A blog dedicated to small and intimate weddings. Step inside for wedding venues, DIY wedding ideas and real weddings with 75 or fewer guests.
Ombre is a wedding detail that is popping up all over. Ombre is shading or graduating color. Brides are using ombre detailing in their centerpieces, invitations, bouquets and bridesmaids dresses.
For the most part it’s not crossing over into the wedding dress yet, although Gwen Stefani (being the trend setter she is) did debut the style with her own wedding dress nearly a decade ago.
More modern brides are easing into the look with their bridesmaids’ dresses.
That repeating inverted V shape you’ve been seeing all over everything from invitations to backdrops? It’s chevron, baby! Chevron is a pattern that’s extremely popular right now, but has been appearing in early art as far back as 1800 BC (!). Chevron is a pattern that can be very vibrant and somewhat loud (which doesn’t have to be a bad thing) when it’s done with bright, deep colors, or can be more subtle and understated when done in a neutral or lighter color.
These chevron invites and save-the-dates all use different sizes, styles and color palettes showing how versatile this pattern can be and how many styles it can adapt to.
Summer weddings often get all the glory, and while they can be beautiful and warm enough to keep you comfortable at an outdoor wedding in a strapless dress, winter weddings are where you get to have all the fun with accessories! Keeping warm may be a necessity for a winter wedding, but it also allows for adorable additions to your wedding day attire. Whether you’re getting married outside, or you just want to take your wedding photos out in the open snow drifts, winter accessories help show the season and are a great way to off set the fanciness of your wedding clothes.
Winter wedding cakes are among some of my favorites. While I do love a delicate flower, or the bright pops of color that adorn spring and summer cakes, it’s the sophistication and whimsy of a winter cake that I adore most. For a winter cake you can choose how “wintry” you want it to be, whether it has subtle hints to the season or it is the theme of the cake.
One of my favorite winter wedding cake looks is white on white. Seeing detail on the cake, but it being in the same color as the cake, looks so sophisticated and it evokes the memories of snow. I love the simple additions of the deer and tree as well as the hanging orbs that make you think of the ends of a wooly hat.
One of my favorite wedding looks is that of the rustic winter wedding. This look is complete with a backdrop of snow in a cozy lodge. Aside from the rustic charm of the warm wooden walls and beams, or the huge windows overlooking snowy valleys, the style of the lodges can make for amazing detailing for your ceremony or simply for photo ops. Depending on the architecture of the lodge, you really can have any style of wedding you want.
For a lodge wedding venue you have several options on where to have your ceremony. Inside the lodge is the most obvious option. With surroundings like a towering stone fireplace, or high wood beam ceilings, lodges have stunning interiors and the fireplaces are cozy and add to the intimate feel of a lodge wedding.
The outside of a lodge is just as serene. Having a gorgeous snow capped mountain backdrop is jaw dropping and your guests can watch the ceremony (hopefully not a very lengthy one!) wrapped in coats, or blankets you provide, then huddle around the hot fire with hot cocoa and sweets for the cocktail hour before the rest of the celebration.
These reindeer blankets would be amazing for an outdoor snowy fete!
Lodge decor already adds so much to the look of a wedding that adding your own touches is simple and takes a lot of pressure off of the design that you will add.
Snowshoes, skis and sleds are all great props to add to your look of the lodge inspired wedding, and you can use them inside or out!
How amazing are these little skis for bouquet detailing??
Centerpieces and other decor items can take cues from the interior decorating and architecture of the lodge itself and pull together the overall look of your wedding. One of my favorite looks is centerpieces that incorporate antlers! Pine cones can also add to the rustic charm.
Wintry weddings are just plain dreamy. The white snow gives the proceedings an ethereal glow and a fresh feeling of new beginnings, perfect for a wedding day! Rustic warm tones of the wood, cozy clothes, and fresh powder all make for the perfect lodge look.
Image One and Two: 6:8 Photography; Image Two: amountainbride.blogspot.com; Image Three: snippetandink.com; Image Four: alwaysandriweddingdesign.blogspot.com; Image Five: benjhaisch.com; Image Six: scout.typepad.com; Image Seven: photosbyaw.com; Image Eight: stylemepretty.com; Image Nine: lancashire.gov.uk; Image Ten: stylemepretty.com; Image Eleven: stylemepretty.com; Image Twelve: stylemepretty.com; Image Thirteen: greenweddingshoes.com; Image Fourteen: rocknrollbride.com; Image Fifteen: thesweetestoccasion.com; Image Sixteen: rusticweddingchic.com
Rebekah is a stylist and wedding and event designer. She owns the company A & B Creative, read her blog.
