A Winter Wonderland Wedding

Planning a Christmas wedding can be a great way to combine your special day with the magic of the holidays. For brides planning their wedding around the holidays, here are a few suggestions to have you walking in your own winter wonderland.

FLOWERS:
If you’re getting married in the winter around Christmastime, why not embrace the season? “There’s something magical about the winter season – bring those elements in. Lots of red, especially the darkest crimson blooms such as black magic roses, create bold, stunning arrangements. A traditional red rose is a safe way to play it and then pick other elements to jazz it up a bit. Add to those roses some additional details: chocolate cosmos, hypericum berries, pepper berries, and winter berries. For a good pop of color, submerging cranberries in the vases of water. If red is not in your wedding pallet, another option awaits. There is nothing more beautiful than a traditional white wedding. Not only does the cold air prevent white petals from browning around the edges, but your blooms will also reflect winter’s snowy ambiance. Pair white roses with green berries, combine dramatic amaryllis with white gazer lilies, or couple green and white cymbidium orchids. With all of the romance your blooms will exude, make sure you’re not the only ones enjoying kissing throughout the evening. Hang mistletoe in entryways or any other place guests might want to share a smooch. This romantic seasonal green also works well as an accent to all floral arrangements, including corsages and boutonnieres.

CATERING:
To keep your guests warm on the inside with the cold winter chill outside, add a hot chocolate and wassail cider bar to your reception beverage station. Spicing up your hot drinks with cinnamon sticks for stirring and cinnamon & nutmeg for toppings. Keep that chocolate coming. Give that favorite chocolate fountain a twist of flavor – peppermint flavor. Cinnamon bears reign as the popular dipping item for chocolate fountains this winter, and not only for peppermint-flavored fountains. Milk and dark chocolate please the pallet as well with this spicy snack. In addition to the chocolate fountains, serve hot bread pudding and pumpkin pie as desserts for your reception. Or select pumpkin spice and cream cheese filling for your wedding cake to stay true to the season. However simple or lavish you’re planning your big day, utilize the winter season to your advantage. Give your guests those extra details that will have them remembering your wedding whenever winter season rolls in.

DECORATIVE DETAILS:
Use Christmas ornaments in place of traditional guest cards. Simply attach a small card and ribbon with their name imprinted on the ornament. Or hand paint each name on the individual ornaments. Your guests will remember your wedding for years to come each time they place their ornament on their Christmas tree. Dip candy canes in white or dark chocolate and wrap them in plastic bags tied with a simple red or white ribbon. Give away these treats as your favor at the end of your wedding reception. Display gifts in a sleigh or under an evergreen decorated with pictures of the couple. Instead of a star or angel as the tree topper, use a bride and groom in its place. Before you walk down the aisle, have your flower girl toss imitation snow or miniature snowflakes in place of flower petals. Replace the wedding march with a slow-paced, instrumental holiday tune. Fill your reception with sweet winter aromas. Boil apple cider with floating oranges and cinnamon sticks in various hidden corners of the room. Or light deeply scented evergreen candles to bring the outdoors in.

There's no denying the romance of the winter season: gently falling snow, softly glimmering lights and sweetly scented evergreens.