Winter Wedding Trends We Love

Christmas songs are playing, there’s a nip of cold in the New Orleans air, and we’re feeling winter weddings coming on! Here are some of our favorite winter wedding trends for 2016.

1. Using winter fruit in centerpieces

Now hear us out on this one—we know that winter centerpieces are usually bright winter flowers like poinsettias or icy vases. But a deep, rich winter fruit like a pomegranate or a delicately, pale fruit like a pear can really add a bit of personal flair to your centerpieces. Blood oranges, cranberries, red grapes—you have more choices than you think.

2. Natural wood

A rustic winter wedding is more than just pine branches and fake snow. We’re in love with the exposed natural wood trend for this winter, from cake plates to centerpiece vases to goody-bag coasters. And since wood comes in all different colors, you’ll be able to find something to match your color scheme perfectly, from a rich cherry to a pale gray. Speaking of gray…

3. Neutral colors + rhinestones

Don’t get carried away with the red and green! Sure, they’re a sign of the holidays, but for a more elegant touch, why not try combining some warm metallic shades with white and gray? If you’re into the more muted palette, a combination of laurel or mint green, an icy blue, and gray would be a gorgeous, perfectly seasonal combination to try. You can bring back some of the flare of the brighter colors through rhinestones, using their glitz as a contrast to your paler color scheme.

4. Poured icing cakes

Fighting a case of the Mondays with some thick caramel drips ??to see more baking videos, check out my YouTube channel (link in bio)? #salted #caramel #drips #buttercream #chelsweets

A video posted by Chelsey White (@chelsweets) on Nov 21, 2016 at 7:23am PST

Let’s give those naked summer cakes a winter coat! We can’t stop watching poured (or dripped) icing cakes, like this caramel delight. If you pair a pale icing with a vibrant drip and some of those winter fruits we mentioned, along with the always-in-style winter branches, you’ll have a simple but gorgeous cake perfect for a winter wedding.

5. Seasonal berries in bouquets

It’s a little more traditional to use the same old bright flowers in bouquets, but there are so many gorgeous winter berry choices that it would be a shame to waste them! Pairing a bouquet of creamy-white winter honeysuckle with a bright burst of holly berries? Yes, please!

6. Jewel-toned bridesmaid dresses

Another perfect complement to your pale winter gray color scheme! Rich jewel tones would be just right in a winter setting; you can avoid the traditional flat red and green by using ruby and emerald, or you can lean into the iciness of winter with sapphire. Royal purple can add flair to any wedding. These rich, saturated tones will guarantee that every picture pops in just the right way.

7. Coffee & hot chocolate bar

Cupcake and make-your-own sundae bars dominated summer weddings this year—now meet its winter match! Coffee and hot chocolate bars are a great idea for the later hours of a reception in winter, as guests begin to wind down and brace themselves to go back out into the cold. You can include all sorts of fun add-ins, like raspberry or peppermint or chocolate syrup for coffee and fun marshmallows and whipped cream for hot chocolate. This idea also works for early in the reception; just switch it out for a hot (spiked?) eggnog or mulled wine for cocktail hour.

What are some winter themes you’d like to see at weddings this year? Let us know!