Fresh New Ideas for a Winter Wonderland Wedding Theme
When most of us see this done up 'right,' we get an immediate, gut reaction. Brides with sunny, butterfly-festooned weddings in June suddenly succumb to second thoughts.
Why? Because the Winter Wonderland wedding has all: fantasy, drama ... even a strong underlying mood that sweeps up your guests and carries them along.
Setting the Stage
There's no doubt about it: the Winter Wonderland wedding is one of those grand gestures that goes easier with a crew of helper-elves: a planner, a lighting team, and a designer to unleash some draped-fabric magic along the walls and ceilings.But even if you don't have all those things at hand this minute, perhaps friends and family can help you make the magic happen. So let's talk wonderland style and see what develops.
The Colors
Once upon a time, the wonderland palette was pretty simple: white and ice blue. Or white and silver. Or maybe, even, both! Ooh!It's still true that you probably want to avoid the brighter, beachier colors (big punches of aqua blue just looks oddly tropical in a winter setting). But that doesn't mean you're stuck with white and near-whites. You can also draw on classic jewel tones, like burgundy, royal blue, hunter green or royal purple.
The appeal of these richly saturated colors against the background of crisp white just can't be overstated. But to stay true to the wonderland feel, you still need lots of sparkle. Where's that going to come from? Here's some ideas:
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Draping and lighting. The wonderland wedding belongs to the family of fantasy weddings. That means, if you can get a pro to drape the ceilings and walls (and cake table, and so on ...) with tulle or organza and twinkle lights, you're 75% home-free. Ceiling treatments like this aren't cheap ... it might be $2000 or more for a team to show up and do it ... but they utterly transform the room.
Trees and centerpieces. Big-budget fantasy winter weddings have tree-lined corridors down the length of the room, with rose petal "snow" lining the aisle. While your pocketbook might not have room for your own private Champs-Élysées, renting potted bare-branch trees for the focal points can make a big impact. Make them sparkle with twinkle-light strands, and consider veiling them with swaths of tulle. You can do the same with four-foot topiaries from craft stores to tart up your tabletops.
Silver and crystal. The timeless look of these luxe materials are crucial for setting the mood. For silver, think shining candelabras, pastry tiers and serving platters, and the classic look of embossed cake plateaus.
For crystal, rent or get do-it-yourself on special touches like crystal trees: spray bare branches in silver or glitter, then drape them with crystal strands or large chandelier beads hung from microfilament (pop in a few unexpected touches, like white orchid heads).
Then, trim the edges of tiny candleshades in smaller beads. Keep the lighting low and use plenty of candles so all your bling-bling looks as dynamic as possible. Tip: crystal can get heavy quickly, so don't overload ordinary branches without proofing your concept first!
Speaking of looks, let's take a gander at classic wonderland bridal styles ...
Bridal Attire
Yay, again, for fantasy weddings! This means you can go all-out with clothing that practically verges on costume (but in the most elegant way imaginable). Full, out-to-there ballgown skirts with luxe draping or ruching? Layer on layers of Alençon lace? Opera-length gloves, a sparkly tiara, and a faux-fur shrug? No problem! The winter bride can carry all this off in stride.And a sparkly snowflake brooch at the neckline or the waist is a gorgeous way to fasten a bit of satin. But what to hold in those satin-gloved hands? That brings us to ...
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Flowers
The season's all-white bouquet is smashing here (with sparkling bouquet picks, natch). Popular all-white blooms include crisp white tulips, exotic orchids, hydrangeas full of dusty country romance, and dramatic foliage like seed eucalyptus in silver. Finish off these beauties in a platinum-gray bouquet wrap, and you have a floral creation almost as eye-catching as the bride.
But bouquets in more muscular jewel colors like burgundy or maroon are equally breathtaking. Try a simple nosegay of roses ranging from crimson to black magic, or a striking hand-tied bouquet of deep maroon callas.
None of the above suit your fancy? Try an everlasting crystal bouquet, tailor-made for the winter bride.
