Winter 2010 Wedding Trends

Why get married in the winter? Everything is so beautifully decorated, friends and family are in the celebratory mood, and you can even save a lot of money on your "special day." So, why not celebrate the "biggest moment" of your life during the "holiday season?" If you are one of those "lucky" couples, here are the latest winter wedding trends to create that "winter wonderland!"

Why do you save money having your wedding in the winter? First, you can negotiate your price down with most of your vendors. It is their off season and they would love to fill their calendars' with your business. Also, you can save money on décor. Most venues decorate their facilities beautifully for the holiday season. Wouldn't your wedding pictures look beautiful with small twinkling white lights in the background?

Even through the "hustle and the bustle," your guests are eager to celebrate during this season and would love to partake in a family celebration! So, why not make the "biggest" family celebration your wedding?!

Michelle Mospens, at www.mypersonalartist.com, explains that the popular 2010 winter colors are: red, silver, white, cream, burgundy, sky blue, navy blue, purple, plum, and gold. Don't want red and green as your wedding colors? How about picking silver, white, and adding crystal accents. This color scheme would add a sophisticated atmosphere to your affair!

Anja Winikka, at www.knot.com, expresses that, since that winter weddings are usually held indoors in ballrooms, that wedding invitations should be formal. Invitations should consist of heavy cardstock, in a jewel tone hand calligraphy font, and should be put in a colored lined envelope. Want an excellent formal invitation? Go to www.weddingpaperdivas.com to look at their formal line.

White and red roses, calla lilies, orchids, tulips, anemones, and amaryllis are still popular flowers for a winter wedding. However, instead of the typical white flower this season, couples are choosing "antique" white or soft beiges and creams for added interest to their flower arrangements. Also, the "monochromatic" flower arrangements are still in a popular demand! Brides are picking one color blooms and having them bunch tightly giving a classic, romantic, and uniform look throughout the room. Want to add extra interest and texture to your centerpieces? Have your florists add winter berries and feathers to your arrangements!

Need wedding favor ideas? How about homemade gingerbread or sugar cookies, soy candles, mini ice wine bottles, mini pecan pies, or hot chocolate? Speaking of chocolate - - boxes of chocolates are always popular! Especially, chocolate covered cranberries!

An advantage of having a winter wedding is that you will have a nice selection of "comfort foods" and "holiday inspired cocktails" to choose from! Themed "childhood favorites foods" made into hors d'oeuvres are still the "rave." Pick from spoonfuls of macaroni and cheese topped with bread crumbs, shot glasses of popular heavy winter soups, or mini sliders. These appetizers will defiantly be "crowd pleasers! " Cocktails anyone? How about serving eggnog, peppermint, butterscotch, or cranberry martinis? Or, how about serving old fashion wassail? Want to add holiday flair to your cocktails? Add crushed peppermint candy to the rim of your martini glasses! If you want martini recipes or ingredients, go to www.martiniart.com. Would you like soup or salad? How about both! Venues are now serving plates with a sample of both! Couples are picking pumpkin soup, butternut squash, or potato leek for their soup choice. And caterers' are adding pears, cranberries, and walnuts to the salads to fit the "winter" theme. And for the main course - - Filet Mignon is still the "top pick!" However, brides are now for going the one choice meal and picking gourmet six to seven course small meals to drum up conversation among their guests. And for dessert - - the self serve candy station is still a hit! However, brides are adding a "twist" to the candy station. To add interest, they are adding a themed flavor and choosing one color to match their wedding color scheme. For example, an all white candy display with an assortment of holiday flavors. Want a sample of chocolate petit fours as an addition to your wedding cake? A long with the gourmet coffee station, couples are now choosing to serve plates of three or more petite gourmet desserts to please their guests' late night cravings!

Last but not least - - your winter wedding cake! This season, couples are picking season inspired flavored cakes, instead of the usual white cake with butter cream frosting. Some flavors include: caramel spice, orange chocolate, and dark chocolate cake with butter cream, dark chocolate and cranberry butter cream frosting. Popular winter colors are: icy blue, white, creams, deep reds, and "rustic" greens. Along with real flowers, bakers are creating edible sugar, chocolate, and gum paste flowers, snowflakes, pinecones, and other winter elements to express the "winter" theme.

If you want your "monumental" celebration to include holiday spirit, decor, company, comfort food, flavor, soft winter white, jeweled colors, and winter motifs - - then pick a calendar day during the winter season! If anything, at least you will have saved money! Happy Marriage!

Sources:

Michelle Mospens, www.mypersonalartist.com

Anja Winikka, "Winter Weddings: 10 New Winter Wedding Ideas,"www.knot.com

Anja Winikka, "Winter Weddings: Winter Cocktail Hour Ideas," www.knot.com

The Knot, "Winter Weddings: Flower Arrangements for Winter Weddings," www.knot.com

Kathleen Murray, "Winter Weddings: Top Winter Menu Trends," www.knot.com

The Knot, "Winter Weddings: Top 9 Winter Wedding Favors," www.knot.com

Anja Winikka, "Winter Weddings: Winter Wedding Cakes," www.knot.com