bit in love with the idea of having a bar truck at a wedding – it's so blooming cool!

If your wedding venue site doesn't have its own bar facilities, a truck is an easy and less-expensive way of managing the logistics, while also making a fun feature for your guests.

6. Chip Van

Photo by Belatheè via Style Me Pretty

Is there any greater late night snack than the humble French fry? We don't think though.

Keep it simple with your local fish and chip van for the wee hours, or go for gourmet with some chic chip cones at your cocktail hour. Our personal favourite? A gravy-laced poutine, there's no finer street food after you've spent the night on the dancefloor!

7. Pizza Party

Photo by Anne-Claire Brun via One Fab Day

Photo by Steve Steinhardt Photography via Style Me Pretty

We've noticed a bit of a trend for pizza being served at weddings lately, and why the heck not. It's delicious, it's affordable and it's versatile – plus you're *almost* guaranteed all your guests will love it.

Choose a selection of options for meat-eaters and veggies, and don't forget a gluten free or vegan option if you need them too. Dish it out by the slice, or pass around the boxes for your guests to share, perfect for casual wedding dining.

8. Taco Truck

Photo by Wildflowers Photos via Wedding Chicks

Photo by Ashley Kickliter via Ruffled

We love tacos! And by the looks of lots of the menus we see from our real weddings, you guys love them too!

While there aren't as many taco trucks on this side of the Atlantic, they're on many a street corner in cities across the US. Self-contained and easy(ish!) to eat standing up, these make tasty, laid back eats for cocktail hour, or a fun addition to a fiesta style buffet.

9. Doggy Bag

Photo by Forever Photography Studio via Style Me Pretty

We just adore the idea of a couple hopping out of their wedding car in all their regalia to grab a hot dog en route to the reception. But why not share the love and bring the hot dog cart to your guests instead?

Set up a station with ketchup, onions and mustard, and let your guests dig in. We can't think of a more fun wedding day snack.

10. Pie Time

Photo by Neil Thomas Douglas Photography via Rock'n'Roll Bride

Okay so pies aren't very well-known Stateside but over here in England, they're a pretty big deal! We're not talking apple or pecan either, we're talking beef and stout, chicken and leek or feta and squash (we're hungry at the thought of it!)

Pie, mash and gravy will be a big hit with your guests, and provide a hearty feed to keep them going 'til the wee ones on the dancefloor.

Photo by The Bird & The Bear via The Wedding Chicks

So let us know, would you feature street food at your wedding? If you had a food truck at your big day, we'd love to hear about it!

For ideas on wedding day eats, check out these ideas for Food + Drink for your big day. 

We've covered before all the best tips for baking your own wedding cake. But maybe you don't like cake or are still leaving that special confection to the pros? There's an alternative wedding dessert that's easy enough (and honestly, easier than cake) to make yourself ahead of time and include in your wedding menu: pie!

Photo via Mon Cheri / Monika Hibbs

I bake quite a lot. Not only for the two of us, but I'm always planning get-togethers just for the excuse to cook & bake for others. The key to baking for a party (whether your wedding or any special occasion) is careful recipe planning. You want to choose recipes that…

1. You can bake ahead of time. (I advise against baking on your wedding day!)
2. Won't become dense, soggy or dry in the fridge or counter overnight.
3. Can transport well.

Turns out, pie is all of these things! You'll also want to choose something that is in your wheelhouse – a type of dessert you often make or have the foundational skills for. Or, give yourself plenty of practice runs & taste tests beforehand. Your fiance & friends will appreciate frequent pie taste tests, I promise you.

Photo by Rachel May Photography

Finally, you'll want to factor in serve ware & transport. I like to shop for cake stands (which are great for pies, too) & eco-friendly bakery transport boxes on Etsy. You can also make mini pies as favors or to serve on each plate!

Below, I've shared my tips, tricks & recipes for baking delicious wedding pies. Once you've chosen the perfect wedding pie recipe to make yourself, here are some classic & unique cocktail pairings for desserts that sound so delicious!

Why Pie…

Photo by Anna Delores Photography

In the cake vs pie debate, I'm staunchly in the pie camp. Not only is pie just delicious in general it is such a fantastic wedding dessert. While cake has the tendency to dry out over a few days, pie tastes even better the days after you make it! All that gooey fruit melds together through osmosis and gives you an explosion of flavor. There are so many dough recipes, flavor possibilities & methods to pie-making to fit your fancy.

