5 Reasons to Have a Winter Wedding

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Just engaged? Trying to set the date? Every season offers a unique spin on weddings—from stylistic decisions such as colors to lovely little details like footwear.

Summer might be the most popular time to get married, but we’ve got five amazing reasons to tie the knot during a winter month!

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Stylish Outerwear

Capes, shawls, shrugs, faux fur, sweaters, scarves—the options for staying warm and looking fabulous are endless. Make sure you and your bridesmaids show up in unforgettable style! Winter accessories make nice gifts for your wedding party.

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Gorgeous Sparkle

Winter is the perfect time to wear something glamorous. Twinkling earrings, a gorgeous necklace, and an oh-so-pretty headpiece will light up your bridal ensemble with elegant shimmer. You can also get away with a sparkly rhinestone veil or glittery shoes.

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Romantic Glow

Strung lights, votive candles, and flickering firelight create a beautiful ambiance unique to winter weddings. You can also tie in seasonal colors and metallic tones to make your reception truly shine. Be sure to get some of your portraits with romantic lighting.

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Snowy Photos

There’s nothing like seasonal snapshots to make your wedding memorable. Breathtaking mountains, softly falling snow, and frosted trees provide a dramatic backdrop. Add umbrellas or have a snowball fight for an extra dose of fun!

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Cold Weather

This means hot drinks and comfort foods—not to mention seasonal favorites! There’s also something about the crisp, cold winter days that makes people want to snuggle up and get cozy. Sounds like the perfect recipe for romance!

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Are you a cold weather bride? Tell us, why did you choose to have a winter wedding?   

10 Things To Be Thankful For On Your Wedding Day

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You’ll spend months planning for the big day, but you won’t believe how quickly the ceremony and reception will fly by! In the spirit of Thanksgiving, remember to stop, smell the roses, and enjoy these 10 things when the time comes to say “I do.”

The Weather

Good or bad, the weather will impact your special day. Sunshine adds a cheerful glow to your photos—rain is good luck! Have fun and make the most of the season in which you marry.

Your Best Girl

This might be your maid of honor, a close relative, or a cherished friend. When there’s a last-minute crisis, she’s there for you. Let her know you appreciate her support!

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Delicious Food

You specially planned out the whole menu. Enjoy it! Whatever meal you serve at your wedding will always have a special place in your heart (or perhaps your stomach).

The Bar

Whether you need to drown out embarrassing comments from relatives or just want to have a good time, relaxing with a few drinks is a well-earned privilege of the bride and groom.

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Your Grandparents

If they hadn’t fallen in love, your parents wouldn’t have been born (and neither would you). Be thankful for them, wherever they are; they made your story possible.

Tasty Treats 

Your wedding cake is a big deal! Unless you don’t like cake, in which case the lovely little goodies you serve instead will provide a much-needed sugar rush during the reception.

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Hired Help

From the wedding planner to the photographer, everyone who takes part in your wedding relieves you of responsibility. The less you have to handle the day of, the more you can enjoy getting married!

Your Parents

They helped shape you as a person and taught you how to recognize a good partner. Take an opportunity to thank them for all the wonderful things they’ve done in your life.

The Guests

Your friends have played nearly as important a role in your life as your family. It’s a blessing to have people you care about there to watch you say “I do” to a new future.

Your Groom

Above all, be grateful that you found true love—not everyone is so lucky! It is a rare and beautiful thing to cultivate a relationship like yours. Cherish it with all your heart.

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Tell us, what are you thankful for?

Are you a Thanksgiving bride?

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Thinking of planning your wedding around a holiday theme? If you love food, family, and warm, fuzzy feelings, perhaps a Thanksgiving celebration is right for you! Read on to see our top ten reasons you should tie the knot on this late autumn feast day.

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You Are Family Oriented

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to bring family together, and many people plan to travel, anyway. The long holiday weekend gives relatives an opportunity to catch up and friends more time to have fun! Just be sure to let loved ones know far in advance to reserve your wedding date, because flight costs go up this time of year.

Anniversaries Are Important

Want to reserve time off from work for your anniversary? This might seem a minor consideration, but booking your wedding on a holiday weekend will ensure you get an extra day or two to celebrate and remember your wedding with family—year after year!

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You Love Nature’s Rich Hues

Do you appreciate earth tones and bright accents? A late fall wedding may incorporate jewel tones and vibrant autumnal hues. Brown, burgundy, gold, grey, and orange reflect the season’s natural beauty.

Fall Is Fun

Is there anything better than crunching falling leaves, sipping hot drinks, and watching the rain? If you love the weather during late fall, a Thanksgiving wedding is a natural choice. Consider getting personalized umbrellas or wearing boots for the big day. Have fun with your food, drinks, and décor!

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Turkey, Turkey, Turkey!

Heap on delicious helpings of hot and savory foods! Serve courses your guests will want second and third helpings of, like roast turkey, apple pie, turkey sandwiches, pumpkin ravioli, turkey salad, mashed potatoes—and did we mention turkey? If you venue allows it, hosting a potluck or asking family members to cook is an affordable way to share special recipes and feed your guests!

Rustic Warmth

Lanterns, candles, and warm lighting create beautiful ambiance for a Thanksgiving wedding. If you’re hosting your reception at a lodge or facility with a roaring fire, all the better! Pumpkins, wheat, and leafy decorations add to the cheer of a harvest-themed wedding.

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Longer Is Better

Does the romance of a chapel or cathedral veil sweep you off your feet? A long veil will frame your gown and look stunning in photos! Whether you’re going for simple elegance or head-turning beauty, a long veil will fulfill your late autumn wedding vision.

You Like to Wrap Up

Shawls, scarves, and wraps are not only warm and comfortable, but provide unique opportunities to enrich your wedding. You can add a splash of color and incorporate sentimental meaning at the same time! Ask a close friend or family member to knit something special for you and your bridal party (plenty of time in advance, mind you) to create lovely memories for everyone

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Gratitude Is Glorious

Love is a special gift. If you’re thankful in particular for your relationship and want to reaffirm this theme during your wedding, Thanksgiving pairs beautifully with a message of gratitude.

Gold Accessories Are Perfect for Your Gown

We mentioned that colors complementing the vibrance of late autumn and the harvest work well with a Thanksgiving wedding. If you love gold accessories, this time of year is definitely for you! Gold adds warm, subtle shine and coordinates beautifully with champagne gowns, embroidered details, and earth-tone accents.

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Bel Aire Bridal Headpiece Style: 6482

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Would you plan a Thanksgiving wedding? Tell us about your late autumn or winter ensemble choices!

‘Till Death Do Us Part—Halloween Proposal Ideas

Planning a spooky Halloween proposal? Pop the big question with a seasonal twist using one of these fantastic ideas. Whether your beloved covets a glittering black diamond, a gothic skull ring, or a traditional sparkly setting, these proposals will definitely get a “Yes!”—if she’s not too afraid!

 Corn Maze Hunt  

Does she love playing games and solving puzzles? Take your star sleuth into a corn maze for the best treasure hunt ever! Give her clues to guide her through to the end, where you can drop a knee and/or ask actors in the maze to hold up signs.

Haunted House Surprise

Give your future fiancée a scary surprise by popping the question inside a haunted house! If you’re a thrill-seeker with a spine of steel who would brave monsters, zombies, and psychos to stop and declare your love, this is a daring way to go. Just make sure she’s not too freaked out to say, “Yes!”

Pumpkin Patch Romance  

Does she love seasonal, family-friendly activities? For a good old-fashioned fall proposal, take one knee in a pumpkin patch! You can plant the ring on a special pumpkin ahead of time, or ask friends and family to write your message on pumpkins and meet you there.

Black Cat Delivery 

For animal lovers, there’s nothing more adorable than a furry new family member bearing a sparkly present! You can also engrave their collar or tag with the question, which makes a great keepsake. For a Halloween twist, adopt a black kitty—and start your engagement with nine lives’ worth of good luck!

Candy Dish Delight

If your sweetie loves treats, why not deliver your question by offering her a dish of candy with an extra-special present sitting on top? This simple proposal is both classic and fun. You can also drop the ring into a glass of cider, or replace the plastic spider ring on a Halloween cupcake with a major upgrade.

Jack O’Lantern Message 

Nothing is more romantic than asking for her hand in marriage by flickering candlelight—preferably with scattered rose petals. Carve pumpkins to ask, “Will You Marry Me?” and drop in some candles. After it gets dark, lead your lovely lady to the magical location!

Trick or Marriage

Do either you or your beloved have kids? Let them be part of the proposal by asking them to hold up signs. When she opens the door expecting Trick or Treaters, she’ll be thrilled by your heartfelt surprise!

How are you going to propose? Share your story!

Top 5 Reasons to Love Fall (Weddings!)

Bright Colors

There’s something magical about autumn. As we leave the green fields and glorious languor of summer behind, we look forward to crisp, blustery days that send gold, brown, red, and orange leaves rustling on dark branches. Incorporate seasonal touches into your bouquet, flower girls’ dresses, and even your bridal ensemble! Bright shoes or snazzy earrings mirror the fun, vibrant colors of fall.

Comfort Fashions

Don’t you just love throwing on a pair of boots, a soft scarf, and some mittens after the heat of summer dies down? Autumn brings still-sunny days and quickly cooling temperatures, mingling the two in a glorious marriage of stunning beauty. Be ready for anything—bring umbrellas for your guests and wrap up in a scarf or shawl to stay cozy on your big day!

