Fresh New Ideas for a Winter Wonderland Wedding Theme
- Setting the Stage
- The Colors
- Draping and Lighting
- Trees and Centerpieces
- Silver and Crystal
- Bridal Attire
- Flowers
- Santa's Secret Toolbox
- Thinking Drinks
- Seasonal Splurges
- Cocktail Lounge
- Kiddie Candy Tree
- Personalized Ornaments
- Candy Buffet With a Twist.
- Gourmet Hot Cocoa Bar
- Photo Booth With a Twist
- Pretty as a Peacock
- Pass It On ...
- Comments (107)
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!These days, sophisticated brides and event planners know there's a way to make almost any palette work for winter. But as a foolproof alternative to powder blue, try 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:
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 statement tables with tulle or organza and twinkle lights, you're 75% home-free. Ceiling treatments like this aren't cheap, 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-Elysées, renting potted bare-branch trees for the focal points can make a big impact. Make them sparkle with twinkle-light strands, and veil 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 (in the most elegant way). 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 ...
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?
Where did you get the white peacock at the top of the page?
Nancy,
Google image search white peacocks then look at white peacock weddings also white peacock wedding theme.
Having a winter wedding (Dec 10) theme. Light blues & silver/white. I bought some 9″ round vases with a flare top and have some blue / silver ornaments to put in and some glass stone filler, but no other ideas for filler/etc….They just look SO boring….but need to keep it cheap….on a budget…HELP!!!!
Laurie,
Buy some mini ball ornaments in same color would work well with this. You just need it to look “fuller”. And the mini ball ornaments should work.
Look here for ideas…
( I love the one with the beaded garland it looks romantic and whimsical) Just add small ornmanets like I suggested so they can fill the spaces in your vase, drape some garland, and add inexpensive votive candles. Go to a dollar tree or store. You can also check out save on crafts and dollartree websites. Both have inexpensive items. In the pic, just take out your glass stone filler and have your votives sitting in it, in the votive holders. Then have the assorted size ball ornaments. Will fit in your budget nicely. Hope this helps.
You can try filling them with twinkle lights that have battery packs, and multi-sized ornaments. We will be doing this for our Xmas party.
My son is getting married January 14th. We would like to use a lot of white poinsettias for the reception site. Does anyone think using them would look like they were “holiday leftovers?”
Pat,
I can see gorgeous white linens, white candles, and tons of white poinsettias. Like a winter wonderland. Could add icy or white branches in urns around the room too.
Not at all, they will be very beautiful!
* see this for ideas
* and more ideas
Pat,
Look at this, this is fabulous! Look at the white poinsettia alter decor, then having them in the reception,all the white with uplighting in the room…double wow! Doesnt look like Christmas at all.