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We’re once again in the midst of the wonderful holiday season! It’s a very special time of year for so many who are celebrating Christmas… and even more exciting and wonderful for couples with those lovely, intimate holiday weddings scheduled in the next few weeks!
There are actually quite a few advantages to having a wedding during the holidays or to creating a winter wonderland theme when in the lane, snow is glistening. And with so many simple and effortless ways to add either a touch of the Christmas spirit or a warm, cozy wintertime vibe to weddings… and because we love this time of year so much… we wanted to take a look!
First, you might save some money by having a wedding during the weeks directly before and after Christmas. If you’re having your ceremony in a Christian church, it will most likely already be decorated beautifully for the holiday with string lights or electric candles, Christmas trees and poinsettias. You’ll be able to save some money on your flowers and décor there.
Also, some venues offer discounts for booking during the winter season. Find out if that includes the month of December (probably not) or the first few weeks after the New Year (possibly, yes!). The remainder of January may be considered value season for booking your venue… perfect if you want a winter wonderland themed wedding!
You’ll most likely be able to save money on décor in other areas as well. Many venues (particularly hotels, restaurants and clubs) have their own holiday or winter decorations, such as garlands, wreaths and white string lights, displayed inside and out throughout the months of December and January. Not only will you save money with these decorations already in place, but they will also add another level of interest and beauty, especially to evening photos and video.
In addition to the possible benefit of some cost savings, a Christmas or winter themed wedding is also very easy to accomplish. There are lots of readily available glittery decorations and accessories that convey that holiday cheer for a Christmas wedding or snowflake sparkle for a wintry wedding day. There’s so many directions you can take the theme and so many places to find the perfect décor items, especially for those ready and willing to DIY a little.
Start with your little local home & décor gems to support small businesses when you can. Then, browse through craft stores such as Michaels, JOANN and the online shop Save On Crafts for more supplies and pre-made decorations. Online giants like Wayfair and Overstock also have terrific Christmas and winter wonderland décor items.
And visit your favorite department stores and the usual general merchandise big-box suspects (like Walmart and Target) for beautiful and inexpensive accessories for your place card table and guest table centerpieces. We love holiday themed accents such as sparkling reindeer figures, festive lanterns and glass Christmas trees. Plus, you can keep and reuse your holiday wedding decorations in your own home after your wedding!
One of the easiest ways to accomplish a Christmas or winter season themed wedding is simply with your florals and greenery. Bouquets and centerpieces can be filled with pine cones, holly & berries, poinsettias or other bright red flowers. Bouquets look especially festive accented with ilex berries or pepperberry, cedar boughs or dusty miller and gathered with red, green or plaid ribbon.
Brides can add a holiday touch to their attire in more abstract ways. A full, white ruffled wedding gown suggests fluffy white snow. Consider accessorizing your wedding dress with a ribbon sash, especially one adorned with sparkling crystals or a bow. Or add a pop of red in your accessories, such as your shoes, a hair clip or jewelry.
Grooms and groomsmen can sport a boutonniere of holly & berries and/or wear red, green or plaid accents in their vest, socks or bow tie. And bridesmaids’ dresses in red, black, hunter/emerald green or midnight/navy blue are perfect for accentuating your Christmas or winter wonderland theme.
And again, Christmas and wintry décor ideas are really almost limitless. Suggestions include plaid accessories, glistening snowflakes, hurricane vases filled with clear marbles, silver or gold glitter on candles and berries on branches in tall centerpieces. Another favorite, easy DIY project is to spread Mod Podge or a similar decoupage glue on large pillar candles, mason jars or on plain candle jars. Then roll them in Epsom salt for instant sparkling, snowy candles!
Decorate mantels and tables with evergreen garlands or boughs. Incorporate large bows and string white lights around doorways, columns and ceiling beams at your reception venue. And nothing expresses the Christmas holiday theme more than a lighted Christmas tree. So liven up all the dark corners with several evergreen beauties all decked out for the occasion!
Need more inspiration? Check out Jenny and Will’s post-New Year’s wedding event, Meghan and Brad’s Christmas wedding, Michelle and Jay’s December wedding (with Santa Claus as a guest!) and Nancy and Matt’s January wedding with their church ceremony still decorated beautifully for the holiday!