Snowy White Winter Wedding Cakes

If you are planning a winter wedding, this is the perfect time to design your wedding cake. Winter is a wonderful season in which to embrace a classic all-white cake which is reminiscent of a frosty winter day. Get inspired by these ideas for snowy white winter wedding cakes.

A fantastic way to make an all-white wedding cake interesting is with the use of texture. It will ensure that your confection, while understated, is not the least bit boring. One fantastic idea is to cover a streamlined fondant cake with little sugar “pearls” in a variety of sizes. Start with more petite edible pearls near the top of the cake, and scatter larger diameter pearls towards the base. Dust with an opalescent powder to make the decorations shimmer just like the genuine pearls in your pearl bridal jewelry. It is a very elegant cake for any winter wedding reception.

Snowflake motifs are always appropriate for wintertime. A beautiful approach to this classic theme is to have the baker use a stamp design to press a snowflake shape around the tiers of the cake. It will give your dessert a unique arts and crafts feeling, even while making use of a familiar motif. For a more contemporary snowflake cake, the baker can make silver snowflakes from sugar and scatter them down the sides of a white fondant cake. It will remind everyone of softly falling snow.

Winter is cold, but it can also be quite cozy. It would be fantastic to design a wedding cake based on the cozy side of the season. One incredible idea is a an all-white or ivory cake frosted in an intricate cable knit pattern. It will look like a warm fisherman’s sweater! How charming would that be for a wedding in a ski lodge or a New England country inn? Or take a simple cake and add a whimsical sweater inspired detail like a pair of edible pom poms. It would be adorable for an informal winter wedding.

A Welcoming Winter Wedding

A great way to make your guests feel pampered upon arrival at your winter wedding is to greet them with a hot drink station. It could be a selection of gourmet teas, served in the traditional fashion with sugar lumps, honey, lemon, or milk in elegant china. The station could feature cozy hot chocolate made from a rich drinking chocolate served in oversized mugs with big gourmet marshmallows. Or it could be a selection of hot toddies and spiced cider to chase the chills away. Whatever you choose for your hot drinks station, it will instantly help your guests to feel cozy and get settled in to your wedding.

A true coat check with an attendant (or several, depending on the size of your guest list) is an excellent amenity to offer your guests. It is customary for coat check attendants to be tipped, but when someone is your guest, they should not have to do any tipping; the hosts of the wedding should tip the coat check attendants, and place a discreet sign by the coat closet informing guests that no gratuities are expected. By the way, if you are having a smaller wedding or one at home, you can set up an informal coat closet by renting rolling racks and heavy wooden hangers. Hire a niece or nephew to help guests with their coats.

A roaring fire is always inviting on a chilly winter day. If your wedding venue happens to have a working fireplace, by all means use it! When a fireplace is not available, look into the possibility of renting a portable one. There are all kinds of styles available, from those with a very traditional mantel to modern closed fire pits. If you are wearing a sleek gown with hip crystal bridal jewelry, choose the modern streamlined closed fire pit, or if your venue is very old-fashioned, opt for a fireplace with a classic wide mantel. These portable fireplaces are designed to be very safe, but of course you will need to clear it with your venue before renting one for your wedding.

Music is another way to make people feel welcome. For a winter wedding, it would be a really fun detail to have traditional carolers singing wintery songs greet guests as they arrive at the venue.  Can’t track down any old-fashioned carolers? Check out a local college to see if they have an a capella singing group to hire for an hour’s performance. Greeting your guests with song is a wonderful way to make them feel welcome at your winter wedding.

Glamorous Winter Wedding Bouquets

Snowy white feathers are an amazing addition to a winter  bride’s bouquet. Fluffy and white, feathers are a great way to add glamor to your ceremony. They can be used in a variety of ways. One idea is to insert curly tendrils of feathers in amongst white flowers for a surprise bit of texture. For a more feather-intensive look, create a ruff of fluffy white feathers all the way around a nosegay of either red or white blossoms. If you really like the glamor and fun of feathers, consider eliminating the flowers altogether and carrying a bouquet created entirely from snow white feathers. It would be fantastic for a Winter Wonderland wedding.

Arm bouquets, also called presentation bouquets, are back in a big way for brides. A sleek bouquet of calla lilies would be a sophisticated arrangement for a winter bride to carry. White calla lilies are lovely, of course, but it would be great to choose a less expected color, such as purple or russet callas. Tie them up with a luxurious satin ribbon with a big bow and long streaming tails. A very wide ribbon, such as 3 or 4 inches, will add to the luxurious feeling of the bouquet. Gold or silver colored ribbon will make the whole effect ultra glamorous.

