There is something so effortlessly magical about winter weddings. We can’t quite pinpoint what it is that makes them feel this way. It could be the deep jewel tones and festive florals. It could also be that most winter weddings take place around heartfelt holidays or at the start of a New Year. Whatever the reason, your wedding gown should always reflect the beauty of your wedding day. When most of us think of “Winter Wedding Dresses” usually what comes to mind are long sleeves and velvet fabric. While these winter staples will always remain iconic, at Bustle we believe that your wedding gown should be whatever YOU want. This is us telling you that if you want to wear the spaghetti straps, you should ABSOLUTELY wear the spaghetti straps. In this blog we are going to share a couple of our favorite tips to find that seasonal magic without sacrificing your own personal style.

“You never have to worry about ‘pulling off’ any wedding look. If you are wearing it, you are pulling it off. You are what makes your dress.”

— Meredith Carter: Bustle Owner

A Bustle bridal consultant helping a bride select bridal accessories.

Bustle Stylist’s Winter Gown Tips

Texture

We love how a wedding gown becomes fantastical when you add textural details. The winter season embodies so many unique patterns and textures. When you are able to represent those elements in your dress, enchantment follows.

Festive Accessories

There is nothing that says holiday sparkle like a statement earring or captivating hairpiece. It is truly beautiful how quickly a bridal look becomes a moment when paired with festive accessories. The holidays are grand and your wedding should reflect that momentous occasion because YOU are worth it.

Fabric

The touch and feel of your gown should always encapsulate home. When you choose a gown, the fabric matters! Whether comfort is at the top of your wishlist or you live for the drama and comfort can wait; the overall makeup of your dress is what you will remember for years to come. How did you feel in it? That is what makes a gown sensational.

Structural Details

Sometimes the opulence is in the details. The structural elements of your gown can captivate a room in a way that words never could. The whole idea of making a “statement” is just that. Giving a clear message without the need of vernacular. When words fall short, it’s those significant details that will make your winter wedding the day of your dreams.

“As someone who was also a winter bride, the most important aspect of your bridal look is that you feel the warmth that embodies the holidays & your love in your gown. The rest will fall in to place.”

— Jillian Darling: Bustle Blog Author

“I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.”

— John Green

Anna Beth and David touching noses in bridal photo.

Sometimes the best love stories are the ones that develop over time: like a cadence of notes all working together to craft a melody that stays with you and earnestly becomes your favorite song. Every note is a moment in time that is essential in telling your unique story of love. Each one is equally cherished because it strands together a life song that can then be shared with those around us. Anna Beth and David have created the sweetest of love stories through intention and heartfelt patience. The couple met while working together at a Birmingham-based summer camp called Passport. They spent two summers serving on the same team, but didn't start to form romantic feelings until the second year. Their romance began with genuine friendship and even though their time together took place over two summer seasons, it was effortless for them to pick up where they left off each year and grow closer with every meeting. However, it is a camp rule that you cannot date while on staff, so they had to wait several weeks until camp was over to go on their first date.

As the summer came to a close and autumn began, Anna Beth traveled to Raleigh to stay with a friend. In true hallmark fashion, David had also just moved to Raleigh, so the pair were able to finally go on a date. David planned to pick up Anna Beth after lunch and take a walk through the beautiful Duke Gardens; however, the weather had other plans after a slight torrential downpour. Quickly coming up with an alternate plan, David picked up Anna Beth and took her to a European-style cafe since he knew she loved studying abroad in Europe. They sat in the sweet little cafe for over three hours and never ran out of things to talk about. The pair ate dinner at one of their favorite restaurants, Tazza Kitchen, and ended the evening by going to see a movie. While their first date sounds like a pretty classic course of events, the 11 hours they spent with each other on that rainy afternoon was the start of a beautiful life that they would share together.

Anna Beth's wedding stationary and bridal details.

Anna Beth knew David was “the one” because of the unshakable friendship they had cultivated in their summers together. This friendship quickly became the most sincere alliance that would set the foundation for their love story.

“It was evident that we quickly became best friends and each other’s person, even after dating long distance for two years. Our daily FaceTimes and monthly visits helped make it clear this relationship was meant to last and something special. Also, seeing him with my family made it clear that he was meant to be part of me forever.”

— Anna Beth

Bustle’s sweet store owner, Meredith, had the wonderful opportunity to help Anna Beth choose her dream wedding gown. Everything about Anna Beth’s dress spoke to her: the style, shape, color, fabric, the open back. EVERY aspect of her gown was exactly what she pictured in her mind for so long. Anna Beth’s gown is a beautiful Allure fit and flare with a gorgeous v-neck.

“Meredith did a great job helping me find the perfect dress without pressuring me into something I didn’t want. I’m so glad I got my dress from Bustle!”

— Anna Beth

One of Anna Beth’s favorite aspects of her wedding was watching their loved ones come together as vendors for their special day. Seeing each of them play such significant roles reminded Anna Beth and David how incredibly loved they are. Anna Beth’s aunt, her friend, and many of her cousins arranged the florals for their wedding, giving her the autumnal garden of her dreams. Most of the greenery came from Anna Beth’s family farm which added an even more sentimental touch.

Just in case this wedding isn’t already the sentimental work of our cinematic dreams, the couple’s camp coordinator officiated their ceremony and made everyone feel right at home. Their loved ones set the scene from beginning to end by personally designing their wedding invitations and acting as instrumentalists and vocalists to set the mood for the day. (Where is the tissue box?) Anna Beth’s dear friend, Jenny Dansby, helped keep the day together by stepping up as the day-of coordinator. A wedding day is so much more than the love between a couple. Seeing that love radiate and spread from family and friends is a reminder that a full life is meant to be shared.

Anna Beth and her bridal party holding their beautiful colorful bouquets.

“My favorite memory from our wedding day was seeing all of our people in one place, my hometown. David is from Virginia but lives in North Carolina and I’m from Birmingham but lived in Texas. We also worked camp in many states, so seeing all of our people from various places and stages of life in one room to celebrate us was so special. We cherished getting to see and dance our hearts out with everyone we love!”

— Anna Beth