A winter wedding, particularly around the holidays, might seem to be a no-brainer in the décor department, with the season’s “flagship” colors of red among evergreens, and all manner of seasonal adornment abundantly available in drugstores to discount stores, big-box stores to the toniest department stores. How could you go wrong? If Chrismas is your favorite holiday and that’s part of the reason for selecting a winter date, then you absolutely should use the traditional colors of the season. Time has proven that everyone loves it, and probably even expects it.
But that in itself could pose a problem for a bride who prefers to make a seasonal but more individualized statement in her winter wedding theme. 180° away, imagine the midnight-blue of a cold, clear winter-night sky, punctuated by stars whose twinkle is reflected in clear, faceted crystal and repeated by an abundance of candlelight; and contrasting with the soft powder of pure-white snow. It’s a cool-toned, sophisticated winter-landscape palette that draws its elegance from nature.
Playing a huge role in establishing the color scheme would be the selection of midnight-blue for the bridesmaids’ gowns. Since velvet is a fabric reserved these days almost exclusively for winter finery, and is also flattering to the wearer, it’s a good choice–although if the gowns are to be homemade, velvet is not recommended for an inexperienced seamstress, and requires extra care in pressing to avoid becoming “crushed” velvet. However, actual crushed velvet, if not too shiny, is a good alternative. Crepes and delustered satins are lovely, too. Simple lines in the design of the gowns will help to underscore a visual message of sophisticated elegance. If the bride’s gift to the bridesmaids could be matching necklaces and/or earrings showing a twinkling of crystal or rhinestones (or perhaps even a snowflake!), so much the better.
If the bride wishes to bring a taste of her winter wedding theme into her own ensemble–and why would she not?–a midnight-blue sash can be designed into or added to her gown, either purchased or homemade. Touches of color on white bridal gowns have become very much in fashion, and you may be able to select a gown with some elegant colored embroidery or a color-accented veil. Because of its universal accessability, I recommend checking into colored sashes and shawls, and ideas for embroidered or color-trimmed gowns and veils at David’s Bridal online site. If the bride has a friend or relative with a pretty sapphire pendant or pair of earrings, they might be honored to be asked if they could be used as the bride’s “something borrowed.” Alternately, they’d be a wonderful gift for the bride from either the bride’s parents or from her groom (someone, tell him )–far enough in advance that she doesn’t waste time searching for something else. Small and tasteful “sprays” of crystals or “sapphires” can be a standout addition to the bride’s wedding bouquet, and certainly take the opportunity to pick up the blue in any ribbon trim to the bouquet, and can be purchased at craft or floral supply shops if using silks or having bouquets made or ask your florist to show you samples. To allow your bouquet to stand out in contrast against your gown, edge it with small snippings of evergreens (preferably, if you aren’t allergic, cedar or juniper rather than holly or pine/fir (with needles) so that it doesn’t “pick” at the fabric of your gown and make snag marks.) If you would care to carry on your theme under your gown and gain a great keepsake at the same time, a snowflake garter is available–don’t forget to pick up a less-expensive version to wear along with it, to actually be tossed.
While on the subject of florals, consult with your florist or do some research on your own to find out which flowers actually come in a shade that is close to a true white–the “white” shade of many flowers are noticeably too ivory, yellow or green to allow them to “pop” as dramatically as you’d wish against the dark of the bridesmaids’ gowns. Fuji chrysanthemums, oriental lilies, and the wedding-staple carnations, are all true white; and there is a rose available in true white–ask your florist, as its name may vary with the florist’s supplier, but do ask, since the white will be providing the “snow” of your winter wedding colors. Stephanotis, the very classic crowning touch to a bride’s bouquet, is very delicate, and may not travel well in cold-weather transfers from vehicle to indoors; if you live in a very cold climate and love the look of Stephanotis, I would highly recommend an almost-undetectable silk substitute.
In ribbons for pew bows, bouquets, corsages and other décor, it’s usually easy to find a sheer, wire-edged white ribbon with a border or accent of silver. The coolness of silver is perfect as the accenting metal color in this color palette; be sure that whites are true white, not ivory. Mix the sheer white in with the regal shimmer of the midnight blue. A bit of sparkle helps to offset the otherwise austere colors. It will be substantially more expensive to have your florist prepare large pew bows, however, so to save, shop for the perfect ribbons and make them yourself; this free online video will help.
You certainly don’t need to, but if you wish, you can continue these accents with your guest book and pen, and share them with your flowergirl and ringbearer. The items shown here are just examples of what you can find online; you may easily find others, or purchase plain accessories and embellish them yourself with snowflake-design jewelry findings at a bead shop or craft store, or even check for beautiful rhinestone snowflake buttons at fabric stores.
