Um, you guys? It’s cold. REALLY freaking cold. Like, I’m wearing gloves and a scarf at work cold (and, I’ll be honest, my snuggie goes on as soon as I get home!) This is unacceptable.

I was thinking how nice winter weddings are, but with so many strapless dresses out there, it’s hard for a bride to stay warm (not to mention her bridesmaids, guests, flower girls…) So today I wanted to do a post to keep you warm…hope you enjoy!

Grazier Photography:

Many brides don’t want to put a coat over their dress, but there are some gorgeous options out there! How about this one from Old Navy for the budget bride?

Or for the not so budget bride, how about this great Burberry Biker Jacket?

Or for in between, here are a few more…

Dorothy Perkins:

DKNY:

Kate Spade:

Don’t believe me that a bride can look gorgeous in a coat?

Ben Blood:

Stephanie Williams:

Are you a fur kind of girl? Faux or real is up to you (we encourage faux)…but it keeps you super warm!!!

egomedia photography via District Weddings:

Wedding Bee:

James Christianson:

How about our very own Wish client Julia?

Speaking of fur, you could go with a fur wrap or shrug instead of a coat…

Holly Bloom Couture on Etsy

Leigh Miller Photography:

West Park Photography:

Of course, not all wraps and shrugs are in fur…

Martha Stewart Weddings:

Brinton Studios via Style Me Pretty:

Erin Hearts Court:

Etsy seller Bonzie

Oh, J. Mendel, why must you be so gorgeous…and expensive…

You know what else keeps people warm? Cardigans! I love cardigans at weddings!!!

Acres of Hope Photography via Style Me Pretty

Cameron Ingalls

Dreamlove Photography:

Fashion Bride:

Kate Headley:

It’s not just your arms that get cold, though, right? What about your tootsies?! How about some boots — I mean, if Samantha Jones can pull it off…

I REALLY want a pair of these boots. I would wear them ALL THE TIME in the winter! (Neiman Marcus)

Oh, Manolo…

These Oscar de la Renta boots would keep your feet warm, but if it’s icy outside BE CAREFUL!!! Those are some serious heels.

Martha featured a winter wedding where the couple gave the female guests winter boots and the male guests great flasks. That is TOO CUTE, but, would be WAY out of my budget!

Slushy outside on wedding day? Martha to the rescue again…

Okay, cardigans? Tights? Boots? I need more details on this wedding, photographed by Ali Beamish…

Speaking of tights, what better way to stay warm?!

The Leekers:

HOW CUTE IS THAT?!?!??!

Caught the Light:

Chictopia:

Classic Bride:

How gorgeous would this dress by David Meister be for your maids?

Levi Matthew:

Manolo for the Brides:

Did you guys know legwarmers are making a comeback? I’m kind of loving them!

Alice and Olivia:

Asos:

thisnext:

Or, of course, you could just wear a long sleeved wedding dress! (SHOCKING, I know

Amanda Wakeley:

Anne Bowen (I totally think this dress would be cute with tights!)

Carolina Herrera:

And look who just wore a long sleeved Marchesa at her wedding!

GORGEOUS!!! Will you be keeping toasty like Nicole Richie with a long sleeved dress? How will you be staying warm this winter?

I have known this bride for a LONG time. I began my career years ago at Wolf Trap and one summer, had a WONDERFUL intern named Julia. Fast forward over 10 years later, and I see on Facebook Julia’s getting married! I email her to congratulate her, and she says “oh, and by the way, I need a planner…” Of course I signed right up!

Julia planned every last detail but Chris, a graphic designer, designed all of the paper pieces, including the menus, invitations, and programs!

I absolutely LOVE this photo of the couple, just after they were married, at the church’s entrance. How gorgeous is that vintage fur stole, compliments of the bride’s grandmother?

After the ceremony, everyone headed to the Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks to start the party. This Marriott has a GORGEOUS cocktail area, made even more beautiful by the lighting from Swank Audio Visuals:

Throughout the planning, Julia kept talking about the “wow” factor in the ballroom. Well, she definitely got it! With a combination of the already beautiful ballroom:

Linens from DC Rental:

More lighting from Swank:

…and my favorite part, the centerpieces! Chris and Julia had three different centerpieces. Two of them were provided by a Wish favorite, Barbara Von Elm at Growing Wild:

And the third was designed by Julia and put together by my beautiful assistants and me! (and which you’ve seen before, as they’re for sale!)

(The small bride’s cake was based on Chris’ design from the invitations!)

As if that wasn’t enough sugar, Julia’s mom baked mini breads for guests to take home, sealed with the couple’s custom monogram (again, created by the groom) and gave them the recipe for the bread to bake at home!

