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Seasonal style
As seasons change, it’s important to be aware of how the weather affects the wedding. Editorial Assistant Millicent Garton takes you through some suggestions of how to embrace the chill and celebrate the sun.
Much like seasons, it’s only natural that weddings and their themes flow and evolve with changing year. From the cake and catering to the dress and décor, all elements of the big day can be influenced by the time of year, so it’s only fitting that special attention should be given to those minor details.
HERE COMES THE SUN: Spring & Summer
Couples who have a summer soirée switch their styling ideals to maximalist. Informal, outside locations are always a trendy way to do this: marquees, country house gardens or even beaches provide a blank canvas for adding that summery streak!
Flowers are a great way to provide that much-needed burst of colour, bouquets including lavender, tulips or even sunflowers are proving to be increasingly desirable when tying the knot at this time of year, whilst centrepieces comprised of fruits and foliage bring the exotic to England.
Continuing this narrative of fiesta style in good ol' Blighty, tropical touches prove popular, modern colour schemes of pinks, oranges, blues and yellows flout the beauty of the summer season in an eye-catching way. This also translates into the fashion; the traditional white wedding dress can easily be revamped, swapped for light pink, lilac or a bold floral print. Free and floaty summer dress styles stray from rigid and structured options, allowing for a care-free al fresco celebration.
For summer nuptials, the wedding breakfast provides the opportunity for a whole host of tasty options; a picnic with blankets and hampers of food and strawberries and cream will epitomise a Wimbledon Hill-vibe, while a barbecue with hay-bales and a cocktail station will create a festival feel. The party doesn't have to keep to the dancefloor; popular interactive elements help to bring guests together when in an outdoor setting – where it's easy for guests to wander and spread out – outdoor retro games, food and drink stations and photo booth areas keep the fun-factor high; with a good old-fashioned fireworks display, the big day is sure to end with exotic extravagance!
BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE: Autumn & Winter
In a time where modern equals maximalism, winter weddings stick to simple themes of traditionalism and homeliness. Couples opt for large barn venues in winter, filled with guests they allow for a cosy atmosphere whereas, if you're willing to brave the chill, an outside woodland location in autumn could work wonders. Open spaces leave room for the finer details to pop: positioned around walls, hanging from ceilings or even as part of the table centrepieces, warm-toned fairylights and wintery displays of flowers and foliage – think white roses and holly – add that festive touch. For woodland clearings, a similar style is achieved by wrapping lights around trees, and choosing aisle displays of pine cones and maple leaves, creating that strong autumnal feel. Building into the centrepieces, lining the aisle or adorning fireplaces and shelving, candles are popular this time of year and are a brilliant way to illuminate the proceedings and create an intimate ambience. Winter-themed details find their way onto the bridal look too – long and slender trains, veils and sleeves leave room for intricate beadwork of snowflakes, while the oh-so popular hairpiece can reflect the winter theme in its design. Think: replica designs of vines and flowers in silver and gold, intertwining with braids and up-dos.
The colour scheme intertwined with the rest of the big day is where you can really elevate the winter theme; favoured combinations include white and red or gold and red, whereas some weddings may call for the more chic and sophisticated colours of silver and navy, plum and forest green, or even all white for a wow-factor look.
Much like the colour scheme, it's the cake and food that are central to reflecting the changing seasons – an old-fashioned carvery brings both families together reminiscent of a Sunday roast, while a shower of edible glitter on the cake really makes the star of the show glow. Ending the night with a glass of spiced mulled wine, or marshmallows and hot chocolate around a firepit, mean these winter wonderland weddings are hard to pass up.
