Themed weddings are becoming more and more popular. Not the themed weddings that consist of people wearing Hawaiian shirts, but rather weddings with holiday or seasonal themes. A wedding with décor and fashion planned around the season in which it takes place can be a very elegant and beautiful expression. Or, if you prefer, you can turn your wedding into a season that is, well, out of season (a “summer” wedding during winter). No matter how you do it, however, putting together a wedding with a seasonal theme actually makes the planning less stressful. After all, the season provides the colors and the décor. And can even help you figure out what you want the members of your party to wear.

Winter

Dark, rich color is reminiscent of winter. Burgundy, deep blue and green, and even dark purple all add warmth to your reception. Choose a hall or church with wood accents to increase the warm feeling. Faux white fur on your dress, and faux fur trim for the bridesmaid dresses can add a wintry look to your wedding party. You can even indulge in a Christmas theme. But rather than put bridesmaids in bright green and red, instead clothe them in toned-down gold, or silver-gray. This is a more elegant Christmas motif.

Spring

A spring wedding is fresh and beautiful. However, unless you plan to marry in late spring, it is best to plan an indoor wedding. Fresh spring flowers, like crocuses, tulips, snowdrops, and pansies are lovely and colorful, and make great centerpieces. Dressing your bridesmaids in cheerful and bright colors mimics springs bursts of life. You can use a color run (dressing each attendant in a different color of the same style dress) to imitate the look of colorful flowers.

Summer

Many brides are beginning to choose wildflowers for their bouquets. Summer blooms of daisies, buttercups, and other pastel and light colored flowers make excellent choices for the bridal and attendant bouquets, as well as for décor. Colors inspired by summer’s easy-going attitude are pale, like pastel yellows and blues, reminding guests of blue water and sandy beaches. Sundresses make elegant and simple dresses that can be used by the bridesmaids – or even the bride.

Autumn

This season presents many beautiful possibilities. Adding colored leaves to a bouquet of roses is a unique and charming touch for a bridal bouquet. Have boutonnières and attendant corsages made from groupings of autumn leaves of red, yellow, gold, and even dark purple. Colors that make good décor for fall weddings are earth tones: rusts, golds, yellows, and light browns.

Getting Started – An Overview:
Aside from the bouquet you spring for each Mother’s Day, chances are you’re a novice when it comes to flowers. However, now you are a bride–to–be planning your dream wedding, and suddenly you must make decisions on bouquets, boutonnières, reception centerpieces and ceremony arrangements. Overwhelming? We know! Fortunately, we are here to guide you through this process so you can enjoy planning your wedding flowers without wilting from the stress. Read through these useful tips gathered from experts in the field.

Discover Your Style
Close your eyes and envision the perfect look to your wedding. Will it be formal or casual? Elaborate or simple? Bold or neutral colors? Are you a traditionalist in favor of roses or lilies, or do you favor a more contemporary floral theme incorporating grasses, fruits and herbs? Your wedding flowers are more than eye candy; they set the ambiance for the entire event. Choose blossoms that match the formality of your wedding day. Knowing your wedding style is a start in the right direction.

Pick Your Palette
Your color scheme should flow directly from your desired style. Today’s floral trends embrace an anything goes mentality, from wedding flowers in traditional whites and pastels to modern and adventurous dark hues and citrus shades. Flowers in matching shades or cool contrasts are breathtaking, but make sure they coordinate with your overall wedding theme. Choose your colors accordingly, and your wedding will express your spirit. If you are still not sure where to begin, bring a bridesmaid dress fabric swatch when you meet with your florist and choose coordinating shades.

Seasonal Flowers
You know your floral theme and you’ve chosen your color scheme. When deciding on which specific flowers your want in your arrangements, be sure to consider the season in which you are marrying. Typically, fall weddings lend themselves to rich-toned flowers in burgundy, rust and deep yellows, while winter brides can create a sparkling wonderland of whites and silvers. Spring and Summer weddings call for pastels and juicy citrus hues.

Hiring a Florist
Even the most creative and artistic bride will benefit from a florist’s professional capabilities. Your wedding day will be full of activity, and you won’t want to spend vital hours fumbling with the wiring of each bouquet. A florist is not necessarily a budget breaker; a good one should be able to work with any floral budget. We’ll teach you the ins and outs of hiring a florist that suits your needs.

Your Floral Budget
Let’s face it: determining your budget is probably not the aspect of your wedding you’ve been dreaming of since grade school. You may see your floral budget as the biggest nemesis between you and your wedding flowers. If you plan wisely, however, you should have enough money to create the floral theme of your desires. Expect to spend about 8% of your overall budget on wedding flowers.

Imagine the ski lodge in the distance with its welcoming real woodburning fire, the winter sun sparkling off the crisp white snow and the sky as blue as can be. You are assured a day of fairytale proportions.

When it comes to your color scheme think red and green. Not Santa suit and holly leaves, but rich burgundy or plum and a forest green that the pine trees would be proud of. Think fur hats and mufflers with black boots and long coats. Think traditional and old fashioned.

If you decide that you’re not the traditional type, there are still options for a winter wedding. For a winter wedding of cosmic proportions think silvery blue and brilliant white, think glam and glitz, and modern and funky.

Whatever choice you make, I have to admit that the draw of a winter wedding is strong. Should a snow storm occur at a most in-opportune moment then a fire side wedding ceremony must be one of the most romantic.

If the evening weather suits why not set out a bonfire and take your wedding outside, at least for part of the time. There can develop a great sense of camaraderie around a campfire, unlike any camping trip you have ever been on! A group song may even be called for!

There are many choices to be made on the run up to your wedding day and the choice of time of year is just one of them. Each season has its own attractions to offer and winter is no different. If you decide on a winter wedding enjoy and have fun, bring out the seasons special qualities and it wont let you down.