Deck the Halls!

If you want a stylish, elegant, yet simple wedding that captures the spirit of Christmas, this theme is perfect.  Your special ceremony can become part of both your families' festivities.  Having a wedding during the Christmas season also means that many churches are already decorated for the holidays.

Decorations
• Flowers - Holly, sprigs of ivy and pine, small poinsettias as table settings with mistletoe as an accent.
• String the bushes in front of the church or Christmas trees inside the church with tiny white lights.
• Place X-mas silk evergreen swags in rented candelabras.  Add a green velvet bow.  Large green velvet bows are also lovely for pew bows.
• Purchase dozens of large, potted poinsettias and cluster them around the altar.  Afterwards, the poinsettias can be given as either favors to guests or as a "thank you" to people who helped with your wedding.
• Stairways and buffet tables can be swagged with greenery roping along the sides, or place greenery roping on the table among the platters and dishes.
• Buy rolls of pretty metallic wrapping paper and bows in your wedding colors and wrap some empty boxes.  Use them as centerpieces.
• Loop inexpensive bridal netting (tulle) through stairways, garlands and candelabras.

Wedding Cake
• Putting small colored Christmas ball ornaments (edible) on your wedding cake instead of flowers.  The entire top tier could be shaped to look like a Christmas tree.  Try lots of edible clear glitter to make a "snowy" cake.

Music
• Consider a choral group or bell choir in your area.  Many groups dress for the holidays in Dickens-type clothing of the Edwardian/Victorian era and sing authentic carols.  This would set the mood of the season in a special way.
• Consider a harpist or children's group singing Christmas songs.
• Hire a string quartet to a mix of Christmas and classical music.

Food
• Be sure to include eggnog, hot spiced cider, and hot chocolate as beverages.
• Christmas cookies (gingerbread men, bourbon balls, decorated sugar cookies, etc.)  Sweet breads with whipped toppings (banana, cranberry nut, date nut with cream cheese and butter topping).
• Fill small bowls with holiday Hershey kisses and place on tables.
• Consider having a gingerbread house or church as the centerpiece on the main buffet table.

Reception Activities
• Arrange for Santa Claus to make a surprise visit.  He can dance with guests or they can sit on his knee.  Use a microphone and have him ask guests what they want for Christmas.  He can hand out favors (ornaments) from his bag.
• Instead of the traditional bouquet toss, plan for a wreath to be thrown.

Additional Details
• Hire a choir of children carolers sing as you enter during the processional.
• Bride and groom can depart in a horse drawn carriage or sleigh (provided there is snow, of course).
• Faux fur muffs for the bridesmaids can be an alternative to the standard bouquet, or ask them to carry candles decorated with some flowers, greens, and ribbons down the aisle.
• Suggested bridesmaids dress colors are teal, burgundy, deep green, Christmas red, red and green plaids, forest green, gold, silver, cranberry and midnight blue.
• Favors - How about long cinnamon sticks with greenery and flowers?  Use scented candles, pine or cinnamon.  They'll smell wonderful!
• Hang mistletoe over the bride and groom's seats.
• The bride would wear a long, luxurious, white, velvet cape both to arrive at the reception and as she departs.
• The bridesmaids would wear short, sleeveless, black cocktail dress.  For added color use long colored silk scarves to flow down their backs.
• The bride's bouquet would be made of red and white roses with ivy and ferns, while the other flowers would be white carnations.
• Instead of a guest book, ask your guests to sign a Christmas tree skirt that you can use every Christmas.

Visit our Wedding Decorations Store for more decorating ideas and products.