The time for snuggling up with steaming cups of hot chocolate and warm plaid blankets is getting closer. There’s a romantic mood in the air when it comes to wintertime, and the decor ideas for a winter wedding are plentiful. Be inspired by the festivities and colors of the season by incorporating them into your table settings. Winter tablescapes can be really stunning, and give your guests that celebratory feeling.

Dark reds are a quintessential color for the holidays. Pair red blooms with some greenery, candles and frosted silver accents. If you’re having a rustic themed wedding in a barn or cabin, play up to your surroundings in your table settings. Tree rounds with leafy garlands contrast with polished candlestick holders.

Bare wooden tables are a great canvas for an elaborate tablescape without making the elements seem overwhelming. An all-white table is softened by touches of burlap and crystal decorations.

Give traditional ideas an unexpected twist, such as using sheets of Christmas carol music as placemats. Also, using heavy tree branches as a table runner with cut outs to insert candles. Get the celebrations started with a sequin and chevron table runner; we all know that sequins are a cue for partying.

Use classic color combinations on your table with white, green and red and include clear blue glasses. We love the unexpected aqua candles on this winter table, with the complementary matte silver tableware. Runners can really transform your table, especially when they are full of seasonal greenery and baby’s breath.

A simple winter tablescape can be easily created by starting with a stunning tablecloth.

These gold charger plates work well with the bare table and lace runner. The look is completed with these amazing gold candles and an abundant floral centrepiece.

Photo one: treelifefilms.com; Photo two: elizabethannedesigns.com; Photo three: weddings.torywilliams.com; Photo four: pinterest.com; Photo five: simplebites.net; Photo six: carriepellerin.com; Photo seven: rebeccahollis.com; Photo eight: emilydelamater.com; Photo nine: carolinefrostphotography.com; Photo ten: landonjacob.com; Photo eleven: jessicalewisphoto.com

After attending many weddings as both a professional hairdresser and as a guest, Jemma knew she didn’t want to be the kind of stressed out bride that couldn’t enjoy her own wedding day. So, to avoid the stress that comes with planning and having a large wedding, she and fiancé Kase settled on a casual café wedding for 40 guests instead. Their lunch reception, while unconventional, kept costs low, and more importantly, allowed the couple to connect and celebrate with all their guests in a relaxed and fun way – completely stress-free!

A huge thanks to Natalie McNally for giving us the opportunity to share their special day with you.

Jemma & James (Kase)

Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

Wedding Date: October 24, 2014

Number of Guests: 40

Wedding Cost: $12,000

Wedding Ceremony Location: Christ Pukehou Church, Central Hawkes Bay

Wedding Reception Location: The Paper Mulburry Cafe

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

A few reasons – firstly, Kase is from such a big family and we couldn’t bring the guest list down enough for any of the venues we liked and include everyone. Secondly, we wanted our day to reflect us, not be a big performance. Lastly, because I’m a hairdresser I have been involved in many weddings as well as attended as a guest and I didn’t want to be that bride who is so stressed she didn’t enjoy her day. So we kept it intimate and simple, which for us was perfection.

What are some of the challenges that you faced planning an intimate wedding?

Nothing that bothered me really! I loved how easy it was to plan. It was casual and fun. I loved every moment.

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

No, not at all. It was actually easier to cut it down to 40 than 120. Everyone at our wedding loved us both as individuals and have watched us grow to be the couple we are today. It made it feel really special.

Did you have any ‘issues’ with the small guest list from friends and family? If so, how did you address them?

We had a lot of issues from both friends and family! The rule was “if we don’t agree, they aren’t coming” which was great because we both loved everyone there. I think the thing that got us through all the complaining from people who weren’t invited, was remembering if they loved us they would be happy for us.

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

Walking down the aisle and seeing Kase in tears; it re-enforced for me the love he has for me and why we were standing there.

What were the highlights of the reception?

Just being able to have a good chat with everyone and seeing people who hadn’t met come together like they had known each other for years. I feel like that wouldn’t have happened with a bigger wedding.

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

How magical it felt. Just having people surrounding you that love and are so happy for you made our day. Also, the fact that we had some amazing people help put it together who understood how casual we wanted it to be made us feel so special.

What advice do you have for couples who are considering an intimate wedding?

Do it!! You won’t regret it. We are still so in love with the day and wish we could relive it over and over again. Also, the lunch reception was a big discussion point for us, but we feel as though this made it so much more causal and fun, and it was the best decision ever (it also kept costs down).

Vendors:

Photography: Natalie McNally Photography

Dress: Grace Loves Lace

Make-up: Candice Dear – Embellish Me

Hair: Morgan from Hair@88

Flowers: Magdalen Hill

Celebrant: Karen Callaghan

Venues: Christ Pukehou Church and The Paper Mulburry Cafe

If you are a big fan of pairing chocolate with mint, you will love this Candy Cane Fudge Recipe. This fudge is not only a wonderful treat for the holidays, it’s the perfect wedding favor! Simply wrap two or three pieces  in a box and you are good to go.

This recipe is ideal for anyone who wants a simple treat that doesn’t require a heap of ingredients – or effort.

You will need:

Stir frequently until almost melted, remove from heat and continue to stir until smooth. When chips are completely melted, stir in the peppermint extract and crushed candy canes. (Set aside some of the crushed candy canes to sprinkle on the top later on.) Stir well.

Pour mixture onto baking pan. Spread evenly.

Sprinkle in chocolate chips and swirl them into the mixture with a knife.

Sprinkle top with crushed candy canes.

