Winter Wedding Crafts: Paper Snowflakes, Greenery and Soft Light

Winter decor leans on three things that are easy to make by hand: white paper, evergreen and small points of light. None of them needs special skill, and most of the work can be done at a table on dark evenings well before the date.

These seven winter wedding crafts cover the room from the ceiling to the place setting. Each one comes with what it involves and how far ahead you can make it, so you can pick two or three and repeat them.

Start with a winter palette

Deep green and ivory are the backbone of most winter schemes, because evergreen and white paper supply them for free. Add burgundy for warmth, and choose one metallic, silver or gold, as the accent.

If you are moving on from autumn pieces, the rust and mustard of fall wedding crafts swap out easily for burgundy and ivory.

Paper pieces to make weeks ahead

1. Six-point paper snowflakes

Use text-weight paper, which cuts cleanly through many layers.

1. Cut a square. An 8 in (20 cm) square makes a snowflake a little under 8 in across.
2. Fold it in half corner to corner into a triangle, with the long folded edge toward you.
3. Fold the right corner up and across so its edge crosses the center at one third of the way around, then fold the left corner over it to match. You now have a narrow wedge with a point at the bottom.
4. Fold the wedge in half lengthwise.
5. Cut straight or in a curve across the uneven top, then snip notches and curves into both long edges, leaving parts of each fold uncut.
6. Unfold gently and press flat under a book overnight.

Make three sizes, from squares of 4, 6 and 8 in (10, 15 and 20 cm), and hang them at different heights on thread. Hang only light pieces like these, from removable hooks or supports meant for decorations, and ask the venue what is allowed.

2. Paper cone trees

Draw a quarter circle with an 8 in radius on light cardstock, using a pencil tied to a string held at the corner of the sheet. Cut it out, roll it into a cone with a 1/2 in (12 mm) overlap and fix the seam with double-sided tape. It stands about 7 1/2 in (19 cm) tall. The rolling is the same as for paper confetti cones, turned point up. Group three trees from radii of 4, 6 and 8 in in ivory, sage and deep green.

Pinecones and dried orange garlands

3. Pinecone place card holders

Choose open, dry pinecones that sit steadily on their base. If one rocks, rub its base on coarse sandpaper until it is flat. Slip a flat card of about 3 1/2 x 2 in (9 x 5 cm) between two rows of scales near the top. For a frosted look, dab white acrylic paint on the scale tips with a dry brush. These keep for months in a box.

4. Dried orange slice garland

Buy ready-dried orange slices sold for decoration. Thread a large blunt needle with twine and pass it through each slice twice, close to the rind, so the slice faces forward. Space them about 4 in (10 cm) apart: a 6 ft (1.8 m) garland with 6 in (15 cm) left bare at each end takes 16 slices. Knot ribbon between them, as on a fabric and ribbon strip garland. The slices are decoration only, not for eating, and should hang away from food and drink.

Greenery for napkins and chairs

5. Evergreen napkin ties

Cut velvet ribbon about 5/8 in (16 mm) wide into 20 in (50 cm) lengths, one per guest plus about one in ten as spares. Fold or roll the napkin, lay a 4 in sprig of evergreen on top and tie the ribbon around both in a simple knot or bow. For 60 guests that is 66 ties and 1,320 in of ribbon, or about 37 yd (34 m). Shake the sprigs first, and choose soft greenery such as cedar or fir tips.

6. Ribbon and greenery chair tie

Bind three or four evergreen stems about 10 in (25 cm) long with floral wire, cover the wire with floral tape, and tie the bundle to the chair back with a 1 yd (90 cm) length of wide ribbon, finishing in a bow with long tails. Attach with ribbon only, never tape or staples, and decorate just the aisle chairs to keep the workload sensible.

Frosted jars with LED lights

The seventh idea gives the room its glow.

1. Wash and dry a clean glass jar.
2. Brush a thin, even coat of white glue over the outside, stopping about 1/2 in below the rim.
3. Hold the jar over a tray and sprinkle coarse white craft glitter over the wet glue, turning as you go. Tap off the excess.
4. Let it dry for roughly two to three hours, until the glue has turned clear.
5. Brush on a coat of water-based sealer to reduce shedding, and let that dry too.
6. Coil a short strand of battery LED string lights inside.

Tie a ribbon and a sprig of evergreen around the neck. Other ways to dress and group jars are covered in the mason jar wedding centerpiece tutorial. Glitter still sheds a little, so set these jars on a side table or in the middle of a centerpiece, not beside plates and glasses.

What to make when

Fresh greenery dries out quickly in heated rooms and starts to drop needles. Cut and tie it one or two days ahead, keep it somewhere cool such as an unheated room or garage, and bring it in on the day.

Keep everything away from flames

Warm white LED lights suit gold and burgundy, and cool white suits silver and ivory. Keep every strand in the room the same tone.