If you live in the south there's a good chance you'll be lucky enough to celebrate your nuptials with a stunning outdoor wedding during the holiday season. The temperatures don't tend to dip too low until January so an early evening winter wedding set outside on a beautiful farm among the evergreens is definitely not out of the question. The trees and natural surroundings create a stunning natural backdrop without the need for a lot of extra fluff. With just a few added details you can create a beautiful rustic chic event that will leave all your guests in awe!
Setting the Scene
Plaid patterns are so on trend right now and nothing says winter holiday wedding to me more than a plaid fabric in navy blue and emerald green. Hosting a wedding outdoors on a farm doesn't mean you have to skimp on style. Instead, you can layer various fabrics and textures to create a rustic chic vibe. We layered the sweetheart table first with burlap fabric for a rustic touch and then laid a plaid blanket on top to amp up the style.
We created a Christmas wreath pillow from a burlap pillow square that provided a touch of coziness to the bride's chair. Romantic ambient lighting is a must after the sun sets, so we placed a white lantern, which was filled with faux snow and a real wax flameless candle, and battery operated candle that was nestled into a large round birch pillar next to the sweetheart table. The lantern was topped with faux mountain grass and a frosted pine cone for a bit of holiday flair.
White hydrangeas, blue thistle and eucalyptus were tucked inside a wooden planter box and softened the rustic look of the burlap fabric. The planter box was painted white and then received a strip of both burlap and navy satin ribbon and was embellished with a jumbo jingle bell.
A faux mountain grass and pinecone runner graced the top of the sweetheart table as a nod to the Christmas holiday.
An identical navy and emerald green plaid blanket covered the cake table to complement each other.
More white hydrangeas, thistle and eucalyptus was tucked into the drawer of the cake table and looked stunning with a bit of faux mountain grass added for good measure.
The Sweetheart Table
An intimate table for the bride and groom provides a welcome respite after all the hustle of the wedding ceremony and festivities themselves.
The sweetheart table itself need not be full of a lot of fluff, especially when the natural scenery all around you is already so gorgeous.
Candles surrounded by a faux mountain grass table runner provided twinkling romantic lighting after the sun disappeared. The silver taper candle holder set was spray painted gold and each sat atop birch wooden pieces. A battery-operated candle was nestled inside a large birch pillar.
Gold-trimmed white dessert plates were layered atop matching dinner plates and look so beautiful it's easy to forget they're disposable! Cylinder champagne flutes were at the ready for the couple's first toast.
Premium gold cutlery perfectly complimented the ornate plates and an emerald green satin ribbon jingle bell wrapped navy blue napkin provided a touch of whimsy.
The Cake Table
Everyone knows one of the highlights of a wedding is the cake so it deserves a beautifully appointed table for itself. We placed our naked cake atop a wooden cake plate and added a topper made from faux mountain grass and a frosted pine cone. Pine saplings flanked the cake, along with pine cone votive holders, and were dressed up with burlap fabric, which was tied with navy blue satin ribbon and a jingle bell for good measure.
Along with cake, delectable salted caramel cupcakes were topped with fig slices and were served on a wooden centerpiece.
A signature cocktail, a Peppermint Mocha White Russian was concocted and looked festive when served in clear champagne flutes with gold spray-painted bases tied up with emerald green ribbon and jingle bells. You can find the recipe for the yummy Peppermint Mocha White Russian.
Farm Truck Fun
Once the wedding reception is in full swing, invite your guests to strike a pose and take a few memory filled photos! We layered a vintage truck with all the rustic chic holiday props we could rustle up and created a cozy and inviting space that is sure to leave your guests feeling merry. You can find all the tips and tricks to create an Instagram-worthy Vintage Truck Photo Booth here.
Wedding Favors
Every bride knows it's poor taste to send her guests home empty handed, so we created a lovely set-up next to the cake table to display the wedding favors.
We placed the Mulled Wine Wedding Favors atop a wooden centerpiece alongside a battery-operated candle that was nestled inside a large birch pillar. You can find the steps to create your own Mulled Wine Wedding Favors.
The charming phrase on the personalized metal tray, "Our family gathers with grateful hearts", perfectly sums up the sentiments felt on such a momentous day. The tray was displayed for all to see and doubles as a wonderful keepsake for the bride and groom to commemorate the day of their beautiful union.
Photography: Moments by Maredith
