DIY Winter Scene Wedding Favors

We are so excited to feature this week's DIY inspiration.  Adorable winter scene wedding favors.  So easy to put together and super cute (don't you think?).  Great for any winter wedding tablescape whether you are going for a traditional look or a more rustic look.  The best part is your guests will love displaying them in their homes afterwards.  Get the how-to below.

The Supplies

 

- Cedar Branches (or other faux branches)

- Glass Bell Jars - order here

- Antique Love Birds - order here

- Mini Pine Cones

- Fake Snow

- Scissors or Wire Cutters

- Glue Gun and Glue Sticks

- Glass Glue (not shown)

Instructions

Cut off small sections of your cedar branches (we found our craft supplies at Save-on-Crafts).  Arrange them to your liking so that some stand upright and others fan out.  Pay close attention that the cuttings fit inside your glass holder (more info on that later).  Your cuttings should begin to form the support for holding your love birds. Add a bit off hot glue between the cedar cuttings to hold the branches together.  Allow to dry.

Next, arrange your two love birds so they are nested in your cedar setting.  Once you are happy with your arrangement, glue the birds down.  Voila! Next up, fill in any holes or areas that need sprucing with your mini pine cones. Secure with hot glue.  We placed one front and center because they were too adorable to pass up.

Now...before adding your snow, make sure that your scene fits inside your holder.  Test by putting the lid on.  Trim any excess cedar branches if needed.  Once everything is to your liking, finish off your winter scene with a good sprinkling of fake snow.

For assembly, add a dab of hot glue to the bottom of your love bird setting and secure to the base of your holder.  We added extra fake snow to our holder for good measure.  Before adding the glass top, run some Loctite glass glue around the rim, so your snow scene will be forever preserved.  (This will also help guests with transporting their favors home.  Super important to consider).

The Result

 

Flaunt Your Wedding Fur

Wearing fur, whether faux or real, is sweeping the fashion world.  No longer seen on just winter brides, fur is being donned by vintage brides and by those simply looking to add a lux feel to their bridal attire.

How you wear your fur on your wedding day is a direct reflection of your style, the time of year, and the theme of your wedding.  Are you getting married in the winter?  Then you may want to opt for a warm fur bolero or coat.  Both which have sleeves to keep your arms toasty in the weather.   For a more vintage look, choose shorter wraps, collars, or capes. On the flip side you can also go big with a vintage theme and don one of your grandma's mink coats.  Don't forget color! Stay classic with white or ivory colored fur or go natural by showcasing more browns and tans.  For the fashion forward bride, choose a faux-fur that has been died a vibrant color to complement the theme of your wedding.

Whatever your style, this trend is just making me giddy with delight.  I love the expensive look that a fur accessory brings to an outfit.  I for one think this trend should be here to stay.

 

 

Image Credits: Camel fur coat, Tan fur bolero, White fur bolero, Gray fur collar, Fur vest, Brown fur coat, Wedding party in fur, Eggplant fur scarf, Gray fur wrap, Natural fur cape, Fur bolero in fall, Fox fur wrap, Cream wrap, White fur cape

 

 

 

A web designer, photographer, mother, wife, lover of the outdoors and all things crafty, Allison is the marketing director for and regular contributor to My Wedding Reception Ideas where you can find more helpful wedding tips, advice and ideas from Allison and other wedding experts.

Winter Wedding Menu Ideas

Between the warmth of indoor heating, a roaring fireplace, and winter apparel, sometimes your typical catered wedding menu can leave guests feeling tired and sluggish.  Making kicking off their shoes and dancing the night away the last thing on their mind.  To keep the party going at your winter wedding, you’ll want food that warms your guests without being so heavy that eating wears them out.

Main Dishes

This means you’ll need to skip the greasy and fried foods which are prone to making you feel sluggish.  Keep your menu items high in protein and low in fat.  Think steak, chicken, fish, and veggies or try appetizer-sized dishes instead of large courses.  If comfort food is a must at your winter wedding, make it miniature! Serving bite sized portions is adorable and will allow guest to fill up on other less heavy alternatives.

Also, remember you still want most of your items served hot to keep guests warm and cozy in the winter chill.  A broth based soup and salad bar is a sometimes a better option than a heavy meat or side dish because it will fill your guests up without producing after-dinner sleepiness.

