Your Christmas wedding

By Esther Muchene

Don't you just love Christmas? I live for it.

My obsession goes down to the fact that my dad, sister and I were born in December and I’ve always had a good Christmas. Every last one gets better.

So what can you do to bring that jovial mood into your lovely celebration this Christmas?

Colours

The obvious colours that go with this season are red and green. Be careful though to choose shades that complement each other. For example, don’t choose primary colours that will clash against each other. Instead opt for richer and darker shades such as deep red, rust red or forest green.

If these two shades don’t cut it for you, then don’t worry as there are many other colours that come with Christmas. These include gold, silver, pale yellow, pumpkin orange, ivory or white, champagne and pewter among others.

How well these colours go together will depend on the shades. Choose at least any of the two and tone them down with a base colour such as white, ivory or cream.

Wedding invitations

Depending on how creative you are, your wedding card can double up as a Christmas card.

For a wow factor, use textured paper with dual tones and accessorise with snowflakes, Christmas trees, angels, sparkling gems, crystals, dried flowers, ribbon, bows, bells or diamante. Those with a bigger budget can opt for Swarovski crystals to create a shiny silver feel.

For more inspiration, get cute clip arts and fonts online to incorporate onto the card. For those who want something different, why not send an animated email invite with Santa or the two of you dressed as Santa?

DÈcor and flowers

At the ceremony site, you can add hints of Christmas with minimal effort. For example, use snowflakes instead of petals on the walkway.

For the reception, you can have Christmas trees decorated in your theme colours acting as backdrops, with gifts from your guests placed under. You can also use Christmas lights for a romantic and holiday feel or have snow flakes on tables. For a more dramatic feel, consider hiring a snow machine for the total effect.

As part of the centerpiece, you could add candles, snow globes and floral centerpieces that look like trees in small pots or vases.

For flowers, red roses, baby’s breath, lilies and hollies may do. For a subtle look, include greenery such as holly and ivy.

Wedding cake

Go for something different. Have a tiered snowman and cup cakes placed on a tree stand and decorated in green and red.

You can decorate the cake with snowflake patterns or with silver or gold embellishments and finish it off with a cute star, angel or a Santa Claus topper. To make it stand out even more have the cake placed on a wrapped gift box to give it height and a dramatic effect.

Wedding transport

Borrow a leaf from Santa and his sleigh and incorporate a horse and carriage. Have it decorated in your colours and, if possible, have the driver dressed as Santa for that giggle.

Wedding music

If the ceremony is taking place in church, why not request for carols in your programme? If your church has bells, you can request they be rung as you leave.

At the reception, have the DJ kick in a few contemporary Christmas tracks, for example from Destiny’s Child Christmas album or from an old school classic like Bonnie M’s Rivers of Babylon.