
A Victorian-Style Christmas
For many brides, a classic Christmas wedding lets them combine one of the biggest days of their lives with a holiday that's been a lifelong favorite.
For this type of wedding, pick a venue with warm wood paneling, and ideally, a fireplace and hearth. You can hang personalized stockings for your child guests ... or your wedding party.
Terrific colors for a vintage feel: burgundy, cream and gold make a warm and sophisticated palate. Or Christmas plaid and white, which is traditional and rich, yet underused. Hunter green, copper and white is chic, even regal. Mostly-monochromatic weddings are also popular — and perfect for — this time of year, whether it's black and white with cranberry accents, or almost all-white weddings with a few touches of dark ivy green.
Set the stage early with rich invitations drenched in satin ribbons and wax seals. For drama, consider dressing your flower girls as angels, complete with sweet feather wings. For the bride, you might see a regal cap-sleeved gown with scarlet panels in the train or bodice. Popular bouquets range from all-white callas, stephanotis and roses to luxurious all-red rose arrangements, spiced up with hypericum berries.
As for bridesmaids, they'll look lovely in burgundy or hunter green velvet, carrying ivy-wreathed candles or silver lanterns down the aisle. When it's time to depart, have your guests ring tiny silver bells for lasting good luck, and wave goodbye from a storybook horse-drawn sleigh.