And what about the tables? If you want something super-simple (but lovely), try white potted poinsettias. Also, crisp white carnations are workhorses when it comes to wonderland scenes. These fragrant, snowy blooms look smashing in flower wreaths for the church doors, or grouped in bright white masses.
Idea: start with tall, clear eiffel vases, fill to the top with metallic ball ornaments, pile white carnations in a "snow mass" at the top, and finish off each vase with dramatic, reach-for-the-sky bare branches or bittersweet.
Santa's Secret Toolbox
Okay, the jolly guy himself has barely made an appearance thus far (no offense, Santa!), but let's borrow his secret workshop concept and dream up a few more ideas. Imagine your wedding unfolding in real-time: cast a glance around the chapel and fully-appointed ballrooms, and what do you picture? Feather-trimmed organza swags from the pews? A flower girl scattering snowflakes down the aisle? An ice sculpture glinting from the far side of the room? A card box that passes for a luxurious stack of gifts?Aside from crystal and silver, your winter wedding toolbox might hold ingredients like white feather boas and clear beaded garlands, silver bells and white rose petals, luxury satin ribbons and pooled satin in pale hues. What else do you see?
Thinking Drinks
Taste-tickling drinks are key to making a good event great. A vodka or martini luge is classic for winter weddings, but equally fun are stacks of Blue Glories (schnapps, curacao, etc.) in martini glasses. Finish each one with a bright blue sugar rim and a miniature candy cane for garnish. Use a pin light to really make them shine!
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Seasonal Splurges
From feasible to totally fanciful, here are some favorite splurges for a winter wonderland fantasy wedding:- Cocktail lounge. Bring in couches and loveseats in white and pale blue, and finish off with faux arctic-fox pillows and faux bear rugs. Your guests may never go home ...
- Kiddie Candy Tree. The munchkins are sure to dream of sugarplums after they've clapped eyes on your mini kiddie tree, each branch loaded with fresh-frosted cookies and sweet confections tied in cellophane bags and ribbon.
- Personalized ornaments. Craft stores and mega-stores have unpainted wooden cutouts that time and patience can transform into one-of-a-kind personalized ornaments for each guest. Hang them from chair backs so they double and triple as place cards ... and décor.
- Candy Buffet with a twist. All-white candy buffets look spectacular, and it's easy to find indulgences to fit the scheme (plenty of chocolates come with a white candy shell, for example). But consider adding the element of surprise with gourmet popcorn. Dale and Thomas' white chocolate popcorn is legendary. Or have a hometown kitchen wizard whip up white chocolate popcorn "snowballs" your guests can simply tuck in a pretty take-home bag.
- Gourmet hot cocoa bar. Make this unforgettable with gourmet Dutch chocolate cocoa, homemade marshmallows (soooo indulgent, and light years away from the jet-puffed things in a bag), flavored whipped cream and gourmet mini candy canes in flavors like butter rum. The Pièce de résistance? A line-up of mini-bottles of Bailey's Irish cream and Kahlua. Your guests will swoon ...
- Photo booth with a twist. Everyone knows that guests go wild for photo booths at weddings: they're the talk of the town for month after. Make this memory-creating treat even sweeter with an elegant silver ornament that guests can use to frame their best pictures on the spot.
- Pretty as a peacock. Take your cue from Vogue's bash at the Met last May — the Costume Institute Gala — and stun the crowd with four snow-white peacocks in an epic gilded cage.
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Pass It On ...
What winter wonderland fancies have you dreamed up?You Might Also Like ...
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The Red Wedding Dress
Calling Cupid: Planning the Perfect Valentine's Day Wedding
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My friend is getting married this December (2010) and she is just at a loss for what to do and what she likes. She’s got her dress, her date, where, and colors but she is at a loss for ideas for decorations to make her winter wedding unigue and not like everyone elses. I’m a big fan of weddings and I’ve been helping her a lot. Her colors are very dark purple with accents of red black and silver. It seems like a lot of colors but she is getting use another friends black linens and silver chargers for free for the wedding, so I suggested purple runners and purple and red centerpieces. Does anyone have any good ideas for the use of a dark purple in a winter wedding?
