The Ultimate Winter Wedding Theme Ideas

When the temperature drops there is no better excuse for snuggling up to your loved one. Winter wraps us in romantic imagery – a blanket of snow, a candle-lit driveway and a roaring open fire – so it’s no surprise that the festive season is now one of the top choices for couples planning a dream wedding day. But plan carefully, warns Television’s Millionaire Party Planner, Liz Taylor of the Taylor Lynn Corporation, if you don’t embrace the season’s advantages, you could hit problems. Liz gives her tips for capturing the romance of a winter wedding theme…

“If you want to maximise romantic elegance on your big day then a winter wedding is perfect,” says Liz – and trust us, Liz knows: over the last 30 years, she has planned some of the UK’s most stylish and glamorous wedding, including that of international rugby star, Nick Robinson, Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford, and Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright.

Liz Taylor, TLC Take advantage of the season’s greatest assets”Careful planning is the key to successful planning at any time of year. However, couples can hit problems when opting for a winter wedding by not taking advantage of the season’s greatest assets.

“Trying to create a summer wedding in a winter setting won’t work, but it’s surprising how many people still do this,” says Liz. So what is the best way to embrace all the romantic options the festive season has to offer?

“Although still an alternative choice, planning a winter wedding can be easier to organise and cheaper than a summer one,” Liz says. “And by working with the season there are plenty of magical touches you can use to give your special day an extra glow.”

Changes in English law in recent years allowed wedding ceremonies to be held at any time of the day. Taking advantage of the early winter sunset means that you can celebrate romantic candle-lit nuptials much earlier in the evening, leaving plenty of time to party afterwards.

Give your guests a sparkling entrance, lining the route with beautiful candles, hurricane lamps and fairy lights. Keeping to the theme of romantic winter warmers you could serve hot port with mini Christmas pudding ‘canapes’, or offer guests a retro personalised thermos of hot chocolate and brandy shot, or an engraved hip flask with a whisky treat instead of wedding favours.

Make the most of a venue’s festive decorations so that you have more of your budget to spend elsewhere. For a festive twist to your table plan, ask if you can use a venue’s Christmas tree to hang mini-gifts for each guest and write their table number on the tag.

“Flowers are more expensive in the winter so you need to think creatively,” says Liz.

She suggests making seasonal choices like cyclamen, winter jasmine, freesias and roses for an elegant look, or opting for a mixture of chunky candles and twinkling tea lights with frosted foliage, twigs and berries for a contemporary winter wonderland feel.

Metallic colours are on trend this year,” Liz adds. “For an instant injection of glamour add a splash of metallic blue, purple, silver or bright pink in the napkin rings, plate chargers or tea light holders.

“An ‘iced lake’ dance floor and some electric blue or hot pink lighting creates a magical effect. And add a majestic flying silver reindeer or two and you have the perfect fairy-tale!”

About Liz Taylor

Liz Taylor has been planning stylish wedding for more than 30 years. She is managing director of award-winning celebrity wedding planners the Taylor Lynn Corporation.