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BANQUETS, RECEPTIONS, SHOWERS & PARTIES
8 | FALL & WINTER 2018
CHICAGO WEDDING & PARTY RESOURCE
CHICAGOWEDDINGRESOURCE.COM7 Ways to Update the Winter Wedding
Getting married between December and February? Here’s how to create a modern frosted fairytale
By Carley Lintz, CTW Features
Fall may be the busiest wedding
season, but winter is still a wonderful
(and increasingly popular) time to say
‘I do.’
There are plenty of perks to planning
your wedding between December
and February, according to Beth
Chappelow, wedding planner.
“Availability is probably your biggest
advantage in the winter. While some
vendors may choose to offer small
discounts, the biggest win for a winter
bride is finding more of her first choice
vendors open on her wedding date,”
she says. “While winter weddings are
getting more and more popular, it’s still
not the peak of wedding season. So
you are more likely to find your favorite
venue still available, although holiday
dates do go fast.”
Of course, there are also downsides.
Cold-weather months can feel limiting,
and many couples fear creating a
wedding that screams ho-ho-holiday.
“Don’t feel like you have to go with
traditional winter elements, unless
you absolutely love them. Whenever
we start the design process with a
winter bride, they usually feel like they
need to incorporate ‘wintery things’ like
pine cones, branches and wintergreens,”
Chappelow says. “Those elements can be
absolutely beautiful in wedding decor but
they are not a requirement.”
Here are a few ideas from industry experts
for planning a fresh winter wedding –
minus the seasonal clichés.
1. VELVET
“Velvet is one of our favorite winter
wedding trends. We are finding it in
everything from table linens to the groom’s
bowtie,” Chappelow says.
Other places to incorporate velvet include
rocking a pair of velvet heels down the
aisle, letting the groom stand out in a
velvet jacket or simply tying your bouquet
with a velvet ribbon.
2. FAUX FUR
Keep Jack Frost at bay on your big day by
wrapping yourself and your bridesmaids
in faux fur coats or shawls. These fuzzy
accessories are both fashionable and
practical, especially if you’re planning an
outdoor ceremony or pictures.
3. JEWEL TONES
Avoid an overly red and green color palette
(unless that’s your jam) by steering towards
rich jewel tones advises Chappelow.
“Winter whites will always be a classic
look, but don’t be afraid to play with
color – just keep your tones a little deeper
in the winter months,” she says. “Our
favorite combo right now is an emerald
green velvet table linen topped with matte
copper flatware, ivory china and lots of
berry colored blooms.”
4. METALLIC COLORS
Shiny metallic accents add modern
style to décor and can also be
easily worked into jewelry and other
accessories. Copper is especially
popular according to Chappelow.
“We are also seeing lots of copper in
our winter weddings right now. Gold
will always be a favorite, and we love to
mix metals, but copper seems to pair
nicely with several winter palettes.”
5. GLITTER
Evoke the enchanting sparkle of snow
with shimmery details, such as sequin
trimmed table runners, glitter dusted
vases or glitter-dipped feathers.
6. COMFORTING CUISINE
Take the winter vibes to your guests’
taste buds with a warm and comforting
menu. Instead of a cold salad course,
for instance, serve up a hearty
butternut squash or tomato bisque
soup. And rather than offering iced
drinks, create a hot cocoa bar with
different flavors and topping.
7. WINTERY CAKES
Don’t forget to bring a touch of winter to
the crown jewel of your menu: the cake.
Sugared berries on a naked cake create
a frosted, rustic look while some creative
piping can make an all-white cake look like
a cozy knitted sweater.
© CTW Features
Sugared berries on a naked
cake create a frosted,
rustic look while some
creative piping can make
an all-white cake look
like a cozy knitted sweater!