Ah… the wedding gown, the wedding day. Each young girl has deliberated at one time or another regarding her wedding day; what dress, veil, shoes or bag to wear, who will be her bridesmaids (regardless of the fact that we haven’t even met all of the fabulously influential women in our lives as of yet), where will her wedding be, what season, decorations, atmosphere and who will she marry and how will he propose (again knowing we statistically haven’t even met Mr. Right in our travels yet). Well, let’s explore some of these ideas set with a winter backdrop because there is a lot to be said about the romance, magic and splendor that can be found at the heart of a winter wedding. Oh, and not to ruin the moment but according to Financialplan.about.com the average wedding costs about $27,000.

I speak with slight prejudice, as I am partial to winter weddings. My mother walked down the aisle on New Years Eve in an ivory velvet gown with a bouquet filled with frosted pinecones, berries, and winter foliage. As a child I would look at these magnificent pieces that would embody what I believe to be the ideal wedding. However, winter weddings are not for the faint at heart. Inclement weather, temperature, acquiring a gown that will sustain the elements, and finding a place to host your guests. Praying, lots of lots of praying for weather above freezing is all part of the intense worry that comes with a wedding during the winter months.. Nevertheless, the payoff, especially if there is light snow falling as you walk down the isle in candlelight, would be spectacular.

Since the movie “Frozen” debuted in November 2013 there have been numerous winter wedding dresses replicating Elsa’s, Princess of Arendelle, signature blue dress. According to October’s issue of Dailymail.com “Design house Alfred Angelo finally unveiled the Elsa-inspired wedding dress it created for Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings collection. The strapless dress, which will go on sale in January 2015, features a sweetheart neckline, a wispy train, and subtle layers of satin, tulle, glitter net and organza.” To achieve that magical feeling, the original Elsa designed gown by Alfred Angelo will cost you $1,399. For the non-traditional bride who prefers her gown to be anything but ordinary, designers have taken their cue from the Elsa inspired gown and replicated wedding dresses in blue hues, as well as other color choices and numerous fabrics. Many of these gowns are available in sleeve choices that range from long, short and from sheer to none. Remember all gowns can be altered with a little imagination and ingenuity. Let your dress reflect your personality and style by creating a one of a kind gown from a store bought version. There are numerous seamstresses that can take your vision and apply it to an existing gown whether it is store bought or your mother or grandmother’s vintage piece. How special!

For the more traditional bride, who will wear white for those lovely olive or pale skin tones to ivory for us freckled, light skin tones like myself, check out Brides.com, which encompasses all things bridal. This site has everything from planning your wedding, gowns, rings, beauty, hairstyles, honeymoons and advice on how to plan the perfect wedding as well as etiquette dos and don’ts. If you like the idea of wearing a shoulder-baring gown during your winter wedding, think of pairing it with a custom long white or ivory velvet coat, fur bolero, or cape. This allows you to have the best of both worlds.

According to Weddingideasmag.com the best winter wedding hairstyles are “a slicked-back style (great if you’re prone to frizz or flyaways!) and a girly ballerina bun. Add a little texture by finishing with an embellished clip or tiara… for curly haired brides a relaxed style add a feminine twist with a floral hair accessory…French twist will pull long, flowing locks up and off of your back – perfect if you have a beautiful collared wedding dress to show off… the epitome of chic, the chignon is a favorite for brides throughout the years, but it really comes in to its own in the winter.” Also, the low bun is an effortless look for fuss-free brides.

We all certainly have a lot of living to do before our wedding day, but remember to think ahead and how you might feel looking at your wedding photos years from now. It’s a comforting thought to know your photos will stand the test of time with a well chosen gown, hair, makeup and bouquet as opposed to something trendy that you might leave you with feelings of regrets. When thinking of winter wedding photos remember no one will know if you decide to wait for a beautiful white blanket of snow to call your photographer and plan a lovely outdoor photo shoot! You will have already worn your wedding gown and you and your hubby can acquire the most spectacular photos among the quiet and pure background that can only come with a glorious snowfall. A good photographer will know the exact spot to acquire the most breathtaking photos that you and your family will look back on and cherish.

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