Place in fridge for three hours. Cut fudge into squares.

Wouldn’t this look lovely on a holiday treat table?

Bet you can’t eat just one!

We think most people will agree that one of the best parts of planning a wedding is picking out your registry items. Compared to the stress and many tedious aspects of the planning process, registering for gifts is a much welcomed and fun task for many couples.

While it can be tempting to go hog wild when it comes to making your registry selections, adding anything and everything your heart desires is not the best approach- unless, of course, you want to end up with a random assortment of items that don’t really work together.

To curate the perfect wedding registry, first consider the look and aesthetic you’re going for in your home. Do you prefer modern, rustic or traditional design elements? Do you have a color scheme? What type of materials are you drawn to: wood, stainless steel, granite etc.? It’s not necessary for all of your rooms to have exactly the same colors or aesthetic, but it is a good idea to have a cohesive design in mind for your home before you get started. Once you’ve figured out the exact look you’re going for, find some examples online that you can easily reference to keep you on track. Now the fun part! Go on a treasure hunt (within the parameters you’ve just set, of course) and start adding gifts to your registry!

To give you an example of what curating a great registry looks like, we’ve put together our own dream kitchen/dining registry with some amazing items from Crate and Barrel.  Since warm metallics are super chic right now, we started with some gorgeous copper pieces and chose to mix them up with some dark wood elements and white marble details for the perfect blend of  industrial elegance, rustic charm, and sophisticated luxury.

We had so much fun putting this registry together, it makes us want to get married all over again! Creating your own Crate and Barrel registry is easy, just click here to get started. Or better yet, why not attend one of Crate and Barrel’s Wedding Party Events for exclusive store access and helpful tips from their registry experts?

1: Woodsy Candle Holder; 2: Wood-Marble Square Platter; 3: Schmidt Brothers 7-Piece Zebra Wood Knife Block Set; 4: Orb Copper Shaker; 5: Montana Acacia and Glass Jars; 6: French Kitchen Mortar and Pestle; 7: Copper Salt & Pepper Mill; 8: Marble Top/Elm Base Dining Table; 9: Teak branch forks; 10: Calphalon Contemporary Tri-Ply Copper 10-Piece Cookware Set

Sponsored Post. 

When it came time to plan their wedding, Lindsay and Albert, who had both been married before, chose to celebrate their union with just their children by their sides. While they would have loved to enjoy their day with friends and extended family, the couple felt it was important to keep their focus on the commitment they were making to their newly blended family. The result was an incredibly romantic private ceremony up in the mountains followed by a relaxed outdoor dinner for the family of six, both filled with beautiful details and photographed by the talented Victoria Greener.

Lindsay, 39 & Albert, 49

Idaho City, ID

Wedding Date: August 15, 2014

Number of Guests: 4

Wedding Cost: Approximately $7,050

Wedding Ceremony Location: In the mountains of Idaho City

Wedding Reception Location: Our Idaho City cabin

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

This was so important to us. Al and I were both having a second wedding, and we both have children. To us, this was incredibly delicate. We had the opportunity to enjoy this moment with a group of friends and family, or we could celebrate with the family that we were making commitments to. We didn’t want to be bogged down with social responsibilities and family obligations, and our desire was to make this moment significant for our children, as our vows were going to create a larger family for all of us, and we recognized that as a very personal moment. There is also something incredibly romantic about an intimate private ceremony that speaks to those personally involved. I love reading about small weddings and elopements more than the large ones. So, Al and I decided that this was ultimately what we both dreamed of, and then the planning started.

What are some of the challenges that you faced planning an intimate wedding?

Finding people to help set up and tear down; it is difficult to expect friends and family to take on that responsibility and not attend. So, I looked to Bliss Events to coordinate all the small details, handle payments, and handle the set up and take down. Lindsey Yeaman did a wonderful job, and this was really one of the best things I could have done for my family. She thought of and took care of all the details.

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

Yes. I have four sisters who all wanted to be there, and a few nieces who were counting on being flower girls, but in the end they all understood.

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

The day was magical. My son driving me to the spot in a UTV, which was unusual, and walking up to see my soon-to-be husband who was all smiles; looking around and seeing my little family all standing beside us in support of the union.

What were the highlights of the reception?

Oh my goodness the food was amazing. My friend Kate McCaslin came down and catered the whole thing. We had an incredible cake, pasta made from scratch, homemade crackers, and delicious everything. Since it was just our little family we got to share all of the goodies with our vendors.

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

I loved that it was just us in an incredibly romantic setting; and how easy it was to sit together as a family for the first time and really focus on that moment. Also, I loved not worrying about whether or not I spoke to everyone there. It was just the 6 of us toasting, laughing, and reveling in the moment.

What advice do you have for couples who are considering an intimate wedding?

Don’t be afraid to hire a planner if you are doing more than just a ceremony, and especially if you plan to be somewhere remote like we were. Most people understand the myriad of reasons that people choose to elope or have a private ceremony; be happy with your decisions, and not to sound cliche, but the wedding is about you and your spouse, and I believe that you should do everything you can to keep that the focus of your day. It is such a blessing to be able to make those vows to the one you love so create a space that makes your memories full of love, peace, and hope.

Vendors:

Event Planner: Bliss Events

Videographer: Retroscope Media

Photographer: Victoria Greener Photography

Florist: Flowers at Will

Caterer: Kate McCaslin

Bride’s Dress: J.Crew

Groom’s Outfit:  J.Crew

Hair and Make-up: Jody Earle at DV8