In the winter months, brides are especially drawn to the icy sparkle of crystal bridal jewelry sets. Play up the sparkle and glamor of crystals by incorporating them into your bouquet. There are many ways in which this can be done. When carrying an arrangement of round flowers such as roses, it looks fabulous to have the florist adorn the center of each blossom with a sparkling crystal. Another idea is to drape strands of shimmering crystals over the top of a large round nosegay – almost like crystal bridal jewelry sets for the flowers. More loosely arranged flowers look amazing with crystal teardrops suspended around the edge.

Another way to make a wedding bouquet more glamorous is to add silver accents to it. Curly grapevine dipped in silver glitter will look fantastic when interwoven with a mixed arrangement of flowers. Some florists will even dip the very edges of fresh flowers in a silver glitter; this technique works especially well with roses. This is one of those cases where a little goes a long way, so it would be nice to combine glitter edged roses with plain ones, as well as another type of blossom, such as white stephanotis with rhinestone tipped pins in their centers. Wrap it all up with a sheer metallic silver ribbon for a breathtaking winter bouquet.

Hairstyles for Winter Weddings

The ultimate in bridal chic this year is a smooth low updo gathered slightly to one side. Have your stylist make it very polished with a serum or pomade to combat the dry flyaway hair that plagues most of us during the winter months. A low side part will add to the style of this elegant bridal hairdo. The perfect finishing touch is a fabulous little cage veil with a feathered accent. Pair with crystal bridal jewelry such as dazzling chandelier earrings, and wear with a slinky silk wedding gown.

Braids are back in style for brides. A low braided bun is a very romantic hairdo for a winter bride. It is a nice variation on the smooth low sideswept updo. Because the wrapping of the braids will add a nice texture, keep the front of the hair simple and position the bun in the center, not asymmetrically. For bridal hair jewelry, either tuck a jeweled comb into one side of the braided bun, or decorate with a scattering of sparkling hairpins. This would be a beautiful hairstyle to complement a romantic lace bridal gown.

The classic French twist is also making a comeback, as brides return to more elegant hairstyles after several years of messy ‘dos. One of the great things about a French twist is that it does not require long hair like many other updos. Medium length hair works just as well for this sophisticated style, as long as it is not too layered. Since your hair will be entirely off your shoulders, take the opportunity to showcase some really spectacular bridal jewelry, like long crystal drop earrings or a multi-strand pearl necklace. Tuck hairpins or a small spray of white feathers into the side of the twist to finish it perfectly.

Brides who wish to wear their hair down this winter should opt for a very smooth hairstyle. Large soft waves with a shiny finish are ideal. A statement making jeweled headband is the ideal accessory for this hairdo. If you plan to wear a veil, consider a double headband because you can anchor the veil’s comb between the two bands for more security. This youthful and radiant wedding hairstyle is lovely with a satin or taffeta ballgown or a more simple A-line gown with a touch of beading. The effect will be timeless and elegant – definitely a winning winter wedding hairstyle!

Outdoor Decorations for Fall and Winter Weddings

The decorations you select for the outside spaces of your wedding are the ones which will create the first impression of your wedding. Whether your guests will view them only briefly as they scurry into a warm church on a frigid December day or will spend the entire celebration surrounded by them at an early autumn outdoor wedding, the exterior decorations are very important. Create a beautiful welcoming design with these ideas for outdoor decorations for fall and winter weddings.

In the autumn, outdoor decorations often take on a rustic flavor. This is great for the diy bride, as they are often easy to assemble. Grand stalks of wheat tied to the columns of a country inn with a russet colored ribbon would be a great way to set the tone for a charming country wedding on an early October afternoon. Line the front steps with baskets of mums in seasonal colors for a gorgeous burst of color. The baskets of flowers can be re-purposed as table decorations for the post-wedding brunch the following day, or simply transport them to your home to decorate your own porch or yard after the wedding. These decorations would be very much in keeping with the taste of a bride who likes a simple silk shantung gown and handmade wedding jewelry.

Wreaths are stunning decorations for doors, trees, even the broad side of a barn. The marvelous thing about a wreath is that you can create a nearly infinite variety of styles using the same basic form. For an elegant wedding during the Christmas season, adorn the church doors with a pair of square wreaths made from boxwood. Tie on wide white satin bows with extra long streamers for a minimalist chic effect. For a fall celebration, create a rustic wreath from grapevine and berries to hang on the door of a restored barn reception. Add a bow in a cranberry or pine green burlap for a festive touch. Wreaths can also be very feminine, such as a classic round pine wreath decorated with dried white hydrangeas or preserved white magnolia blossoms.