Finally, I tend to like making rustic-looking desserts for parties because honestly, it's hard to make it look bad! It's super east to cover your mistakes with pie. That means less stress & less f-bombs the days before your wedding.

Making the Pie Crust

Photo by Design Love Fest via Instagram

My favorite crust recipe is Martha Stewart's Basic Pie Crust.

But, I have an extra secret for you: swap the water for chilled alcohol. Why? Water plus flour makes gluten, which gives you a tougher crust. Alcohol, on the other hand, will burn off in the oven leaving you with an extra flaky, even more buttery crust. This also means you can use more alcohol than you would use water, making it easier to bring the dough together.

Use flavorless alcohol like vodka if you don't want to impart any added flavors into your crust. Me, on the other hand? I like to choose alcohols with flavors that compliment my pie filling. Bourbon will add that sweet malty flavor. I once hid a fancy bottle of Walnut Schnapps deep in a cupboard to save solely for nutty, berry pies. It's fun to experiment with botanical spirits as floral notes go fabulously with blueberries & blackberries (my favorite!)

Plan ahead tip: You can make your pie crusts well ahead of time, freezing your prepared disks for up to three months and thawing them when you're ready to make your pies.

Fun Pie Fillings

Olallieberry + Hibiscus Pie by Deco Tartelette

Making a fruit pie filling is quite easy. You just need your fruit, some type of sugar, a tablespoon or so of starch and a little squeeze of citrus. All of these ingredients will macerate together (aka ‘sit and get juicy') as you prep all your pie dough & baking station.

For custard pies, you'll make use of your blender or whisk with a puree of your chosen flavor, eggs, milk or cream, sugar & any extra flavor.

Below are a few fabulous pie-filling flavor ideas for every season. You can use their suggested pie crust recipe or just pair their filling recipes with Martha's pie crust above.

Rhubarb Pie
Blackberry Peach Pie
Olallieberry Hibiscus Pie
Classic Apple Pie
Masala Spiced Pear Pie
Whisky Sweet Potato Pie
Lemon Meringue Pie
Matcha Custard Pie
Salted Maple Pie

Claire's Oregon Lavender Blueberry Galette

Photo by Michael Graydon Nikole Herriott

It would be wrong of me to not give you at least one of my own recipes. I'll keep my sacred Rhubarb Pie recipe with me to the grave but I'm happy to share my Oregon Lavender Blueberry Galette recipe.

A galette is an even easier, more rustic pie (meaning, even harder to eff up!) where the filling is placed on a rolled out pie crust & then the edges are folded inward a bit. You can absolutely turn the below recipe into a proper pie instead, just make two pie crusts rather than one and use a pie plate rather than a sheet pan.

The recipe makes one galette, multiply the ingredients for more galettes.

Ingredients

1 Martha Stewart's Basic Pie Crust – Swapping the water for alcohol, I like Barr Hill Honey Gin for this pie
2 pints of Fresh Blueberries
1 – 2 tbsp Honey
1/2 Lemon
1 tsp Dried Culinary Lavender
2 tbsp Corn Starch (or Flour)
Pinch of Salt
1 tbsp Butter – I like using cultured, European-style butter for the best flavor. Kerrygold works great!
1 Egg Yolk
1 tsp Sugar

Method

1. Start by making Martha Stewart's Basic Pie Crust. You'll need just one dough for each galette you make.
2. Chill pie dough disk in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or up to three months in the freezer.
3. If your pie dough is frozen, place it in the refrigerator the night before to thaw overnight.
4. Combine blueberries, honey, zest & juice of one-half lemon, lavender, corn starch & salt in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly; it's okay if some berries get a little smashed, just not all. Taste, after 20 minutes. Add more or less of the honey, lavender & lemon based on your preference. I like a more balanced, more floral, less sweet pie. But feel free to add more honey if you like. Let your berries macerate on the counter for an hour or so.
5. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have a baking stone, place that on the middle rack of your oven.
6. Place a piece of parchment paper on a cool counter and flour generously.
7. Remove the pie dough disk from the refrigerator and let sit on the parchment for 5 minutes or so.
8. Roll out your pie dough disk into a large circle, 1/4 inch thick. If the dough cracks considerably while rolling the dough is too cold. Let the dough sit for another 5 minutes or so and try again.
9. Transfer the pie crust with the parchment paper onto a sheet pan.
10. Pile your macerated berry mixture into the center and dot with bits of butter. If you have too many berries, you don't have to use them all. (Maybe save for ice cream, your morning yogurt or another dessert!)
11. Fold edges over the berries. You can fold them far into the center for a thicker, tighter galette or just barely over the edges of the berries for a thinner, wider galette. Up to you!
12. Make an egg wash and brush it on the crust.
13. Sprinkle sugar onto the entire galette.
14. Place on the baking stone if using it. Bake for 50 – 60 minutes, until golden brown.

This galette will taste best the next day or two after it's been baked. You can keep it at room temperature on the counter or even freeze once cooled from the oven and thaw it a day before eating.

Photo via Instagram

Interested in what else you can do yourself for your wedding? Browse other projects like this one in our DIY section & find video tutorials on our IGTV Channel.

In my former life, (meaning, before Bridal Musings) I sold bubbly at a hip wine shop in Brooklyn, New York. When shoppers came in asking, “What's the best pairing for…” anything, my answer? Always Champagne. Fried chicken? Champagne. Roasted duck? Champagne. Standing at a floral altar committing to a life together forever and always? Champagne.

Below, I'm going to hand it over to our wedding planning pros for the best champagne wedding ideas they've seen and dreamed up. But first, I do have one bit of advice from a former wine saleswoman and wedding photographer: don't forget the saber.

1. Saber a bottle of champagne to kick off your wedding toast.

“Sabering a bottle of champagne at your wedding is a frame-on-your-wall-forever wedding moment. Not only is the sabering sword quite the dramatic prop, but the moment the top of the bottle breaks off and showers everyone in the vicinity with bubbles? Priceless. Just make sure you've either practiced or have an expert wine saber-er on hand for instructions.” – Claire Eliza, Editor-in-Chief of Bridal Musings

2. Offer a champagne tasting.

“Are you and your soon-to-be spouse champagne connoisseurs? If so, you might consider arranging for a champagne tasting during your cocktail hour. You could work with your caterer or bar provider to select a flight of 3+ champagnes and hire a Sommelier to be present during cocktails to pour tastings for guests and speak with them about each offering at leisure. This is an excellent added guest engagement option during your cocktail hour, especially for a couple who loves bubbly!” – Alexandra Denniston, Owner & Lead Planner, Eventlightenment Planning

3. Get the party started with a welcome gift.

“Set the tone for the party with a planned and thought-out greeting for your guests, from a floral arch to a champagne tray and hors d’oeuvres. This gets your guests in the mood for the party and ready to celebrate!” – Ashley Vipond, Co-Owner, Champagne Social Co.

4. Create a champagne wall for part of your wedding décor.

“You can never go wrong with a champagne wall at your wedding! The best part is that it has several purposes: It serves champagne to your guests, is wedding decor customized in your wedding theme, and is a centerpiece for guests to enjoy taking photos in front of.” – Lisette Gatliff Photography

5. Bring in a mobile prosecco truck.

“Bring in a mobile prosecco mini truck! These little vehicles originate from Italy and offer the ability to serve a variety of prosecco and drinks right out of it. It is so small it can sometimes drive right into a venue! Add some decorations, take a pic and you're all set. How fun for guests!” – Valarie Falvey, Kirkbrides Wedding Planning & Design

6. Create a classic champagne tower.

“Go back to the deco days and do a champagne tower! It's becoming more and more popular for couples to add this to their “events” and makes for timeless photos of pouring the champagne.” – Valarie Falvey, Kirkbrides Wedding Planning & Design

7. Set up a luxury mimosa bar.

“Set up a luxurious mimosa bar for your guests. Make your bar stand out by using top-tier champagne such as Moet or Veuve Clicquot, by using exotic ingredients for add-ons such as guava, dragon fruit, or pomegranate, and by adding champagne-centric touches such as champagne bombs, rose gold straws, or paring the champagne with bite-sized pieces of pastries that complement the flavor.” – Ashley Vipond, Co-Owner, Champagne Social Co.