Friendofabride,
* I would actuallydirection. Mixing purples and red.
* winter bouquet
Friendofabride,
* with the palette she has chosen it will be very dark, like in this wedding. The deep colors blend in the table linen.
Friendofabride,
* alright very happy to find this. See the end row of florla centerpiece is actually hot pink but looks a like a icy lavender, that is what I am steering too, paired with the red. This pic looks like reds and lavender is you look close. JUST GORGEOUS!
FriendofaBride,
* rest of the wedding
The crystal strands look like icicles. this wedding is very hip and different.
Friendofabride,
* something like this would work too.
Friendofabride,
* picture of ceremony for previous comment
* something like this would work too, substitute black for the brown linen
Friendofabride,
*oops here is yet another pic
*OMG! this blows me out of the water, how easy would this be to do. Simple stemware with food dye colored water and floating candles.
Friendofabride,
* sorry for all the posts, I just keep finding so many ideas for the color scheme
let me know which one she likes or doesnt like!
Hello, my wedding is March 5, 2011 and I am having a hard time deciding on the theme. We wanted a winter wedding however the place we wanted to get married at was not available during January or February so we had to take March. The biggest issue I am having is that there may not be as much snow as we would like (the building is all windows looking over water) so having a full winter themed wedding may not fit. Also my dress is ivory (we were initially getting married in the summer) so the silver and blues don’t really work. I was thinking different shades of soft greens with gold and ivory but I am open to suggestions. I would like to use greenery and frosted fruits for centrepieces with hurricanes (we can’t have tealights) but again I am open to suggestions. Thanks for your help.
Nicole,
I am loving the frosted fruits with hurricanes. Going with this would really work best with a venue overlooking the water. I love the gold, ivory, and greens. I think you are on the right track. I have a board for you to look at. platinum, greens, gold.
* here
Hi I was wondering if you could give me sosme ideas. . . I want a winter wedding, but unlike most who do I do not want the “winter wonderland” theme. I want an elegant (sp) wedding but unique. We were simply thinking colors red and white. I know I want white christmas lights and vines. Red and White roses, but thats pretty much it. I am adding the link to my dress. . . please help and ideas are great. I’m lost I haven’t been to a wedding since I was a little girl I dont know how to go about planning one.
Kara,
* here are some ideas
* more ideas
kara,
* check this site out. look at the red and white cake
Kara,
* look at the simple red rose centerpieces
this is a simple and elegant approach to centerpieces. It reminds me of eras gone by when all they used what flowers in a vase.
Kara,
* look at style # 715
kara,
can you repost the dress link? another idea is adding simple white feathers to the mix.
Kara,
* real wedding you might enjoy.
I am getting married on December 31, 2010. We have chosen a Winter Wonderland theme. My colors are navy blue, ice blue and silver. For my centerpieces, I am having small crystal wedding trees with tealites around the bases. I am having a hard time deciding on favors. I wanted them to be unique, tying in the winter theme as well as New Years Eve. Any ideas or suggestions ladies??
Kristen,
Why not use silver party horns? Google silver party horns and it will pull up loads of sites. It would tie into your theme. If your guests will be bringing in the new year, you coudl have the hats, masks, anything goes. Try places like orientaltrading.com
Hi, My fiance and I are getting married on Nov.11th of 2011 and we want to do the Winter wonderland theme so bad. I gear from people that the wintery theme is more for December, Jan and Feb. I was just wondering is it ok to make it wintery rather than having a fall wedding?
Falon,
* real weddings
( isnt this wedding gorgeous?) the way it is decorated blends in perfectly with a november date. Another element that could be added is pinecones lightly dusted with fake snow or ice crystals ( from craft store). You could also think about fall branches with a few fall leaves with ice or snow on them. Like the leaves didnt fall before the snow hit /look. What are your colors and your venue?
