Before the Big Day Wedding Trends of 2013 - Winter Weddings

Traditionally the great British summer was the wedding season. But if you talk to wedding photographers, planners and florists, you'll find a growing trend for couples to celebrate their big day in the winter. Pluses include cheaper venues, chic decor options {Christmas trees & ever-greenery}, and guaranteed bad weather. Warm the cockles of your wedding guests with hot chocolate, mulled wine and a shot of sloe gin, and serve them a tasty roast at your wedding reception. Wedding favours could include marshmallows or chestnuts for roasting on an open fire, and tartan blankets for chilly knees. Bride-wise, why not add a muff to your wedding outfit, and wrap up warm in a cosy white fur shrug. For more winter wedding inspiration, check out my fabulous winter wedding inspiration Pinterest board!

{Photo Credit} Jennifer Eileen - more on Ruffled Blog

{Photo Credits} 1. Ryan Ray - more on Style Me Pretty, 2. More on Martha Stewart Weddings

More posts like this one: 
✽ Snowy Weddings
✽ Real Vintage Winter Wedding

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Happy New Year's Eve from Before the Big Day

This year, everyone I know seems to be abroad for NYE, so I'll be wishing people a fabulous 2013 almost every hour! Wherever you are, I hope you have a fantastic evening, and I wish you all the luck and love in the world for the next 12 months. It'll be an exciting 2013 for us, because we'll be welcoming our son into the world at the end of March. And I imagine for most of you guys, 2013 will be the year you get married - amazing!

P.S. I found this picture nearly a year ago, and I don't know the credit! If you do, please tell me!

P.P.S. Would you consider a NYE wedding?

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Happy Christmas from Before the Big Day!

A huge and heartfelt Happy Christmas to all Before the Big Day brides and grooms! This year I'm celebrating Christmas in the English countryside, surrounded by fairy-lights, flickering candles, and a giant Christmas tree. I hope you have a wonderful festive season, and I'll be raising my glass to all the couples who get engaged on Christmas Day.....remember to tell them all about Before the Big Day!

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Real Elegant Pastel Wedding: Keiron and Isil

This is one of those stunning and inspirational weddings, that reminded me of the importance of an incredible wedding venue. While marquee weddings enable you to stamp your own personality, they can end up being super-expensive, because you have to buy in all the wedding decorations. But if you host your big day in a dramatic wedding venue, then you can save a fortune, and just let the castle do the talking! Keiron and Isil chose Strawberry Hill House in Twickenham, for their wedding day, and I've fallen for its stunning, rich red interior and fairy-tale exterior. Add in Keiron's stunning strapless gown, the gold brocade wedding cake, and the dramatic rose flower displays, and you've got a truly elegant wedding with a real luxury feel. Beautiful pictures published with thanks to Alexis Jaworski.

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Wintery Star Wedding Bouquet

Frosty mornings have got me thinking about winter weddings! Take a look at this gorgeous winter wonderland snowflake bouquet. It's the perfect accessory for an ice queen bride, and a family heirloom in the making. Created out of three layers of frosted acrylic snowflakes, surrounded by crystal acrylic beads of 'ice', and tied with white satin ribbon, it's a fairytale wedding bouquet. Handmade by Etsy seller, Bridal Bouquets By Ky, it comes even comes with a complimentary boutonnière for your groom. Take a look at Ky's Etsy shop for more beautiful everlasting bouquets.

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Autumn & Winter Wedding Ring Bearer Pillow

There's a moment at every UK wedding when everyone turns their attention to the best man - it's his big moment, time to hand over the wedding rings. At US weddings they do things differently - usually the rings are carried on a pillow by a pageboy or flower girl. I'm super-keen on the American tradition, particularly because it's another opportunity for you to personalise your big day with pretty wedding details! For example, take a look at this rustic pine cone ring pillow by Etsy-seller Rustic Blend. It's the perfect accessory for an autumn or winter wedding, and I love its handmade charm. For more ring pillow ideas, take a look at my Pinterest board.

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Wedding Accessory High Street Finds

The first port of call for brides on a budget should always be the High Street. There's a great British tradition of providing stylish fashion at budget prices - something other countries are desperate to imitate. Whether you actually stomp the streets is an entirely different question, as every website worth its salt now has a fantastic online option. This season, I'm particularly impressed by the selection of earrings at Anthropologie. They're perfect for your 'something blue', or as bridesmaids gifts. Also, don't miss Jenny Packham's diffusion line, I've fallen for her fluffy feather stole and White Swan-style headband.

{Product Credits} 1. Precious Cluster Earrings {£98},  2. Cynosure Mobile Earrings {£28} 3. Concert Hall Drops {£28} all Anthropologie

{Product Credits} 1. Ivory Feather Stole {£100}, 2. Ivory Jewelled Headband {£48} 3. Grey Halo Feather Headband {£35} all No.1 Jenny Packham for Debenhams

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Winter Brides Accessories Guide

One of my favourite online wedding shops, BHLDN has launched their pretty winter range, and it's perfect for a winter or spring bride. Just take a look at the cute feathery shrugs, furry cuffs and elegant leather gloves. But would you wear ear-muffs or a bobble hat on your wedding day? It's certainly one way to be a bride that stands out from the crowd!

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Real Winter Wedding: Christa & Jason

With all the sunshine we've been having recently, it's easy to forget the winter, but this gorgeous wedding will bring the crisp cold back into your life! Christa and Jason got married just as the snow started to melt, and check out its timeless, vintage feel. Huge brownie points to Christa for choosing a unique feathery headpiece rather than a veil, and isn't her flower-girl just the cutest? I want a pair of white fluffy ear-warmers for this winter too! What's more, I've been forecasting the return of the pomander for winter weddings, and Christa was right there ahead of the curve with these pink and lilac beauties. Fabulous inspiration for winter brides. Big love to Simply Bloom for these gorgeous pictures.

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Winter Brides - How To Keep Warm & Stylish

These soft blush fur shrugs are the perfect accessory for a winter or spring bride. Created by British company Hope & Grace, they're cute and cosy, and reminiscent of Anna Karenina. I watched the film last week, and I've fallen in love with the styling. With The Great Gasby starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan due out in the spring, 2013 weddings are bound to be heavily influenced by old-school glamour. Get ahead of the curve and wear one at your winter wedding, or if you're feeling particularly generous, buy one for each of your bridesmaids. They're available in a range of colours from simple ivory, to stylish antique pink and soft grey. P.S. Hope & Grace also make beautiful bridal hair accessories.

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