Drinks

A must-have at your winter drink table is hot chocolate. Put candy canes, marshmallows, and other toppings in small dishes next to the cups so people can make their own cocoa creations.  Serve glasses of baileys or milk with coffee ice cubes in them.  Warm apple cider and eggnog are also seasonal favorites.  Consider setting out tea with honey, coffee, or a hot toddy station for a lightweight option that will give guests a pick me up.

If you have one, a Keurig machine would work well for this sort of a set-up. You’ll need hot chocolate, coffee, and tea K-cups with extra pitchers of water to refill the machine. You can put all of your toppings and add-ins on the table next to it.

Dessert Bar

Don’t go easy on the chocolate or the food dye, here. Chocolate-covered anything screams winter party and red and green will make your dessert table look festive for a holiday wedding. If you’re trying to avoid a Christmas theme like the plague, stick with browns, blues, or deep/icy purples with silver or gold accents.

A soft pretzel station or roasted chestnut station is a cute twist on traditional dessert bar ideas.  Candied almonds, or any kind of nut, are great for guests to snack on because they’ll get energy from the sugar and protein from the nuts, so they’ll be on the dance floor in no time!

Favors and Guest Gifts

A great favor for a winter wedding menu is a cup of hot chocolate or coffee with a donut hole to-go. Especially if the reception ends late or if your guests have a long drive, they’ll need a pick-me-up to get home and are sure to appreciate the gesture.  Be sure and include personalized to-go cups or cup cozies to let guests know to take one with them.  (more cup ideas here)

Along the same lines, a pre-mixed hot chocolate kit packaged in a mug or mason jar would make an adorable take home gift idea.  Pine tree saplings, tree ornaments, and personalized throw blankets or mittens are cute favors as well and will ensure your guests have something to help them remember your wedding in the upcoming months, rather than just that night.

Image Credits:  Hot chocolate bar, Wedding menu sign, Mini pot-pies, Kale soup, Grilled cheese and tomato soup, Hot chocolate bar, Milk and coffee cubes, Hot toddy station, Chocolate candy buffet

Elizabeth is an undergraduate at Ohio Northern University with a double major in professional writing and creative writing and a minor in psychology. Liz writes for My Wedding Reception Ideas as well as creates multi-modal writing projects for Re:Media, an Ohio Northern University online publication.

10 Wedding Flowers that Thrive During the Winter

One of the most common words people use to describe foliage during the winter months is bare. We don’t usually think of winter as the time for beautiful blooming flowers.  When we do think of flowers that bloom during winter, however, most people tend to think of poinsettias first. If you’re anything like me, poinsettias aren't your typical wedding flower – they belong in Christmas decorations.  Listed below are flowers that are perfect for winter ceremonies, accent colors and decorations. Some of them may even surprise you!

1) Cyclamen - With their deep colors and frosted tips, cyclamens are so close to a perfect winter flower it’s scary. The blooms come in different shades of white, pink, and red and have heart-shaped leaves. These flowers look great by themselves or with small light-colored flowers as an accent.

2) Iceland Poppy - Iceland Poppy flowers come in a variety of colors and bloom on long slender stems. Shades of orange and pink, yellow, cream, and white coordinate nicely with clusters of small blooming flowers, such as ranunculus, garden spray roses, seeded eucalyptus, or baby's breath.

3) Calendula - These flowers tend to run from orange to yellow in color, including apricot and cream. The color scheme provided by these flowers looks great together, especially when trying to add a pop of color to bouquets.

4) Candytuft - Candytufts have long stems with small blooms and are pure white with evergreen leaves.  Candytuft has a soft, feminine quality and looks great with clusters of smaller flowers, such as Erica (heather).  They also create a statement when paired with larger blooms like roses, cosmos, or poppies.

5) Hellebores - These blooms are usually bell or cup-shaped and can be any color from white to green to purple, or even a combination of those colors.  Pair hellebores with seeded eucalyptus, roses, ranunculus, stock or simply use on its own for a statement bouquet.

6) Stock - This feminine flower is great as a filler or accent flower. It also works well in centerpieces because it grows wide rather than tall, which means your guests will be able to see each other over the decorations.

7) Winter Jasmine - With its vine-like appearance, winter jasmine will add whimsy to a winter bouquet.  Seen with bright yellow or white blooms, add this into your bouquet as an accent or filler flower. 