The trend of white on white at weddings is growing. White on white is a stylish, modern and elegant look that’s incredibly simple. Grouping white items together creates an effortless look of style that can be used in any season. Winter is the perfect season for white on white to emulate the look of snow, but the look could work equally as well for a crisp summer wedding. We’ll explore the white on white trend from dessert tables to bridesmaids’ dresses.
Once you have your theme of white on white in mind, creating a dessert table is easy. Simply select and arrange your favorite white treats and you’re ready to go! Marshmallows, powdered sugar doughnut holes, cake pops, cookies and cupcakes are all perfect.
Candy bars are another white on white option. So many candies come in white and you can add visual interest by displaying them in different sized vessels.
You can also choose to have a white on white cake. You may think that because it’s all the same color it would be difficult to see details, but you can easily add texture with flowers, frosting or candies to have a stunning effect.
Flowers are a simple way to display the white on white look, either in your bouquet or with your centerpieces. (The two bouquets below have flowers that are actually made of wood!)
Tablescapes can also be done in all white. Using white chairs, or ghost chairs (clear lucite), along with white linens and flowers creates a stunning look.
While most brides already opt for white wedding dresses, a newer trend is to also have your bridesmaids in white dresses. If you’re comfortable with someone other than you also wearing white then go for it! This look can be very ethereal and looks beautiful when the whole wedding party is together.
White on white is a blank canvas to which you can add whatever extra touches are personal for you. The look can be done in a modern and minimalist style, vintage inspired, or even eclectic. Having the unifying theme of the color that ties everything together gives you a lot of options for whatever style you choose.
Image One: blog.amyatlas.com; Image Two: merrylbrowsevents.com; Image Three: inspiredbride.net; Image Four: merrylbrownevents.ccom; Image Five: hello-naomi.blogspot.com; Image Six: blog.amyatlas.com; Image Seven: theinspiredbride.net; Image Eight: cutestfood.com; Image Nine: yummycupcakes.com.au; Image Ten: krislyndesign.com; Image Eleven: paperdollstudio.ca; Image Twelve: stylemepretty.com; Image Thirteen: hello-naomi.blogspot.com; Image Fourteen: lanedittoe.com; Image Fifteen: theresejacintodesign.blogspot.com; Image Sixteen: vogue.com; Image Seventeen: stylemepretty.com; Image Eighteen: ruffledblog.com
Rebekah is a wedding and event designer and owns the company A & B Creative, read her blog.
Winter picnics in the snow are perfection. I absolutely love when people take something that is normally so heavily associated with one season and use it in another. Obviously picnics are generally a spring or summer activity, but I love the look of a winter picnic that has replaced green saturated grass with deeply packed snow. Cozy woolen blankets and hot cocoa keep you warm amongst the chilly temperatures.
I am completely infatuated with the idea of a winter picnic being used as a part of the “first look” shots before a wedding. How intimate would it feel to be cozied up before the wedding having one last special moment together before you are married?
This could also be amazing for engagement pictures.
If you are inspired to have your own winter picnic, I’ll break down a little supply list for you. As you can see a cozy blanket is necessary. Then bring whatever special treats you like best and some hot cocoa or hot toddy ingredients to keep warm.
Winter picnics make for stunning images and they add an unexpected tone to first looks, engagements or even a wedding reception alternative! So grab your favorite warm blanket, a thermos of warm drinks and your most tasty treats and cozy up with your love and enjoy an unseasonal picnic.
Image One: Naturally Chic; Image Two: greenweddingshoes.com; Image Three: greenweddingshoes.com; Image Four: thesweetestoccasion.com; Image Five: shannongrantweddingsblog.com; Image Six: chicagoillinoisweddingphotography.com; Image Seven: chezwedd.com; Image Eight: Carla Ten Eyck; Image Nine: franciskasvakreverden.blogspot.com; Image Ten: designsponge.com; Image Eleven: s3r3ndipity.tumblr.com; Image Twelve: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com
Rebekah is a wedding stylist and designer. She owns the company A & B Creative, read her blog.
Weddings are exciting on their own – add New Year’s Eve to the mix, and you have one awesome celebration!
If you want to have a New Year’s Eve wedding it will work best to have the wedding start later, say seven or so, then serve dinner and begin the reception after with the goal of ending after the ball drops. Since people have a tendency to drink more than usual on New Year’s make sure you can provide a shuttle back to the hotel where your guests are staying or a taxi.
