I've posted it below, but here are a few other places to check it out:
- http://www.philly.com/philly/living/celebrations/weddings/CTW_bridal_20081126_Winter-style_weddings.html
- http://mysanantonio.ctwfeatures.com/bridesguide/bridal_20081126_winter.html
- http://www.lvbrideandgroom.com/full-article/108
- http://themonitor.ctwfeatures.com/bridal/bridal_20081126_winter.html
This one was printed in http://www.philly.com/.
Posted on Wed, Nov. 26, 2008
Winter-style weddings
Anna T. Hirsh
"Maybe Hollywood movies have made it appear that weddings only take place on sunny days in the month of June, but there are, in fact, 11 other perfectly good months, and some of the best are the coldest. Come rain, come sleet, come snow, winter weddings have a natural elegance all their own, and provide the perfect backdrop for a romantic, intimate celebration. You just have to take care of a few details first.
The most important thing you have to consider when having a winter wedding is actually the same thing at the top of the list when planning a summer event - the location. Although you could still have a partial outdoor event with a tent, the tent would probably need to be sealed, heated and have a floor, which can really up the cost, so most winter weddings take place at indoor venues. A perk, however, is that winter months - November to April - are generally considered off-season, thereby making some of the high-end venues a little more budget friendly, says Wendi Hroncich, founder of Ethereal Events in Seattle. The only exception is December, a popular wedding month when brides not only have to compete with other brides for venues and vendors but also with corporations who are having their holiday parties.
There are other considerations to make, as well, if you select a date during the holidays. "Save the dates are a must," says Hroncich. "Out of town guests need time to plan ahead in order to get flights and hotels during this busy season." Be aware that people might not be able to make it due to their own family's holiday traditions, or that bad weather might downsize your guest list at the last minute.
While there's nothing you can do about canceled flights, you can try to make sure your guests make it to your wedding once they are nearby. Joe St. Cyr, director of Joseph Todd Events, has been planning and styling winter weddings in New York City for over 20 years and says the biggest issue is probably transportation. "A sudden snowstorm can grind things to a halt, but people rarely cancel their weddings," says St. Cyr. Consider providing transportation, picking a location convenient to public transportation or be prepared to pick people up, and add a little extra time before the ceremony and between events to allow for any late guests.
But once these practical details are taken care of, it's time to have fun with all the possibilities for cold weather wedding décor. St. Cyr advises avoiding trite clichés like icicles, snowmen, snowflakes and fake snow, in favor of a less literal, more sophisticated scene that might include birch branches, clear acrylic chairs and mirrored tabletops, and drawing on a color palette that combines white, clear and crystal with a bit of color such as ice blue, forest green, black or the natural tones of wood and greenery. The look can be ultra sleek and modern by creating the illusion of an ice palace, or you can construct an enchanting country feeling with wooden chargers and lanterns in place of votives.
When it comes to flowers, there is a lot less local, seasonal variety during the winter so if a bride really has her heart set on a particular blossom, it may have to be imported, which adds to the cost, says St. Cyr. Instead, consider having fun with creative presentations that use less flowers or surprising substitutions. Hroncich recommends that a bride and her florist play with different items like berries and branches in both bouquets and centerpieces. For a wedding he is working this winter, St. Cyr is using chunky square glass containers, each containing a single kind of flower, including white roses and white orchids, and herbs like lavender and rosemary for muted, earthy color.
But flowers aren't the only element of a winter wedding affected by the weather. The food is probably one of the biggest differences between the seasons, notes Hroncich. "A typical summer selection of fresh halibut, salmon or sea bass will not be readily available, and even if it was, it's probably not what your guests are expecting or wanting on a cold day," she says.During the winter months, people are more willing to have heavier, creamier, homier menus, such as rack of lamb with garlic mashed potatoes and roasted root vegetables or brussel sprouts, adds St. Cyr. "You're going to see more soups served as a first course instead of a salad," he says. "I even had a couple that served a stew as the entrée."
As to the most important element, the wedding gown, most brides don't actually allow the season to affect their decision in what they wear because they're mostly inside anyway, says St. Cyr. But winter brides may purchase or have another piece made, such as an elegant winter white coat, heavy shawl or faux fur wrap. "No matter how elegant the rest of her wedding is, no bride wants to be standing there in a long, puffy parka," says St. Cyr. "
I hope to work with Anna again in the future. She is a very talented journalist and writes about what I love, Weddings! Thanks Anna!
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