Candles provide a warm glow for a winter wedding. For the ceremony itself, there was time when tall taper candles on shoulder-high metal standards, arranged in rows of ascending height, were almost a requirement behind each side of the wedding party at every wedding–either alone or as part of large floral arrangements, but they have been seen less often in recent years. For this theme, their romantic elegance adds the perfect touch. If you are using a florist, they will have the standards available and can provide the super-long tapers you seek–but you’d save a chunk of change by obtaining them through a wedding-rental shop. For the ceremony, stick to the traditional white candles. Tip for taper candles: purchase a package of floral clay (available at craft shops) to form around the bottom of each taper and help it remain upright and straight–leaning or crooked tapers are to be avoided. And when it’s time, they should be put out with a candle snuffer rather than blown out. You can add candle-lighters (perhaps teenaged cousins a bit young to be bridesmaids?), a charming prelude to the ceremony that isn’t seen much anymore, or have a pair of the groomsmen light the candles–make sure they understand that the candles need to be kept standing straight before they walk away. If a Unity-Candle ceremony is planned, most holder sets are either in silver or crystal–either of which will fit right in. As to the candle itself, if you wish to embellish further, here is an option located online.
At the reception:
For the dining-table linens, there is nothing more classic than floor-length white tablecloths–with midnight-blue napkins (most wedding-rental shops offer an amazing variety of shades). As centerpieces: 12-14” round mirrors as bases, which can also be rented. If you like them, these midnight blue foil snowflakes, 12” diameter, would be fabulous atop the mirror, with cut-crystal or clear-glass hurricanes (sometimes these can be rented, as well) with (minimum) 3” X 6” column candles in either midnight blue or white-white (not ivory). If not using the large snowflakes on the mirror, consider a simple circlet of evergreens around the bottom of hurricane, on the mirror. (Alternative: large glass bowls or vases filled with midnight-blue–and a few silver–ornament balls, intermixed with a string of battery-operated white lights, sitting atop the mirror; or a midnight-blue pillar on a mirror ringed with an “ice wreath”.) Add some texture and/or sheen to the tabletops with snowflake confetti in plain or iridescent white or silver and blue. Sprinkle the confetti somewhat sparingly between the edge of the centerpiece and the inside edges of plates; in between plates, it will stick annoyingly to ladies’ arms or be brushed into laps with napkins. Note: there is a product called “table confetti” consisting of thicker (about 3/8”) white plastic snowflakes. While at first an appealing idea because of its added dimension, I would avoid it, especially if children will be present, as it looks very much like candy.
While most brides prefer cloth napkins for dining, for bar and cake-service, midnight blue snowflake napkins are available in paper, personalizable with your names.
Special tables, such as for the guestbook, cake, and head table (or, alternately, if you choose to seat the bride and groom separately at a smaller “sweetheart table”), could be distinguished with midnight-blue table-toppers or runners over the white cloths–either rented, or homemade (it might be a wild goose chase to attempt to purchase the exact sizes needed). If using runners, consider perusing the trims in one or two fabric or craft shops for clear acrylic-crystal beading for the ends. For the cake table, acrylic “crystal” cake knife and server sets are not expensive or hard to find, and would be beautiful trimmed with small fluffy bows mixing midnight blue and white ribbons; and matching bows would embellish the stems of the champagne flutes for the couple’s wedding toast. At the couple’s dining place-settings, whether at a head table or sweetheart table, silver chargers beneath their plates will denote their places of honor.
Acrylic “crystal” snowflakes in many sizes are available in holiday décor shops or departments, and even craft shops, as the holidays approach, and can be used for scattering or hanging where they might catch a twinkle of light. These generally come with a tie for hanging, and could also be easily personalized into holiday-ornament wedding favors, with a small midnight-blue bow of ribbon imprinted with the couple’s names and wedding date glued firmly to the center, set at each place-setting on the dining tables and adding additional fullness, décor, and dignified festivity to the tabletops. A diminutive size–about 2” in diameter–could also be interspersed with the décor of the cake itself by pressing into the frosting here and there–they would pop off easily at cutting time; if you should wish to do this, leave one with the cake designer so they can place their swirls accordingly.
Center the banquet or buffet table with a glass punchbowl of the midnight-blue and silver ornaments, interspersed with two or three strings of battery-operated lights at the table center; add a crystal or glass hurricane lamp with a midnight-blue candle at the halfway point on the table between the center and the end (tapers in candleholders are tempting, but are not a good idea with people reaching around them to serve food). When laying out the serving dishes while setting up the table, consider some small silver beaded snowflake garland winding its way between platters and chafing dishes. And if you have ever wanted an ice sculpture, this would be the wedding for it!
If your venue has a fireplace with a mantel or a long hall table, etc., consider a lineup of stemmed, cut-crystal or glass votive holders to provide the combination winter-wedding look of starlight and ice. Use plain white lights to bring the twinkle of starlight to darker corners or help deflect attention from a less-attractive feature in the room.
Luminarias along a path or clustered on a step at the door of your venue are very cheery and welcoming–especially in the cold of winter. And yes, they can show the guests the first hint of the theme within, designed in a snowflake pattern. I would personally feel better if you lit them with battery-powered tealights instead of the real thing–so they can happily and safely see both you and your guests off at the end of your perfect winter wedding.
