Winter Wedding

There is just something about a winter wedding that lends itself to everything crisp and whimsical. From the cool temperatures to the potential for a dusting of snow on the ground, I get so excited thinking of how much fun you can have implementing the winter theme on your big day.

For the overall design of a winter wedding, focusing on the weather makes guests think of the season!  Snowflakes, pine cones, glitter, and more should be included in a winter wedding.  Though most might not want to focus on a certain winter holiday, things like snow and rustic elements, i.e. branches, are perfect elements to include in a winter wedding.

“Snowy” tipped pine cones atop the wedding cake and glittery branches attached to the candle glass. Creative, simple, festive and easy decorations.

Green is a great color and even if you do not want to use green flowers you can use green candles, greenery, or mini pine trees.

A very popular DIY project winter brides take on is ice kissed branches.  Look how dramatic this aisle looks lined with them. It’s a statement detail that is very easy to achieve.

          

    

Ceremony Musicians

Nothing creates the mood of the moment like music. The right wedding songs/music can add dignity and solemnity to a wedding ceremony.  From majestic to joyous, spunky to traditional, the choice is yours. 

If you are marrying in a church, it is typical that the church’s pianist /organist will be happy to play for your ceremony.  The choice to ask them to perform is your decision as it is not required for them to perform during your ceremony.  Whether marrying in a church or elsewhere, there are several other types of musicians you can choose other than a pianist/organist.

If your ceremony style is romantic, a harpist or flutist is a beautiful accompaniment for your wedding ceremony. For a classic style, a string quartet is one of the most prominent chamber ensembles in classical music.  It consists of usually two violin players, a violist and a cellist.  For a relaxed or bit country style, a 12-string guitar produces a ringing tone with a natural chorus effect. 

One wedding I attended a few years ago had a bagpipe player greeting guests as they arrived at the church! We all knew that was the groom’s choices and everyone enjoyed it.

 

Fall Cocktails

Fall weddings are an enjoyable way to incorporate pumpkins, apples, mums and fall foliage into making your special day that much more unique.  Pumpkins may be scattered up the walkway to the church, fall colored floral bouquets make your wedding pictures stand out against a tree lined background and mums may be placed outside the doors to your reception greeting guests as they enter.  A small touch of including the crisp fall season into your wedding is having a fall drink or more available at the bar.

A drink that would be popular with the ladies is a Caramel Appletini served in a chilled martini glass.  The taste of Bailey’s Caramel Irish Cream, a tart green apple flavored vodka and a bit of caramel makes for a tasty variation.  Also for the ladies, margaritas aren’t just a summer enjoyment! An Apple Cider Margarita with a coating of cinnamon sugar on the glass rim and garnished with thin apple slices add the fall element you are looking for.  Don’t forget to include the cinnamon stick for stirring! 

The gentleman will enjoy the Caramel Appletini and Apple Cider Margarita, but probably would prefer a Cider Bourbon Cocktail instead.  What gentleman doesn’t enjoy Bourbon while hanging out with the guys?! Enjoying the evening with a glass of Whiskey is always a favorite for the gentleman too.  An Autumn Chai is a seasonally inspired drink that channels the flavors of fall with a Chai Whiskey that infuses a blend of spices.  

Napkin Table Decor

Recently, Eva and Christian had an exquisite October reception in the Carriage House of the Evergreen Museum in Baltimore.  Tables were adorned with bronze shaped pumpkins with fall colored flowers illuminated by the flicker of a single candle.  The appearance of the tables moved to the napkins, which guests commented on throughout the evening.  Eva and Christian personally tie dyed 200 cloth napkins and wrapped a tag around each napkin simply stating, “We Dyed the Knots”. 

Napkins can be displayed in an array of styles adding ‘that touch’ to the setting of the tables and even fitting with your wedding style.  Yes, napkins can add so much!  Take for example this picture of a folded floral patterned cloth napkin.  This style napkin would look elegant, but relaxed, for a garden style wedding on a spring afternoon. Spring wildflower centerpiece arrangements would POP with this style napkin surrounding the arrangement.     

If your wedding style is more formal (or even black and white!) than folded napkins such as the below may suit your preference. 

    

Menus inserted into a threefold napkin topped with a single flower welcome your guests to their table. Gerber Daisies, Orchids, Roses, and Carnations are a popular choice and add the touch of elegance you desire.   

Napkins are essential to the setting of your tables and can be displayed in an assortment of ways.  Deciding how you want yours to be presented will bring the table together by adding that ‘extra touch’ you desire for your special day.  

Favors!

Favors are the perfect way for a bride and groom to tell their guests, "Thanks for spending this day celebrating us!" Months or even years after a wedding, favors can spark memories in guests of the fun they had during a wedding and of the wedding's unique details. 

Favors are an awesome way to incorporate a wedding's theme and/or color pallet. 

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Above: This bride and groom drew upon their carnival theme by choosing for bags of popcorn to be their favor.  Food is always a great gift! The stickers on their bag include the bride's and groom's names and the wedding date. 

{Courtesy of weddingchicks.com} 

Above: This couple incorporated their nautical theme by having anchor kitchen towels be their favor. They included their names, as well as the date and location of their wedding. 

Favors are also an awesome way to utilize cute sayings and puns about love and marriage. Make a seemingly standard wedding favor stand out by adding an adorable phrase!

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Above: This couple made matches a cute and memorable favor by printing "the perfect match!" on each packet. 

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Above: This couple handed out herbs (i.e. thyme) as their favor. The signs stuck in the herbs contained the line "watch our love grow!"

Some of the best wedding favors, although perhaps not the longest lasting ones, are food and beverages. Many guests will appreciate having a yummy snack to munch on or a drink to sip on during their trip home from the wedding. 

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Above: This couple sent guests home with delicious chocolate bars wrapped in adorable paper. Bonus- this couple used their favors to display their rings for pictures! 

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Above: This bride and groom treated their guests to mini pies for a favor. 

Have a baker in your family? This favor could be prepared DIY style and save you some money!

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Above: Quench your guests' thirst with vintage style bottles of Jones soda or another beverage. Personalize these favors by adding the couple's names, the wedding date, the wedding location, etc. to their labels!

Want to provide the guests with a favor that will be useful at the wedding? Check out the ideas below!

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Above: Guests will thank you when the sun goes down and it gets a bit chilly! These pashminas are a great way to warm up both at the wedding and down the road.

{Courtesy of weddings.theknot.com}

Above: This bride and groom made sure their guests weren't miserable in the heat. Parasols are a useful favor for summer weddings!

Can't decide on a single item to be your favor? Kits could be the answer for you!

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Above: This couple provided their guests with s'more kit favors. The bags read "some things are just better together!"

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Above: Give your guests the means to make your favorite signature drink. Don't forget to include the recipe and instructions! 

Looking to kill two birds with one stone? If you already have a candy bar set up, then you can! Just give your guests containers to fill with their favorite treats!

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Above: This bride and groom provided their guests with jars that said "a sweet beginning." Paper bags, mini suitcases, and small Chinese boxes are just a few other options for guests to fill with candy. 

Want to let your creativity flow and perhaps save some money in the process? Check out these DIY favor ideas below!

{Courtesy of marthastewart.com}

Above: My personal favorite, make your own jars of cheesecake to tantalize you guests' tastebuds! 

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Above: This is a great option if you want to make your favors super personal. This couple created CDs of songs that were meaningful to them. 

Best of luck deciding on favors for your big day!