Email
PrintIntimate Details
The lowdown on hosting a small-scale winter wedding
If you have your heart set on a small, personal wedding, winter is the perfect season to cozy up with your closest kin and tie the knot. We asked Sasan Moatamed, owner of Millcreek Inn (millcreekinn.com), which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, how to pull off intimate winter nuptials without skimping on style.
Tucked Away
Intimate equals exclusive, so look for a private location. Nix banquet halls in favor of a venue that fits the size and scale of a small wedding: low ceilings, textured walls and floors, and plenty of warm lighting. Make sure you can access the facility during storms and that its roads are plowed regularly.
Warm Up
Soft, warm lighting is key. Flickering candles and a crackling fireplace will create a cozy atmosphere. Incorporate tablesetting and décor elements that gently reflect light like mirrors, glass and brushed metal accents. Wood chairs and tables will also add warmth.
White Out
In the winter, stark white walls, floors, table linens, flowers, even an all-white dress can look gray and washed out and will make guests feel cold. Instead, incorporate creams, ivories and other off-white shades for a warmer, more flattering effect.
Tone and Texture
Incorporate colors pulled from nature. Think rich, saturated jewel tones like deep red, purple and emerald green. Use fabrics and textiles to create depth and form, such as textured table linens or a heavily embellished gown.
Seasonal Sights
Go for greenery, like pine boughs and wreaths, when designing centerpieces; keep them bunched tightly, not wild and sprawling, for a tame, inside look. Stick to seasonal flowers and accents like winterberries and branches for floral arrangements. If you’re not big on blooms, use brass bells or ornaments as centerpieces or placecards—guests can take them home as wedding favors.
Getting Personal
The smaller the wedding, the more you should involve those present. Have each guest stand up and give a toast, tell a story about the bride and groom, or read a line from the couple’s favorite poem.
Comfort Food
Serve hearty, substantial foods like meat and potatoes, and warm drinks like apple cider, hot cocoa, brandy and cognac. Seat guests at smaller tables—think tables of 8—and opt for a plated dinner instead of a buffet.
Great Outdoors
Set up a canopy or tent outside your venue or on a patio or deck for a glimpse of the wintry scene. Request a tent with clear walls so you can see your surroundings, and place plenty of heaters inside the tent to keep guests toasty.
Don’t forget the music
A small, indoor wedding is a good time to go with acoustics rather than stereo equipment. Think light background music or a four-piece string quartet. If you hire a band or DJ, ask if they have experience playing at smaller venues and make sure they can play tunes that won’t overwhelm your setting.
