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If you are a fan of our mead – and a reader of our blogs – you will already know that mead has a rich history dating back to ancient times, but what is less well known is the cultural significance of mead in weddings.
Indeed, the honeyed drink of mead has long been associated with love, fertility and abundance. In Norse mythology, the term “honeymoon” is believed to originate from the tradition of newlyweds drinking mead for a full lunar cycle to ensure fertility and happiness in their union. Similarly, in Celtic cultures, mead symbolised the sweetness of life and was often shared during hand-fasting ceremonies, marking the joining of two souls.
Mead for modern wedding ceremonies and receptions
Today, mead continues to evoke a sense of tradition and romance and is experiencing a renaissance at contemporary wedding ceremonies and receptions.
There are lots of ways to infuse wedding celebrations with mead, from incorporating mead into the wedding ceremony itself by exchanging vows over a shared cup of honey wedding wine, or offering curated mead tastings during the reception.
Since mead comes in such a variety of flavours and styles, offering everything from dry and crisp varieties to sweet and spiced blends, serving mead in weddings can be brilliant way to reflect a couple’s personal tastes and traditions,
Mead types and styles for different occasions and themes
When choosing different types and styles of mead for different occasions and themes, the place to start is by considering the flavour profiles and characteristics of the mead that will best fit with the dishes on the menu at your event.
For a romantic and elegant wedding opt for traditional meads crafted with pure honey, offering a smooth sweetness that pairs beautifully with decadent desserts, or as a standalone toast to love.
Rustic or outdoor celebrations match well with melomel meads which blend honey with a variety of fruits like berries or apples, adding a refreshing and vibrant twist to the festivities.
For themed weddings or events inspired by a particular culture or time period, delve into the world of meads infused with spices or herbs – known as metheglins – which can evoke exotic flavours and aromas.
With a diverse array of mead styles available there’s something to suit every occasion, whether your wedding is classic, contemporary or eclectic.
Pairing mead with wedding menus
Pairing mead with a wedding menu offers your guests the chance to try different types of mead and see how they match with a variety of foods.
For appetisers and starters such as fresh salads, seafood or charcuterie boards, consider lighter meads like traditional or sparkling varieties, which complement a wide range of flavours without overpowering delicate taste sensations.
Moving on to main courses, opt for meads with more complexity and depth such as melomels or pyments, which boast rich fruitiness or subtle spice notes. These pair beautifully with hearty dishes like roasted meats, game or savoury vegetarian options, enhancing their depth of flavour.
Finally, for desserts, embrace the luxurious sweetness of traditional meads or dessert-style varieties which go brilliantly with decadent pastries, fruit-based confections and, of course, wedding cake itself.
Mead-based cocktails for weddings and special events
If you really want to elevate your wedding or special event you can always enchant your guests with some mead-based cocktails that marry tradition with a sip of sophistication.
Begin with a classic yet refreshing Mead Spritz, combining traditional mead and sparkling water or soda with a splash of elderflower liqueur and a twist of lemon for a bubbly and botanical libation.
For a touch of elegance, serve up the Honeyed Old Fashioned, blending traditional mead with bourbon, a hint of orange bitters and a drizzle of honey syrup, garnished with a cherry, for a timeless and sophisticated twist on a beloved classic.
To infuse your wedding with exotic flair, craft the Spiced Mead Mule, mixing spiced mead with ginger beer, lime juice and a dash of aromatic bitters, served over ice in copper mugs for a zesty and invigorating concoction that’s sure to impress.
Whether you’re toasting to love, friendship, or new beginnings, these mead-based cocktails offer a tantalising taste of celebration that will be as memorable as the occasion itself.
Have a honey wine wedding
Whether you’re drawn to its sweet simplicity or captivated by its complex flavours, mead in all its forms can be the perfect choice for toasting love, romance and the journey ahead.