I think you should do it the way that you want it’s your day. Do what your heart desires my fiance and i were looking at August 13 of 2011 and we are going to do that same theme you must remember to make this your day because if you don’t you will regret it.
Hi Stacey!
Been following your site, and been printing your cool blogs since my brother’s wedding last September!
My wedding is sched this July and we, the Groom & I, agreed on having Winter Wonderland as our Theme :) Royal blue, silver and white was our chosen colors. We want our wedding theme to have an impact… a statement, even if it is SIMPLE :)
As we started buying materials, it’s very difficult to stick with blue, silver & white. So the coutoure and I agreed on having different colors for each entourage, namely:
Fuschia —————– Moms
Orange (pastel)——– Principal Sponsors
Apple Green (pastel) — Maid of Honor
Yellow (pastel) ——— Bridesmaids
Royal Blue ————- Candle, Veil, Cord
Pink (pastel) ———– Flower Girls
So now, it gets hard. The colors, i think don’t meet with the theme. Am i to change the theme then? Help me please? We really love the Winter Theme… please help us work it out with our invitations, the paper/notes details, Centerpiece details, the Giveaways (for the Sponsors only), the ballroom decor, the floral arrangement… details, details please….
i’ll get wed once only, so i want it to be close to PERFECT–if not perfect!!!
Chubilita
Chubilita,
Hi! So happy you love favor ideas! Can I get a look at your venue? I would like to see what you have there so I can see what would work best. Looking 4ward to your reply!
Why don’t you use the traditional christmas tree lighting as a way to tie it all together. You know, the bright multi-colored lights. This way you get all the colors in your wedding together but still maintain the christmas feel
HELP ME….I just got engaged and I am having such a hard time getting started….I wanna winter wonderland theme wedding( I know that much) but I am not sure of what colors????? I know that I like the blue silver and white colors, but should I have some gold too? Is that to much color? please help me!
Sheila,
I would go with the blue silver and white. Gorgeous!
* ideas
* more ideas
Instead of true christmas gold and silver, i would go with a matte silver and a gold so pale it is almost a champaigne color. totally luxe! and put white in there too
Hello,
My name is Michelle and I’m planning a Fall wedding but I can’t seem to make up my mind with the colors. I would like everything to be white with a lil green when it comes to venue decorations. I get stuck with the bridesmaid coctail dresses, I can’t seem to get away from the navy blue or vintage burgandy. My original color was deep purple but the more I looked at the skin color of my maids it just didn’t seem to fit.
My vision for the wedding is to have a romantic, simple, and elegant feel to it.
Please help, I’m open to any suggestions.
Thank you
Michelle, check out all these pics
* why not try this shade of green? It is beautiful!
* here are the vendors for the wedding
girls dresses came from alixkelly.com I really think it would work for many skintones and hair color like it did in this wedding. another option is simple black dresses.
Stacey,
Thank you so much that wedding was very beautiful. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to have my girls where green. One of my bridesmaids already used this color for her own wedding.
I am falling in love right now with a deep burgundy and ivory.
What other color combos would you recomend for the reception decor and bridesmaids?
Thank you
Michelle,
I wouldn’t change a thing! Just have the girls in burgundy. Adding any other color will take away from the white and touch of green decor you want. I do love the pic with the touch of burgundy that is beautiful! I would keep it simple. You are going inthe right direction! By the way, burgundy or wine is a universally flattering color.
Since you like purple, have you considered a purple with the dark green, Very regal. Have a beautiful wedding.
I had a fall wedding also in 2006, I used all the colors of the tree leaves in fall from the state of Maine. It is sooo pretty when the season changes…..
HELP! my wedding is dec 12th and i hardly have anything done! i want to do the winter wedding theme because i LOVE the winter. My colors are ice blue, indigo, and silver. We are having the wedding and reception at my grandmas small church. i dont want the bright lights but cant afford to hire anyone for lighting because we are on a very low budget. i thought about hanging ice cycle lights but didnt think that would be ENOUGH light. i want it to be dim but not dark. do you have any ideas for lighting and decorations that wouldnt cost very much?
