Ten top tips to make your winter table settings dazzle
1. A wedding in the cooler months is the perfect excuse to create a winter wonderland. Decorate the table with sparkling confetti in the shape of snowflakes or stars to catch the light. You can use the motifs throughout the wedding – why not put snowflakes on your invitations or use star-shaped candle holders?
2. There is a shortage of native flowers around in winter, so consider using some beautiful red-berried holly or traditional ivy to decorate the table. You could even place sprigs of mistletoe in the doorways, especially good if you’re going to try a bit of matchmaking with your seating plan!
3. Poinsettia is one winter bloom that is traditionally in flower around the Christmas period. Make use of its gorgeous red blooms and deep green foliage, by placing some on each table. At the end of the day your guests can take them away as favours.
4. Candles look wonderful and are a cost-effective way to create atmosphere. The secret here is to use as many as you can afford, cluster big white church candles in the middle of the table for flattering lighting and dramatic effect. (image: Velvet Brown)
5. Go wild with favours. If you’re after a quirky gift consider personalised snow domes or, for a more traditional approach, think about leaving traditional Christmas tree decorations by your guests plates – each year when they adorn their tree they’ll remember your special day. (image: Artichoke tealight holder, Dwell)
6. Silver and gold are traditional winter colours and both look fabulous with white, so consider using metallic tones for napkins, place settings and chair covers. Donning a gold or silver cape over your dress would keep you warm and also pick up the colours of the tables perfectly.
7. Pine boughs are wonderfully aromatic; you could decorate the venue with them and give pine-scented favours to your guests. Or why not use tiny Christmas trees as table centrepieces? You could adorn them with decorations shaped in your initials. (image: Cocktail stick decorations, Cox & Cox)
8. Cranberries are traditional winter berries. Fill a clear bowl with them and pop a candle inside for a simple table centrepeice. You could add oranges studded with cloves, or tie together cinnamon sticks with twine for additional festive flavour and a warm, spicy scent at the table.
9. Twinkling fairy lights always look special. Decorate your venue with an abundance of tiny white lights around pillars, in glass vases and in trees. Just be sure to take advice from an electrician – you don’t want your big day going up in smoke! (image:Crackle bauble lights, John Lewis)
10. Gingerbread is a mouthwatering festive treat, so why not bake gingerbread people to be given as favours? If you have time, you could even make gingerbread houses for the table centerpieces. Your guests could break them open to eat with their coffee after dinner.
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