Shake, Stir, Celebrate: Add a Little Spritz to your Wedding Celebrantion
Sunshine in a glass, an Aperol Spritz is more than a cocktail – it’s a celebration. With its vibrant colour, sparkling bubbles, and refreshing taste, it’s the perfect drink to set the mood for a joyful summer wedding. Here’s why this Italian icon (and its delicious spritz cousins) could be the star of your day.
Every couple has their little rituals: the café where you always order the same drink, the dish you cook together on Sunday nights, or the cocktail that became yours after a special date. So why not bring that same intimacy and meaning into your wedding day?
We often think of cocktails as something for the reception – but they can also become a wonderful part of your ceremony itself. Just as a cocktail blends different ingredients into something unique, so too does a marriage. And that’s exactly why your favourite drink could be the perfect symbol for your love story.
A cocktail with a story
Maybe you toasted with an Aperol Spritz on your first holiday together. Maybe you made margaritas at home during lockdown date nights. Or perhaps you invented your very own concoction – your signature mix, only yours. Whatever the drink, it tells a story. And on your wedding day, that story can come alive in front of your guests.
be the one to take the initiative.
Nowadays, couples will scout for a beautiful setting and plan a few days away together; one partner will definitely have to get on their knee; the presence of a photographer is a must, and if there is a live audience, spontaneous or planned, so much the better!
Creating a symbolic moment for your wedding ceremony
Here’s how it can work: the ingredients for your chosen cocktail are laid out on the ceremony table. As you pour, stir, or shake them together, your celebrant shares the symbolism behind each element.
- The spirit could represent strength and commitment.
- A sweet vermouth or liqueur might symbolise tenderness and joy.
- A bitter note could remind you that challenges exist, but faced together, they only deepen your bond.
- Even garnishes – a slice of citrus, a sprig of herbs, a cube of ice – can take on meaning in your story.
Finally, the two of you pour into each other’s glass and share that first symbolic sip. In that moment, your cocktail becomes more than a drink: it’s a promise, a recipe for love that’s entirely your own.
Why you’ll love it
- It’s personal – no two cocktails are the same, just like no two relationships are.
- It’s original – your guests will love seeing something so playful and meaningful.
- It’s photogenic – a splash of colour, a clink of glasses, and a very Instagrammable moment!
The perfect toast
At the end of the ritual, lifting your glasses isn’t just a gesture – it’s a declaration. A way of saying: “we know the ingredients that make us strong together, and we promise to keep mixing them with care.”
Whether it’s an Aperol, a Negroni, a mojito, or something you’ve dreamed up yourselves, your signature cocktail can become a symbolic highlight of your ceremony. A moment that blends romance, creativity, and celebration – just like the best weddings do.
Have a Spritz: Iconic, Refreshing, and Made for Weddings
The alternative is to leave it for the reception
Sunshine in a glass, the Aperol Spritz is more than a cocktail – it’s a celebration. With its vibrant colour, sparkling bubbles, and refreshing taste, it’s the perfect drink to set the mood for a joyful summer wedding. Here’s why this Italian icon (and its delicious spritz cousins) could be the star of your drinks’ reception.
When you’re planning a summer wedding, the details matter – and that includes your drinks menu. If you’re looking for a cocktail that’s stylish, refreshing, and guaranteed to delight your guests, look no further than the Aperol Spritz.
This iconic Italian cocktail has become a global favourite, and it’s easy to see why. With its glowing orange colour, sparkling prosecco bubbles, and refreshing flavour, it’s the perfect summer wedding cocktail: both beautiful and celebratory.
Why the Aperol Spritz is so iconic
The Aperol Spritz is instantly recognisable, making it a brilliant choice for weddings. Its vibrant colour photographs beautifully, while the balance of slightly bitter Aperol, prosecco, and soda water makes it light and easy to enjoy. It’s the drink of summer – sociable, joyful, and effortlessly chic.
Why it’s ideal for your wedding
For couples planning a celebrant-led wedding that’s all about personality and originality, the Aperol Spritz fits right in.