Bold Jewels

Fall is the time of harvest, bounty, and fruition. Bold gold jewelry celebrates the season with warmth and vigor. Enliven your wedding look with autumnal statement pieces in hues of rich marsala, vivid plum, dried apricot, deep gold, and forest green. Visit our headpiece page and find fall favorites in lovely gold tones to enrich your ensemble.

Warm Drinks

After a long day of celebrating, or perhaps a rainy afternoon (which is good luck for your marriage, by the way), nothing beats a hot drink. Serve seasonal favorites to your wedding guests! Get inspired by decadent hot chocolate bars, fancy ciders, and your preferred mixed drinks to keep the chill away.

Snuggle Weather

It’s nice to relax after a day of crazy errands out in the cold. Snuggle up to your honey, sip a hot drink, and dream about how you’ll feel on the day you say “I do.” You might even bust open a bridal magazine or browse Pinterest or Instagram for ideas about how to personalize your wedding. You’ll only be engaged once—enjoy your journey!

Top Reasons to Have a Christmas Wedding

(Bel Aire Bridal – Style 6524)

‘Tis the season to get engaged! Amongst the beauty and cheer of the holidays, we can’t help but wonder how many of you newly engaged couples will be saying “I do” again in about a year’s time? Summer and fall weddings are more popular than winter celebrations, but the cold season offers plenty of charming reasons to tie the knot.

Holiday Colors

Green and red, silver and gold, or white and blue are all beautiful color schemes for a holiday wedding. Choose a theme that is right for you and run with it!

Sparkling Accessories

You can’t wear sparkling high heels to a beach wedding. Romantic cathedral veils, stunning headpieces, and formal gowns stand out as some of our favorite winter wedding elements. To add holiday cheer, incorporate green, red, or gold into your bouquet! From shimmering headbands to twinkling bouquet jewelry, a few bits of bling will infuse your look with gorgeous radiance.

Bright Decorations

Tinsel, garlands, strings of lights, mini trees, poinsettias, pinecones, plaid table runners, ribbons and presents—what’s not to like about holiday decorations? Provide your guests with an ornament decoration station, so they’ll have something special to take home! From the table cloths to the centerpieces, you can enjoy reusing these seasonal home accents for years to come.

Religious Significance

If you are deeply spiritual, a Christmas wedding may brighten your ceremony and make your vows even more meaningful. Churches tend to put up gorgeous decorations this time of year, and you can easily incorporate a religious or festive theme.

Family

If your friends and family gather together for holidays, why not plan your wedding around the same time? You can incorporate traditions from both sides, create a few special memories of your own, and enjoy the cheer of celebrating anniversaries to come.

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So, what do you think? Is a Christmas wedding right for you? Let us know when you’re planning on getting married and why you picked the date!

Your Guide to Holiday Style

(Bel Aire Bridal – Style 6501)

Are you getting married this holiday season, or thinking of tying the knot next December? Incorporate all the festive cheer and joy of your favorite holidays into your wedding look! A few simple color accents will go a long way into making your celebration merry and memorable. From bold lipstick to sparkling brooches, here are some of our best ideas to spice up your wedding!

Pop of Color

Whether you accent your gown with a bright shawl, cute mittens, a long scarf, or a cozy coat, the winter weather offers plentiful opportunities to accessorize with a fabulous splash of color. Bright red, fresh green, or cool blue tones can tie in beautifully with your overall theme. This not only adds seasonal charm to your wedding photos, but will keep you warm all day and night.

Groom’s Style

You’d be surprised, but a lot of guys like to play with color. Festive socks, berry boutonnieres, winter hats, and plaid scarves are classic yet fun ways to celebrate in style! Coordinate your guy’s look with your overall color scheme or mirror the seasonal accents from his ensemble in your bouquet.  You don’t have to wear reindeer antlers or funky ties (though you certainly can) to express holiday spirit.

Centerpieces

Spiffing up your table décor with holiday accents is probably the easiest way to subtly (or quite overtly) give your wedding a festive twist. Bowls of ornaments, colored tapered candles, sparkling painted trees, or strings of lights all lend instant holiday charm to your celebration.

Bridesmaids

Whether you choose green and red gowns, velvet sashes, snowflake jewelry, or poinsettia or holly bouquets, you can outfit your bridesmaids in beautiful ensembles to complement the season (and weather). This is a great opportunity to indulge in some new boots or sparkly heels! Colorful scarves or elegant wraps make wonderful gifts and will keep your best friends warm and cozy.

Bouquet

Pinecones, mistletoe, and holly add amazing color and festive spirit to your overall wedding look. Rustic, seasonal bouquets not only look unique and smell wonderful, but cost much less than all peonies or red roses. If you’re going for a more glamorous look, incorporate crystal bouquet jewelry or brooches—the more sparkle, the better!

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Are you planning a winter or holiday wedding? Tell us how you are accessorizing!