Olives & oysters: reimagining the champagne tower

There was a time when the champagne tower had its moment at almost every wedding: it was in the dramatic pour, clinking glasses, and a nod to vintage glamour. But in 2025? Couples are swapping bubbles for something bolder. 

From zesty Margaritas to sculptural fruit, today’s towers are less about tradition and more about personal style.

These new interpretations on the champagne tower feel fresh, playful, and unapologetically you. They reflect your taste (literally), your story, and the kind of energy you want to bring to the room. Whether it’s an Aperol Spritz glow at cocktail hour or an oyster tower anchoring the raw bar, this is statement styling with function.

And yes, it can still look elevated. Think vintage trays, sculptural stands, chilled layers, or a little drama with the right lighting. Custom garnishes, signature flavours, and bold styling cues turn a simple stack into a visual centrepiece (one that actually says something).

So forget the expected. If it stacks, it slays. Here’s 9 alternatives to the champagne tower that you might not yet have considered for your wedding.

1. Margarita tower

 

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 Fun, punchy, and a little chaotic (just like your dance floor will be). A fresh twist on the classic champagne tower, the Margarita tower is all about salty rims, zesty flavours, and that unmistakable holiday vibe. Serve it in coupes or tumblers with jalapeño, grapefruit or classic lime, and you’ve got an instant party starter.

2. Olive Tower

Minimal effort, maximum cool. A tower of marinated olives: think Sicilian green, Ligurian black, stuffed Castelvetrano becomes a sculptural nod to the Mediterranean. Pair it with a Martini bar or aperitivo table. It’s chic, subtle, and undeniably stylish.

3. Coca-Cola tower

Unexpected and a little nostalgic, the Coca-Cola tower is a playful take on the traditional champagne tower moment. Serve it in vintage glass bottles or poured over ice in cut-crystal tumblers. It works especially well paired with burgers, fries, or a late-night donut run.

4. Aperol Spritz tower

 

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 An Aperol Spritz tower hits different at golden hour. Light, citrusy, and impossibly photogenic, it’s ideal for garden parties, Italian-inspired weddings, or anyone leaning into a ‘more joy, less fuss’ kind of mood.

5. Oyster tower

 

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 If you’re going big, go briny. An oyster tower (stacked on crushed ice with lemon wedges and tiny Tabasco bottles) feels luxe without being cliché. Serve with Champagne or Martinis and watch the seafood lovers flock.

6. Martini tower

Clean lines. Strong pours. A Martini tower means business. Perfect for rooftop receptions and black-tie vibes, this one isn’t here to play. Gin, vodka, dirty, or dry — just don’t forget the olives.

7. Fruit tower

Fresh, vibrant, and non-alcoholic: a fruit tower brings colour and balance. Stack citrus, berries, figs, or grapes with fresh herbs for scent. It’s ideal for daytime weddings, summer heat, or as part of a grazing table.

8. Tiramisu tower

 

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For the couple who would rather skip the cake entirely (or simply want a midnight encore) the Tiramisu tower is a decadent twist on the champagne tower tradition..Think layers of espresso-soaked sponge, mascarpone cream, and dark cocoa powder served in delicate coupes, tiered high into a dessert installation that feels at once decadent and effortless.

This is dessert as theatre. Each glass is individually portioned for easy service but styled to feel ceremonial, ideal for either a choreographed reveal or a relaxed, late-night wander past the bar. Add personalised monogrammed spoons, or finish with gold leaf for a luxe touch that doesn’t veer into cliché.

9. Cheese tower

 

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 Architectural and undeniably chic, the Cheese Tower is the thinking couple’s answer to the wedding cake. Built from wheels of perfectly aged brie, ash-covered chèvre, crumbly blue, and triple cream rounds, this is a tower made for long lunches and slow evenings.

Styled with seasonal fruit, florals, and honeycomb, the Cheese Tower becomes an edible centrepiece, designed to be dismantled as the reception unfolds.

Does a champagne tower still have its place in 2025 weddings?

A champagne tower definitely still has its place in 2025 weddings (when done right). As one Reddit user put it, “When I think of a champagne tower, I generally think of Gatsby/Art Deco. For me, that’s when it would work best.” 

And they’re not wrong. Champagne towers still shine in the right context: think black-tie dress codes, mirrored bars, moody lighting, and anything with a roaring ’20s edge. 

But for modern couples chasing a more personal, playful, or unexpected vibe, these new tower interpretations offer something fresher.

The art of the stack

Practicality matters, whether you’re stacking cocktails, oysters, or tiramisu. Keep things neat with pre-portioned servings, chilled base layers, or waitstaff on standby to refresh as needed. Towers don’t have to be interactive or poured live to make an impact: they just need to look considered. 

Add a thoughtful touch with custom signage, colour-coded garnishes, or display elements that echo your florals, tablescape, or overall palette. Think textured linen, sculptural stands, or even layered trays to bring height and cohesion. 

The champagne tower is more than a moment

A tower doesn’t have to be trendy to be worth it. It’s a visual cue, sure, but it’s also just a fun, thoughtful way to show people what you’re about. Whether it’s playful, pared-back, nostalgic, or a little bit extra, it sets the vibe without needing to explain itself. No rules, no right way: just something that makes sense for your day.

Ready to stack something spectacular?

Looking for someone to bring your champagne tower vision to life? Whether you’re dreaming of Margaritas at cocktail hour, oysters on ice, or tiramisu served with flair, the right supplier makes all the difference.

No matter the mood or menu, there’s a wedding caterer supplier at Easy Weddings who can make it happen. Browse our suppliers today!