You’ve seen the perfect champagne pop photos all over Pinterest, TikTok, and Instagram…You say: “That’s so fun! Let’s do it!” So you buy your favorite bottle of bubbly and grab a couple of cheap champagne flutes to bring to your engagement session, wedding, or elopement. Then, when the time comes to pop the champagne, the result is anything but exciting–it’s the most anticlimactic opening of an alcoholic beverage ever…it bubbles and foams all over your hands and arms and clothes, but there’s no spray. I get it, I’ve been there, too! So after some experimenting, I’ve put together some tips and tricks for how to pop champagne for photos.
I wouldn’t buy the most expensive champagne out there because it’s not going to taste great once you’ve shaken it up and released all the scrumptious carbonation. Buy something like Andre’ Extra Dry Champagne ($6.98 at Walmart) or Cook’s California Champagne ($7.98 at Walmart), and buy two of them, just in case. If you are not into alcohol, you can always try with a bottle of extra dry sparkling cider (caveat: I have not experimented with sparkling cider, but it’s worth a shot!). If you’re buying in bulk for your wedding anyways, check out Costco or Sam’s Club for good deals on cases of champagne. Don’t buy chardonnay, riesling, pinot noir, or any other type of wine that has little to no carbonation–it simply will not work!
Be considerate! Don’t just pop your champagne anywhere–pick a spot, preferably outdoors or where clean-up is easy. Boat or fishing docks are a couple spots that I have used in the past for champagne pop photos. A wide open field is a great choice, or another outdoor spot that can be hosed down if necessary. Wherever you choose to pop the bubbly, make sure you are up-wind of the spray so it doesn’t get all over you, and make sure there are no electronics or other people who don’t want to get sprayed nearby. If you can, position yourself with the sun or other light behind you or off to the side so it can illuminate the droplets.
Now you’re ready to pop the top on that cheap-o champagne you brought! But first, here are some steps on how to pop champagne for the best photos:
Step #1: Don’t shake the bottle before you pop the cork! “That doesn’t make any sense!”, you say. I know, I thought the same thing. Trust me.
Step #2: Hold your thumb over the opening of the bottle as soon as it’s open.
Step #3: Shake the bottle with your thumb still over the bottle opening.
Step #4: Use your thumb to control the spray. Yep, just like a water hose!
Step #5: SMILE! LAUGH! HAVE FUN! Have fun with this to get the best photos possible.
Step #6: Shake the bottle some more! Periodically cover the opening with your thumb and shake vigorously a few more times to “recharge” the spray–you may or may not get a little more “life” out of the bottle before all the wine and carbonation is gone.
