Danielle and Ryan met a long, long, long time ago. They’ve been the best of friends for almost as long as either of them can remember. Danielle has a track record for not always choosing the best of men, but when Ryan visited the family for the first time, it was obvious that this time she had a keeper. Outwardly, Ryan is pretty hip and seemingly modern, but when it came to asking for Danielle’s hand he did it the old fashioned way. Ryan called and asked to take Danielle’s dad to lunch. “This must be something serious” he thought, and to his amazement, Ryan in fact asked for her hand in marriage. The only words that could escape dad’s lips,  “it’s about time”. With some modern wisdom, and an old fashioned sense of decency, Ryan made an impression on her family. Every person who spoke of Ryan reiterated how they knew he was going to be a huge part of their family from the very first day.

They were united in Marriage by none other than one of Ryan’s best friends, in a beautiful ceremony in Salt Lake City. The food was delectable, the company was ecstatic, and the music carried the mood late into the night as family and friends danced the night away. Here are just a few wedding photos that I gathered along the way.

Things to know if you are planning a Christmas wedding. https://evoke.ie

Weddings are no longer just spring and summer events. Many couples are now opting for beautiful winter celebrations.

So if you want to infuse your big day with the magic of Christmas, take a look at our tips for a truly festive wedding day:

1. Make your plans VERY early

Christmas is an extremely busy time of the year for everyone. Between staff parties, shoppiing for presents and making Christmas Day preparations, there’s barely a minute to spare.

If you want to make sure your nearest and dearest can make it to your big day, you need to give them plenty of notice.

For a wedding over Christmas, we’d recommend sending out your wedding invitations no later that May or June. The same goes for booking venues, music and caterers.

2. Food

Choosing the appropriate food and drink for any event is important, but especially for your wedding day.

If you’re getting married in Winter, you need to adapt your menu to the cold weather. A lovely idea is to serve mulled wine and mince pies at the drinks reception.

Not only will the heat keep you warm, mulled wine is also incredibly festive. Gingerbread cookies and hot chocolate are another option, particularly if you have some younger guests.

3. Decorations

Many Winter weddings tend to play up the white Christmas vibe. While this is a classic look, don’t be afraid to use a bit of colour.

Touches of burgundy and dark green will add a festive spot of colour to your venue. Try not to go too crazy though as this may lead you down the path of tackiness.

But don’t be afraid to subvert peoples expectations and go a completely different way with your decorating. You have complete control of how you want your special day to look.

4. Style

It’s going to be cold so if you’re planning on being outside for any length of time, then you need to take the weather into consideration.

Little cardigans are ideal for the walk between the car and venue. Also, steer clear of shoes that could be potentially dangerous in the blistery weather.

5. Transport

Christmas is the busiest time of year with regard to everything. Driving on the roads can be a nightmare, and can also get quite dangerous once it gets icy.

The last thing you want to do is rush, so remember to leave more time for everything. You need to be prepared for delays.

Whatever way you decide to plan your wedding, remember to enjoy yourself. Don’t stress about the Christmas themed decorations. Less is often more so keep it simple.

On the other hand, if you want to recreate Santa’s kingdom then go for it! It’s your day after all!