Now that we are approaching the holidays we thought it might be nice to discuss “holiday themed events.” For the most part, we tend to shy away from events that are too “over-themed,” but that does not mean you shouldn’t take inspiration from the holidays and the seasons in general. Why not consider embracing the holiday season when planning your wedding? This post features lots of ways to have a wedding that is fun, creative and full of seasonal love.
Picking the month, date and location for your wedding is an important factor in deciding how you want the rest of your wedding to look and feel. It’s also important to consider what is going on in your city over your preferred dates. In Chicago we find that the months of September and October are the busiest wedding months, however, planning a November wedding can offer you cost savings and a plethora of venue options. Once you enter December you will fight holiday parties for event space, so it’s best to be a little flexible on your dates.
Use your wedding date and season as inspiration for your location. If you are planning a fall wedding look into parks, orchards, vineyards, farms or ranches. Fall seems to call for an outdoor or rustic, yet elegant, setting.
A winter themed wedding is ideal in a ski or mountain lodge or a small inn. These venues will provide the small intimate cozy setting that’s fitting for a winter wedding. If you choose to have your wedding at a lodge, you may be fortunate to have a snowy mountain as a natural back drop. There are some beautiful destination spots within a few short hours from Chicago. Or take this an entirely different direction and embrace the beauty of the city during the holidays – the sparkling lights and decorated store windows. How about transporting your guests via a carriage ride down Michigan Avenue or State Street?!
Selecting a color palette guided by the holidays is the perfect way to begin. It can be fun to get a little non-traditional! Consider, earthy green and brown in November or silver and blue in December. You may also need to consider the type of decor your venue will have in place for the holidays. If you are in a hotel or club they may have permanent holiday decor that could influence your own design. Take advantage of the natural beauty of the season as well and include it in your decor.
Build your menu around the season as well. We always encourage you to use locally sourced food items and the best way to do that is to serve what is in season at the time of your wedding. Consider the way the food will appear on the plate and how it is served. Remember that food styling is as much a part of your overall look as anything else. Everyone can appreciate a beautifully arranged plate! Specialty cocktails can be especially fun this time of year, consider spiced apple cider or wine (with a stick of cinnamon inside), eggnog or hot buttered rum! Give gingerbread cookies as late night snacks and hot chocolate as guest favors.
Dress the part! Don’t forget to cover up when outside. Beautiful faux fur shrugs or shawls can keep you warm and are beautiful in pictures. These can also be great bridesmaids gifts for your wedding party. If you are brave enough, consider a short outside ceremony in the snow and provide blankets to warm your guests!
Lastly, remember to have some fun with your pictures! Photographers love doing out-of-the-box shots to incorporate your personalities and the season, so get creative!
Here are a few other little details that may help inspire your holiday themed wedding.
Featured images are from the following:
