Winter weddings are becoming more and more popular. For those people who don't want the traditional June wedding, winter weddings offer a completely different approach with the ceremony. As an added bonus, winter weddings usually are less expensive and it's easier to book the wedding venue.
There are a few things to consider with a winter wedding. Unless you live in a year round warm climate, you will want your wedding indoors. This means you will need to choose your wedding venue at least several months in advance. Even though wedding venues are usually easier to reserve during the winter, you will still need to be sure you have enough notice for the venue you want.
Your flower choices may be somewhat limited during the winter; however, there are beautiful winter flowers to choose from. You might consider tulips, roses, freesias, or mums. If you have a specific wedding flower in mind, you can find it for your winter wedding; you may just have to spend a little more to get them.
With a winter wedding, it's a good idea to hire a wedding car service. This is a terrific to travel in elegance and style, but you will also not have to worry about driving to the service or reception. Of course, the weather can be unpredictable, so this is the best way to avoid dealing with wintry roads. Most wedding car services will require booking in advance, so don't wait to long to choose your perfect wedding car.
You will need to plan your reception as soon as possible as well. If you plan to have your wedding around the winter holidays, remember that many people hold family affairs in some of the more popular wedding venues. Many churches also hold special services for the holidays. Be sure you allow enough time to secure the wedding and reception venues that you desire.
One nice part about a winter wedding is the honeymoon afterwards! You can plan to go from a winter wonderland to a tropical paradise. After all the stress of planning the wedding and reception, then having the service in the winter, a tropical honeymoon will be a terrific getaway. A winter wedding can be a nice change for those that don't wish to have a traditional wedding. While you will find many aspects of your wedding are easier to plan in the winter, you will still have to plan accordingly. This will help prevent any problems you might come across on your wedding day.
You will probably need to choose your
wedding theme what you starting planning for your big day. The choices for your other wedding items such as
invitation and
gown will probably follow the theme so that your wedding can become a whole unique event. In fact, there are quite a number of different themes you can choose from. Some of the most popular choices are beach wedding and winter theme wedding.
You will first of all consider the season and time of the year you will have your wedding. It will be nonsense to plan for a
winter white wedding if you are going to host it in summer. Considering the season, you may even try to relate your big day to the festivals. One of the most obvious possibilities is certainly Christmas. If you are going to have your big day on the Christmas day, you can certainly make your wedding ceremony and reception a Christmas party. Adding some seasonal favors to your wedding can make your big day more unique.
You will also need to choose between the notions of formal and informal wedding. Some couples will believe that a wedding should always be a formal event and it makes no sense to plan for an informal one. On the contrary, some other couples may think that the essence of a wedding is sharing the joy and happiness with their beloved ones. As a consequence, these couples may go for a more informal wedding.
Once you make your decision on this matter, it will be quite difficult for you to change. It can be a mess if you change your mind at the middle of your wedding planning. For example, you may need to pay extra if you have originally ordered your wedding invitation in a formal style but you change it to an informal design when it is being printed.
Besides the choice between formal and informal, you will also need to consider if you want a traditional or modern wedding. You may choose to have your wedding in a church and this will most probably be more traditional. In this case your choice of wedding gown may also be more traditional. Since all the traditional choices are usually well developed, you may somehow find it easier to plan for a
traditional wedding. However, some couples nowadays may want to go for something different and unique so that the big day reflects the life style of them.
The budget is also an important consideration when you are choosing your theme. If you are on budget, you may choose a theme which can help to save you money. A beach wedding is considered a more economical choice of theme. Of course there are always ways to save money no matter what your theme is. However, no one can deny that some themes may render a
cheaper wedding. As a result, you may need to avoid themes that will certainly cost you more if you are not planning to spend so much money.
Are you a person that loves the winter? Do you like the shimmer of snowflakes, or the bed of snow that falls on a forest of trees? If so, you may want to think about having a winter
wedding theme. There are so many beautiful ways that this theme can make
your wedding stand out!
Colors
Thinks cool colors, such as white, baby blue, grey, ivory and silver.
InvitationsShape your invitations like snowflakes, snowmen, Christmas trees, or mittens. Have theme sparkle with glitter and snowflake confetti. Use metallic ink pens to make your wording shine.
Something else you could try is to make your invitations look more like Christmas cards.
DecorationsKeep it simple. There are many things you can do easily and inexpensively with your
winter decorations.* Use white and silver decorations. If you plan it right, you can buy your decorations when they are on sale in January. Use white, hanging lights, Christmas trees, ornaments, and ice sculptures. Hang snowflakes and soft, flowing fabrics from the ceilings and walls.
* Use white or blue gems stones and beads to fill clear glass jars and vases.
* Use a combination of
white flowers, white candles, silver floral containers, silver ribbons, and silver candlesticks.
* For your centerpieces, use snow globes, ice sculptures, small “trees painted white with ornaments hanging from the branches.