8. Use champagne glasses as table decor.

“Champagne glasses can be incorporated in table numbers, place cards, or favors. A favorite I have seen has been a champagne glass at each table setting with the guest's name written in calligraphy on vintage paper attached to the rim.” – Lisette Gatliff Photography

9. Create a seating display that incorporates champagne.

“One of my favorite champagne ideas doubles as a seating display. We love a statement glass and giving guests some bubbles before the cocktail hour or reception always gets them ready for the festivities to come! Also, it keeps the bar line shorter for a while as they already have a drink in their hands.” – Melanie Levin, owner of LuckEleven Events

10. Have a living champagne wall.

“You rang…. a champagne living wall is where it's at! We are all about the guest experience and this champagne living wall was a big hit! Your guests would ring the bell for service and a white-gloved hand would serve them champagne through the framed window.” – Erica Trombetti, Infinite Events

These tips were gathered with help from Be Inspired PR, a PR + Social Media Agency for wedding, wellness and lifestyle clients. With over 10+ years of experience, we’re here to take our clients to the next level! Find oodles of stylish wedding inspiration on their Instagram and Pinterest.

Choosing bad Champagne for your toast is literally the easiest way to put a bad taste in the mouths of all your wedding guests, simultaneously. So, don’t. Picking the right stuff can be easy if you give up the two old stereotypes of ‘good toast taste.’ They are these:

(1)  Good wine = Expensive wine

(2)  Good wine = Champagne

Yes, some expensive wines are good wines (perhaps many), and yes, some Champagnes are good wine (perhaps very many), but there are more important factors you need to pay attention to. For instance: taste? Remember?

Jenny Quicksall via Bridal Musings

If not all Champagne is good, and not all expensive wine is good, how are you supposed to choose the sparkling wine that’s right for one of your life’s biggest ovations? Don’t forget, choosing the right stuff is as big a necessity as the ritual itself. The only thing your wine-snob friends will find more distasteful than tasteless bubbles are no bubbles at all. And what the heck is Prosecco, anyway? Cava?

In brief, there are 6 major names for sparkling wine that either pick out the place they are from, how they are made, or both. They are Champagne, Crémant, Prosecco, Cava, Pétillant-naturel (Pét-Nat) and Sparkling Wine.

Champagne is a region in France that is famous for inventing and producing some incredible examples of sparkling wine. Crémant is French (or Luxembourgish) sparkling wine that is made like Champagne, but not made physically in Champagne. Prosecco is sparkling wine made in Italy. Cava is sparkling wine made in Spain. Pétillant-naturel is a style of making sparkling wine that is slightly different than the traditional Champenoise method. Sparkling wine is everything else that sparkles (and is wine).

There are examples of all of these that are perfect for your engagement party or wedding, so let’s look a little closer at each and pick out pros and cons.

Photo by Cavin Elizabeth via Bridal Musings

Champagne

Champagne denotes a region but also a traditional style of winemaking that makes for the emblematic product we all know and love. It’s the mainstay, the standard, the Platonic ideal, and the boilerplate. It can sometimes be the very best wine, but too often its steep price is derived from its label and not the way it tastes, i.e. bad. Still, there are very good Champagnes that are not exorbitant in price, and if you have the budget, there is no classier way to treat your guests.

Typically, Champagne is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Sometimes it’s all Chardonnay (called Blanc de Blanc). Sometimes it’s all Pinot Noir (Blanc de Noir). Very rarely it is all Meunier (no fancy name). Those are names to look for if you’re partial to these grapes.

If you care about how sweet or dry you like your wine, Champagne is almost always finished off with a little liquid sugar called dosage. Essentially, the less dosage, the drier the wine. All Champagne tells you on the bottle the level of dosage. Brut Nature Champagne sees the smallest amount, or in some cases none at all. Next comes Extra Brut, Brut, Extra Dry, Dry, Demi-Sec, and Doux – all in increasing levels of sweetness. Most of the Champagne you get from the local liquor store, gallery opening, or house party will fall somewhere between Extra Brut and Brut.

My favorite Champagnes are natural “grower Champagnes” where grapes are grown by the vignerons themselves (not common) and made organically and sustainably. Vouette et Sorbee make some incredible wines for a lot cheaper than top grower Champagnes like Jacques Sellose, or Agrapart & Fils, any of which will melt your face off.

If you’re not in the market for expensive Champagne ($80 and up), then you’ll be happy to know that other sparkling categories (listed below) offer delicious wines that will far exceed the quality of $60 Veuve Clicqout or similar “big house” Champagnes, for a third of the price.

Jenny Quicksall via Bridal Musings

Crémant

For instance, wine made exactly like Champagne, that isn’t Champagne, from other fantastic terroirs. Sparkling wine is made in all your favorite regions of France: Burgundy, Loire, Bordeaux, Alsace, and even Provence.

The thing to know about Crémant, is that local varieties will often be thrown into the typical Champenoise blend. Menu Pineau, Folle Blanche, Chenin Blanc, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc are all eligible, depending on the place of origin. So if you have a connection to another French variety besides the trinity of Champagne grapes, there is likely a Crémant for you.

