WHAT ARE THE WEDDING TRENDS FOR WINTER 2000?

Many of the trends from Fall 2000 are carrying through into Winter 2000 also.  The emphasis on a new chic, sophistication is still apparent in the wedding gowns and bridesmaid’s attire.  Long, formal, floor-length styles for the attendants continue to be the standard.  The addition of a wrap in satin, organza or a warmer pashima can make them more comfortable in the winter months.  The bridal gowns styles are very simple and elegant with understated emphasis on one focal point, such as the bodice or waistline.  Bridal styles are also shown with wraps and the prerogative of a winter bride is to always wear a fur/velvet cape(cloak) or hand muff in chillier climates.

 Colours: With the cooler temperatures, the style and character of weddings take on a new dimension.  Gone are the rich autumnal hues of orange, red, gold, chocolate brown.  Instead, look for fun, shimmery and pearlized colours in periwinkle blue, lavender, plum, silver, cranberry, gold and of course, white.  Always traditional around Xmas-time are tartans and plaids paired with dark velvets.

 Cosmetics:  The look is perfection.  All major lines are promoting flawless, long-lasting foundations and lipsticks.  Winter always seems to be popular for more glamorous, sparkly eyeshadows and lipcolors.  This winter’s hot eye colours include silver, pink, pearl, mauve, grey and icy blue.  The lips are shimmery, using pink or dark cranberry tones and new this year, the glam of a gold lip gloss on top.  Nails follow the same colours as the eye shadows and lips.

 Hair:  If you have the length, updo’s are still in.  Added twists for winter weddings include weaving in silver, rhinestone or pearl accents such as jewellery, pins, flowers, or ribbon.  Add a seasonal accent for the attendants such as dried flowers or Christmas themed jewellery (snowflake, poinsettia or berries).  Another fun idea:  sparkle hair spray.

 CURRENT HOT TRENDS:  Why not have your wedding gift registry online?  In this age of connectivity, many more people are web-savvy and it gives the bride & groom a whole range of different shops to register with all in one place.  Some top sites include:  felicite.com and firstregistry.com and newgift.com.  Another trend is creating your own personal wedding website.  Some major wedding sites have this feature, or you can buy software to do-it-yourself.  Couples list all the relevant facts about their wedding day, take RSVP’s by email, post engagement stories and pictures and eventually include the wedding photos.

Themes:  Yes, you can always have a red & green colour theme for your Christmas wedding but how about cranberry and chartreuse instead?  Other popular wedding colours include:  black & white, all white, gold, candy-cane, silver or champagne.  Interesting theme decorating ideas:  snowflakes, The Nutcracker, candlelight or winter wonderland (think Dr. Zhivago’s ice house).  Incorporate these ideas into your invitations, reception decorations and favours.  Neat Xmas wedding favours for your guests could be 3 jingle bells tied together, miniature sleighs which double as placecard holders, tree ornaments (have a large Xmas tree decorated with them and let the guests choose one as they leave), gold or silver Jordan almonds (wrapped in an organza bag), mini snowglobes, spray-painted pinecones, festive truffles/cookies or seasonal candles (holly, poinsettia, present, snowflake or peppermint shapes).  If your wedding falls around New Year’s, incorporate 2001 (the new Millennia), champagne, balloons, streamers and confetti into your theme.  For a simple winter theme wedding, think white, snow, elegant glamour and sparkle.

 Let your imagination be your guide for a unique winter wedding.  There is an abundance of decorating and theme inspiration at this time of the year with products readily available.  Even if you are not lucky enough to live in a snowy climate, you can still capture the essence of the season in your wedding.

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Author: Janice (Ginka) Murray of: Ask Ginka-Your Guide to a Personalized Wedding