Whether you love the idea of a Christmas-inspired wedding in spring, or want your holidays to be very merry with the added bonus of a wedding at the time, Christmas weddings are a delightful idea. Steeped in tradition, with so many festive elements, there are a few ideas we can borrow from Christmas and rock at your wedding.
With Santa’s visit scheduled in just a few days, this is the best time to take a look at how you can plan a fantastic Christmas wedding! So, bring on the holiday cheer and get ready to be inspired.
Let the tables at your wedding be elaborate masterpieces of red, gold, silver and white. Be generous with candles and throw in the seasonal signatures like fir, pine cones and holly. We love the idea of adding cute mini Santa hats and stockings with a scattering of snow for authenticity. Consider mixing in striped straws in red and white, cupcake cases that match the theme. Let the table linen be in red with white or gold accents. Or if you have a colorful centerpiece, opt for stark white table linen, instead.
Bouquets and floral decorations
The logical choice would be to choose a bouquet of red roses and have more of them throughout the décor. However, if you don’t want to limit yourself to reds and greens, you may like to consider colors like plum, purple and berry colors. A bouquet with berries alongside flowers would look fantastic, and perfectly Christmas-y! Add lavish doses of green into your floral décor and bouquets, and it will look more refreshing.
Festive wedding accessories
A flower crown would be festive and interesting. Or you could add tiny roses into your hairdo, and match the festive atmosphere with bright gold accessories. Add colors like berry or scarlet red into your makeup, or through your accessories to make sure you match the theme that’s going on. Skip the French manicure and do your nails in bright red. You could also consider a contrast waistband or deep red shoes for a pop of color.
Misty cool wedding dress
Choose a wedding dress that is snowy and exudes the holiday feel. Dresses with layers of misty tulle or with frothy ruffles would help you nail it. The other option is to dress yourself up in a vintage lace gown, complete with full sleeves and a high collar.
Bridesmaids in vibrant holiday colors
Experiment with reds, purples, green, silver and gold for your bridesmaids dresses. Marsala, which is the color of the year, would also be a great choice. If your wedding is in the winter, make sure you choose long gowns or find warm footwear, so your girls feel cozy. For dark dress shades, do the bouquets in white for a welcome contrast.
Minimalism is the new buzz word. With houses, offices and dresses, all taking the minimalist route, weddings are quick to follow. This article on This Luminous Life, gives us an insight into what minimalism is actually about. It rightly says that minimalism is not about getting rid of things, instead it is about shifting focus to what really matters in your life and making way for it by eliminating the unimportant things. Isn’t that an accurate way to put it?
Many couples now choose to have a minimalist wedding, for several reasons. For some it is about avoiding the stress associated with a big wedding. For others, it is about making it more meaningful by celebrating just with the people who matter to them.
While the term can mean different things to different people, having a minimalist wedding is usually a huge budget saver. Nevertheless, this doesn’t have to mean it shouldn’t be stylish. Minimalist weddings can have the desired impact, if you plan it right. Before we go into the planning part, let us take a quick look at why you may like to have a minimalist wedding.
Often, planning a big wedding ends up like a chore, especially when there are hundreds of details to perfect and it is entirely up to you to do it right. Even if you hire a wedding planner to do the planning part, it can seem impersonal and you may not really enjoy planning everything in bulk. Brides who want to enjoy every aspect of the planning and do it with perfection are better off when the wedding is small. Intimate gatherings are easier to personalize and allow you a better chance at enjoying the process.
#It helps keep your finances in check
Holding a big wedding is costly. Whether your parents or you pay for the expenses, there is no doubt that it will add up and a huge amount of money will be spent. Not all couples are keen on starting their life together in debt, or with most of their savings spent. A minimalist wedding offers more control over your wedding finances, and helps you plan a meaningful wedding without spending more than you can afford to.
