Winter weddings exude magic and romance. Imagine a landscape of crisp snow in beautiful Northern Michigan, at a century old castle straight out of a fairytale and you have the perfect setting for your perfect winter wedding day! If this sounds right up your alley, look no further than stunning Castle Farms in Charlevoix.
Love the idea of a winter wedding in Michigan but not sure how to bring your fairytale to life? Here are some of our favorite wedding trends and tips to help you create the winter wedding of your dreams…
Bright lights
Adding lights to a winter wedding is nothing new, but will always remain timeless. Delicate white string lights, or festive colored Christmas lights can both add warmth and help set the mood. Neon signs are also perfect for winter weddings. Go a bit further and have one customized with your new last name, initials, or wedding hashtag. Finally, don’t forget about adding candles around the venue. Large candelabras or delicate votive candles will set a fairy tale tone. The ambience of the different colored lights, bulbs, and candles will make a statement your guests will not forget.
Nature inspired décor
Bring a touch of the outdoors to an indoor wedding for a rustic and natural feel. Considering using birch or natural wood to contrast against the rich color tones of a winter wedding. A simple way to add some elegance is by using accents pieces such as wood discs under centerpieces or the wedding cake. Also consider using pinecones and fresh garland throughout the venue for a festive touch. Bringing a bit of nature inside makes guests feel like they are in a winter wonderland and adds a touch of romance.
Hot chocolate bar
Nothing says a winter wedding like a good ole fashioned hot chocolate bar! This new winter wedding craze is perfect for guests of all ages! As your guests arrive they can warm up with a classic and nostalgic winter drink. This concept can be expanded in many ways such as adding more adult friendly options such as Baileys or Kahlua, but it can also be a fun treat to have a toppings bar where marshmallows, candy canes, chocolate chips, and whipped cream can be added by each guest to create an one of a kind drink. You can also substitute or include coffee, tea and apple cider. This trend is a surefire way to warm up all your guests!
Wedding Outfits
Having a winter wedding, especially in a true cold-weathered venue, may require some rethinking of what the bride, groom, wedding party, and wedding guests can wear – but can provide for some stunning attire choices.
There is a resurgence of long-sleeved dresses and we can partly thank Kate Middleton for that! Long-sleeved dresses are both practical and sexy. Sleeves can be lace or classic silk and add personality and dynamic to the bride. If the bride chooses to wear a strapless or sleevless dress, there are many fun and gorgeous accessory options—you can pick from faux fur coats, wraps, leather jackets, or even velvet in a color that compliments the wedding colors.
A bride and groom may even consider offering blankets for each guest even if the ceremony is indoors (this would make a great wedding favor!). This is a fun way to incorporate the winter weather with wedding colors and themes all while making the guests feel cozy and relaxed.
Having a coat check for guests is a great idea as well. That way guests can party the night away and not have to worry about keeping track of their heavy winter coat.
At Castle Farms, we will help you create your elegant and classy dream winter wedding. As you can see winter weddings are all about gorgeous colors and nature inspired décor, paired with cozy food and drinks, and a warm inviting ambience of lights. This combination results in a wedding no one will forget.
