Wonderful Winter Wedding Ideas

Winter weddings, although not as popular as summer ones, are just as fabulous. In fact, some would argue that they are very more romantic and luxurious, especially if you have the snow we are currently having in Scotland!

Here are some ideas to consider if you decide to hold your nuptials in the winter months....

Colours

Reds and greens are the traditional colours used at winter weddings, in keeping with the season. However, if overdone, they can make your wedding feel Christmassy rather than a wedding celebration. How about silvers and whites, creating a classy and glamourous feel. Crystals from the candelabras, white ribbons and hurricane candles up the altar.

Flowers

Red roses, calla lilies, and amaryllis are decidedly winter wedding flowers, but if you step outside the flower box, and you'll find a variety of options for winter blooms. Consider fuller flowers, such as white hydrangeas and soft ranunculuses. White boutonnieres can be handsome when they're accented with greenery, but they also look great with a simple white ribbon. Add sparkle to your bouquet by wrapping the stems in ribbon embellished with crystals.

Invitations

Winter weddings often call for a more formal invitations. Colours aforementioned such as whites and silvers are good. Consider also navy blue or chocolate-brown. Or how about Plexiglas invites to reflect the ice & frost of winter?

Centerpieces

Glowing candles to add both warmth and romance to your reception site, and using mirrors under them will reflect the light beautifully. To go for something slightly out of the norm, how about ice sculptures? Grand, a talking point, and not often as expensive as you would think.

Drinks

A winter wedding calls for warm, comforting drinks. As an alternative to a champagne reception, how about hot chocolate with a nip of alcohol? Baileys with warm milk is a yummy alternative to this. Or how about winter themed cocktails, such as Snowballs? (Advocaat, lemonade & lime).

The Cake

Again, a cake trimmed in red or green ribbon looks pretty, but bakers who are willing to push the fondant envelope can reflect the winter in totally creative ways. How about a white, vintage-style cake, dusted with edible silver powder. For accents, have your baker add a white sugar ribbon and crystal drops cascading down one side of the cake.

Favours

Food wedding favours are always a hit. Give out small packages of chocolate-covered cranberries or roasted chestnuts. Or, for a twist on the chocolate fountain station, have your caterer set up a hot chocolate station. A wedding we did last year had a 'Favour Tree'. A huge Christmas tree was decorated in decorations, which guests could choose from to take home as a memento. I have the one I was given by the Bride & Groom on my tree this year, and it is a lovely reminder of their fabulous day.

Honeymoons

While many couples flee the wintery weather for warmer climes, snowy escape can be even more romantic. Consider renting a cosy log cabin in the snowy mountains of France. Snuggling in front of a log-fire with your loved one.....blissful.

Premier Wedding Planners offer free wedding consultations to enable you to meet us for the first time and to discuss your thoughts on the type of wedding you dream of having.

Lucy

Wedding Planning - Who Does What?

There are no hard and fast rules to weddings, but many people consider it an honour to have particular duties before and during your special day. Here are some guidelines of the traditional roles played by members of the bridal party:



The Bride
• Chooses wedding date, type of ceremony, the theme of the wedding and her outfit
• Chooses her attendants and their outfits
• Co-ordinates & advises other members of the bridal party on dress codes & colours
• Throws her bouquet amongst the unmarried female guests
• Writes thank-you notes to helpers and for wedding gifts
• Buys a wedding present for the groom and bridesmaids

The Groom
• Works out the budget
• Buys the wedding rings
• Arranges the outfits of the male members of the bridal party
• Arranges the honeymoon and the wedding night accommodation
• Buys a gift for the best man
• Makes a speech at the reception, on behalf of himself and his new wife

The Best Man
• Helps groom choose his outfits and those of the male attendants
• Arranges the "stag do"
• Along with ushers he is at venue to discuss seating and parking arrangements
• Attends the wedding rehearsal
• Collects hire wear for himself and the groom
• Collects cards or messages from those who cannot attend wedding
• Makes sure that ushers have order of service sheets and buttonholes
• Helps the groom dress and makes sure he gets to the church on time
• Produces the rings when required and gives them to the groom or the officiate
• Escorts the chief bridesmaid to the signing of the register (usually a witness)
• Checks arrangements with the ushers that all guests have transport to the reception
• In the absence of a toastmaster or master of ceremonies, announces events
• Makes a speech and reads out messages
• Helps transport the wedding gifts from the reception to a safe place
• After the wedding, returns groom's hire wear if necessary

Chief Bridesmaid
• Helps the bride choose her outfit and her attendants' outfits
• Helps the bride keep her weddings lists up-to-date
• Organises the "hen do"
• Attends the rehearsal
• Helps arrange and supervise a timetable for the bride on the day
• Helps the bride and her attendants get ready on the day
• At the ceremony venue checks bride's attire and lines up the attendants
• Holds the bride's bouquet during the ceremony
• Escorted by the best man, attends the signing of the register (usually a witness)
• Walks with the best man out of the ceremony
• Places her bouquet, along with the bride's, by the wedding cake
• Helps the bride prepare for "going away", takes charge of the wedding attire
• Along with the best man, transport wedding gifts from the reception to a safe place

Flower Girl (usually a younger bridesmaid)
• Carries a basket of flowers or flower petals
• Joins in the procession with the other attendants Ushers
• Before the wedding day, meet with the best man to work out duties
• Plan parking arrangements
• Collect order of service sheets from the bride or best man
• Provide umbrellas in case of rain
• Arrive first at the ceremony venue
• Organise parking
• Ensure that the approach is clear for the bride's arrival
• Greet guests and distribute buttonholes, order of service sheets and hymnbooks
• Make sure all guests switch off mobile phones
• Escort the bride's mother and elderly guests to their seats
• Help photographer organise people for group shots
• Help best man organise transport for the guests to the reception
• Helps check a few of the tables at the reception to ensure guests are happy
• Make sure all guests are seated for the speeches
• Stsrt applause during bride & groom's first dance, then get everyone up and dancing
• Line up guests when bride and groom leave

Bride's Mother
• Arranges press announcements
• Compiles the guest list in consultation with the groom's family
• Sends out invitations and keeps a note of replies
• Looks after gift list and makes arrangements to display the presents
• Makes a list of the guests for the ushers
• Attends the signing of the register
• Leaves the church on the arm of the groom's father
• Sends cake to those unable to attend the wedding

Bride's Father
• Attends the wedding rehearsal
• Travels with his daughter to the ceremony
• Escorts the bride down the aisle
• Gives the bride away
• Attends the signing of the register

We are in the process of building our resource guide to wedding planning - ideal if you are looking for inspiration and help around your big day whether you plan your own wedding or would like us to become involved.