A champagne tower is a an unforgettable wedding highlight for both the couple and the guests. As the bubbles cascade down through glittering tiers of champagne flutes, guests can’t help but feel mesmerized by the vision. But behind the scenes, pulling off this impressive tower display takes skill and coordination. As the Master of Ceremonies, the champagne tower toast will likely ‘fall’ under your responsibilities.
While seeming complex, having a plan and preparation will set you up for success. Follow these MC tips and tricks for flawlessly executing the champagne tower at a wedding reception. We’ll cover everything from when to schedule the tower, pouring techniques, toast scripts, and preventing messy collapses!
Need Some Australian Made Custom Glassware as a Gift or For Your Wedding?
What is a Champagne Tower at a Wedding?
A champagne tower, also known as a champagne pyramid, is a stacked pyramid display of champagne glasses filled with bubbly. Champagne or sparkling wine cascades down through the layers of glasses for a gorgeous visual centerpiece.
The glasses are stacked into tiers – typically 6 to 8 tiers high. The bride, groom, or parents often pour the first glass(es) at the top to start the cascading champagne effect.
Often the glasses are half filled before the pouring ceremony by the couple begins to save time.
When to Do a Champagne Tower at a Wedding
The champagne tower is usually set up right before major toasts and will remain up through the reception. Common times for bringing out the tower include:
- After the grand entrance, when the wedding party is introduced
- Before parent toasts and the Couple’s welcome toast
- Before the cake cutting ceremony
- During open dancing,
The tower makes for great photos at key moments like first dances and parent dances.
How Many glasses are needed for a Champagne Tower at a Wedding?
The number of glasses needed depends on the tier’s height. A 6-tier tower made of traditional champagne flutes will use around 36 glasses. Eight tiers may use 64 glasses.
For ease, order glasses in cases of 12 or 24. Renting glasses is often cheaper than buying them.
Cost of a Champagne Tower at a Wedding
Glasses: Rental champagne flutes cost $1 to $2 per glass. Purchasing plastic flutes can cost $0.50 to $1 each.
Champagne: Budget about one bottle of bubbly per 2 guests for toasting and the tower. A 3-tier tower uses 6-10 bottles. Larger weddings may go through 20+ bottles.
Staffing: Some venues include setup. If not, hire 1-2 staffers to manage the tower for $100 to $200.
How to Run a Champagne Tower at a Wedding as MC
Successfully running the champagne tower takes some coordination. Here are some tips:
Choose the Right Glasses
- Use tall, slim flute glasses, not wide glasses, which spill easily.
- All glasses must be identical in size and shape.
Arrange Help
- Recruit 1-2 attendants to assist with setup and pouring. Provide aprons to protect their clothing.
- Have linens or trays available to catch spills.
Build the Tower
- Have your glasses cleaned and ready.
- Start with a single glass in the center. Build the base with glasses touching.
- Add layers using triangle or square formations. Stagger your glasses to increase stability.
- Top with a single glass or glasses that the Couple will pour first.
Pour Strategically
- To start the trickle effect, only fill 1-2 glasses at the top.
- Pour gently. Avoid flooding glasses to prevent collapse.
- Replenish glasses as needed between pours.
Share a Toast
- When ready for toasts, invite guests to gather with filled glasses.
- Lead the champagne toast, then invite the Couple to pour the first glasses.
- Let champagne cascade down the tiers as guests cheer.
- When the flow slows, have attendants top up glasses.
Are Champagne Towers Messy? Avoiding Collapses
Spills are inevitable with champagne towers. But a well-built tower should stay intact with proper pouring.
To prevent a messy collapse:
- Use good quality, clean glasses that are not chipped or cracked. Discard any unstable glasses.
- Ensure glasses are completely dry before building. Moisture makes glasses slippery.
- Handle towers gently. Avoid vibrations that can disrupt glass piles. Keep away from speakers.
- Check that base layers are level and securely touching. Refill empties between pours.
- Pour champagne gently, do not rush. Overflowing glasses are the #1 cause of cascading collapses!
Have towels ready for spills. And make backup plans if a tower does tumble – laughter is part of the fun!
Champagne Tower Toast Script for the MC
When the time comes for the tower toast, get guests’ attention, and lead them through the experience:
“Ladies and gentlemen, let’s gather around for a time-honored wedding tradition!
In just a moment, [Couple] will pour the first glasses of champagne to commence the cascading tower of bubbly.
When the glasses are filled, I invite everyone to raise their glasses to toast the new Mr. and Mrs. [Lastname]!
[Couple], whenever you are ready, you may pour the first glasses and start the champagne flowing!
…
Wonderful! With the glasses now full, let’s lift our champagne to celebrate the newlyweds!
(lead toast)
To [Couple]! May your life together be overflowing with an abundance of love, laughter, and joy – like the overflowing champagne in these glasses! Cheers, everyone!”
This champagne tower toast script can be customized by the MC as desired. Mention the number of tiers, the Couple’s wedding theme, inside jokes, etc., to make the toast meaningful and memorable.
Summary: Champagne Tower at a Wedding
A champagne tower at a wedding makes a stunning focal point and interactive cocktail hour feature. While requiring some coordination, the tower is worth the effort for an impactful wedding reception highlight. The MC can lead a successful champagne tower experience with good prep and strategic pouring. And even if a few glasses tumble, the champagne tower still makes for an unforgettable wedding memory!
To prevent a messy collapse:
- Use good quality, clean glasses that are not chipped or cracked. Discard any unstable glasses.
- Ensure glasses are completely dry before building. Moisture makes glasses slippery.
- Handle towers gently. Avoid vibrations that can disrupt glass piles. Keep away from speakers.
- Check that base layers are level and securely touching. Refill empties between pours.
- Pour champagne gently, do not rush. Overflowing glasses are the #1 cause of cascading collapses!
Have towels ready for spills. And make backup plans if a tower does tumble – laughter is part of the fun!
Special Thanks
Photographer: Renata Dominik
Celebrant: Marry Us Gary
Champagne Tower MC
