‘Tis the season…the season to be married. While many brides opt for spring or summer weddings, winter is an oft underrated season for tying the knot with your special snowflake. You’ll have more chances for originality, less expensive wedding venue pricing, and (weather permitting) a magical white wonderland to use as an Instagram-worthy backdrop.

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry-d

Winter is known as the season to bundle up, hunker down, and indulge in your favorite comfort foods. The best part of celebrating your nuptials during the colder seasons is that the food possibilities are endless. For appetizers, a grilled cheese square and mini tomato soup would be adorable, not to mention appeal to guests of ALL ages. Think comfort foods—mini chicken pot pies, bite sized macaroni and cheese, chicken and waffles…it’s hard to go wrong. Of course, you can’t throw a party without festive beverages. A hot cocoa bar would be an instant success. Adorn yours with a variety of toppings such as homemade or flavored marshmallows, whip cream, cinnamon sticks, candy canes, gingerbread men, and raspberries. If you’re looking to spice things up, setting out a cream liquor to make adult hot chocolates for your guests looking to imbibe. While you’re at it, a spiced eggnog would be a festive touch. Speaking of bars, a DIY s’mores bar would be a great dessert option while packaged s’mores ingredients could double as wedding favors.

Deck the Halls

Wintertime is the perfect setting for a romantic wedding. Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you can’t warm things up with soft lighting using a multitude of candles, hanging lanterns, twinkle lights, and fireplaces. Your wedding party will look picture perfect with the soft warm light. In addition to candles and twinkle lights for the tables, evergreens would make beautiful and cost efficient center pieces. Instead of using traditional place card holders, try placing name cards on mini pinecones or tiny wreaths made of rosemary. For an extra festive ceremony backdrop, try lining up potted Christmas trees or miniature pines. Bonus points for twinkle lights. If you’re looking for simple table décor options, try placing candles in votives surrounded by sprigs of pine or herbs, cranberries, or pinecones.

Meeting Under the Mistletoe

While the décor and catering is certainly important, when the ceremony actually begins all eyes will be on the bride as you begin your stroll down the aisle. Colder temperatures are the perfect excuse to wear the increasingly popular long sleeved gowns, with sleeves made of delicate lace for an extra dreamy feel. With the dress being the focal point, styling your hair in a romantic up-do will complement the long sleeves perfectly. Many times up-dos can look flat on the top but this can be easily combatted by using crown extensions to add volume. Weaving in a few greens or simple Baby’s Breath in your hair can be used in lieu of accessories. For the bouquet, Lilies, Gardenia, Anemones, Freesia, and Roses are all classic options.