#To keep it simple
Let us consider what a wedding is actually all about. Many weddings just end up being an extravagant show and people remember nothing beside all that was on display. Isn’t a wedding actually meant to be celebrating your love and being married in front of the people who matter to you? This idea is quickly forgotten with the stress of bringing together an elaborate wedding. Many couples find the pressure stifling, that they cease to enjoy their engagement. A minimalist wedding gives you a better chance of making the most of what you have, and enjoying every moment without worrying too much.
#To spend on the more important things
When you host a big wedding, you may feel obliged to spend on the food and favors.. This can sometimes leave you with a limited budget to travel to a place you love for your honeymoon. Or, it may be that you wanted a designer dress, but your funds run low after you budget for all the other wedding aspects. Keeping it simple will allow you to designate money to the more important aspects of your wedding, and not worry about impressing guests or obsess over how they will judge you.
Now, let us look at the planning part. How do you plan a minimalist wedding, and still make sure it has all that is important? These tips will tell you what to do.
1.Keep the crowd small
The wedding budget is directly proportional to the number of people attending it. If you think you should invite all the people you know, meet, have been friends with, whose wedding you have attended etc, the list will just go on. And with it, your ideas of keeping it small will have to be tossed out. Invite only your immediate family, close friends and those who you really want at your wedding. A good idea is to first fix a number, and then plan your guest list. This will allow you to narrow it down to people who are most important to you.
2.Leave out the fancy stuff
Unless it is important to you, of course! There is no rule that says your invitations have to be engraved, your décor should include real flowers or you have to buy your wedding dress. There is plenty of scope to customize, and you can find brilliant designs at a nominal cost. All you need to do, is to research options and find cost-effective ones. You can always rent a fabulous wedding gown at a fraction of the original cost and still be the beautiful bride you always wanted to be. Of course, with the bonus that you save a significant amount this way. Similarly, you can craft the look of the venue by mixing and matching options, or working with something that isn’t extra-expensive.
3.Plan the timing well
Did you know that wedding costs are significantly reduced, when held on weekdays? The same applies to when you get married during the off-peak-season. Have your wedding between December and February, and not only will it be easy to book the venue you want, you can also get a discount on it. The same applies to your caterers and other wedding services, as it is not wedding season. If you don’t mind having a wedding brunch instead of a dinner reception, you can also serve delicious meals at a cheaper rate.
4.Skip all that is unnecessary
There is a lot going on during the wedding planning, but have you ever felt that most of these are totally unnecessary? An engagement party, bridesmaids in matching outfits, save-the-date cards, expensive favors, flowers that have to be flown in and tiered wedding cakes—are all these actually compulsory? Keep the ones that really matter to you, and choose the sensible approach for the rest. Go with personalized wedding favors and bridesmaids in dresses that you choose specifically for the wedding, only if they matter to you. Go with seasonal flowers and accessories for the décor, a simple wedding cake, and minimum wedding stationery and your wedding will still be a wedding.
5.Getting help and delegating duties
There will be many people around you who would love to help. It may be family, or friends. Enlist their help and give them the chance to make your life easier. For a smaller wedding party, you can afford to find time to employ your DIY skills in making gifts and décor items. So, make the most of it. Not only will it be more personal, you will also enjoy it a lot more than just having everything done by a vendor. If there are florists, bakers or photographers in your circle, you can even delegate the wedding tasks to them, if appropriate.
With these 5 tips you should be well on your way to planning a meaningful minimalist wedding. We also suggest that you take a look at the Nourishing Minimalism blog page, for more ideas.
If you are stuck for ideas, here are some specific ideas to go minimal.
Invitations: For those of you who want to minimize expenses on stationery, either send out wedding invites by e-mail or print your own invites and send them out. But if you are looking at budget-friendly professional options, you can choose thermography or digital printing for your invitation cards.
Bridal party: Like we said before, skip the matching look and go with the mix ‘n’ match look instead. Find out how you can obtain cheap bridesmaids dresses on a budget with the help of this article. Or, you can always ask your girls to wear a common color (the Little Black dress is a wardrobe staple and your best bet), and work around to achieving a cohesive look through inexpensive accessories like shoes and belts.
