Christmas weddings bring an extra element of holiday cheer to your joyous occasion. But what if you don’t cherish the idea of a cold-weather wedding? If you shut off the radio every time you hear “Let it Snow,” you may be wondering how to make your theme work. Start by dreaming of a white Christmas…on white sand, that is.
Head for the Tropics
The weather outside may be frightful, but in Bermuda it’s delightful. The winter months are the perfect time to plan a destination wedding. Start planning early to avoid destination wedding drama–you don’t want to be one of those couples who hits an airline security snag and misses their connection!
Destination weddings also require advance planning to make sure your guests get their plane tickets on time, so start your preparations as early as possible. A well-prepared couple can get all of the logistics out of the way and show up relaxed and ready to enjoy their island wedding.
Decorate, Decorate, Decorate!
Since your chosen location isn’t going to give you much assistance, it’s up to you to create the Christmas spirit. Look for especially-tropical symbols, like palm trees and coconuts, to create a charming juxtaposition for your holiday décor.
String strands of Christmas lights between palm trees, for example, or decorate coconut shells with Santa hats and beards. Give your guests red flip-flops rimmed in fuzzy white marabou as wedding favors.
If you’re feeling playful, challenge your guests to a contest to see who can build the best snowman out of sand. Don’t forget to award prizes for funniest!
Planning a Tropical Holiday Menu
Nothing says “vacation” like a selection of tropical drinks. But you’re not just serving any old drinks–you’re also serving up Christmas cheer. Combine coconut cocktails with holiday classics for a wedding menu full of signature drinks that are uniquely your own. Serve eggnog in coconut shells. Use spiced apple cider as the base for a fruity umbrella drink.
Spike your hot chocolate with coconut rum. Try a clove-and-orange-zest Mai Tai. Don’t forget to garnish your drinks with spears of exotic fruit on Santa Claus toothpicks!
The combination of hearty winter fare and delicate tropical flavors goes surprisingly well with the main course, too. Many meat dishes that are perfectly at home at a Christmas feast combine superbly with fruits from the tropics.
Look for sauces like pineapple chutney, pomegranate reduction, and mango glaze to give your dishes a tangy punch. Fruit sauces also pair perfectly with tofu, wild rice, and fish dishes.
Don’t forget pumpkin! This celebrity of the winter holiday menu is equally at home in an island setting. Pumpkin curry in coconut milk adds an exotic flair to your wedding menu. Additionally, pumpkin pie tarts make a sweet ending when paired with coconut milk ice cream.
Your Wedding Cake
Your wedding cake is the perfect place to show off your creativity. Maybe you want to decorate your cake as a beach with sugar frosting, and have your bride and groom cake toppers riding reindeer. Maybe you want your entire cake shaped like Santa’s sleigh, carrying seashells, coconuts, and tropical flowers in the back.
Since your icing scheme is a completely blank slate, it’s the ideal way to showcase your chosen theme. Meet with your bakery and go over a few sketches until you’ve picked a design that says “tropical Christmas” to you.
Are you looking for a classic wedding cake with just a few themed touches? Try alternating seashells (real ones or, even better, edible recreations) with gingerbread men or poinsettias made of icing. You can also add a taste of the tropics by lightly flavoring your cake with pineapple, coconut, or Caribbean rum.
Enjoy a Warm Christmas
By holding your nuptials in the tropics, you’re treating yourselves and your guests to a lush, warm-weather vacation. You’ll have a wedding and honeymoon all rolled into one, and you’ll arrive back home with a smile and a tan.
Better yet, on every anniversary you’ll be able to celebrate doubly knowing that your holiday is also an enduring celebration of your love. Don’t forget to toast with a splash of coconut rum!
Meet Lisa, the talented and dedicated editor of our wedding, health, relationship, and lifestyle blog. With her keen eye for detail and her passion for all things related to love and wellness, Lisa is an essential part of our team.
As an expert in all things wedding, Lisa knows how to help couples navigate the often-overwhelming process of planning their big day. From choosing the perfect dress to selecting the ideal venue, she understands that every detail matters when it comes to creating a memorable and magical wedding experience.
But Lisa’s expertise doesn’t stop at weddings. She’s also a health and wellness enthusiast, always on the lookout for the latest tips and trends in self-care and mindfulness. Whether it is advice on healthy eating, fitness routines, or ways to reduce stress, Lisa knows how to help readers live their best lives.
