Article Wobble: How to decorate your venue for a Christmas wedding?

That's right I've written a wedding article.  Many of you will not know that I have worked in the wedding industry for a very long time.  The positions have all be in Cardiff and the surrounding areas and have included working behind the scenes as a wedding co-ordinator, as part of the food and beverage team or as operations and executing the wedding day.

The following was written for the November / December issue for Your South Wales Wedding Magazine

We're getting married near Christmas and want to decorate our venue with festive elements without going overboard. Do you have any suggestions of how we can incorporate our theme into our big day?

Winter weddings can be utterly magical, especially if you can match your theme to the weather and landscape. Think burnt oranges in late autumn, icy blues in the frosty New Year and of course berry reds and burgundy for extra wintry romance at Christmas.

The majority of venues will put up festive decorations, from mid-November.  When you catch up with your wedding co-ordinator and ask if they put the same decorations up every year or if they have a theme in mind.  It make sense to piggyback on what will already be there, but if you want red and gold but the venue is having blue and silver, this is an important point to consider.  It is also important to ask where these decorations are going to be put, as they may impact on space or your plans. 

There is always room for sparkle and glitter at a wedding, but at Christmas you can get away with it more with glass ornaments and centrepieces, sequins, twinkly lights and glitter.  Other glam and glitzy, budget friendly ideas include using baubles.  These can be incorporated into your bouquet, put into bowls for your centre pieces or even attached to a present label for your name holders.

Candles are also a really nice way to cosy-up your winter wedding.  These can be used to light up the aisle, for your centrepieces or even as favours for your guests.  Just double check with your venue if they allow this.  Most do, but may ask you to make sure they are in holders or in candelabras.  If your venue is a castle or has a gothic vibe it definitely adds to the atmosphere. 

However, if you did want to keep it more low key a woodland theme with natural elements would fit.  If you are creative you can collect pinecones in the autumn and decorate them for your centrepieces to be placed on log slices or to be used as a place holder.  Alternatively, speak to your florist about incorporating ivy, holly or mistletoe. 

Do not forget to tie the festive theme into the other aspects of your day, consider serving mulled wine or cider for the drinks reception after your ceremony.  Or set up a hot chocolate station so your guests can personalise a cup of cocoa with whipped cream, chopped nuts or even a shot of liqueur for the adults.  Many think about festive dishes for your wedding breakfast, but do not forget to continue this into your evening reception buffet with themed sandwiches and savouries or a turkey curry buffet perhaps with a mince pie tower or candy canes for a sweet treat. 

Think about what you will be wearing too.  Whether you are looking for a simple, chic or more dramatic dress there are plenty of styles to choose from that will fit your theme.  Consider using a splash of gold or a berry colour or textures such as feathers, lace, and sequins.  For gents you could consider dark greys paired with a bow tie, or textures like velvet to reflect the opulence of the winter months. 

Regardless if you get married in the winter or during the summer, it is your wedding day!  It will be special and unique to you, surrounded by friends and family – and of course the one you love. 

You can read the article on their website here.