TIMELESS TRENDS WE'RE OBSESSED WITH | THE CHAMPAGNE TOWER
Some wedding details come and go.
Others become timeless.
Long before champagne towers found their way onto Pinterest boards and Instagram feeds, they were already synonymous with grand celebrations, elegant soirées and unforgettable parties. Decades later, they've lost none of their magic.
There is something undeniably captivating about the moment champagne begins cascading through a tower of delicate coupe glasses. Guests instinctively gather closer. Conversations pause. Cameras appear. Cheers erupt.
It's more than a drinks service.
It's theatre.
And it's one of our favourite ways to begin a celebration.
A CELEBRATION, NOT A PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
The most memorable wedding moments aren't the ones created purely for the camera.
They're the moments that invite everyone to become part of the experience.
A champagne tower naturally draws your guests together in a way few other traditions can. It creates anticipation, laughter and genuine excitement as everyone gathers around to watch the first pour before raising a glass together.
Unlike a formal cake cutting, a champagne tower feels wonderfully relaxed.
People mingle.
Friends embrace.
Children peer through the sparkling glasses.
Parents smile from the crowd.
It's an experience your guests remember just as much as you do.
And because the emotion is genuine, the photographs are too.
OLD-WORLD GLAMOUR MEETS MODERN ROMANCE
There's a reason champagne towers feel perfectly at home at today's luxury weddings.
They're steeped in history, yet they never feel dated.
Whether your celebration is inspired by a French château, an Italian villa or a European country estate, a champagne tower brings an unmistakable sense of occasion.
We especially love them at venues like Deux Belettes, Maleny Manor, Fig Tree Restaurant and The Orchard Estate, where timeless architecture and beautifully considered styling allow the moment to feel completely at home.
It's a tradition that doesn't compete with your wedding aesthetic.
It elevates it.
THE PERFECT WAY TO START THE PARTY
We often recommend planning your champagne tower at the beginning of cocktail hour.
The ceremony has finished.
The nerves have melted away.
Your guests are ready to celebrate.
Rather than disappearing immediately for portraits, you can share a toast with everyone you love before slipping away for ten quiet minutes together.
It's the perfect transition.
Guests naturally settle into cocktail hour while you capture golden hour portraits, knowing they've already shared one of the biggest celebratory moments of the day with you.
→ How to Build the Perfect Wedding Timeline
A PHOTOGRAPHER'S DREAM
As photographers, champagne towers tick every box.
Beautiful movement.
Natural interaction.
Elegant styling.
Genuine emotion.
The reflections dancing through the glass, champagne catching the afternoon light and guests reacting in real time create photographs that feel effortless rather than orchestrated.
The moment unfolds naturally.
We simply document it.
EVEN BETTER ON FILM
There are some wedding moments that digital captures beautifully.
A champagne tower happens to be one of those moments that becomes even more magical on 35mm and 120 film.
Soft grain.
Beautiful highlights.
Subtle imperfections.
The glow of late afternoon light reflecting through glass.
Film has a way of making the moment feel wonderfully nostalgic, as though you're looking back at a celebration from another era.
THE MOMENT CONTINUES AFTER THE POUR
One of our favourite things about champagne towers is that the best photographs often happen afterwards.
Guests clink glasses.
Parents steal a quiet embrace.
Friends burst into laughter.
Someone inevitably spills a little champagne.
Those beautifully unscripted moments are often the photographs couples treasure most because they capture the atmosphere rather than the tradition itself.
DON'T FORGET THE VIDEO
Champagne towers are just as captivating in motion.
The sound of glasses clinking.
Champagne flowing from the top coupe.
Guests cheering as the final glasses begin to fill.
These are the moments that feel incredible on video and behind-the-scenes content.
If you're working with a content creator, this will almost certainly become one of your favourite clips from the entire day.
→ Why You Need a Wedding Content Creator
IT DESERVES BEAUTIFUL STYLING
Like every memorable wedding moment, a champagne tower feels most impactful when it's thoughtfully styled.
Consider a tower of elegant coupe glasses framed by overflowing florals, candlelight or the architecture of your venue. A linen-draped table, vintage silver trays and fresh fruit can all elevate the experience without distracting from it.
The beauty of a champagne tower lies in its simplicity. It doesn't need elaborate styling—it simply needs room to shine.
THE ROMANCE ERA APPROACH
We believe the most memorable weddings aren't built around trends.
They're built around moments.
Moments that encourage your guests to gather closer.
Moments that slow the day down.
Moments that become part of your family's story for generations.
A champagne tower does exactly that.
It transforms a simple toast into a shared experience.
One filled with laughter, celebration and beautifully imperfect memories.
Because while fashions come and go, true celebration never goes out of style.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are champagne towers still in style?
Forever in style darling! Champagne towers have become a timeless feature of luxury weddings, celebrated for their elegance, theatre and ability to bring guests together.
When should we have our champagne tower?
We recommend scheduling it during cocktail hour, immediately after your ceremony or just before your couple portraits. It creates a beautiful transition into the celebrations while everyone is already gathered together.
Do we need champagne coupes?
Traditionally, yes. Coupe glasses are designed to create the classic cascading effect that makes champagne towers so iconic.
Can we use sparkling wine instead of Champagne?
Of course. Many couples choose premium Australian sparkling wine or Prosecco while achieving the same beautiful visual effect.
Is a champagne tower worth it?
If you value guest experience and meaningful moments, absolutely. It's one of the few wedding traditions that creates incredible photographs while giving every guest something to enjoy and remember.
Do champagne towers photograph well?
Exceptionally well. Between the movement, reflections, genuine reactions and elegant styling, they're one of our favourite moments to photograph on both digital and film.