Here’s why:
- Visually stunning – trays of Aperol Spritzes create a striking pop of colour
- Refreshing and light – perfect for warm-weather celebrations
- Customisable – you could even set up a “Spritz bar” where guests mix their own twist
Alternatives for originality
Want to surprise your guests with unique wedding drinks? Try these alternatives:
- Campari Spritz – A deeper red, more bitter, and bold – ideal if you want a stronger flavour
- Select Spritz – Venice’s local favourite, less sweet and full of history. A fantastic talking point for couples who love authenticity
Other Spritz ideas for your big day
Spritz cocktails are wonderfully versatile, so you can personalise them to your wedding theme: - Elderflower Spritz – Prosecco, soda, and elderflower liqueur for a floral, garden-party feel
- Limoncello Spritz – Zesty and bright, like sunshine in a glass
- Rosé Spritz – Light, pink, and oh-so-romantic
- Herbal Spritz – Add basil, rosemary, or thyme for something fresh and original.
A brief history of the Spritz
The Spritz has its roots in northern Italy in the 1800s, when Austrian visitors “spritzed” the strong local wines with water to make them lighter.
Over time, Venetians began adding bitters like Aperol (launched in 1919), Campari, or Select, along with sparkling prosecco – creating the beloved cocktails we know today.
From its humble beginnings, the Spritz became a symbol of Italian style and celebration. Now, it’s making its way onto wedding cocktail menus around the world.
An even briefer history of these iconic Italian cocktails
Aperol
- Origin: Created in 1919 in Padua by brothers Luigi and Silvio Barbieri, and first launched at the Padua International Fair
- Name: The name “Aperol” comes from the French word apéro, meaning aperitif
- Flavour profile: Bright orange, bittersweet, lower in alcohol (around 11%), making it very approachable
- Ingredients: The exact recipe is secret, but it includes bitter and sweet oranges, rhubarb, gentian root, cinchona, and other herbs and roots
- Rise in popularity: Aperol was marketed as a light, modern aperitif, especially appealing to women in post–World War I Italy. It truly exploded internationally in the 2000s after Campari Group purchased the brand and promoted the Aperol Spritz as a lifestyle drink.
Campari
- Origin: Invented in 1860 in Novara (near Milan) by Gaspare Campari, who opened Caffè Campari in Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
- Name: Simply from its founder’s surname
- Flavour profile: Deep red, stronger and more bitter than Aperol, with an alcohol content of about 20–28% depending on the market
- Ingredients: Still a guarded secret, but it’s made with bitter herbs, aromatic plants, and fruit. Traditionally, cochineal insects were used to give it its vivid red colour (this was phased out in 2006)
- Cultural role: Campari became synonymous with Italian aperitivo culture, especially in Milan. Classic cocktails such as the Negroni and Americano also use Campari, making it one of the most influential liqueurs in cocktail history
Select
- Origin: Created in 1920 in Venice by the Pilla brothers, distillers who wanted to craft the perfect aperitif for post-war Venetian society
- Flavour profile: Ruby red, more aromatic and herbal than Aperol, but less bitter than Campari. Alcohol content sits around 17.5%
- Ingredients: Made from around 30 botanicals, including juniper berries and rhubarb roots, giving it a slightly spiced, complex flavour
Cultural role: Select is considered the original Venetian Spritz. In Venice, ordering a Spritz often defaults to Select rather than Aperol. It’s less known internationally, but locals prize it as the most authentic version.
Raise a toast to love
- Including an Aperol Spritz (or one of its variations) in your wedding reception isn’t just about taste – it’s about creating a moment.
Bright, refreshing, and joyful, it’s the kind of drink that brings people together and sets the perfect mood for your celebration.
So whether you choose the iconic Aperol, the bold Campari, or invent your own signature Spritz, this classic cocktail is the ideal way to raise a glass to love, laughter, and happily ever after.
Planning a wedding that’s as vibrant and original as your love? Let’s create a celebrant-led ceremony that’s truly yours.
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