Image Credit: Mark Taylor Cunningham, via Flickr [CC BY 2.0]
Wedding dress: Rent your wedding dress, buy it on sale or second-hand. If you start your search early, you can find fabulous vintage dresses on sale, and even second-hand dresses with tags. You don’t have to skimp on style, just because your wedding is minimalist. Although a dress silhouette may be simple, it can still be classic and stylish. The sheath and A-line silhouette are essentially minimalist, but you will find fantastic dresses in these options with a signature element or two that makes it fantastic. At stores like Best for Bride, several designer collections allow you to pick from what is available within your price range.
Accessories: If there are family heirlooms, make the most of the available choice by building your outfit around it. You can also consider wearing a wedding dress with an illusion neckline or longer sleeves to minimize the need for jewelry. Just like renting your wedding dress, you can do the same for accessories too. It makes sense too, as it is a one-time occasion and you needn’t spend so much on it.
Venue: For a small crowd, you could plan your reception in your backyard, at a nearby park or a site that your friend or family has agreed to lend you. With a little effort, even the simplest location can be transformed into a beautiful wedding venue, without the additional costs that you incur when booking an actual hall. You could also keep the ceremony and reception venue the same to minimize cost.
Venue décor: Limit the décor to what is available seasonally and locally, and try to DIY for a pocket-friendly choice. Look at Pinterest or other online websites and borrow ideas to make the most of simple décor items that you can find at thrift stores. Consider alternatives to flowers, like potted plants, candles, berries, fruits and vegetables, to make attractive but inexpensive centrepieces and decorations.
Food and cake: You do not need the classic tiered wedding cake, especially for a small crowd. Either ask to make a faux cake with just the first tier made from actual cake, or choose practical and equally attractive options like wedding cupcakes or a dessert buffet instead. Opt for brunch or a buffet with local and seasonal fare to keep the food costs minimum.
Bouquets: The bride needs a bouquet alright, but it doesn’t have to be made from exotic blooms. Equally appealing bouquets can be crafted from flowers like daisies, lilies and lavender. Even wild flowers can be grouped together to create a fantastic rustic and unique looking bouquet. If you are flexible, you can even work with what you find on the day before the wedding, and design your bouquet around it. Another option is to use silk flowers or faux flowers to create a beautiful and different bouquet.
Wedding favors: Think of whether photo wedding favors or expensive wrapped favors will actually be displayed or used by your wedding guests. If you really want to gift a favor that will be appreciated and used, gift edible favors like cookies or candy that will cost less too. The other option is to gift green wedding favors like plant starters or nice sachets of tea or coffee that will find use.
Driveaway car: Skip the limousine or vintage car, and instead go with a regular car that has been decorated to look festive enough for a wedding. As with everything else, remember that it is not all about impressing the guests, it is about functionality and how meaningful it is. As long as you keep this in perspective, everything will seem alright.
Now that you have all the inputs you need to plan your perfectly practical and minimalist wedding, you are set to act. Whether you want to buy or rent your wedding dress, visit our bridal gallery at Best for Bride and you are bound to find a dress that you will fall in love with. Also find all your wedding needs, ranging from décor and accessories to wedding favors and invitations, all at our Best for Bride stores.
Weddings may be formal or casual, and how you dress for a particular wedding should be based on this factor. It wouldn’t be appropriate to wear a formal evening gown to a casual beach wedding, or a pair of flip flops to a black-tie wedding. These are very obvious dress-etiquette rules, but it doesn’t always have to be so straightforward.
What you choose to wear should match the tone for the event. The general guidelines are not to wear white or black, never turn up in a pair of jeans, your dress shouldn’t be shabby nor should you look unkempt. Let us now look at what type of dressing would be appropriate for different types of weddings that you may be attending in the future.