THANK YOU!!
How bout hire (rent) some large candle holders to place around the corners of the room? remember if you freeze the candles they last longer. i dont know where u live but some stores like ikea sell them pretty cheap
i need help too! im doing a winter wonderland quincenera for my daughter. ideas.
My Fiance and i really LOVED these themes. our buget is REALLY tight but we plan to get married next year.these are wonderful ideas about waht i really want to do.
I have thousands of ideas for a winter wedding but I’m struggling to put them all together into a cohesive reception. Our colors are black, white, and red… but due to the fact that I want a very “wintery” reception, we’re also adding silver. I’ve got the whole snowflake them with ideas such as crystal branches, painted boughs, the use of evergreen branches, lights, and tulle…
I have two problems however… I want to keep the mood going all night with the lighting, etc (sparkling lights everywhere would be ideal) and the best way I can think of is candles… the main problem with that is our reception is taking place in a ballroom that does not allow candles larger than 3 inches tall and they must be enclosed in a container taller than the candle… Any suggestions??
The other semi-problem is I am completely in love with the picture above that shows the ceiling draped with fabric with the mirror/disco ball in the middle. I have been trying to figure out a way to do this in our ballroom… but our ballroom has the typical suspended ceiling with no tapering/vaulting/tiering anywhere… it is simply one big open room. Any suggestions on how to do this, or if you would consider it even possible??
Thanks-
Lindsey
pictured is
(1) our cake… only with silver not pink
(2) the dress I choose (yeah it’s wrinkled, it literally just arrived at the store the day I got there) and
(3) my favorite head table idea so far…
lindsey, wrap white christmas lights around branches and place in strategic places in room. go look at the new winter 2009 inside weddings(derek clark wedding it is not posted on the website yet, i dont have a scanner so i cant post it either
) when you see this you will be amazed!! it offers the twinkle and also adding the candles. dont worry about the 3 inch candles just place these candles in different size glass cylinders on the smaller scale of course. another idea is rent white lanterns and enclose the candles. just make sure they are in votive glass holders so wax wont run out. the disco ball( if approved by venue) will have to be professionally installed, try your local event planning venue or wedding supply. the draping ( again is venue approves) can easily be put up by the same event planning( they will know who to contact) i dont know how expensive it is though?!? this fabric can be rented i believe the same as chair covers and linens. i love your ideas and your dress!! think about buying crystal stems and garlands and place in florals so all your lighting will glisten and sparkle in the room. think prisms hanging from candleabras, what about rhinestones sprinkled generously on the tables( elegantly)? her at favor ideas just type in diamond theme wedding for the pic. hope this helps!! but remember head to your local bookstore and check out inside weddings ( i think you will love the idea from the real wedding!!) another idea, place rhinestones in bottom of glass centerpiece containers for a dazzling effect or for your 3 inch candles have floating candles too except for floating candles before you fill with water add clear rhinestones at bottom, in a 1/4 to 1/2 in. thick layer( just enough to cover bottom)
The perfect red tie is featured on this page… has anyone seen this anywhere? I’ve been searching tuxedo shops and online, but haven’t found it. Wish they could list where to buy on these pages.
HEy I am having a winter wonderland wedding in December and I was just wondering if you knew how to make or where I could buy big snowflakes that I could hang from the ceiling.Maybe made out of plastic or something heavier than paper snowflakes.I don’t mind do it yourself projects.If you have any ideas or suggestions I would really appricate it.
nicole,
i wish you the best and waht a fun wedding decor by the way!! i saw a wedding once where balloons were used, there were masses of them in the ceiling, the long silver streamers looked like icicles. it was just gorgeous. i know balloons dont sound so elegant but this was breathtaking!!
i saw some felt glitter snowflakes that come several to a package at hobby lobby this past christmas.
