Keep up your winter theme with a reception room housing a big fireplace. Play winter music, such as “Winter Wonderland” or “The Gift.” Serve hot chocolate or eggnog as guests walk into the reception area, and give them roasted chestnuts in paper bags. Pick foods to serve which have warm winter memories for you. This will add a special touch to the food line.

For a fun entrance into the reception room, have a bouquet of mistletoe hanging over the entryway. On tables, place wreaths with candles in the middle of them or decorate with holly and candles. Find candle holders and wine glasses the same as your main wedding color and use them on the tables. Place red cranberries in bowls of water with floating tea candles or be more playful and place gingerbread houses around the room. A seasonal ice sculpture is stunning on the main table.

Decorate the layers and top of your cake with your wedding flowers. White, frosted pinecones are a wintery addition, as well. As an alternative to a cake, serve cupcakes on a tiered cake stand. On the top tier, have a small cake so you can cut it as a couple. Top with a sugar sculpture.

For guest favors, hand out cookie cutters with a recipe attached with your names, wedding date, and “truly cut out for each other.” Or place a sticker with your names and wedding date on the bottoms of gold- or silver-wrapped Hershey kisses. Wrap white bon bons in cellophane and tie with wedding color ribbons. 

Ready to leave your magical event? Ride away in a horse-drawn sleigh. Or a white stretch limousine never goes out of style. Have your guests throw white rose petals or, for an evening wedding, wave sparklers.

Related posts:

1. Winter Weddings: Part I
2. Wonderful Winter Theme Weddings
3. Easy Wedding Reception Planning

Choosing the right colors makes the whole wedding come together. Traditional colors are reds and greens combined with ivory and gold. Mix and match them together for your favorite effect, such as red/white with highlights of green or gold. For a more modern and winter wonderland look, use silver and white, or silver and royal or light blue. Silver and white are striking combinations, as well.
               
Winter weddings dresses are exceptions to the popular strapless dresses. Opt for warmer, luxurious dresses. Look for a high-low hem (slightly shorter in front and long in the back). Add faux fur added to the hem, sleeves, and neckline. Or add a fur wrap for an elegant (and warm!) look. Long sleeves are best, while bell sleeves are a romantic alternative. Do not be afraid to add a splash of color to your dress, such as a ribbon around your waist or wearing a richly colored cape. If you want to make a statement, wear a red, velvet dress. For a snowy effect, add beads and sequins onto your dress.

The perfect accessory for your dress is long, silk gloves or even short, fur-trimmed gloves. Not only do they look elegant, they help to keep you warm! Or carry a fur muff instead of a bouquet. If you want a bouquet, carry a crystal one, especially for a snow wedding.

Your bridesmaids’ dresses should be long. Add a shrug or jacket to strapless styles. Their dress colors depend on your theme colors. Greens and reds are striking with gold accent ribbons. Light or navy blues are complimented with silver. Instead of flowers, have them carry candles, or if you are carrying a muff, they could carry one, too.

Style hair with flowers from your bouquet. Use holly, ivy, or baby’s breath and tiny berries to add a festivity or delicacy. A sparkly tiara works with silver colors. Do you have long hair? For a soft look, leave your hair down in loose curls.

The groom can wear a cummerbund matching the bridesmaids’ dresses. Or, if you are wearing a colored wrap, match the cummerbund with your wrap. If the groom and groomsmen wear vests, match them to the bridesmaids’ dress colors. A white tuxedo looks striking for winter occasions, especially with the blue/silver colors.

Red roses, while beautiful, are not the only perfect wedding flowers to choose. More inexpensively, use holly and berries. These work well together with red and green colors. Ivy is a graceful addition. Add pinecones to bouquets, along with red and ivory poinsettias. Baby’s breath adds a spray of snowy white.

Color and clothes choices made? Start coordinating them with the church and reception plans!
 

Related posts:

1. Wonderful Winter Theme Weddings
2. Winter Wedding: Part II
3. What Do Kids Wear to Weddings – Unique Ideas for Kids in the Wedding Party