Winter Weddings in Edina

Summer is traditionally wedding season, but among brides and grooms who want an extra-special day, winter weddings are growing more popular. Edina wedding experts sing the praises of a late-fall or winter wedding: You’ll enjoy beautiful scenery, more flexible schedules for venues and guests, and the chance to incorporate a little snowflake sparkle. We asked wedding pros about current trends and their best advice for the big day. The Dress  Kristen Olsen knows wedding gowns. The designer creates custom dresses and works magic with alterations. These days, she sees a lot of heirloom dresses come through the doors of her shop, and she works with brides to restore, clean and alter Mom’s or Grandma’s gown. “We change the look to update it.”For winter weddings, focus on glitzy accessories, says Olsen. Gatsby-inspired headpieces, with feathers and lace, are popular, as are beaded sashes and flapper-style bridesmaids’ gowns. “There’s a trend for a vintage chic look.”Above all, enjoy the shopping process, says Olsen. “It’s such a fun time of somebody’s life. It’s great to be a part of that.”The Dressmaker, 3902 W. 50th St., Edina; 952.929.9475.The PartiesForget the patio and the cruise on the lake—think cozy for winter bridal showers, bachelorette parties and rehearsal dinners. Indoor activities are perfect for this time of year, even as traditional sit-down dinners are falling out of vogue, says Susie Tucker at Cooks of Crocus Hill. “We’ve been seeing an ‘experiential’ trend, or what we call ‘edutainment,’ ” she says.At Cooks of Crocus Hill’s Edina school, groups can reserve space—and a pro chef—for a private cooking class, from tapas to happy hour (with signature cocktails) to a big Italian dinner. “It’s a great way to blend families together,” says Tucker. “[A cooking class] gets everyone up on their feet, engaged in the kitchen, using food as the vehicle to build relationships and deeper connections.”Cooks of Crocus Hill, 3925 W. 50th St., Edina; 952.285.1903.The SmileWeddings come with plenty of photos. Before the big day, give your pearly whites a little tender loving care. “Most of the brides and grooms we see, because they’re younger, have very nice teeth,” says Dr. David Cook of Smiles at France Dentistry. “They opt for a mouth-freshening cleaning appointment and touching up their whitening.”Cook also notes that popular off-the-shelf whitening strips cover only the front six teeth, while most people show up to 12 teeth when they smile. A dentist can provide full whitening strips; Cook suggests right and left strips, overlapping in the middle. “These [updates] can be remarkable and add to the photographic memories created for this special event.”Smiles at France, 4999 France Ave. S., Edina; 612.824.7033.The RegistryWhat are the most common missteps brides and grooms make when they register for wedding gifts? First, getting too bogged down by trends and forgetting the essentials, says Prudence Morrison, Sur La Table’s registry coordinator. Second, registering only for high-end items and forgetting that guests will need ideas in a range of prices for showers and other mini-celebrations.Gift givers, for winter weddings, think about cold-weather fare and the equipment newlyweds will need: big enameled roasting pans, sturdy mugs for coffee and tea, and baking pans for holiday cookies. Morrison’s favorite registry item is knives. “I love working with really good-quality, well-balanced, well-made knives,” she says. “We have a great range of knives.”Brides and grooms can schedule a private registry appointment at Sur La Table. You’ll have the store to yourselves and plenty of time to chat with one of the shop’s registry experts.Sur La Table, 3901 W. 50th St., Edina; 952.656.0045.The InvitationsPros often say that invitations help set the tone for the whole day: casual or formal, traditional or modern, extravagant or simple. If you’re working with a stationer, come to the design appointment with an open mind. “You might be surprised at what you end up choosing, and it could send your entire wedding in a different direction,” says Antoinette Ramos, designer and owner of Paperista.For this year’s winter season, Ramos expects to see lots of sparkle and texture: “Foil printing—just like the twinkling lights outside— and monochromatic colors like black, gray and silver,” she explains. And be sure to think outside the lines. How about sending invitations in a box with a little fluff of faux snow?Paperista, 5023 France Ave. S., Edina; 612.886.3470.  & Explore what Edina's wedding experts have to offer at 50th and France's fall bridal event. Visit participating stores to learn about trends, ask questions and pick up some refreshments and other treats. October 5, 11am-4pm; 50th and France shops, Edina; 952.922.1524; www.50thandfrance.com