Christmas Wedding Ideas Inspired by Nostalgia

This Couple’s Christmas Wedding was inspired by nostalgic holiday movies, complete with an appearance from Santa Claus!

Abigail + Darryl approached me with a magnificent vision for their winter solstice wedding – a “Meet Me in St. Louis” inspired celebration combining everything we love about large, festive gatherings with a love story worthy of a nostalgic holiday movie. Planned and designed by Ashlee Erlinger of Signed Sealed Delivered Events this Christmas wedding, above all, blends the sacrament of marriage with the joy and tradition of the holiday season. But my personal hope is that this magical event fills you with endless Christmas wedding ideas that are inspired by nostalgia!

The elegant Lafayette Square neighborhood of St. Louis is lined with stately 19th century Victorian townhouses, wine bars, and restaurants. Overall, its European architecture transports you to a time and places long past. Not only was this wedding set in a quaint church along the most magnificent rowhomes in the area, but the church itself had been converted to the couple’s private residence. Unquestionably, this was no ordinary choice of venue! This event would truly combine an inviting atmosphere of a home with the magnificence of a historic church – creating a set not unlike one of an old Hollywood film.

The winter solstice date December 21 was chosen for special significance. Signifying the rebirth of the sun and new life, we capture the reverence of the love story Abigail and Darryl begin together.

Rather than a conventional bridal gown, Abigail chose a glittery hushed pink-colored dress that looks more like an old Hollywood gown. Likewise, color palettes of reds, greens, gold, and silver presented from every detail of decor to the satin-sheen bridesmaid’s gowns. Everything that glittered and glistened had a place. The most bedazzling of which was the candlelit ceremony. Each guest held candles while the father of the bride led all guests in prayer.

The fireplace altar and gathering space itself were lined with cozy couches and period furniture, so that guests could gather in close, taking a page from Judy Garland’s “Have yourself a merry little Christmas”. The altar was bedazzled with evergreens, earthy birch, candles, and poinsettias. Over the whole scene, an enormous 12-foot Christmas tree was decked to the nines with garland and ornaments. The smaller trees throughout the space featured custom ornaments personalized to the couple.

Before guests arrived, Abby surprised Darryl with a horse-drawn carriage ride around Lafayette Square Park to enjoy the Christmas lights of the neighborhood. To their surprise, the carriage driver gifted the couple with a lucky horseshoe.

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Abigail and Darryl went above and beyond to make sure guests enjoyed a true Christmas experience. Snow began to fall over the crowd of children in attendance, and out came Santa Claus himself bringing gifts to every child! Christmas cookies, hot chocolate, eggnog, champagne, a patio fire pit with s’mores kept everyone filled with sugar and cheer. And lastly, a gingerbread man and woman cake topper sat atop the cake with cranberries, dried oranges, and a dusting of powdered sugar, deckled with star anise and rosemary.

Rather than a conventional guest book, guests were able to use FeteFone – a unique guestbook alternative that let guests record an audio message for the couple using a styling phone instead of pen and paper.

I photographed the ambiance, glitter, and mood exactly how it looked to maintain the equally important ambient atmosphere. I made sure to keep details in the stained glass church windows, letting the candles shine and paying close attention to the twinkle of so many elements. Details that are uncommon as compared to other wedding aesthetics really had to shine. The thought and likewise consideration in every detail really went above and beyond. Keeping the historical, timeless aesthetic, overall, we chose architecturally stunning portrait locations in downtown St. Louis before beginning the festivities at the churchhouse.