Casual weddings
via Best for Bride
These weddings are usually held at an informal venue, say a beach or a garden. Most daytime weddings are casual events. Though it says casual, you shouldn’t dress for it like you would when you go camping with friends. Make sure that your choice of attire is cheerful, but elegant. Women would look good in pretty dresses, printed skirts or trousers and a nice blouse. Men can wear casual pants with a cotton shirt. Though the wedding is casual, you shouldn’t wear jeans (especially the worn out variety). Also choose appropriate footwear that matches your ensemble. Make it look as though you took some effort to dress up.
Semi-formal
This is a tough choice, as it is difficult to draw the line between what is semi-formal and what is formal or informal. You can opt for dressy, but not too formal, or choose a formal attire with simple details. For example, a knee-length dress in satin or chiffon would be fine, but not a full length evening gown. You could also wear well-tailored trousers with a printed or silk top. Match your accessories to your outfit, but keep them simple. Men can choose their tuxedo in a dark or light color, as either would be appropriate.
Formal weddings
via Best for Bride
You will clearly recognize a formal wedding from the tone of the invitation and the venue where it will be held. This is the occasion to show off your expensive full-length evening gown with the elegant accessories you chose to go with it. Embellishments and prints are fine, as long as they are classic and add sophistication to the dress. Pair it with matching heels and you are all set. Men are expected to be dressed in a tux, a crisp shirt and a matching tie.
Black tie weddings
via Best for Bride
This is often confused with formal weddings, as the dress code is pretty similar. Take a cue from the name, and sport a black tie and wear a tux as well as a vest. Women can choose formal gowns and add accessories that are classic and elegant.
Whether you have to attend casual or formal weddings, and whether the wedding is in summer or winter, we at Best for Bride, have all the right choices for you to pick from. Visit our selection of evening gowns today and make your pick.
Not all brides are naturally good at applying makeup. Some of us would like to have a professional handle our make-up on the day, so we can have a flawless bridal look. Fortunately, there are many makeup salons and professionals, who can help us dress up and look great on this important day.
Let us look at the various things to remember when choosing such an artist, so we know we entrust the job to the right person.
1.Begin your search early
Just like with wedding shopping and vendor booking, start looking for your makeup artist early. You have to zero-in on the right person for the job, and make sure she is available on your wedding day. It isn’t necessary that the first candidate you consider would be the right person for the job. You may have to look around and spend time on trials. So, plan at least 3 to 4 months before your wedding day.
2.Start by asking your friends
Almost everything in the world of weddings is simplified when we have references and recommendations. Let this guide you on your search for the perfect makeup artist too. Ask your friends, or check with the other brides who you thought, looked fantastic on their wedding day. Once you are armed with this information, get in touch with the person, and check it out for yourself.
3.Look at advertisements and listings, and check out reviews
If you cannot find a recommendation, look at advertisements in newspapers, magazines or on the internet. If you do not know someone who has personally opted for the service, make sure to look for reviews and feedback on the artist, so you get a fair idea of how efficient they are.
4.Discuss your expectations and ask for a trial
Not all makeup artists work alike. You have to find a person whose style matches your expectations. Only then can you look like you intended to, on your wedding day. Fix an appointment and discuss your expectations. Pay for a trial, as it is really worth the effort. It is better to know in advance, than be disappointed with how you end up looking on the day. Expect to pay a fee for the trial, but it will help you will get a clear idea of how you will look on your big day.
5.Use pictures to convey your idea
There is only so much you can communicate using expressions like “look natural” or “make it subtle”. Your makeup artist needn’t understand what you intend, as each person has a different take on any idea. The better option is to collect pictures off magazines or the internet, on what you want your makeup to be like. Share this with your makeup artist, and she will get a better idea of what you want.
Once you find the right person for the job, make sure that you fix your appointment for the day and stick to the time-line necessary to complete your makeup properly. For the rest of your wedding shopping and all other things bridal, visit us on Best for Bride and we can help you find it all.
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