Last updated 10:02, Friday, 05 December 2008

For Lynsey and David Pettitt the romance and magic of the Christmas period meant it was the perfect time of year to get married.

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The couple with their attendants

The Frizington couple celebrate their first anniversary this month, having got married on December 1, 2007.

They tied the knot at St John’s Church in Workington followed by a reception at the Greenhill Hotel in Wigton.

Lynsey, 30, said: “Christmas is my favourite time of year. When we got engaged I knew straight away that I wanted a Christmas wedding. I wanted it to be a big Christmas party.”

Lynsey said that she found it difficult to source some specific Christmas-themed items, but she had no problem when it came to the decorations.

“The church was decorated with Christmas trees and flower arrangements and, at this time of year, venues are already decorated,” she said. “You can add your own touches as well.

“A lot of things for weddings are geared to the summer, so I had to improvise or make things myself. I got friends to make the wedding stationery and table decorations.”

The West Coast Brass Band played Christmas carols through the ceremony.

The couple, who got engaged on December 21, 2005 while on a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park in New York, chose a snowflakes and sparkles theme for their big day.

Traditional Christmas colours and foliage were used in the flowers. The bride carried a teardrop bouquet of rich red roses, holly, ivy, crystals, berries and silver foliage, while the bridesmaids carried hand-tied posies of rich red roses, white roses, silver twigs, crystal beads, holly and ivy, all from Floral Design of Workington.

The flowergirls carried small crystal pomanders.

Mince pies, Christmas fairy cakes and mulled wine greeted the 220 guests as they arrived at the Greenhill Hotel and this was followed by a traditional three-course Christmas lunch.

The tables were named after the 12 days of Christmas and decorated with black Dickensian lanterns surrounded by Christmas wreaths with personalised snowflake confetti and tea lights.

Continuing the Christmas theme, the favours were handmade Christmas stockings containing an alcohol miniature, a tangerine, five chocolate gold coins, Christmas scented candles, snowflake tree decorations and a candy cane for the adult guests, while Santa attended the celebrations and gave each child a personalised sack of Christmas presents.

The five-tier cake was decorated with snowflakes and sparkles.

Lynsey, who wore a white Maggie Sotterro gown from I Do in Cockermouth with a white fur stole, said: “If you opt for a winter wedding you do have to be prepared for the weather, but the fire was lit at the reception and it felt really cosy.”

IF you are planning a Christmas wedding:

n You could use traditional Christmas colours such as red, gold, ivory and green or blue, lilac, silver and white for a more wintry feel.

n You should send out invitations early or send out save-the-date cards as soon as you book the venue.

n If there is a Christmas tree at the reception venue, you could hang favours from it or place them under the tree. Crackers or tree decorations are ideal for favours or stockings for the children.

n Give each table a Christmas name.

n Consider serving roast turkey and all the trimmings as well as mince pies and mulled wine.

n Speak to your florist about seasonal flowers. Poinsettia in a pot tied with ribbon are perfect for the table decorations and you could also use holly, mistletoe, garlands and wreaths.