Lighting is an easy way to add drama to the exterior spaces of your wedding. Classic tiny white lights can be used to great effect when hundreds are strung through trees flanking a front door. Or hang small clear glass globes over an entry way filled with flickering white candles. On a snowy day, covered lanterns with ivory candles planted in the snow alongside a walkway would be a beautiful way to brighten up a gray day or icy evening. The special attention you give to decorating the outside of your wedding site will make an incredible first impression.

White Flowers for Winter Weddings

Winter white is always so elegant and stylish. When you are a bride, it makes perfect sense to use white flowers at any time of the year, and this is also true in the winter months. Whether you are planning a Winter Wonderland theme wedding, or a more classic all-white celebration, it will be made gorgeous by using these white flowers for winter weddings.

The funny thing about winter flowers is that many of the most classic blossoms are actually tropical. The tropical blossoms tend to be showy and dramatic; in other words, absolutely divine for a wedding! For a Christmas wedding, creamy white poinsettias would be perfect flowers for the altar, the entrance to the reception, and on buffet tables. Potted white poinsettias will give you a lot more bang for the buck than arrangements of cut flowers, especially because each blossom is so huge.

Amaryllis and lilies are some other marvelous choices for big showy winter white flowers. They would make spectacular bouquets for the bride in a formal cathedral wedding. Picture a bouquet of showy amaryllis dripping with strands of crystals to complement a beaded ballgown and crystal bridal jewelry. Or if you want something striking but more sleek, carry a large presentation bouquet (an arm bouquet) of elegant white or ivory calla lilies tied with a wide satin ribbon. Pair it with a vintage inspired silk charmeuse gown, dangling crystal bridal jewelry, and a white fur shrug for a look that has all the glamor of a 1930s Hollywood film star.

Tiny white jasmine flowers are another wonderful white winter wedding decoration. Though dainty, they are powerfully fragrant; jasmine is often a key note in perfume. The little star shaped blossoms lend themselves beautifully to a winter wedding design. Because they are petite, use them in combination with other floral elements, such as white roses and green pine bough garlands. The heavenly scent will add the often-overlooked element of fragrance to your wedding.

Spring is Here…Time to Plan Your Winter Wedding!

With balmy weather on hand, it can be hard to get into the spirit of the winter months, however this is the perfect time to make winter wedding arrangements. If you have not done so yet, begin by choosing your wedding theme. Winter Wonderland is a classic cold weather wedding theme, perfect if you love the frosty look of snowflakes, crystal bridal jewelry, and white branches. For holiday weddings, a classic deep red and evergreen color palette is traditional and very easy to pull off. Or opt for something a little different, such as an opulent purple and gold color scheme, which is marvelous in rich velvets, metallic trims, and formal accents like crystal bridal jewelry in eggplant.

Once you have decided upon the perfect theme, it is time to book your wedding venue. With winter about eight months away, it might be hard to feel urgent, but even in the off season, the best reception sites can book up fast. You must plan especially early if your wedding date will be around Christmas or New Year’s Eve, as venues such as hotel ballrooms will be booked for parties as well as weddings.

Spring is also the ideal time to shop for a winter wedding bridal gown. Unlike regular clothing, bridal boutiques do not have seasonal styles. This means that even in April or May you can try on samples of gowns perfect for December weddings: rich fabrics like velvet and satin, sumptuous embroidery, and sparkling crystal embellishments. Some designer gowns can take up to six months to special order, and then you will need time for alterations, so the spring is definitely the right time to shop for a winter bridal gown.

With the main elements in place, you can spend the summer months deciding on the details for your winter wedding at a more leisurely pace. Attend cake tastings, design the centerpieces with your florist, and shop for bridesmaid jewelry gifts. By the time the cold weather comes back around, you will be ready to have the perfect winter wedding!

Winter Wedding Cake Ideas

A great way to make your wedding extra special is with a gorgeous wedding cake. The cake is much more than a dessert, it is one of the key decorative elements at the reception. These are some fantastic ideas for winter wedding cakes.