Here are ways to make your New Year’s Eve reception dazzling:
1. Sparklers - Sparklers as a send off have become really popular, but I LOVE using sparklers in less expected ways, like in these couple shots, on a cake, or as favor.
2. Champagne – Since toasting on NYE is a tradition, having a champagne tower like this would seem perfect for a NYE wedding!
3. Clock – You’ve already been counting down to the big day since you were engaged, and NYE is all about the countdown, so why not have elements of time with clock decor around your wedding?
4. Noise Makers and Party Hats - These are all fun NYE staples to add to your wedding.
5. Glitz and Glitter – Decorating your venue in anything with glitz, glitter and sparkle will add to the festive energy that New Year’s Eve has. You can buy lanterns, or make garlands to hang, and balloons are also a great way to decorate for NYE.
7. Confetti
8. Fireworks
9. A Kiss - Instead of rice or sparklers at the end of the night, what would you think about this fitting send off?
Image One: imgfave.com; Image Two: sparklersonline.com; Image Three: 100layercake.com; Image Four: pull.imgfave.net; Image Five: designsponge.com; Image Six: stylemepretty.com; Image Seven: agentbauer.com; Image Eight: www2.fiskars.com; Image Nine: blowoutparty.com; Image Ten: hostessblog.com; Image Eleven: claytonaustinlovestories.com; Image Twelve: designsponge.com; Image Thirteen: stylemepretty.com; Image Fourteen: saraspartyperfect.com; Image Fifteen: stylemepretty.com; Image Sixteen: maemaepaperie.blogspot.com; Image Seventeen: stylemepretty.com; Image Eighteen: stephaniewilliamsphotography.com; Image Nineteen: tylershields.com
Rebekah is a freelance writer and wedding stylist and designer, she owns the company A & B Creative. She splits her time designing between California and Oregon, read her blog.
Pine trees, branches, and boughs are perfect details to add to a winter wedding. As with any detail, it should be just that, a small touch that you can add throughout the decor of your wedding to add a festive and warm feeling.
Pine detailing in bouquets and boutonnieres are subtle ways to tie together this look.
Pine incorporated into centerpieces can be beautiful as well. I love different kinds of pine used as accents in the arrangements.
You can also make centerpieces just by using branches of pine too. Adding candles makes a centerpiece like this look more complete.
Pine boughs are another simple design that can add more of a festive feel to your space.
I absolutely love the idea of small pine branches being used as escort cards. If you’re getting married in a forested area these would be free and easy to find. Making nice tags to attach can make this a vintage inspired or more modern look.
You could use pine as a wreath to dress up your wedding favors.
Pine tree saplings are a wonderful favor idea too. I love this idea! (Tree Beginnings, one of our sponsors, sells tree saplings here.) They’re a favor your guests will actually keep after your wedding and your guests will have a reminder of your special day each time they look at their tree growing.
Pine decor can be tied through to your paper products as well. These pine stamps would be great for DIY wedding invites and/or signage too.
You can see that there are lots of different ways to be creative with pine decor for your wedding. Getting married around the holidays makes pine boughs, wreaths, tress and trimmings all widely available and more affordable than in other seasons. Pine elements are a great detail to add to whatever style of wedding you’re already having to show the season and add festive tones to your decor.
Image One: stylemepretty.com; Image Two: charlottegeary.com; Image Three: bhg.com; Image Four: stylemepretty.com; Image Five: athome.kimvallee.com; Image Six: bridal-bags.com; Image Seven: veranda.com; Image Eight: ruffledblog.com; Image Nine: stylemepretty.com; Image Ten: odessamay.blogspot.com; Image Eleven: alisonconklin.com; Image Twelve: stylemepretty.com; Image Thirteen: designsponge.com; Image Fourteen: oslopress.com
Rebekah is a freelance writer and wedding stylist and designer, she owns the company A & B Creative. She splits her time designing between California and Oregon, read her blog.
Honoring loved ones who have passed away is an important wedding day detail for many couples. Whether its a display of photographs, candles or the written word, many couples find it essential to remember friends and family who are deceased.
If you’re getting married outdoors, making a memorial by hanging photos of your loved ones on a tree lets guests also view and pay tribute to them.
You could also attach photos to a clothesline near the guest book where each guest will have a moment to view photos of those who couldn’t be there that day.
Another option is having a table with a small sign where you write something special about your loved ones.
Making a note in your wedding program about your loved ones is another sweet way to honor them.
You can represent your missing loved ones in your attire as well. Locket boutonnieres are so sweet and are an amazing keepsake for after the wedding as well.
