Hello friends, I’ve you’ve been wondering how to pop a champagne bottle, particularly with a showy spray for graduation pictures with champagne, I have you covered!
How to Pop a Champagne Bottle | A Step-by-Step Guide
First, consider that your champagne will largely end up on the floor instead of in your mouth. So, you absolutely do not need to use the expensive stuff for your photoshoot unless it’s key to show off a pretty brand label.
Second, bring two bottles, just in case you flub the first pop!
Third, it sounds so counterintuitive, but start by legit opening the bottle of champagne, we’re not here to actually pop someone’s eye out!
Fourth, put your thumb over the top of the bottle and shake that baby like a shake weight.
Fifth, I know it is SO tempting to close your eyes and recoil from the champagne spray, but the truth is that as long as you’re pointing the bottle away from you (and the wind is cooperating), you’re not actually going to get wet! So muscle through the temptation and keep on smiling, no matter how startling it can be!
Sixth, let ‘er rip! Slide your thumb from the top of the bottle, BUT NOT ALL THE WAY! This allows you to shoot the spray farther away from you. Think about when you were a kid a putting your thumb on top of the garden hose to shoot the water – it’s exactly like that!
Seventh, after the first spray, you can absolutely shake up the bottle again for a second round. 🙂
Best Champagne to Pop
Truly, we’re going for cheap bubbly here because most of it’s going to end on the ground! For price and spray-ability, Cook’s is my top choice for the best champagne to pop.
Do you *have* to pop a champagne bottle? No, you totally don’t. Anything carbonated in a bottle will work, so if you’re underage, sparkling grape juice is a fine option! I suppose if you were really into Dr. Pepper you could spray that or another soda of choice, haha!
Champagne Graduation Photos
I hope you found this guide for how to pop a champagne bottle useful! Interested in doing some champagne graduation photos? I’d love to help out. Check out my graduation portfolio for more work, or reach out for your own photoshoot here.
Kristen Hazelton is a multi award-winning Chicago, IL and San Francisco Bay Area high school senior, university graduate, and family photographer. She also photographs in San Diego, CA, Santa Barbara, CA, Monterey, CA, and Seattle, WA. She is a firm believer in human rights and welcomes LGBTQ+ and nonbinary clients. You can inquire about your own photoshoot here!
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