orientaltrading ( may have something that appeals i just looked there, this place is inexpensive!)
google search large snowflakes and wedding decor. also google image and search snowflake cutouts. okay here is a great site for what youneed at a great price. again i would hurry, they even have a discount price listed, according to pkg #. At this price you could really rack up!! they are 15″ long/wide. sothis is it!! add sparkle with glitter. when i was in art we cut out snowflakes for a winter art show, it can be very difficult and i do not recommend it!! i would buy the shapes, leave plain or embellish. i order this like tomorrow, so i could be sure to get them, winter will soon be over, some of the stores may not carry them til next winter.
*Snowflake Cutouts
*Miss seeing snowflakes? Make your own
*Make a Large Snowflake Decoration out of Doilies
*Sparkle Snowflake, 11 in
( i would hurry here, i dont know how many they have left, scroll down on same page for other sizes)
nicole, the first site is the one i mean for the snowflakes.
I used soemthing that at first appearance in the box I thought were pretty cheesy but they were perfect in our venue. I got from ORiental trading company honeycomb snowflakes….I got them after Christmas for a good price….Here is the link
* Tissue snowflakes Oriental Trading
You may check at the dollar stores in October and November…last year they had acrylic ones that were about 8 to 10 inches across!
If you (or someone you know) are good at cutting paper snowflakes, they can be cut out in any size depending on the paper you use. Snowflakes should always have six sides - not eight and can be very intricately done. After you have the large paper snowflakes, you could get them laminated at an office type store. If available, get the heavier laminate which is stiffer. They can be hung with clear fishing line in varying lengths from the ceiling, along with some stuck on walls and/or windows so you’re surrounded in snowfall. I’ll attach a couple snowflakes I’ve cut out. You could find patterns on the internet if you don’t want to create your own.
I love the red tie in the picture listed under “flowers”. Can anyone tell me where it can be purchased? Thanks.
We have created some lovely winter wedding ideas here are some of our boards, hope these inspire you!
Where can I buy white paper birches and get these type of lights in the pic?
rachel, i may have overlooked!! but which pic so i can help you!!
I’m getting nervous! My fiance and I just decided a month and a half to go to have our previously postponed wedding this January - 1.1.09! I already had my dress, which is called “champagne” so it’s off white, with a hint of peach. The color that looked best with it was chocolate brown, but I don’t know how to decorate for a winter wedding with brown! Any ideas???
Elegance with a Twist
Winter Scented Pine Cones ( i love this in subtle scents scattered about the room in silver containers)
Social Design | Poll Results ( i love the branches in vases and tall enough so guests can talk and mingle, tip: keep lower centerpieces if venue ceiling isnt so tall, can still do branches though and they are FREE!!!)
Snow, Snow, Go Away…Please Come Back Another Day… ( if it snows where you live i love this snowflake motif, use it on everything, could be your theme!)
Planning a Winter Wedding
A Preppy Pink and Gold Winter Wedding (change pink to peach). i absolutley agree with the brown bridal party. can put guys in black with brown ties it does look great!!. or put them in brown and cream ( google image brown tux to see ideas!)
what i would do is do branch centerpieces it looks soooooo chic. and have a few well placed peach flower centerpices around the room. have girls carry peach flowers( think peach roses ( google image peach wedding bouquet or peach roses)
Featured Bouquet: Hydrangea, Stock and Peach Rose Centerpieces
you carry white roses or vice versa. this wont matter just depends if you want to carry the colored bouquet. flower girl in peach with brown sash. if you want more traditional put evergreens everywhere, if not axe all but little of the greenery for a fresh approach. candlelight, great food, hot cocoa with marshmallows(guest will love this!!) and a shimmery white cake. or cupcakes. voila. i love this scheme so beautiful!!
Simple table setting in brown and pink (this is pretty amazing)
Knottie Pootiekins (or this) decorate with peach accordingly.
Luke & Jessica Planning Bio (wow) love the draping bouquet!
