Ideas & themes for a winter wedding

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Winter weddings allow for certain themes, apparel and decorations that don't work during warmer months. Pull off your dream wedding during the winter, whether you've always imagined a royal ball, fairy tale setting, mystical woods, holiday celebration or winter wonderland. Choose the colors and details that reflect you and your fiance's style, as you'll likely be looking at these pictures for years to come.

1. Winter Wonderland

   • Create a majestic winter wonderland inside if it's too cold outside or if you live in a warmer climate that doesn't typically experience too much snow. Use crisp white linens, chair covers and aisle runners, along with artificial snow scattered about. Opt for simple centerpieces that make a large impact, such as bare branches spray-painted white with hanging lanterns, twinkle lights or crystals. Scatter faux rhinestones or flower crystals around the tables, with votive candles to add low lighting and sparkle. Add dashes of color, such as an icy blue or pink, with ribbons, favor boxes, linen napkins or sashes around the chairs.

     Wear a rhinestone-studded dress or faux fur cloak or stole to play into the winter wonderland theme. Outfit your bridal party in icy blue, pink or silver. Have your flower girl drop glittery fake snow or glitter-dipped white rose petals. Flower arrangements can consist of pure white flowers, such as roses and calla lilies with a silver, blue or pink ribbon, or ask your bridesmaids to carry lanterns instead.

     Concentrate on snowflakes, icicles and snowmen if you want a whimsical approach to the winter wonderland theme.

   Enchanted Forest

   • Dark wood paneling and bare branch arrangements can contribute to an enchanted forest wedding theme. Take the theme further by adding fairies or a Renaissance theme. A fairy theme might include placing decorative fairies in your arrangements and dressing up a flower girl with fairy wings. Hanging twinkle lights and fairies around the room will add to the ambiance and theme. If you opt for a Renaissance theme, ask your guests to dress in period costumes and rent out an elaborate castle, barn or similar venue, if possible.

   Winter Formal

   • Navy blue and silver or black, white and gold work for formal winter wedding themes. Plan a royal ball with horse-drawn carriages, trumpeters and a live band if you want to go the extremely formal route. Centerpieces can include over-the-top floral arrangements or Eiffel tower vases filled with ostrich feathers. The bridal party should wear fancy ballgowns and the men should wear white tuxedos or full coattails. Use luxurious table settings, such as navy blue velvet runners or gold goblets, if possible.

   Victorian Wedding

   • Use a Victorian theme for your winter wedding if you're a fan of that era. Long-sleeved, corset-style gowns with lace inlays and deep colors, such as burgundy or forest green, are fitting for the bride and bridesmaids. Decorate with lacy table coverings in cream or ivory and elaborate floral arrangements. Invite guests to dress in Victorian apparel, as well. Invitations should be written on formal, heavy cardstock by hand in calligraphy and sealed with a wax seal. Consider making your own seal design, especially if you'd like to keep it for future gatherings or as a keepsake.

   Holiday Celebration

   • Many holiday celebrations take place during the winter, making a holiday-themed wedding ideal if that's your favorite time of year. Christmas weddings don't necessarily have to take place on Christmas. Avoid over-doing a holiday theme so the theme doesn't outshine your wedding. For example, a Christmas-themed wedding could include faux fur-trimmed red cloaks for the bride and groom or the entire bridal party. Evergreens with twinkling lights can serve as centerpieces. Add personalized ornaments or small gift-wrapped boxes to double as decorations and favors. Fill tall glass vases or large bowls with metallic ornament balls in the colors you desire. Opt for red and gold, green and gold or ivory and gold to avoid a red and green overload.

     New Year's Eve is another winter holiday you can choose to imitate. Your reception can be a huge black-tie event in which you and your guests can celebrate a new beginning in your life. A huge shiny ball can hang above your dance floor and personalized candles, funky glasses or shot glasses can serve as favors.

     Valentine's Day is often still cold enough to serve as a winter wedding theme, whether you marry on February 14th or not. Dangle red and pink hearts from the ceiling and decorate the tables with metallic heart confetti.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: winter wedding, blue pink, bridal party, winter wonderland, during winter, floral arrangements, flower girl