Big-Ass Champagne Bottle

kolibri

My fiance has gotten the idea that we should get a 9L bottle, also known as a Salmanazar, of champagne for the toast at our wedding.  Here's a video to give you an idea of the scale:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM23gfgpnyQ.  It's the equivalent of 12 standard 750 ml size bottles. 

I don't hate the idea, and so far with wedding planning I have just been rolling with things like that that he wants.  But I worry that it would seem tacky, or like we are trying to be fancier than we are.  Our wedding is definitely not going to be an over the top bash.  We have traditional elements like bridesmaids, groomsmen, champagne toast but overall the wedding and reception are going to be fairly low-key, with a short outdoor ceremony, subdued decorations, and no DJ.  The champagne bottle would be the most overtly blingy thing there, probably.  It's not like we're major champagne drinkers or anything either. 

On the other hand, I can see how it could be entertaining, funny and memorable.  Plus, as he says, when else are you going to have a party with enough people to help you take down a huge freaking bottle of champagne like that?  We found a pretty affordable one (sparkling wine, technically).  Depending on whether the venue will consider it to be one bottle for purposes of corkage charges (I am assuming they would not), it would be between $150-$250 more than just getting normal-sized bottles.  Within our budget, although definitely a luxury. 

So, big-ass champagne bottle:  awesome?  tacky?  weird?  Tell it to me straight! 

jajph1974

Just from watching the video it seems like a huge pain in the ass. I wouldn't be interested in it. Maybe you can talk FI into splurging on something else.

jennylove810

Anything big-ass, as it pertains to alcoho,l is ok by me, except for das boot.  That has no place at anything but a frat party.

MeaghanandMichael

Save it for the after party.

deepcovejackie

Put me down as "meh".  I wouldn't care less about that really.  I don't think it's necessarily tacky.  It's kind of prop-ish or gimmicky though.

Starmusica

eh.. personally... I wouldn't bother. It's not tacky per se.. it just doesn't sound like it goes with your wedding.. so its going to definitely stick out.

jajph1974

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_big-ass-champagne-bottle?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:f4445966-6776-4533-b008-27f44f46c9aaPost:e63fa14a-54d4-4948-86e2-2e31091466e5">Re: Big-Ass Champagne Bottle</a>:
[QUOTE]Put me down as "meh".  I wouldn't care less about that really.  I don't think it's necessarily tacky.<font color="#800000"><strong>  It's kind of prop-ish or gimmicky though</strong></font>.
Posted by deepcovejackie[/QUOTE]


This is what I was thinking as well

engutshall

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_big-ass-champagne-bottle?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:f4445966-6776-4533-b008-27f44f46c9aaPost:d910397d-6157-4c59-a662-314ff2156129">Re: Big-Ass Champagne Bottle</a>:
[QUOTE]Anything big-ass, as it pertains to alcoho,l is ok by me, except for das boot.  That has no place at anything but a frat party.
Posted by jennylove810[/QUOTE]

<div>Hahaha</div>

Tinkx123x

I think it would be nice for the reception. It sure is big!

Shazzie116

It just doesn't sound like it fits with your wedding. And you sound pretty "meh" about it. My advice is put your money towards something else. 

Night_Sprite

It seems to contradict the feeling you want.

SarahPLiz

I'd enjoy watching someone try to pour that into narrow little champagne flutes. Does it come with a spigot?

betrothed123

That video was so anticlimactic

To answer your question, I'd skip it.  I agree with the others that I don't think it's necessarily tacky, just gimmicky.

kolibri

Gimmicky, yes, that exactly describes how I feel about it!  And I am not sure how thrilled the reception servers would be at having to open and pour from a bottle like that, or if we'd have to do it ourselves or what.  SarahPLiz:  I can't imagine pouring straight from it either, I think we would probably decant it into a more reasonable sized pitcher. 

Thanks for the feedback!  I kind of feel like I owe him, since I overruled his preference on the guys' attire (he wanted bow ties, we're going with standard ties).  So I stated my reasons why I'm against it to the FI, but I can live with it if he decides he REALLY wants it.  But it's nice to know that I'm not crazy for thinking it's a little odd and out of place at our wedding! 

mushE

I'd skip it.  I used to work for a wine importer, and we occasionally dealt with those big ass bottles, and they're just a pain in the ass to chill and pour.  Also, consider that there's always a possibility of spoilage, and it would seriously suck if you got a giant bottle and it ended up being bad.

mandi_lynne33

Personally, I love those big bottles.  BUT, agree if it doesnt fit your wedding pass on it.  And yes, it is Gimicky. 

We are getting one of those bottles (but not one quite as big as the one in the video).  We are having all members of our Bridal Party sign the bottle at the Rehersal Dinner and are going to display it in our kitchen (we love champagne/wine decor stuff).  On our 1 year Anniversary, the plan is to have the Bridal Party over for one hell of an Anniv Party and we are cracking that baby open!  FI and I will save the empty signed bottle for decor/memories.