Champagne Fountain

Sometimes it turns out being more. Get your head wrapped around a budget for this and stick to it. It's one of those things that can be added on at the end if you have money left over.

Do you have to rent the fountain AND THEN pay for the alcohol to fill it? Also, you have to have a good idea of how much champagne will need to be used in it vs. how much will be consumed. As much as everyone loves champagne, you don't want to go overboard since, I personally, wouldn't want to drink champagne all night. That's just me, maybe you have fancier friends

You can't put champagne in a fountain because of the carbonation. it gets over aerated, and foams over, and then the rest is all flat. I saw someone try it, and it was a HUGE mess, wasted champagne, and sticky floors.

I hate champagne fountains it totally ruins the champagne and tastes horrible. I would look at different sparkling wines if you are worried about costs and forgo the fountain all together. We happen to be using a prosecco. A spainish cava would be another option.

Tara--You're absolutely right.

I have only been to one reception where it didn't turn into a big mess, and I think it might be contributed to the fact they had a fountain attendant and the actual fountain was well built (expensive). It just seems like a big pain in the butt.

I'll have to see how this turns out in the wedding I am in, in a month. If it works well, I might do it. But it all depends. Not everyone I know drinks champagne. Its an idea that was brought up, I am still on the edge of doing it or not.

Being a champagne drinker, I can tell you this is a bad idea. It ruins the champagne.

I'd buy a few bottles and have them at the bar. One of my cool couples had a diy prosecco bar with sparkling wine, berries, a couple of flavored syrups and pom juice. It went over just great!

First, I will be snobby and say that these are not Champagne fountains, as no one, in their right mind, would put real Champagne in a fountain.

Most are putting some sparkling wine in these fountains.

No matter what, unless you are using Andre, Cooks or the less expensive Korbel, are a total waste of money.

I wouldn't do it personally. I'm not a germ-freak or anything, but I've seen way too many people putting their hands and such in the fountain - which just ruins it for me. Like others have said, it ruins the taste.

Lastly, it MIGHT be cheaper... but you'd have to find a place that does it, which might be quite harder than you'd imagine. I used to be a bartender, and we got calls for them all the time. We didn't do them, though... and no one else around did either.

Prosecco is sooo much nicer than champangne and is a lot cheeper! I think what Celia said is a great idea - Prosecco bar!! hmmm making me thirsty!!

They still doing these?

Have a chocolate fountain instead! Just watch out for me and other ladies from here crashing your reception just for the chocolate fountain!

Not a fan of fountains. They make all the bubbles disappear.

And really, the idea is to put a sparkling wine in it. Champagne comes from the Champagne region in France. Some other countries use the term, but Korbel, etc. isn't really champagne. Prosecco isn't either, but it's basically made the same way. It's a terminology thing. Like all cognac is brandy, but not all brandy is cognac, which MUST come from a specific region in France.

I don't think it's snobby; it's really just a logistical/mechanical thing; you can't recirculate a carbonated beverage,whether it's club soda or champagne.

If you are thinking of starting your wedding off with this, or serving it with the cake (a great idea), or for the toast, maybe consider a mixed sparkling cocktail like Kir Royale or Bellinis (sparkling wine with pear nectar, yummmmmm) that will cut the cost but still feel very celebrationy

My fave is Prosecco with Pomy.....and it's a beautiful color too!

@keirag, Prosecco is not better than Champagne. One is not better than the other, but the are different.

REAL Champagne is only from Champagne, France, so if that is what you are referring to, different animals. Prosecco (which is from Italy) is fresh and crisp. REAL Champagne is yeasty with toasty notes.

Now, if you are taking about California "Champagne" that is a bastardization on the word Champagne. California Sparking wines can be great, but if that California label says "Champagne" the label not only lies, but, well, it is low grade crap.