Domaine Valentin Zusslin produces a number of excellent Crémants from blends of Riesling, Auxerrois and other rare, white varieties. They are also organic, biodynamic and never add sulfur to their wines. Best of all, they are half the price of any entry level Champagne, despite greater complexity, uniqueness – and frankly – taste.

Other great Crémant come from Domaine Cyrill Sevin (who also works without sulfur), and a personal favorite, Jo Landron’s “Atmophères Brut” is a value beyond compare.

Photo by Claire Eliza via Bridal Musings

Prosecco

It isn’t all about French wine. Prosecco is now the world’s most consumed sparkling wine. And it’s no surprise given the quality and the tiny price points. Most of your guests have garnered a taste for Prosecco and will be more than happy to revisit their favorite brunch to celebrate your engagement.

Still, Prosecco is a little different from Champagne or Crémant. Prosecco is made in the Veneto district of Italy, from a grape called, Glera. This is a few miles north of Venice, around the city of Treviso. Instead of the Champenoise method, Prosecco is made with a much simpler method known as the “tank method.” The result is a creamier texture, larger bubbles, and lower acidity (making it the perfect accompaniment for the citric bite of some orange juice).

Easy, quaffable Prosecco abounds, but there are some producers making truly great Prosecco. Check out some wines from Bisson for some mindblowing examples.

Photo by Cavin Elizabeth via Bridal Musings

Cava

The only sparkling wine that’s going to give Prosecco any competition at the cash register is Cava, the sparkling wine of Spain. You’ve probably had a lot more Cava than you think for exactly this reason. If you’re ordering sparkling wine by the glass for less than $10, it’s very likely Prosecco or Cava, the latter of which is gaining popularity at the rate Prosecco was only a few years ago.

That’s because these wines are pretty good, and unlike Prosecco, they are made in the traditional Champagnoise style. The difference comes down to grape and Terroir. The blend is typically Macabeu, Parellada, and Xarel·lo. Other grapes like Grenache, Chardonnay and Pinot make the blend as well. Cava can legally come from anywhere in Spain, but the most famous houses are in the Northeast, near Barcelona.

My favorite Cava producer, by far, is Recaredo Mata Casanovas in Catalonia. This is another natural winemaker known for long aging, rich, beautiful cava. However, like Prosecco, very fine examples abound at minuscule price points.

Photo by Claire Eliza via Bridal Musings

Pétillant-naturel (Pét-Nat)

Pét-Nat is a whole different story. Pétillant-naturel means naturally sparkling. It is a method of winemaking that predates the Champagne method but has recently had a resurgence due to the popularity of the natural wine movement.

Where a second fermentation is initiated in the Champagne method, Pét-Nats finish their fermentation in the bottle, most often with the yeasts and sediment along with the juice. The wines are thus cloudy, lower in alcohol, funky, and alive.

Pét-Nats are made everywhere, from Sicily to Long Island, but the most famous examples come from France. Rene and Agnes Mosse make a very hip example called, “Moussamoussettes” made from Gamay and Cabernet Franc. It is almost as delicious as it is fun to say. If your engagement party looks to be a more casual affair, then a wine like this one is the perfect way to dial down the bougie Champagne boozing for a wine that will not only sing in a solo cup, but impress the wine snobs as well.

Other killer examples come from Weingut Strohmeier, and Porto del Vento.

Photo by Jeff Brummett Visuals via Bridal Musings

Sparkling Wine

As for the “Other” category, there are some potential winners that fall outside our big categories. The most egregious omission is Sekt, the German sparkling wine. This is not for lack of quality, but more for lack of availability. Peter Lauer produces some incredible examples of sparkling Riesling that can sometimes be found in the states, as well as Hofgut Falkenstein.

Then there is “New World” Sparkling wine that you very often see domestic examples of. Unfortunately, many domestic sparkling wines of quality come with a premium. The one exception that proves the rule is from the Gruet Winery in New Mexico. They make a number of excellent sparkling wines for ridiculously cheap. Their reputation in the wine world is none-too-shabby either, making it a perfectly respectable budget option for an engagement party of any level of sophistication.

Photo by Claire Eliza

In the end, it’s hard to go wrong if you spend a little time tasting – trusting your palate rather than the label or the price point. And what better time than now to branch out with your betrothed and see what these different methods and regions have to offer.