A Christmas themed wedding can be a magical, romantic and cherry event that, when successfully planned and executed, can combine whimsical details with an elevated elegance. There are several different approaches to the décor of a Christmas themed wedding. From religious to more fanciful interpretations, there are creative and subtle ways to convey a holiday theme.

Religious Christmas Wedding

Christmas is a season that for many people is a time full of religious significance. Some of the most popular Christmas wedding iconography revolves around the more religious symbolism of the holiday. There are creative, subtle yet respectful and reverent ways to incorporate these sacred details.

The save-the-date cards and invitations are the perfect way to set the stage for a religious Christmas wedding. Aside from the obvious symbols of the Baby Jesus or Virgin Mary, while doves and silver bells are closely associated with both Christian and Catholic Christmas celebrations. Both represent purity and rebirth, common themes in wedding traditions. A white parchment stationary can be adorned with embossed doves carrying a pair of silver bells as the artwork on an invitation. Light silver makes a perfect accent color along with delicate touches of deep, forest green. To complete the Christmas look, choose a deep, not bright, crimson red invitation ribbon accented with a small cross, bell or dove shaped charm.

Once the mood and theme of the wedding is established with the invitations and save-the-date cards, it is easy to carry the symbolic images and color scheme to decorations and accents for the actual wedding day. For a religious Christmas themed wedding ceremony and reception the same green, white and silver color scheme from the invitation can be achieved through the use of winter ivy centerpieces accented with small red and white rose arrangements in squat silver vases.

A Jolly Wedding

A Christmas themed wedding does not always mean a religious wedding. There is so much symbolism associated with Christmas that brings back ones’ childhood in a bright, cheery and highly whimsical way. To avoid ending up with a wedding that looks like an elementary school holiday party, apply the more vibrant Christmas details to a wedding ceremony and reception with a lighter, slightly more grown up, touch.

Red and green, the traditional jolly Christmas colors, should be mixed with silver and ivory for a more subdued theme. Reception table settings are a great place to infuse the holiday spirit. Ivory table linens, as opposed to linens being chosen in a bright, saturated red or green, work well as a wintry and seasonal canvas for the settings. Alternating red and green linen napkins at each place amp up the personality of the table design, especially against the ivory linens. Miniature silver sleighs, which can be found online, can be filled with red and green candied almonds or chocolates as table favors that follow the Christmas theme.

When planning a wedding with a strong theme, such as Christmas, it is important not to over-do the themed items. Christmas weddings have the potential to be cheery and elegant simultaneously when whimsical or themed items are kept to a tasteful level and are added to romantic and subtle décor.