Unique Winter Wedding Ideas
While most people think the perfect time of year to have a wedding is in the spring or summer months, winter is also romantic and charming. The scenery is completely different in the winter and this aids in creating a unique backdrop that can be used as part of the decor. Snow, ice and winter berries become the focal points while traditional and seasonal backdrops bring forth a sense of warmth and inviting romance.
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Icy Pond
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The last thing a newly married couple feels they should be doing is treading on thin ice. If the temperatures have remained below freezing the past few months and the ice has been checked for safety, a pond is a great location to have a winter wedding. Most icy ponds are covered in snow. An area just large enough for an aisle and an altar is all that is needed to make this look come together. The snow should be cleared away to provide a smooth walkway. Luminarias made out of frozen milk jugs filled with a second plastic container are filled with water. Branches gathered from the woods, cranberries, winter berries or other colorful items are then placed in the water as it is freezing, creating a natural look. The inner plastic container is removed to reveal a hollow location for a tea light or candle. The frosted ice luminarias can be placed alongside the aisle. Silk flower arrangements can accentuate the altar area in large silver or frozen ice pots. Guests can stand or sit in a tent or gazebo placed near the pond. This type of wedding is recommended during the months of December through early February in zones 5 or colder. Caution should be taken at all times to ensure the ice remains solid throughout the ceremony.
Sleigh Ride
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What better way to celebrate a romantic winter wedding than with a sleigh ride. The sleigh ride can become the focal point of the entire wedding. This wedding idea works perfectly in more rural settings and where there are at least 2 or more inches of packed snow. Typically, most sleighs are horse drawn and pulled by only one horse. A white horse creates a dramatic and fairytale effect. The bride can arrive via sleigh before the ceremony and the couple can leave by sleigh after exchanging their vows. The sleigh can carry the newlyweds through small-town America greeting passers-by and locals. The sleigh can easily be decorated reminiscent of an old-fashioned winter wedding. Large silk ribbons can be tied around an evergreen wreath in the back. Red roses and white calla lilies can create a delicate garland around the trim of the sleigh. The horse can also be accented with a delicate corsage or floral necklace, as well.
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Christmas Eve Church Service
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Many people choose to have their weddings on Christmas Eve. There is something magical and heartfelt about this type of ceremony. A small country church that is already decorated for the holidays with candelabras and ornate holiday displays creates the perfect backdrop. Guests will arrive to a candle-lit church filled with the aroma of fresh evergreen garlands and wreaths, including the bride's fresh flower of choosing. This is truly a romantic and aromatic way to enjoy a winter wedding.
Rustic Lodge
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The rustic lodge wedding brings a sense of the outdoors in. For this type of wedding, the main focal point other than the bride is the view. Most lodges have a great room and a window that overlook a mountain resort---this is a great backdrop for the bride and groom. Having the ceremony take place in front of the window, surrounded by flowers of their choice brings the look together. A lit fireplace, rustic log seating for guests, and evergreen and winter berries create a rustic feel for this wedding. Locations such as The Garnet Hill Lodge in the New York Adirondacks or the Emerald Lake Lodge in Calgary, Alberta, are both romantic and rustic.
Frosty Wedding
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For those who still like to keep up with the winter wedding theme but want to have their wedding indoors---bringing the outdoors in may be the answer. Whether it be a quaint little church or a cozy hall overlooking the bustling city below---adding a touch of frost to the wedding and the reception will carry the winter theme indoors. Ice sculptures, ice luminarias and ice carvings can accent guests' tables. Bouquets of blue hydrangeas, white roses and calla lilies can accent visible areas as well. Twinkly lights can cover frosted trees brought indoors for the event. Rhinestones in clear glass will add a glimmer of frost to empty tables and nooks.
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