Christmas wedding ideas

Mistletoe, cozy sleigh rides through the gently falling snow, curling up by the fire with hot cocoa and Christmas carols....what's more romantic than the Christmas season?

A Christmas wedding might be just what you wish for this year.

The Christmas season is a beautiful time for planning your nuptials, with plenty of variety and options to make your wedding unique.

Another added bonus is that many locations will give you an off-season discount, saving you money and time in your planning!

Be sure to ask your providers about bonus packages that they may have to bring in extra business during the slower winter months, and plan accordingly.

Outdoor pictures may be out of the question, so be sure to scout around for gorgeous indoor locations to make your Christmas wedding photos extra special.

Here are a few Christmas wedding ideas to get you started!

Thanks to the the availability of low-cost decorations, there are plenty of Christmas wedding theme ideas to choose from! Consider the traditional colors of red and green for your Christmas wedding, or create a bold color palate with royal blue, silver and gold to create that magical Christmas feeling on your special day.

Another helpful hint- if you plan on being wed in a church, check ahead of time for special holiday services and ceremonies that may conflict with your day and plan around them. The church may give you a discount for avoiding these busy holidays.

If you're looking for a white Christmas wedding, most theatrical rental houses have theatrical snow machines available. These provide a gorgeous "snowfall" that dissolves on contact, eliminating mess but providing tons of wonderland atmosphere.

Invitations

• Santa will approve of these gorgeous Vintage Vines invitations and Thank-You Notes... this beautiful, deep red is a perfect color to accent the snow of the winter season.

• If the delicate lace of snowflakes is more your style, these amazing Frosty Wind invitations are sure to please!

• Here's a fun Christmas wedding idea: Find a cheap supplier of Christmas stockings (we found some really cute ones at the local everything's-a-dollar-store) and stuff them with your wedding invitations!

Dcorations

• Christmas time means Christmas lights-and white twinkle lights are one of the cheapest and easiest ways to create that winter wonderland atmosphere with little hassle and lots of results!

• The holly and the ivy...this traditional holiday tune is also another one of those quick and easy Christmas wedding decoration ideas that is often overlooked- grab a few white candles and some red ribbon and go to town creating a beautiful and easy holiday centerpiece!
  
  Including some delicate glass ornaments that will catch the light will add a magical glow to the evening. Add holly and ivy to your list of Christmas wedding flower ideas as well!
• Silver bells...silvers bells...it's Christmas time at your wedding! Have your guests ring in your marriage with the festive sound of these beautiful Silver Bells -and consider using traditional Christmas carols to create your Christmas wedding ideas!

Flowers and Favors

• Spend an afternoon sharing Christmas cookie recipes with your wedding party and create a special holiday cookbook that will be cherished all year round. Have a few of the bravest chefs whip up enough cookies for all of your guests and leave them as favors at each place with a copy of the recipe- a cheap (and yummy) Christmas wedding idea.
• Don't let the absence of bright spring flowers deter you- there are dozens of wintery Christmas wedding bouquet ideas that rival even the brightest summer daisy. Carnations, roses, Gerber daisies, nerine, tulips, lilies and freesia are usually available in the winter months.
  
  Talk to your local florist to see what is available in your area! Keep in mind that the cost of some flowers fluctuates with the seasons, so the budget conscious bride may want to do some research before committing to a certain type of flower. Poinsettias are a traditional holiday favorite, but care should be used around children and pets, as some varieties can be poisonous if ingested.

• You can share in the season of giving by donating money to your favorite charity in honor of your guests in lieu of traditional wedding favors- order these beautiful Charity Wedding Favors to inform your guests of your generous contribution on their behalf.
  
  And hey- you can count on being on the "nice" list this year! This will have your guest talking for years about your generous Christmas wedding ideas!

There are tons of fresh and fun Christmas wedding decoration ideas to make your day memorable! Consider hiring Santa to come and take pictures with the kids, or rent out a horse-drawn carriage to take you to your destination.

Many local choral groups in your area may offer caroling services at low rates during the holidays- and most will have traditional Victorian Christmas garb, as well.

Christmas is a magical time of year, and getting started with these Christmas wedding ideas are sure to put a unique touch on your special day!