Board #278: Budget Friendly #10, Winter Wonderland
Board #37: Warm White
i google imaged winter wedding from snippet and ink and couldnt pull up the pic that i saw.under lex said yes!. hope all this helps!
Check out Board #189: Urban Rustic ( this is great!)
LOVE this board! ka-thunk ka-thunk ka-thunk
Jaime, hi! The first thing I thought of was a little like Stacey’s urban rustic board above. With those colors and esp. a champagne gown, this would be AMAZING as an art deco wedding with a soft, monochromatic palette. Champagne, tan, chocolate brown and gray with touches of gold.
Art deco is so perfect for winter. And so elegant, and unlike anyone else’s wedding. Think all that beautiful 30s something photography you’ve seen in Vogue over the past year. Vintage jewelry, sparkling brooches, a stunning ornament on the bodice of your gown or bridesmaids gowns, chunky vintage heels. Multi-threaded seed pearl wrist cuffs with a rhinestone gem. Gobs of candlelight, chandelier earrings, and chandelier crystals hanging from candelabras. Mirrors underneath to reflect all the light. Some artful feathers used here and there (maybe a bouquet collar).
I might try to pull together a board if I can. It’s not for everyone, but would be unforgettable for a winter wedding with these colors.
OMG, I am so in love with this wedding after pulling together some pics. The colors are in a narrow, quiet palette. Mocha and brown, champagne and cream, pale gray. This wedding drips in chandeliers and sparkle. Vintage rhinestones all the way: cuff bracelets, brooches. The right hotel setting is important, the Waldorf Astoria is the ideal to keep in mind. Low, intimate lighting, a feel of elegance blurring into decadence, little vintage touches in the stationery and cake design. Mix a dash of art nouveau, art deco, ‘Great Gatsby’ all together without getting too perfectionist about it. (You don’t want costumey.) A great splurge: a hand-rolled cigar bar. Engraved hip flasks for wedding party gifts. Avoid snowflake motifs, etc. Take a look at the pics and see what you think. To me this is the ultimate winter wonderland wedding.
This is beautiful. I am trying to pull off a vintage but not too vintage wedding motif. My dress is ivory and cafe with lace overlay and my hairstyle has that wavy retro bun. I want the colors of platinum, creams mocha champagne and black. Do you have any more pics you could send me personally of the recpetion set up? My email is shaun.dana@gmail.com Please help!
This is beautiful what colors are these.I am getting married next year can you email me more photos thanks
caplocksid@yahoo.com
Where abouts do you live Jamie. I am a wedding planner based in Birmingham. i could help if you wanted?
regards
sharon
Hi Jaime,
I’m not sure sure if you’ve been able to get any help as yet, but I’ll share my ideas with you either way.
The colors of white or off white with Champagne and brown are elegantly complimented by each other. I’ll paint a picture for you…….think of…….pinecones with touch of snow and gold dust, branches and natural reefs with golden apples and sprinklets of snow, cobble paths with and snow-capped artificial copper-toned trees with sparkling icicles. A chocolate brown blends perfectly with a winter wonderland theme! If you would like more ideas feel free to contact me. I am an Event Planner and I specialize in weddings. Good Luck and Congratulations!
janelle i like your ideas with the browns golds coppers with the winter theme. my wedding is 12/24/09 and earth tones are my favorite colors, but i do love dark red as well.. can you help. email me ? adicarlo2789@yahoo.com
I’m getting married 1/31/09 and I haven’t planned a thing! We want to go with the ice blue & white theme, but with the woodsy feel. We really love the blue cake with pinecones that was posted… Ideas for a really low budget? Help!
Hi Marisa! Hmm, I love the woodsy look, especially with the white and ice blue. I know green is trendy even for winter weddings, but I still love the pale blues best.
This is a tricky wedding to pull off with a low budget because it’s a “fantasy” wedding. They tend to be big productions. You can have a really simple version of it and not kill yourself over the details (white pillar candles in hurricane lamps on white linens, a little silver snowflake confetti, scatter with some frosted pinecones). Or, you can roll up your sleeves and go crazy with DIY.
