Crafting A Winter Wedding Tree: Creative Guide

Planning a winter wedding? It's an unorthodox choice, but a beautiful one. Embrace the season with a winter-themed wedding, bringing the magic of snow-covered landscapes, roaring fires, and cosy yet chic fashion to your big day. From the invitations to the cake, here are some ideas to inspire your winter wedding.

String lights and candles

The Tree Itself

You can wrap string lights vertically around the tree trunk to create a stunning visual effect. Fairy lights are a great option for this, as they are small LED bulbs on flexible rope-style cords that can be easily wrapped and are often battery-powered. For a more rustic look, consider wrapping the tree with burlap-wrapped string lights. If you want to add a touch of sparkle, hang string lights or LED rope lights from the branches to create a fairy-dust effect.

Surroundings

To create a cosy and romantic atmosphere, place candles on tables and the floor surrounding the tree. Use a mix of tea lights, pillar candles, and tapered candles of varying heights to add interest and create a soft glow. For a magical touch, float candles in glass containers or hurricane lanterns on the pool of water, if there is one nearby. This will create a starry sky effect that will enchant your guests.

Centrepiece

Create a stunning centrepiece for the tree by placing it in the middle of a rustic long table surrounded by your loved ones. Decorate the table with simple frosted greenery and tapered candles to create a cosy and elegant tablescape. Add mirror trays and mercury glass votive holders to play with the reflection of the candles and enhance the glow.

Aisle

If your ceremony includes an aisle, line it with candles to create a romantic and enchanting walkway. Use glass containers or hurricane lanterns to prevent any fire hazards and ensure a safe and beautiful experience for you and your guests.

Backdrop

Create a stunning ceremony backdrop by combining candles with flowers and drapes. Use pillar candles of varying heights, arranged on a bench or table behind the altar, to add a romantic glow to the proceedings. For a more simplistic look, opt for a minimalist arrangement of winter greenery with subtle candlelight.

Chandelier

For a unique and rustic touch, create a faux candle chandelier to hang above the reception area or dance floor. Wire together an abundance of greenery and candles into a wreath-style centrepiece or a hanging floral installation. For a more elegant and vintage look, skip the flowers and opt for wrought iron or crystal chandeliers combined with candles. Ensure that all candles are securely hung and contained to prevent any accidents.

Nature-inspired elements

Flowers and Greenery

Flowers and greenery are an obvious way to bring nature into your wedding. Choose flowers that are available in seasonal colours such as dark pink, burgundy, white, green, and red. Although winter isn't known for blooms, there are some gorgeous options, including paperwhites (narcissus). You can also use fresh evergreens and eucalyptus to bring a fragrant, natural element to your venue. Hang evergreen wreaths and garlands, or use loose Christmas tree branches as table runners.

Pinecones and Berries

Pinecones are another great way to bring nature inside. Use them as a backdrop for ring photographs, or as part of your centrepieces and place settings. Add an assortment of berries to bring your centrepieces to life.

Tree Branches

Birch tree branches can be used to create a wintry, cosy atmosphere.

Seasonal Colours

Choose a colour scheme that reflects the season. Festive hues such as red, green, and gold are popular, especially for Christmas weddings. Jewel tones like emerald green, plum, and amber yellow bring a dramatic look, while black and winter white are a sophisticated, classic combination.

Candles and Lighting

Create a romantic glow with candles and string lights, especially if your wedding is in the evening.

Natural Wedding Favours

Give your guests a gift that reflects the season, such as fleece blankets or hot chocolate wedding favours.

Seasonal flowers and colours

When it comes to seasonal flowers and colours for a winter wedding, there are many options to choose from that will add a festive and romantic touch to your big day. Here are some ideas to consider:

Flowers:

• Paperwhites (narcissus)
• Berries
• Pine cones
• Dusty miller
• Eucalyptus
• Greenery such as fresh evergreens and eucalyptus
• Mistletoe
• Red roses
• Spiral eucalyptus

Colours:

• Festive hues such as red, green, and gold are perfect for couples marrying around the holidays.
• Jewel tones like emerald green, plum, cobalt blue, and amber yellow for a dramatic and glamorous look. Pair these tones with metallic details for a pop of colour.
• Black and winter white for a sophisticated and classic look. Accent this colour palette with blush or powder blue for a winter wonderland theme, or add gold, silver, or red for a more formal event.
• Contemporary colour combinations such as black, white, and gold are ideal for a New Year's Eve or Great Gatsby-themed wedding.

Winter-themed invitations

When it comes to setting the tone for your winter wedding, invitations are a great place to start. Here are some ideas for creating elegant and festive winter-themed invitations:

• Snowflake theme: Embrace the beauty of snowflakes with a winter wonderland-inspired design. You can incorporate snowflake motifs into your invitation suite, perhaps with a laser-cut snowflake design on the envelope or as a delicate watermark on the invitation itself. Snowflake-themed invitations create a whimsical and romantic feel for your upcoming nuptials.
• Colour palette: Opt for a cool colour palette that evokes the essence of winter. Shades of icy blue, blush, light purple, silver, and white will set the perfect tone. You can incorporate these colours into the design elements, such as envelopes, liners, or even the ink used for calligraphy.
• Winter motifs: Enhance your invitations with elegant winter motifs. Consider illustrations of pine trees, evergreen branches, or even a snowy landscape. These motifs can be subtle accents or more prominent features, depending on your preference.
• Textures: Add a tactile element to your invitations by incorporating textured papers or embellishments. Consider using papers with a subtle shimmer or embossed patterns that evoke frost or snow. You could also include a delicate lace trim or a velvet ribbon to give your invitations a luxurious and wintry feel.
• Calligraphy: Choose a calligraphy style that complements your winter theme. A whimsical or modern calligraphy style can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your invitations. You might also consider using a white or silver ink to further emphasise the wintery atmosphere.
• Embellishments: Take your invitations to the next level with carefully chosen embellishments. A small crystal or a sprig of evergreen attached to the invitation can make a statement. You could also explore acrylic invitations, which offer a unique and modern look that is perfect for a winter wonderland theme.
• Envelopes: Don't forget to pay attention to the envelopes! Choose envelopes that complement your colour palette and perhaps add a winter-themed liner. A wax seal with your initials or a winter motif is another elegant touch that will impress your guests.

Warm drinks and food

Drinks

• Greet your guests with a hot drink such as cider, a hot toddy, or hot chocolate. These drinks can also be served upon departure, providing a warm send-off for your guests.
• For a festive touch, set up a hot chocolate bar with marshmallows, candy cane spoons, and extra chocolate toppings.
• Serve cocktails in copper mugs, which will keep drinks warm and look stylish.
• Offer mulled wine and hot apple cider – these drinks will fill the air with a wonderful aroma and warm your guests from within.

Food

• Embrace the season with your food choices. Offer a hot soup as a first course, and include seasonal vegetables and wines.
• For a sweet treat, serve cinnamon rolls, apple cider donuts, homemade pies, or gingerbread cookies.
• Send your guests home with a sweet reminder of the day by providing hot cocoa wedding favours. Package your favourite mix with marshmallows in decorative bottles or jars.
• For a fun and unexpected surprise, hire a mobile coffee bar to arrive during the cocktail hour or towards the latter half of the reception.

By incorporating these warm drinks and food ideas into your winter wedding, you will create a cosy and inviting atmosphere for your guests to enjoy.

Frequently asked questions