Winter Wedding I Do's

For a winter wedding, the possibilities are endless...

The winter wedding is perhaps the “best kept secret” in the bridal business for a number of reasons. First, you can potentially save yourself a small fortune by wedding in the bridal offseason. Planning the wedding in offseason is typically easier to schedule and coordinate. Second, incorporating the beautiful winter theme is not only easy on the budget, but décor options for winter white weddings are endless. So, grab a fur wrap (faux if you like), and practice your vows. It's time to plan a fabulous winter white wedding.

Probably the biggest enticement for winter weddings is the lure of planning and scheduling with ease during the offseason. Most wedding venues are less busy during the winter months. Ronda James, Wedding Coordinator for Villa di Felicitá offers an insider secret: venue prices fluctuate depending on the time of year. “Usually winter is a less busy time for us. Because winter is not the most popular time for a wedding, we do offer discounts during the winter months and this does help with those who want to have a winter wedding theme.”

With the venue booked the next step is to incorporate and execute the winter-white theme. Traditionally, winter white weddings range from formal to very formal. Long, formal bridesmaids and bridal gowns are very appropriate for winter weddings – just keep the climate in mind. Randi Mahomes, Catering and Events Coordinator at Hollytree Country Club says the most popular colors for winter weddings and the wedding party include black and white, white with silver or gold to accent, red, green and different shades of whites. James also said that eggplant purple is another popular color that works well with winter white themes.

Incorporating different shades of white mixed with iridescent shades of silver or gold can also have a beautiful effect. With a winter white wedding, bridesmaids could also be dressed in white, ivory, light grey or iridescent white. And for the non-traditional bride that wants to make a splash, an ice-blue wedding dress makes a truly unique statement. James says, “Thinking outside the box and doing something different is always a fun idea!”

Brides sporting the traditional white gown can add a fur wrap or muff. And for the men, gray suits against a sea of white are sure to look überchic. Why not use top hats and gloves for an outdoor winter wedding? Velvet accents can also add lushness and dramatic contrast.

Mahomes describes her take on a winter white wedding: “...The groom is in an all-white tux with a silver tie and vest – arriving in a horse drawn carriage. Centerpieces lit with different sizes of white candles and many different white flowers … bride and groom’s cake both white … white dipped strawberries for the groom's cake … a vanilla chocolate fountain … white linens (on the tables) … a white dance floor using white twinkling lights around the room for a beautiful effect.” Strands definitely add to any party atmosphere and look especially dazzling reflecting around a lake or in the snow. “I love the look of white Christmas lights – and in the winter they are everywhere,” says Britian Saye McKinney, Wedding Coordinator of the Castle on the Lake.

And for the non-traditional bride that wants to make a splash, an ice-blue wedding dress makes a truly unique statement.

Decorating with icicles, snowflakes and white flowers are great ways to incorporate a winter-white theme without reusing Christmas décor. For an even more dramatic look, Mahomes suggests having the guests wear white. She imparts, “I believe with any wedding the sky is the limit!” Faux pas are okay to disregard if it is the wish of the bride and groom (such as having only the bride wear white).

Winter-white themes don’t necessarily have to be white. Incorporating rustic and nature themes will reflect an element of winter. Red berries, feathers, pine cones and tree branches are great seasonal decorative elements that can be used in centerpieces, bouquets and reception décor! If you are brave enough to face the cold, an outdoor ceremony with a beautiful winter panorama is an automatic theme. “We had an outside wedding in December and their colors were red and white. They put red blankets on every other chair wrapped in a white ribbon for guests to cover with while they sat outside during the wedding,” James shared. “The guests got to keep the blankets too!”

Winter-white themes don't necessarily have to be white.Incorporating rustic and nature themes will reflect an element of winter.

At the reception, James says always use the wedding cake to make a statement. So, why not reflect the winter white theme in the cake? Claudia Bazan-Hill, owner of Chez Bazan French Bakery and Café says they specialize in pearl-shimmered cakes: “It looks like it glistens– frosted like ice,” she explained. “We do a lot of sky blue … that has just a little hint of pearl ice-blue.” Chez Bazan’s custom-designs include winter cakes covered in beautiful sugar-paste snowflakes and jewels ... “because you know, people are still doing bling,” she prompts. “We do have edible glitter too! What we use is a pearl shimmer and it makes the cake beautiful. It makes it look like real icicles are on your cake.”

For winter white wedding favors the possibilities are endless. Snowflake cookie cutters, white jeweled cookies with the wedding couples’ initials, mugs filled with hot cocoa mix – even a fleece blanket as the favor is practical and can be used to keep warm during an outdoor ceremony. And while some people may think utilizing winter as their theme is uncreative or unimaginative, Mahomes says she has seen some of the most beautiful weddings draw inspiration from the winter season.

And if you are lucky enough to have lots of snow on the big day, maybe your wedding exit should be as wintry and magical as the wedding. Why not leave in a horse-drawn sleigh?

“The bride [was] carrying a crystal bouquet representing icicles with white flowers. Snowflakes with white glitter [were] hanging from the ceiling and chandeliers… .Then, as the bride and groom left the guests threw white rose petals,” Mahomes reminisced. And if you are lucky enough to have lots of snow on the big day, maybe your wedding exit should be as wintry and magical as the wedding. Why not leave in a horse-drawn sleigh?