If you choose route #2 there are lots of things you can DIY below that would fit. Here are some of them again. Imagine all the green is blue.
You can make very chic vases by covering anything — heck, soup cans — in white birch bark. You can also cover jar candles with birch bark. Try ebay for the loose bark or just look for birch bark containers there.
I really like the small green apples in the pic above but … they’re green. But if you got small apples and spray-painted them silver and scattered them around, they could look really cool.
Try some DIY table flowers, especially if someone can help you make them the day before. I have no doubt with help, you could put together some knockout arrangements of all-white flowers (use different kinds of white flowers), dusty miller the day before. Add dried fiddleheads, pussy willow branches (remember you can bend these into arcs). Save pics of ideas you like, be creative and you’ll succeed. Be sure to do trials ahead of time.
As you know a really modern look is to fill clear glass cylinders with something seasonal. Try filling yours with pinecones. Maybe dark brown, white-tipped pinecones or maybe painted cream ones or a mix. You can easily top off the vases with impressive clouds of hydrangeas in white or pale blue.
Check out the all-white birdhouses below. You find versions at any craft store. These are elegant painted white, and you can give them height on your table with a homemade cake plate. See if a few faux birds’ nests filled with pale blue “eggs” (jordan almonds for example) will enhance your decor (any craft store).
Most bare-branch centerpieces are very inexpensive. You can use frosted branches or plain ones. For something different checkout PortOvert’s cool birch branch centerpiece.
My feeling is you really need some opulent fabric to get that fantasy feel. Fabric, and low lighting like candle light or twinkle lights. So even if the budget is tight, try to make, beg or borrow some organza-type overlays in ice blue for key tables, like the cake table or head table. This fabric should have a bit of shimmer. You can pin up the swags and tuck something like a silk rose (white or pale pink) in the gathers. If you can hang things from the ceiling, see about a cake tent. You can even make one from a hula hoop and sheer fabric or just order a hoop bed canopy in white from ebay for $20, done.
Plant rental can be expensive but maybe you know one or two friends who have white christmas trees languishing in a corner of the basement. Take a look at the fabric-draped white trees below, this would add a lot of drama to your room.
I hope that gets you started! Let me know if you need more ideas, or just want to share what you’ve come up with!
OMG, your awesome! Thanks!
all brides!! just an idea. anyone thought of a downhome christmas wedding? have fond memories of christmas when you were a child? google image thomas kinkade christmas or village christmas. have hot cocoa, your fave christmas cake, wedding favors in old fashioned christmas fabric sewed to make a pouch for fresh homemade cookies or cocoa and marshmallows in christmas cups. have old fashioned wrapped christmas presents lying under popcorn adorned fresh cut and FREE trees, vintage christmas postcards for invites, have santa for the kids with their own special tables with stocking favors of treats and twas the night before christmas book just in time for santa’s journey. choose peppermint swirl candles (google image this).
this wedding calls for nothing more than what you would do at christmas and thats paper etc, you just throw away but wont cost a fortune in purchase! have greenery everywhere with twinkling lights!! instead of a bouquet carry a blue hand muff with 2 white or red christmas roses hanging from ribbon from 1 side of muff. just sew ribbon on muff and secure flowers to ribbon and voila!!(for your something blue). bm carry the 2 or 3 simple white roses set against red or green dresses give them warm shrugs to wear for a gift.
keep as simple or elaborate as you wish. put fake snow amongst the greenery this can be messy unless you flock branches and then it will work fine. got a mantel decorate it like you would at home with stockings and greenery with a cheery fire. be sure to place screen in front of fire for protection. have christmas rug in front of fire that reads just married with your names and date, and have guests sign it for a guestbook. afterwards put in home in place wont get dirty so names wont fade. dont like this idea then have tree skirt that says what rug does and use this just the same. will bring back warm thoughts of your wedding day every year!!