Married with mead: Colony
by Metropol | September 3, 2025 8:30 am
Celebrating a wedding involves many traditions. One of the oldest relates to the drinking of mead, or honey wine, in celebration of the joyful occasion.
The term ‘honeymoon’ is said to originate from the 5th-century custom of giving a newly married couple enough mead to last them one moon cycle, about a month. The mead was intended to enhance the couple’s virility and fertility, helping them conceive.
These traditions make a bottle of mead an ideal wedding gift. The oldest alcoholic beverage, mead is a delicious drink that has the added benefit of not expiring, which makes it a wonderful keepsake to remember the special day.
The Colony store in Christchurch represents a Kiwi family tradition of mead and honey since 1868. Of their 14 different varieties of mead, it is the summery Lovers Mead that most celebrates the ancient newlywed tradition, making it perfect for wedding celebrations. Another option that is popular for weddings is called The Proposal, a refined honey and brandy liqueur, which contains flakes of gold for a special touch. This tells the true story of Louisa and Johan Hansen, who met on the Otago goldfields during the 1860s gold rush. Johan found just enough gold to make a ring and propose to Louisa, the two going on to have a family and establish a general store that is still acknowledged generations later in the family-owned Colony business and product range. Colony can work with you in planning your wedding tables and gifts. Visit the team at The Crossing in central Christchurch for a tasting, or shop online.
Source URL: https://metropol.co.nz/married-with-mead-colony/