27

Dec

2018

Ask The Experts: Why Winter Weddings are Wonderful

Hello everyone and welcome back to the blog, after a couple of days off we are back! Did you have an amazing Christmas I do hope so! I had a lovely time, ate and drank too much but most of all thoroughly enjoyed watching Dexter open all of his presents. Such a magical time when you have small children!

Today we are talking about winter weddings and how to style them.  Christmas and winter weddings can be amazing, but so often people choose a summer wedding as they are drawn to the summer sunshine. Today, expert wedding planner and stylist Jenna Hewitt is here to give us all some fabulous ideas for styling your winter wedding and some fabulous reasons to choose the winter months over the summer.

I’ll pass you over to Jenna…… 

For me a winter wedding holds some kind of fairytale allure. I’m talking twinkling lights, snowflakes and sparkles, coupled with the cosy appeal of log fires. There’s something that’s so definitely romantic about being tucked up inside whilst it’s cold and frosty outside. If you’re newly engaged and wedding date plotting, here’s why I think winter weddings are wonderful…

Christmas Styling - Why Christmas and Winter Weddings are Wonderful

(www.benjhaisch.com via Green Wedding Shoes)

BRIDAL STYLE

The winter season evokes a totally different look and feel.  From the colour palette and tones, through to the materials and fabric choices, the style side becomes so exciting!  The colder weather means time to wrap up and gives scope to a whole different take on bridal style.  It’s an opportunity to embrace the full-length sleeve, a cape or heavier, more structured fabrics.

For a contemporary look, why not opt for a dress with a pocket (an added benefit of somewhere to bury cold hands)? If two-piece is your thing pair a tulle skirt with cashmere knit as a cosy alternative to the delicate or strappy top.

Christmas Styling - Why Christmas and Winter Weddings are Wonderful

(www.charlottesimpson.co.uk via One Fab day and www.agnesblack.com via Rock My Wedding)

VELVET

You’ll want to accessorise your wedding look and a winter wedding is a perfect excuse to make a statement.  Velvet is a fabulous choice and tipped to be big news next season. Complement your wedding dress with a gorgeous pair of velvet shoes or, for the more boho bride, why not a crushed velvet bridal turban?  The bridal biker jacket has been big news this season and a velvet coat is an awesome yet sophisticated take on this.

The beauty of the winter season is that it works so well with darker, moodier, richer tones, fabrics and colours.  Such a contrast to the brighter, lighter palettes of the spring and summer this is your chance to be different and really stamp a unique wedding style. Run the theme through your wedding.  Choose velvet table runners, napkins and add velvet detail to your stationery and bouquet with hand-tied ribbon detail.

Christmas Styling - Why Christmas and Winter Weddings are Wonderful

(velvet boots www.lisablume.co via Ruffled / tablescape www.purpletree.ca via Ruffled /  www.sarahhannam.com via B-Loved)

DARK AND MOODY

If I was designing a winter wedding dark and moody would be my go to style of choice; a colour scheme of black and rich burgundy lifted with greys, nudes and soft candlelight.

Christmas Styling - Why Christmas and Winter Weddings are Wonderful

(www.laurenkinsey.com via Style Me Pretty / www.highfiveforlove.com via 100Layercake)

GREENERY AND METALLICS

If understated style is more your thing why not a festive take on the popular greenery trend of the last season?  By combining festive green botanicals with clever use of twinkling lights and a small dusting of sparkle you can create something with chic simple style.  And let’s not forget about metallic.  All the rage last summer, metallics work really well for wintery vibes.

Christmas Styling - Why Christmas and Winter Weddings are Wonderful

www.aceandwhim.com  /  www.etherandsmith.com via 100 Layercake / www.marcossanchez.net)

CHRISTMAS WEDDING DECORATION

Christmas is the season to go big or go home when to comes to decoration and adornment.   If you are marrying at this time of year there’s every excuse to deck the halls and why not?  Make a statement with a ceremony backdrop or take some inspiration from the Christmas tree bauble and go crazy with hanging installations.

Christmas Styling - Why Christmas and Winter Weddings are Wonderful

( www.megsexton.com via Wedding Sparrow / www.shariandmike.ca / www.wephotographie.com featured on Ruffled)

LIGHTING

Metallic stars over a dance floor would be a gorgeous focal point.  There’s every opportunity to draw inspiration from the season and turn it into something wow.

Winter evenings get dark quickly and you’ll want to make sure you plan your timings to allow your photographer to make the most of the natural light.  But as the darkness sets, it’s time to go crazy with lighting options to create atmosphere.

Christmas Styling - Why Christmas and Winter Weddings are Wonderful

( wreath www.johnbarwoodphotography.co.uk as featured on RMW / www.hometownevolutioninc.com / www.susannahblatchford.com as featured on Rock My Wedding)

Absolutely nothing beats natural candlelight and loads of it looks incredible but the beauty of the dark evenings is that lighting, at this time of year, is oh so impactful.  I’m not just talking about your standard pin spot or colour wash lighting; I’m talking about making a major style statement.  Curtain lights can make a magical ceiling feature or hanging backdrop while globe or festoon lighting add a retro or urban feel.  If modern, edgy is your vibe how about an Edison bulb chandelier.

Christmas Styling - Why Christmas and Winter Weddings are Wonderful

( Lights from www.dianalupu.com / www.ambergress.com via 100layercake)

KEEP COSY

The biggest bonus in winter is that you aren’t beholden to the weather in the same way as in summer.  A winter wedding doesn’t need to bother so much about the elements given most of the day will be planned indoors.  But there is still the chance to make the most of the darker evenings and cooler temperatures by creating an outdoors spectacle.  Fireworks (venue permitting) are an amazing choice.  Why not create a cosy outdoor lounge space complete with firepits, smores and blankets where guests can wrap up and watch a beautiful display?

Christmas Styling - Why Christmas and Winter Weddings are Wonderful

(www.hannahduffy.com via Rock My Wedding / www.lisawoodsphotography.com via Ruffled)

WINTER COCKTAILS

Tis’ the season for festive cheer and time for a little alcoholic indulgence! What better than with a winter cocktail that side steps the light/refreshing summer stereotype and embraces spiced, herb and fruit infused flavours?  Spiced pear gin fizz, plum thyme and Prosecco smash, champagne with rosemary and orange bitters or even spicy gingerbread vodka to name but a few… It’s the best excuse for a designated winter cocktail bar to get the party started!

Christmas Styling - Why Christmas and Winter Weddings are Wonderful

www.purpletree.ca via Ruffled / drinks station www.infraordinario.it via Ruffled )

On the topic of party energy, the spring and summer months can be a busy affair for many.  When weddings stack up thick and fast you cannot help but compare.  But, hold a wedding in a winter month and you have the chance to create something even more unique that people will really look forward to.  If I could do it all again I would dare to be different!

 

 

For more information on Jenna Hewitt’s work go to

www.jennahewitt.co.uk / FACEBOOK / PINTERST / INSTAGRAM

Weddings by Jenna Hewitt is a wedding planning and design service for style led couples who love a sense of understated laid back luxury where the focus is on the ambience, the food, the drink and having an unforgettable party!  A firm believer in doing things your way rather than the ‘done’ way and not afraid to break with tradition,  I avoid the predictable, obvious and generic to design a day that is truly different and completely represents you.  

 

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