Part 2: Celebrity Wedding Planner Liz Taylor Shares Key Advice On Planning A Winter/Christmas Wedding

In part one, wedding planner to celebrities, Liz Taylor, shares her advice on picking the right venue for a Winter/Christmas wedding. Today in part 2, Liz gives us key advice on dressing the table, choosing your cake and festive food and drink ideas for your dream day below.

‘Flowers are lovely to dress a table, but are more expensive in the winter so think creatively. Here’s a few options:

• Use large gold candles nestled in a bed of lush green foliage, heather, bark and lavender, alongside artichokes and berries sprayed gold and all set on a Black Watch Tartan cloth will create a stylish, earthy winter look.
• Or go for a contemporary winter wonderland – use a mixture of chunky candles and twinkling tea lights with frosted foliage, twigs and berries. Metallic colours are on really trend this year – for an instant injection of glamour add a splash of metallic blue, purple, silver or bright pink in the napkin rings, plate chargers or tea light holders. Create an ‘iced lake’ dance floor and some electric blue or hot pink lighting will tie the scheme together. Oh, and add a gorgeous flying reindeer or two – silver fits perfectly.
• For a February wedding, try a ski lodge influenced décor. Name your tables after ski resorts, create a faux fire place for après ski, dress your room with warm faux fur rugs and rustic wooden tables. Use chunky candles in storm jars and oversized lanterns……oh, and the kids will love fake snow!
• Embrace winter in your cake too. You could choose a crisp, white iced cake and decorate with silver snowflakes for a contemporary feel, opt for a display of miniature brightly coloured Christmas parcel cakes, or simply opt for gorgeously chocolatey traditional Yule Log.

• Think about serving festive drinks with a twist. Hot mulled cider, mulled cranberry juice or the traditional wine are all perfect drinks for guests arriving at the reception – especially if you are gathering al fresco at Christmas around a roaring fire-pit. Serve in tin cups for that ‘winter campfire’ feel.
• But for a more contemporary winter wedding – a Poinsettia cocktail (fizz and cranberry juice) or a Prosecco Rose Cocktail (Prosecco and rose syrup) add sparkle. We love a Ginger Fizz too (cranberries, cider, stem ginger & ginger syrup). Again, it’s all in the presentation so think creatively about how you serve them – vintage glassware perhaps?

• Use a huge Christmas tree as your table plan – on each branch hang mini festive gifts complete with table numbers and names attached on an individual tag – guests always enjoy finding their pressie! January or February wedding? Try pegging gorgeous mittens/gloves onto your table plan – each with personalised tags. Its matching partner can be used on the table a name place marker – and guests have a ready-made gift too.
• The main meal can include traditional winter foods – but with innovative presentation. Offer guests hearty winter vegetable soup poured from tea pots into individual oversized tea cups. Serve a duo dish of homemade pies – turkey and beef are always popular – with their own jug of hot gravy. Present a collection of chocolate puds, nuts and winter fruit desserts on a lazy susan in the centre of the table – ideal for guests to share’.

In part 3 (available on Wednesday 27th April) Liz Taylor will be sharing her invaluable advice on your evening ceremony and alternative wedding locations.

How would you design your Winter/Christmas wedding table? Let us know below and don’t forget to share by clicking on the social media icons below!