When you imagine your perfect winter wedding, you may envision your ceremony in a tree-lined ski lodge with a roaring fireplace or everything decorated in a wintry pine cone and snowflake motif. These classic winter wedding ideas will always be in style, but you can also consider some new concepts to put a modern spin on your fairytale nuptials.
Find Your Own Winter Wedding Style
1. Colors
Holiday red and green or subtle silver, white and gold are beautiful and traditional winter wedding colors. You can also create your own palette by mixing muted and bold colors for extra impact -- such as silver and royal blue, black and gold or white and red. Rich, modern jewel tones like amethyst purple and emerald green are warm and welcoming, while browns and metallics reflect the quiet beauty of nature during the cold-weather months.
2. Flowers
White calla lilies and red roses are classic choices for a winter wedding, but ask your florist about other seasonal options. Amaryllis, tulips, camellias, buttercups, carnations and sweet pea flowers are all easily available in the winter months. You can also incorporate other natural elements, such as pine cones, juniper boughs or berry clusters into bouquets or centerpieces to reflect your creative winter wedding style.
3. Lighting
Soft, romantic lighting complements and cozies up a chilly, gray wedding day. Classic tea lights and candlesticks always add ambiance to a wedding ceremony or reception, but you can add another dimension by hanging lanterns or twinkle lights from the ceiling or placing column lights or luminarias along an entrance or pathway.
4. Cocktails
Heat up cocktail hour by offering guests a few signature hot drinks instead of the usual champagne. Mint hot chocolate, whiskey hot toddy, spiced rum apple cider and Japanese hot sake are all inventive crowd-pleasers.
5. Dress
Embrace your glamorous side when choosing your winter wedding dress. Feel like a princess or a Hollywood starlet with a gown featuring a long train, a dramatic silhouette (such as a mermaid or trumpet skirt) or a bodice with elegant beading, crystals or lace. Stick with classic white or ivory, or go for a bold winter wedding style by choosing a dress in champagne, silver, gold or a jewel tone (or incorporate one of these colors into a sash or other dress embellishment). Don't forget a stylish stole, shawl or bolero to keep warm in drafty rooms or outdoor pictures!
What are your favorite winter wedding ideas?