Brides can incorporate photo charms into their bouquets too, another cherished keepsake item.
If you’re having a destination or beach wedding I love the idea of putting a flower lei into the sea in remembrance of a loved one. The sign is especially touching. If you are going to put leis into the ocean please make sure you remove the string so that fish do not get caught in them.
If you want to be more symbolic in your remembrance, you could always incorporate some of your loved ones’ favorite flowers, foods, or songs. Knowing that an important friend or family member can’t be there to share your special day with you is heartbreaking, but when you honor them in your own way you’re including them and making sure that they are with you in spirit.
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Rebekah is a wedding and event stylist and designer and owns the company A & B Creative. Read her blog.
Candy canes are a festive addition to any winter wedding. The alternating reds and whites can punch up neutrals in everything from flowers to food. I love the idea of accenting with actual candy canes or just with their colors.
Drinks are a great place to start for candy cane inspiration. All of these drinks are making me salivate; I would LOVE to be a guest at a wedding that served any of these drinks! For some great options for your signature cocktail we’ve got candy cane martinis and a candy cane cooler, which sounds like a peppermint mojito, yum.
Some warm candy cane inspired drinks are another crowd pleaser. This peppermint chocolate coffee garnished with candy canes looks incredible.
The last toasty drink is the delectable candy cane rimmed peppermint cocoa, and I love the rock candy stirrer!
Your coffee and cocoa will be complete with the peppermint bark, candy cane coated pretzel rods and biscotti.
If you’re having a dessert bar, these sweet treats would be perfect. Candy cane chunk macarons, candy cane flavored and swirled meringues and adorable candy cane shaped (and flavored) macarons.
Your dessert table wouldn’t be complete without a candy cane cake! Both of these could be DIY projects and I especially like the chocolate dipped candy cane marshmallow cake.
The look of candy canes can be translated to your decor as well. This candy cane inspired wreath would look great on the entrance to your ceremony site.
These striped tapers would be a great part of a centerpiece. Using striped candles like these on top of a red and white tablecloth would evoke the feeling of candy canes without seeming overly “themed.”
You could even incorporate candy cane stripes subtly in your attire. Striped shoes for you and socks for him would make for a cute little peek-a-boo shot of them side by side too.
As you can see, the striped or swirled peppermint patterns give everything they grace a wintry twist. And the cane shape lends itself to many variations that you can adapt to your personal wedding style. I almost forgot to mention the best thing about using candy canes–they are edible accents! How many other wedding details look and taste this refreshing?
Image One: pauladeen.com; Image Two: stylemepretty.com; Image Three: nuggetmarket.com; Image Four: foodnetwork.com; Image Five: Intimate Weddings; Image Six: thecookingphotographer.com; Image Seven: whenthedinnerbellrings.blogspot.com; Image Eight: tarteletteblog.com; Image Nine: bhg.com; Image Ten: gourmettraveller.com.au; Image Eleven: annies-eats.com; Image Twelve: afieldjournal.blogspot.com; Image Thirteen: iheartnaptime.net; Image Fourteen: etsy.com; Image Fifteen: amiclubwear.com; Image Sixteen: unionlosangeles.com
Rebekah is a wedding stylist and designer. She owns A & B Creative, read her blog.
Hot cocoa bars are perfect for winter weddings. Unlike coffee or tea, hot cocoa immediately elicits a cheerful feeling that you warms you from the inside out. Hot cocoa bars are also great for kids and other guests that may not drink caffeine. Just with any bar or buffet you create, you want to have lots of choices and customization options for your guests!
Style the bar in a way that reflects the overall look of your wedding. Vintage inspired weddings could use vintage holiday decor and serving pieces. Weddings that are lodge influenced could situate their bar in front of a wood paneled wall and a rustic winter wedding could use pine cones to accent the table.
A classic add-in is marshmallows, you could put your own spin on it by using marshmallows with heart cut outs, mini, or candy coated.
In addition to marshmallows, you could also make mini gingerbread houses to go on the edge of your mugs! Chocolate dipped spoons are also a great option for an additional detail. Cookies to have along with your cocoa will also be appreciated by your guests.
If you want to give your guests a favor to help them remember your amazing cocoa bar (and wedding!) hot cocoa favors are also a great idea.
Whether you use an old family recipe or your favorite store bought variety, hot cocoa is a great addition or alternative to a coffee bar for your winter wedding. Having lots of options for toppings and add-ons as well as complimentary sides like cookies or candies all make for the perfect hot cocoa bar!
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Rebekah is a wedding and event designer and owns the company A & B Creative, read her blog.