Snowflakes are one of the loveliest motifs for winter weddings. They can be used in everything from your crystal wedding jewelry to the invitations to favors. Snowflakes also look great on a wedding cake. This motif works beautifully in an icy color like white, pale blue, or silver. A simple fondant cake with ice blue frosting can be decorated with piped snowflakes in white or silver, scattered around the tiers like falling snow. Mix up the sizes and designs of the snowflakes for the best effect.
Speaking of the Winter Wonderland idea, you can use it as a terrific point of inspiration for a wedding cake. An all white cake is always a classic; for a formal winter wedding, it can be personalized with a heavy dusting of a shimmer powder to give it glitz and glamor. A wide silver satin ribbon can be wrapped around the base of each tier, then top it all off with a crystal monogram cake topper. The effect is elegant and modern, yet festive and not at all plain. This style of cake is gorgeous with crystal wedding jewelry, especially when done with the crystal cake topper.

If you are looking for something truly unique, ask your baker to design a winter scene on your wedding cake. Think about how incredible it would be to have a handpainted scene of horse drawn sleighs in snowy meadows or ice skaters circling each tier of your cake. You can personalize this one of a kind cake even more by representing scenes of your favorite winter activities, whether they are skating, snowshoeing, or even ice fishing. Your wedding cake will be such a work of art that it will be hard to cut into i

There are just as many wonderful ideas for winter wedding cakes as there are for the more common summer cakes. It is simply a matter of using your creativity and featuring a theme that highlights something unique to winter. The resulting winter wedding cake will be so special that it will be almost too good to eat.

Top Bridesmaid Gifts for Winter Weddings

Looking for some great ideas for your bridesmaid gifts? Well, look no further! These are the top bridesmaid gifts for winter weddings, any of which your bridesmaids will surely be delighted to receive.

A tin cup necklace. Why are these beautiful necklaces one of the best bridesmaid gifts? Simple, because they are a true classic that is always in style, in any season and for any style of wedding. The floating pearls on a tin cup necklace make them so airy and feminine that they are a natural to pair with your favorite bridesmaid dress style. For every woman in your bridal party, a tin cup necklace makes a fantastic gift!

Swarovski crystal necklaces. Winter weddings are often very elegant, and nothing adds glamor like the sparkle of genuine crystal. You can customize the Swarovski crystal necklaces for your bridesmaid gifts in your wedding colors. Or choose a dramatic color such as rich garnet to add intensity to a bridesmaid dress in one of the neutral shades that are in vogue this season. Clear crystal Swarovski necklaces are fabulous for that icy “Winter Wonderland” effect.

Snowflake theme bridesmaid jewelry. How beautiful will your bridesmaids look and feel in gorgeous crystal snowflake earrings? It is a stunning style that is festive and cheery for a winter wedding. Another idea is to use a Swarovski crystal snowflake on a simple pendant for a piece that is sure to dazzle the recipient. For your flower girls, a small silver snowflake charm for her charm bracelet would make a lovely gift idea.

These ideas are fantastic for winter wedding bridesmaid gifts. Some celebrate the winter season, while others are great for any season; what they have in common is that all are heartfelt expressions of your appreciation.

Great Wedding Favor Ideas

Most wedding favors will fall into a few basic categories. There are theme favors, keepsakes, home décor, and of course edible or culinary favors. Of all these categories, the edible favors are far and away the most popular, both to give and usually to receive. The trick is to find that one favor that will in some way tie in with the rest of your wedding and will feel like a personal thank you to your guests.  When choosing your favors, always keep in mind that following trends is not nearly as important as following your heart. These are some ideas for great wedding favors that your guests are sure to love.

Boxed candies have always been a traditional wedding favor. Even when they are not particularly original, it is a treat that guests are happy to receive. However, you can make your candy gifts more special by personalizing them in some way. For instance, if you are being married at the beach, fresh salt water taffy is nice. Vermont couples could give maple candies, or if you were a Mississippi bride, custom chocolates in the shape of magnolia flowers would be lovely. Anytime you can impart a local flavor to your wedding, it is going to be special.

Keepsakes are another way to go for your wedding thank you gifts. These can range tremendously, and will often tie in with the theme, location, or season of the wedding. If you have artistic talent, you can even consider making these types of favors yourself. At Christmas wedding, beautiful silver plated ornaments would be wonderful. A bride from the Southwest might think about choosing handcrafted Native American ceramic ornaments for her guests.

Décor items are another favor idea. Candles are always a good possibility because they can suit so many different wedding styles. If your wedding is very elegant, with lots of sparkling crystal details and jewelry, cut crystal votive holders would be an appropriate accent. Or let’s say that your style is more relaxed, and you are wearing a casual bridal gown with handcrafted wedding jewelry; a unique handmade bark candle holder would be a fun favor idea. Theme favors are also popular, and they can come from across any of the other categories.  It is fine to have some sort of personalization on your favors, but be sure that the wedding date or your names is not so prominent that it distracts from the beauty of the gift.