8) Kale - This unexpected vegetable will add a punch to any winter bouquet.  If choosing ornamental kale for its giant, frilly blooms, you can opt to use the flowers or decorative foliage itself. The flowers bloom in lavender, rose, and yellow. Use long-stemmed single-bloom white flowers to fill your bouquet.

9) Pinecones, Nuts, and Berries - So, these aren’t flowers, but they can still look stunning in a winter bouquet. Consider dipping the tips of pine cones in glitter to give your bouquet sparkle. Nuts and berries are a festive accent to any winter bouquet and should be considered as a must-have filler item for any of the flowers listed here.

10) Dusty Miller - While not necessarily a thriving winter bloom, dusty miller can easily be found all year round through any florist and it's striking silver color lends perfectly to the season.


Image Credits:  Winter berry bouquet, Cyclamen, Iceland Poppy, Calendula, Candytuft, Hellebores, Stock, Winter Jasmine, Kale, Pinecones, Dusty Miller

Elizabeth is an undergraduate at Ohio Northern University with a double major in professional writing and creative writing and a minor in psychology. Liz writes for My Wedding Reception Ideas as well as creates multi-modal writing projects for Re:Media, an Ohio Northern University online publication.

Pretty Pine Cone Wedding Inspiration Board

As much as we look forward to summer and the fun it brings, I think the fall and winter are just as wonderful in their own way.  This is especially true for weddings.  Where the bright colors of summer have faded, there are now rich tones of reds, oranges and browns to enjoy.  There is a beauty in the changing of the seasons, with fallen leaves and pine cones in abundance this time of year.  If you are planning a wedding during fall or winter, try incorporating pine cones in your wedding.  Not only are they easy to find, but they are simple but stunning accents to any wedding.  We have put together some pine cone wedding inspiration for you to help give you a few ideas of how to include pine cones in your wedding.

Image Credits:  Bouquet, Ring Pillow, Personalized Wedding Welcome Bags, Boutonniere, Place Setting, Pine Cone Place Card Holders, Wedding Ring Photograph, Bride with Bouquet, Pine Cone Wedding Cake, Pine Cone Lined Aisle, Invitations, Pine Cone Garland

Soft Mint and Sparkling Gold - A Wedding Color Story

The color mint will be increasingly popular in weddings this year, and we couldn't be more excited.  This subtle, yet stunning color can be matched with so many different accent hues and will give a distinct feel to every combination.  

One of the most elegant pairings is that of mint and gold.  We love the way the sparkling gold pops when paired with this soft mint green.  These colors make for such a dreamy match, especially when a few other colors like blush pink, soft coral and ivory are used to finish the look.  The mix of warm and cool tones creates the perfect look for any season, and looks equally dazzling whether used indoors or outdoors.  

 

Image Credits:  Chevron Cake, Reception Table, Teacups, A Bit of Dessert, Bridesmaid Dress, Ring, Place Setting, Mint and Gold Heels, Earrings, Place Card, Patterned Cake, A Soft Colored Wedding Dress

Rustic Winter Wedding Ideas

The magic of winter.  The glistening, falling snow, the smell of pine in the air, and a crackling fire are just the right ingredients to create the perfect backdrop for a romantic winter wedding.  Now we've all seen the winter wonderland wedding theme done before.  You know the type.  A blue and white color scheme with snowflake decorations.  While beautiful, this traditional winter wedding theme is starting to lose it's luster among modern brides.  For today's bride looking for a unique twist on winter weddings, we love the idea of a rustic affair.  Full of burlap, bark accents, and pine cones.  Don't forget to throw in a few pine trees to add some greenery.  For a unique twist, incorporate snow owls into your decor for a unexpected wintry addition.

Image Credits: Bride and groom with hay bale, Bride and groom by fence via James Christianson, Pine cone bouquets by Honey of a Thousand Flowers, Rings on pine tree limb, Burlap ring pillow, Owl table decoration, Outdoor wedding table setting, Pine cone and birch centerpiece, Carved wooden initial table centerpiece, Pine cone wedding bouquet, Pine tree sapling wedding favors via Nancy Gould Photography, Church sign, bride and groom, and owl favors via Aaron Delesie Photography, Candy buffet

Winter Wedding Accessories for a Stunning Celebration

When planning your winter wedding, there are so many possibilities for varying themes and styles.  You could have a traditional, glamorous, whimsical, or modern wedding.  With all of these different ways to personalize your wedding to fit your personality, it can sometimes be difficult to find accessories to use for your nuptials.  We have put together a few ideas to help you keep a consistent feel throughout your wedding, using winter wedding accessory collections.  You will find that by choosing a complete collection, it is easy to carry a certain feel through your entire wedding day.