* Get some “cob-web fluff” used at Halloween to create your snow.
* Go to a craft store to find a can of window frost to frost up all the windows in your hall or reception area.
FoodThink of what you would have at a big Christmas dinner..
* Soup, turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, corn, stuffing, baked potatoes, etc.
* Eggnog (if you can get it), hot chocolate, apple cider and tea are great winter refreshments.
* Candy canes, gingerbread and shortbread cookies for finger desserts and food decorations.
Dress
A winter bridal gown could be white, with silver, blue or gold trim. This could be with beading or rhinestones on the dress along with the veil.
If your wedding is held in a colder location, opt for a beautiful cape that is made of red velvet or white faux fur. You could also opt for carrying some kind of muff even instead of the traditional flowers.
Wear glistening jewelry with an “icy” look to it. Long pieces that dangle small diamonds are perfect.
The men could wear white tuxes with silver, blue or gold vests and cummerbunds.
The GetawayIf your budget allows, try to find a horse drawn carriage to take you off on your getaway from the reception.
HoneymoonFollow your winter
wedding theme and honeymoon in a mountain cabin or lodge. This will complete your
winter wedding experience. Snuggling by a roaring fire and sipping hot cider or hot chocolate is a perfect winter honeymoon retreat!
Weddings in the winter are rather rare, and call for special
winter wedding favors. You can find many inexpensive ideas for your favors for winter while browsing on the internet. There are many ideas around that you can incorporate with your wedding theme with some imagination and creativity.
One rather easy and cheap idea is snowflake place card holders. These place card holders not only show the guests where they are to be seated, but also double as winter wedding favors. These favors are usually sold in sets of 12 or more and are rather inexpensive while giving a good look to your wedding.
Another idea for your winter wedding favors would be
candles. You could give your guests plain old candles, or use your imagination to add some spice to the candles. You could consider personalizing them on your own or by having the company selling candles personalize them for you. Whichever option you choose, you get great winter wedding favors with the different scents, styles and colors found in
.
Then there are
white rose ball candles that fit well with your winter theme. These favors work double as ice breakers for your wedding guests on the
wedding day. These unique favors are not only inexpensive but also help decorate your wedding hall. Snowflake candle holders also make good winter wedding favors. You can place them on your reception tables to work as candles holders, décor for your tables and also as winter wedding favors for your guests.
You can also use your creativity for your winter wedding favors by making holiday CDs of your holidays. You can either choose a specific holiday or combine a medley of music from numerous holidays to create a favor that the guest is sure to cherish for years to come. The CD jewel case can also be personalized with a picture or just place the names of the bride and groom, the wedding date and a thank you statement.
Scarves serve as wonderful winter wedding favors. If you have the time, patience and interest, you yourself could knit these scarves for your small wedding gathering. However if your gathering is a big one or if you have no time, you could have them ordered. You then drape a scarf on the back of each chair in your wedding hall to let your guests wear and appreciate them while celebrating.
Whatever you choose for your
winter wedding favor, it is important that you keep to your.
After the
wedding dress and
bride's bouquet, maybe nothing is so powerful a wedding symbol as the
wedding cake. It's so ubiquitous, many people just assume the wedding cake has always been a part of
wedding celebrations everywhere.
Like all popular beliefs, there's some truth to that idea, though of course the real facts are much more fascinating and a whole lot more colorful.
The
Wedding Cake's Early Days
During the heady days of the Roman Empire,
wedding guests were served not one cake but a sumptuous collection of many small treats and pastries as a kind of wedding party favor. In some parts of the empire, one single cake was dropped over the bride's head at the reception, as a way of wishing the couple good luck in the future.
Later, during the Middle Ages, many guests would bring small cakes to the
wedding celebration. The cakes were all piled atop a single table, creating the beginning of the tiered
wedding cake known today. As a tradition, a bride and groom that could still kiss over the pile of cakes were considered to have good luck in the upcoming marriage.
Modern Times
Wedding cakes began to change and grow in the 19th Century, when new means of refrigeration could keep their ingredients fresh for much longer periods.
The modern wedding cake is a kind of homage to St. Bride's Church, a famous English Medieval Chapel. The church's spire includes several spires, much like a tiered cake.
Many modern couples have adopted the wedding cake design to display their own interests or passions. For example, a couple fascinated by the Renaissance may choose to decorate their cake with decorations specific to that time period. The bride and groom figures atop the cake may also reflect their hobbies and pastimes.
Because modern wedding cakes have become so elaborate, their preparation time has steadily grown. Wedding planners are encouraged to make arrangements with a pastry chef up to three months in advance of the wedding reception.
Wedding Cake Traditions
Some popular wedding cake traditions taken from around the world include:
- a bride who cuts her own cake will have to work hard all her life.
- if the groom lays his hands over the bride's hands as the cake is cut, they will share their possessions their whole life.
