This is my first blog, I’ve never written one before. But I’m thrilled to join the Rachel Elizabeth Bridal team and write for them. I was one of the original Brides and I’ve loved the company from its inception. Weddings are so beautiful and magical, it’s a great joy to be part of a team that helps inspire new brides to make their big day as magical as my own was.
For today’s wedding theme we’re looking back at the holiday that I’ve just celebrated – Christmas. It’s one of my two favorite holidays (my absolute favorite being Halloween) and I found myself inspired by the magic of the holiday and wanting to bring some of that magic into a wedding theme. I was most inspired by an iconic Christmas song – Blue Christmas. It may be melancholy, but it brings to mind a beautiful image, full of glitz, timeless beauty, and magic. While the Christmas song was my initial inspiration, it’s perfect for any Bride looking for a winter theme as it’s not overtly Christmas themed. The song inspired me to remember the dark, cold beauty of a winter night.
Bridal Wear
When I close my eyes and think of a Winter Bride, I see ice and snow and I want to see that expressed in the bridal wear. Looking through our gowns I found two that inspired me.
First is the Isabelle, from the 2018 Only One Collection. Those crystals and pearls are reminiscent of ice crystals forming. They add the sparkle that I feel is so often seen as light glints off ice and snow. I also love the ballgown shape, it looks good on so many Brides and reminds me of a fairytale.
The other gown that caught my eye is the Mariah, from the 2017 A Time Gone By Collection. The illusion mesh with the lace on top reminds me of ice forming on windows and over water. The elegance of the fit and flare cut is so beautiful and sophisticated.
Groomswear
For the Groom and Groomsmen there are two options, in my opinion. You can go with the classic black suit and add in the tie, pocket square, and cufflinks to match your colors – cobalt or navy in this case. Or you could go a little bolder and dress your husband with a navy or cobalt suit with white and black accents. Add a little of that glitz with cufflinks, tie clips, or even some rhinestones on the ribbon wrapping the boutonniere. As for that boutonniere, if you go with a classic black suit, I recommend Royal Blue Picasso Calla Lilies. They’re stunning.
Bridesmaids
For the Bridesmaids I love the dress above. The cut will flatter any size and shape bridesmaid and it comes in four color options that are perfect for this theme. The navy and sapphire colors are lovely if the Groomsmen are wearing the black suit option. And if they’re in the bolder suit color (navy or cobalt), the bridesmaids can wear a slightly more sedate smoke blue or black. The lace ties in with the lace of the Bridal gowns and while they don’t have any sparkle, this leaves you to pick shoes and accessories to give that glittering, icy look.
Bridal Beauty
For makeup think a shimmery, slightly smokey neutral eye look and pair it with a fresh, slightly rosy cheeked face – as if you’ve just come in from the cold. For the lips I recommend sticking to a “your lips but better” color. It’s different for everyone but pick a shade a hair darker than your natural lip color. It gives a classy and timeless look (and will wear great when you sneak a snack or drink before pictures).
Not to overlook the hair, I recommend a classic messy updo for those with medium to long hair. For those with shorter hair, think slightly messy and wind swept. That’s the feel I’m going for, a look that – while classy – isn’t quite perfectly coiffed. The above tiara has enough sparkle and reminds me of ice crystals. It will tie in with both dresses and look fabulous on any bride, no matter her hair length.
Wedding Colors
These colors seem obvious, and perhaps they are, but the contrast of the rich blue against the white and silver is classy and timeless. The navy or cobalt reflect the dark of the cold winter night, while the silver brightens up the affair as ice and snow do even in the dark. If the wedding is set for the daylight hours swap the dark blue with a lighter shade to reflect the cool winter sky.
Wedding Flowers
Because so few flowers bloom in the cold of winter, particularly in snowy regions, we have to be less literal and more creative with the floral arrangements and bouquets. Calla lilies are a flower often seen in wedding décor but the Picasso blue variant is both unique and ties into the wedding colors. The other flowers don’t have to be roses, but that is a classic choice. To be a little more unique consider swapping the classic green foliage for cuttings from the pine family; and to bring in that icy glitter, crystals are always an option both in the arrangement and in the presentation (be it the vase or the ribbon used to tie the bouquet).
Decor
With this theme, the sky is the limit on how far a bride wants to take her decorations. Venues with huge branches and trees dripping with crystals are an option. However, the quintessential winter night would best be achieved with strings of small scattered lights overhead – reminiscent of stars – with the vast majority of the floral arrangements including pine cuttings and not flowers. Keep the table cloths to a lighter color and use crystal and silver for table settings with cobalt and navy accents.
Cake
As an intense lover of sweets, like my sister, the cake is extremely important to me. To maintain the classy feel of the wedding it might be best to keep it to clean lines with strategically placed winter themed decorations to add the sparkle.
Food
Finally, we reach the reception menu. There is no right or wrong menu for this theme, but because of the time of year I recommend something warm. Perhaps a hot soup as an appetizer option. Just because you have cake doesn’t mean you can’t have other sweets. Small and delicious, macaroons are a fun option that can be ordered to fit any color scheme. They even have edible glitters and silver leaf to add some sparkle – in case you wanted more.
But don’t forget the drinks. The hot chocolate and cider bar is a fun way to be sure everyone stays warm, as is a winter themed cocktail. Peppermint and chocolate are classic winter companions and will wow your guests paired in a martini. Or you could go with a classic Hot Toddy.