If you are a traditional bride, or even a bride who just wants to feel like royalty on her wedding day, use simple lace and rhinestone accents in bouquets and table settings.  Your guests will be dazzled by the little things that make your wedding special.

As a glamorous bride, you will have your pick of dramatic accents for your wedding.  Feathers are a great way to add texture and draw the eye.  Use feathers in your centerpieces, hair accessories, and even your bridesmaids’ dresses to give your wedding a fun, glitzy feel.

The whimsical bride has a perfect opportunity during the winter months to use snowflake accents to add creative touches to a wedding celebration.  Try using glass ornaments as place card holders on your reception tables, and snowflake accents on your snowy-white wedding cake to make your guests feel like they are in a winter wonderland.

For the modern bride, a sleek platinum silver wedding is perfect for the white backdrop of a winter wedding.  Use silver bridesmaids’ dresses embellished with bows, rhinestones, crystals, or pearls.  All of these are wonderful accents to a silky satin fabric.  The same materials can be used as table runners and centerpieces for a contemporary feel.

Image Credits:  Royal Lace White Satin Wedding Accessories, Lace Wedding Gown, Snowy Castle, Feather Bouquet, Feathered Flair Accessories Collection, Wedding Cake with Feather Accents, Whimsical Snowflake Wedding Accessories Collection, Snowflake Design Wedding Cake, Snow Flurry Glass Ornament Place Card Holders, Table Centerpiece, Platinum by Design Wedding Accessories Collection, Bridesmaids' Dresses

Mouthwatering Signature Wedding Cocktails

Add a personal touch to your wedding reception by offering up a signature cocktail to your guests.  Deciding on the perfect signature drink for your reception may be as simple as matching colors or as involved as telling a story about how you met.  With the huge variety of drink options available, it's no secret that you are going to need to do a bit of research to really find the right cocktail for your wedding.  (But hey the taste testing makes it totally worth the research!).

To decide on the right cocktail, consider picking a drink that includes your favorite liquor, one that matches your color scheme, or one that simply just sounds delicious.  To add a personal touch, choose a drink that fits with your personality or tells a story about how you met.  Seasonal drinks are an easy way to impress too.  Spring or Summer wedding?  Think clean, crisp, and fresh drinks that have lime, lemon, or mango flavors.  Fall wedding?  Consider spiced apple cider.  Winter wedding?  Peppermint drinks, eggnog, and cinnamon spiced cocktails will appeal to the season.

For those looking to save a little money, skip the cocktails all together and offer an assortment of your favorite wine or beer as your signature drink.  You will save time and money by simply limiting the amount of ingredients.  For the less frugal bride and groom, consider offering two drinks instead of just one.  His and Her drinks are a great way to get the conversation flowing and make both genders equally happy.  Offer one drink that has a rougher edge like an Old-Fashioned or Manhattan for the men and another with a feminine appeal like a Cosmo or Sex on the Beach for the ladies.

NA Wedding?  Just because your wedding reception is alcohol free, doesn't mean you have to miss out on all the fun.  Simply turn your signature cocktail into a wine-free sangria or a pumped up punch full of fruit slices and berries.  Vintage coke bottles, personalized cups, striped straws, and other whimsical accessories are all great ways to jazz up NA drinks.

To help you with inspiration for your own signature concoction, we scoured Pinterest and came up with these mouthwatering cocktails and drink stations that we just love.  Cheers!

Don't forget to name your signature cocktail.  After all, it's called signature for a reason.  Try out name generators like this one to take your wedding drink to the next level.  Still unsure what drink to serve, here is another great drink generator for never ending recipe ideas.

Image Credits: Mason jars with striped straws, Drink station, Lemonade bottles, John Daly sweet tea, Mason jars on green tray, Drinks with blue umbrellas, Makers Mark mason jars, Fruit filled punch, His and Hers drink station, Apple bourbon, Winter cocoa, Bridesmaids with vintage bottles, Mason jars with striped straws, Chalkboard sign, Maple leaf mason jars