- the bride cuts the first piece of cake as a way of hoping for children.
The real act of marriage takes place in the heart, not in the ballroom or church or synagogue. It's a choice you make / not just on your wedding day, but over and over again / and that choice is reflected in the way you treat your husband or wife. ~ Barbara De Angelis
Weddings are about
love,
romance, togetherness and all the mushy things, but weddings are also about the love that the guests shower upon the happy couple.
Wedding gifts are like blessings and good wishes for the couple as they embark upon a beautiful journey and pledge their eternal love and commitment towards each other. If you are planning to attend a wedding very soon then you’ve come to the right page, because this article will provide you some useful ideas to pick out personalized wedding gifts!
Photo Frame and Keepsakes Photo frames and memorabilia make for perfect
wedding gifts. Getting the couple’s names engraved and imprinted on the photo frame will definitely help you to create a unique and personalized wedding gift. You can get a photo frame in various materials like wood, silver, or even a digital photo frame. In case you are looking for a more interesting option, getting the couple’s name carved in Chinese or Egyptian symbols can be a great idea as well. You can also gift the couple a personalized keepsake box, engraved or embossed with their names or initials. Make sure to create personalized memorabilia for the couple, which they can use and cherish forever. A wall clock can also be personalized to include the couple’s photographs and names. You can even get a caricature of the couple framed and present it as a gift to the couple on their wedding.
Personalized Bath SetsThis is a very interesting idea and makes for a lovely personalized wedding gift. While creating a complete bath and body work set you can include many things. You can get a complete bath and body care kit with bath salts, body scrubs, shower gel, shampoo, body lotions and body sprays with personalized tags of the couple. Include identical bath towels with the names or initials of the couple. Also include two identical bathrobes and bath slippers for both of them with their initials embroidered on the robes. This bath set will not only be a unique gift, but the couple can actually use and enjoy it for a long time!
Personalized Crockery and CutlerySince the couple is about to lead a life together, useful items like crockery and cutlery will definitely help them while setting up their home. Fancy crockery like china plates and bowls, or even complete dinner sets can be personalized by a golden print, or any other imprinting or embossing method available. Preferably personalize the crockery and cutlery with the initials of the couple since getting the entire names on the plate can deter the aesthetic value of the crockery or cutlery in case the print occupies a large space. A beautiful set of glasses personalized for the couple can be a great wedding gift as well. Personalized grill monograms that will charm the barbeque lovers are quite popular as well.
Personalized Gourmet Gift BasketsIf you want to gift the couple with some interesting
gourmet treats, then a personalized gourmet
gift basket will fit the bill. You get the personalized food packaged and labels and include all sorts of gastronomic treats starting with delicious chocolates. Tea/coffee hampers, flavored and roasted nuts, cheese hampers, and may be a bottle of champagne or wine with a personal label for the couple. Gourmet gift baskets are also a unique idea, which makes for a delicious and satisfying personalized wedding gift!
After the
wedding dress and
bride's bouquet, maybe nothing is so powerful a
wedding symbol as the
wedding cake. It's so ubiquitous, many people just assume the
wedding cake has always been a part of
wedding celebrations everywhere.
Like all popular beliefs, there's some truth to that idea, though of course the real facts are much more fascinating and a whole lot more colorful.
The Wedding Cake's Early Days
During the heady days of the Roman Empire,
wedding guests were served not one cake but a sumptuous collection of many small treats and pastries as a kind of
wedding party favor. In some parts of the empire, one single cake was dropped over the bride's head at the reception, as a way of wishing the couple good luck in the future.
Later, during the Middle Ages, many guests would bring small cakes to the
wedding celebration. The cakes were all piled atop a single table, creating the beginning of the tiered wedding cake known today. As a tradition, a
bride and groom that could still kiss over the pile of cakes were considered to have good luck in the upcoming
marriage.
Modern Times
Wedding cakes began to change and grow in the 19th Century, when new means of refrigeration could keep their ingredients fresh for much longer periods.
The modern wedding cake is a kind of homage to St. Bride's Church, a famous English Medieval Chapel. The church's spire includes several spires, much like a tiered cake.
Many modern couples have adopted the wedding cake design to display their own interests or passions. For example, a couple fascinated by the Renaissance may choose to decorate their cake with decorations specific to that time period. The bride and groom figures atop the cake may also reflect their hobbies and pastimes.
Because modern wedding cakes have become so elaborate, their preparation time has steadily grown. Wedding planners are encouraged to make arrangements with a pastry chef up to three months in advance of the wedding reception.
Wedding Cake Traditions
Some popular wedding cake traditions taken from around the world include:
- a bride who cuts her own cake will have to work hard all her life.
- if the groom lays his hands over the bride's hands as the cake is cut, they will share their possessions their whole life.
- the bride cuts the first piece of cake as a way of hoping for children.
