Written with love, by Piper Stewart

I am obsessed with Winter Weddings! A Winter Wonderland theme is an optimal choice for winter weddings. They are filled with bold red, silvery and blue colors along with lots of gorgeous flowers. A little Christmassy even. Mistletoes, peppermints and candy canes of course!

When I think of winter themed weddings, I immediately think of snow flakes, snowy long tree branches, and pine cones. So naturally, snowflakes and pine cone favors are the perfect décor. They add elegant touches for a Winter Wonderland theme. Snowflakes, shimmery glitter, and real poinsettias can be added to your bouquet for an authentic wintery feel. Pearls and rhinestones are great too. I say, bring on the bling! The more sparkle, the better; along with long- sleeved gowns and beautiful furs. Right out of a fairytale. Don’t be afraid to standout. After all it is your big day so you deserve all eyes on you.

The Little Things

It’s all in the details, there are many ways to incorporate snowflakes into your wedding décor. You can add them to your wedding cake, invitations, programs, and the signature drink at cocktail hour. You can also consider using snowflake place card holders, candles, bottle stoppers and flowers in long glass vases for centerpieces.

DIY

There are many DIY ideas that can be utilized for this, but I’ll only name a few.

1.       Stuff mason jars with items of your choice (cupcakes, hot chocolate mix, peach jam, or honey toasted almonds) and a beautiful shiny ribbon to give it some POP
2.       All white candy bags with a personalized label on it with your names and wedding date
3.       Instant Mocha mix in which comes in mini test tubes made by Martha Stewart crafts

Cocoa Bar

Today’s bride can also have a cocoa bar which would be a sure winner vs. your traditional candy bar. The guests will be cold and this could certainly warm them up and make them feel tingly inside. A great s’more or fresh chocolate cookie would be delicious as an accompaniment. The key to making sure your cocoa bar is a hit is having a variety of toppings...and don’t forget to top it all off with lots and lots of whipped cream!!

Actually, you may even want to incorporate a Signature Cocktail with Cocoa in it, such as a Hot Chocolate Martini. Yummers!! This would complement the cocoa bar and keep in line with your theme. Here’s a list of some of my faves for you to enjoy!

·         Champagne & cranberries
·         Hot mulled apple cider with rum
·         Kahlua Espresso Martini
·         S’more Martinis
·         Pomegranate Champagne
·         Hot Toddies (absolute favorite)

And it’s also a great idea for the children at your wedding. It can create a more family oriented environment!

Your Sendoff Car

Another one of my favorites for Winter Weddings are vintage and antique cars which make for amazing sendoff photos after the reception. You can decorate them with "Just Married" signs or use DIY décor. They put me in the mind of Old Hollywood Glamour. The photos captured by your photographer will be amazing and memorable!

Time and Money

Everyone knows that your budget is the most important factor in planning your wedding. So for some if you can save a little upfront it can make a big difference in the long run. Often times, you can save big if you get married in the off season. Summer months are prime time dates and a premium price tag may come along with these dates. You can inquire with the venue coordinator if the prices differ for this time of year.

As I was planning for my wedding, I noticed that by the time I contacted most venues my wedding date was already booked. And I learned, it was because of the time of year that I had chosen to get married. So I had to make a choice between changing my date and choosing another venue. I chose another venue, but booking a wedding venue can be tricky if you’re attached to summer months. You may be able to book your dream venue if you choose a winter month that has less weddings booked during that time frame. It can also be easier to book the best vendors. During the summer and spring, people are usually the busiest and they may have to choose between coming to your wedding or attending another event. But in the winter people’s calendars are usually more open to attend your wedding. And your wedding can be the talk of the season!!

As always Happy Wedding Planning!!