A few more gorgeous pictures of the day:

::Disclaimer! The photos in this post are purely inspirational and not from events that Blue Canary Events has planned or coordinated unless denoted by a link to another wedding on this blog. We can re-create what you see below for your event but these are not a part of our portfolio::

Ah, New Year’s Eve. Some people go skiing, some people go to black tie parties, some people spend it drunk at a bar or, as we did when we were little kids, lighting sparklers and banging on pots and pans. (Did other people do that? Or was my family just weird?) Some people, though, spend it getting married! New Year’s Eve is all about celebrating new beginnings, so a New Year’s Eve wedding is PERFECT for that! And what better way to make sure your friends and family are all around when the clock strikes midnight?! Here are some great touches you can use for your New Year’s Eve wedding.

How cute is this idea, to put centerpieces in a champagne bucket?

Holiday ornaments can be put to great use for a New Year’s Eve wedding. And not on a tree!

Martha Stewart Weddings:

Clocks are also a great way to decorate your space for the night (Martha again)

Taste of Home:

And, of course, you have to have noise makers around for your guests for when the clock strikes midnight!

When I think of New Year’s Eve weddings, I think silver and gold. Sparkly touches are perfect for New Year’s!

I wish I remembered what blog I got this from — too cute!

I love this idea of everyone writing their resolutions and hanging them on the tree

Cute gold touches from one of my favorite party supply web sites, Plum Party

Martha Stewart Weddings:

You can even wear cute silver and gold touches like this bride’s gorgeous dress, photographed by Meg Baisden:

Or these hot gold shoes:

Or this ADORABLE flower girl’s shoes from Rachel at Millie Holloman Photography:

And of course, you have to end the night with the perfect send off, whether it’s a balloon drop:

A confetti drop (from Jessica Claire)

Or, of course, sparklers!

Millie Holloman Photography:

So what are you doing New Year’s Eve?

::Disclaimer! The photos in this post are purely inspirational and not from events that Blue Canary Events has planned or coordinated unless denoted by a link to another wedding on this blog. We can re-create what you see below for your event but these are not a part of our portfolio::

I LOVE Winter Weddings. The temperature is perfect for those of us (aka me) that hate the heat, it gets dark early, allowing for tons of candlelight, and if you’re lucky enough to get snow, it makes for AMAZING pictures! Today we’re going to look at some great ideas for winter weddings.

The first question, of course, is what are you going to wear? Well, if you’re the bride, there are lots of great options, including some gorgeous long sleeved dresses out there. My sister wore this amazing dress, which is strapless, but has a beautiful long sleeved overcoat, from David’s Bridal, for her December wedding:

(Hmm…I wonder if she’ll let me wear it if I ever get married??)

There are also lots of gorgeous shrugs, wraps, and sweaters out there.

(Gorgeous bouquet too, right?!)

Martha Stewart Weddings:

Life on Prints via The Knot

(Yet another gorgeous winter bouquet!)

Grazier Photography:

And how cute are this bride and her bridesmaids in matching fur wraps?

I love the color of the bridesmaids dresses for winter as well. Grey can be SO pretty!

Speaking of bridesmaids, there are some great options out there for winter weddings. Ice blue, a pretty green, red, black, or the aforementioned grey are all great colors for winter.

Michael Bambino Photography:

Jennifer Lindberg Weddings:

Altura Studio:

Perfect Bound:

(How much do I LOVE the grey tights?!)

Shelby Leigh Photography:

Of course, guests need to stay warm too — here’s my friend Coralie and I at a friend’s winter wedding. I LOVE that green wrap!!

Speaking of Karen’s wedding, look at the gorgeous centerpieces she and her mom came up with:

Centerpieces are a great way to bring the season into your wedding.

Amy Martin Photography:

Can you tell how much I love cranberries as decor? LOVE this centerpiece photographed by the Weibners:

Martha Stewart Weddings:

And how cute would this be as a centerpiece, from Paper Source!?

Yes, that’s made of PAPER!!!

Centerpieces aren’t the only decor at your wedding, though. Here are some other great winter touches:

Martha:

More Martha:

(I love the idea of blankets used as decor!)

More cranberries!

Erik Ekroth Photography:

Snippet and Ink:

OMG, how GORGEOUS is this curtain of HAND FREAKING MADE snowflakes from Bugs and Fishes? How beautiful would this be over windows at your reception venue?

Of course, having your wedding right before Christmas is great if you’re looking to save on decor — a lot of places, such as churches, hotels, and historic venues, are already decorated for you! (Again, my friend Karen’s wedding):

And finally, we can’t forget about gorgeous winter bouquets, like this one photographed by our friend Kate Headley:

LOVE this bouquet from the Carolina Herrera Spring show:

Jeff Reeder Photography:

A Bryan Photo:

Are you having a winter wedding? What colors are you using for the season?