who?

I love the look of winter and how clean and beautiful the landscape is early in the season.  Everything is white, pure, and fresh.  For sure you don’t need to think about how you’ll keep warm unless you choose such a venue as (the above).

Your first priority and thoughts are of course to yourself and the groom and how you’ll treasure the moment of your vows.  But what about the freezing guests?

Who?

I found this little blog on winter weddings that I really likes.. practical tips here along with a surefire way to please guests: outdoor heaters.

In the blog there is the idea of providing a take-away stole for all the guests  though this is a little extravagant.  For special guests, providing something sweet and nice that can be worn again would be a nice little treat.   I found these great little felted wool beads that I’ve used like this:

They’re fun, colorful, and warm.

staying warm

With an impending blizzard on the eve of this post, I clearly had to admit that wearing warm boots is not always enough to stay warm on a typical Michigan winter day.

For your winter wedding day of course, you only need a little something to dash in-between venues, but why not go all out?  Why settle for that winter coat you wore last year.. or the ski jacket you bought to match your Vokls?  If you don’t have a fur suitable for your dress, and an aunt or friend can not lend something old or something borrowed, consider renting one for the weekend.

Right in western Michigan there are a few places that offer such grand options for the winter bride.  Check out September Bride downtown Holland for their selection of faux furs available for renting.  Craig’s list is a good resource too.   I found this and this just today for sale.

There is of course David Nolten furs on River Avenue and don’t forget about the Kerstmarkt at the Civic Center – there is a great local furrier that keeps a booth there year after year with many gorgeous accessories for a winter bride.. or anyone on your Christmas shopping list.

these boots were made for walkin’

I woke up to freezing rain this morning, the crux of winter having already arrived in my part of the world and I’m breaking out of storage varying jackets for my different party outfits this season.

Sure it’s easy to pair an existing winter jacket to various outfits.  You could make an almost matching jacket work and no one would barely notice.. but what if you were the center of attention?  I did some web searching on how brides could stay warm and found the typical things: capes, mufflers, shawls,  wraps, arm gloves, long silk underwear, boots, and extra sewn in layers for the dress.

As a bride you want to look gorgeous and unencumbered by heavy jackets or layers that’ll make you too hot once at your reception.  As a bride, you want to choose the dress you want regardless of the season, not necessarily to be cornered into a ‘winter bridal gown‘.

My favorite option and one I use for spring and fall parties, is to just make sure my feet are warm.  If your feet are warm, you can almost wear anything on top.  Boots can be hidden underneath a full length gown, or brilliantly purposely displayed with shorter dresses; modern or more traditional.   They are practical enough to keep on for the entire wedding day or to be replaced by pumps once inside the reception.

Check this bridal party out!  Sassy!

My favorite idea is the most practical and that is to buy an awesome pair of boots you will wear and wear again.  Perhaps you wouldn’t normally splurge $800 or more on fabulous winter knee high boots, but for your wedding you would!  What a treat to wear your wedding boots for the decade of your honeymooning phase! (my favorites are the paisley ones below!  Of course I’m an 80′s girl