Spring is Here…Time to Plan Your Winter Wedding!

May 1st, 2010

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 Wonderland Wedding Attire

October 24th, 2009

Planning a Winter Wonderland theme wedding? Great! It is a fabulous and festive theme for a wedding in the cold winter months. A Winter Wonderland wedding needs equally fabulous attire for the bridal party; here is a guide to the most spectacular outfits for everyone from the bride on down.

The hallmarks of a Winter Wonderland wedding are icy sparkle and plenty of shimmer. This is a very fun idea to capture in a bridal gown. Look for a lustrous white silk gown, rather than one in ivory or champagne. Choose a style that has a grand presence, such as a very full ballgown with a box pleated skirt. Then think about the details. Silver embroidery and crystal beadwork are a must!

No wedding gown is complete without the perfect finishing touches. A sparkling headpiece is great for a Winter Wonderland bride. Choose a tiara, a double headband, a festive comb, or a set of hairpins. Crystals and rhinestones can be mixed with tiny pearls for the perfect icy snowflake look. In fact, you can even get hairpins or other jewelry that is made in the shape of a snowflake. A snowflake pendant is a fantastic gift idea for your bridesmaids. You will want plenty of other twinkling touches, too, such as stacks of Swarovski crystal bracelets, chandelier earrings, and a fabulous crystal necklace.

The bridesmaids for a Winter Wonderland wedding should also look spectacular. As popular as red is for winter weddings, it makes too strong a contrast to the icy white palette that characterizes this theme. Opt for bridesmaid dresses in a color like silver, platinum, or champagne instead. They will look just as festive, yet will not be a distraction from the décor. Certainly the bridesmaids will also want to shimmer. Sets of Swarovski crystal bracelets, earrings, and necklaces would be the perfect finishing touch.