Although June is often considered "the month for nuptials", a winter wedding can be an even more spectacular event with many great color tones. You might even be able to enlist the help of some elves if you can catch them in a good "elf" mood before they are committed to help the Big Guy in Red prepare for his busiest night of the year. But even if you can't find any cooperative short little creatures, friends, family, a lighting team, a designer and an effective wedding planner can make your winter wonderland wedding a splendid and memorable occasion.

Your first decision (after you decide to marry, of course) will be the location of your winter wedding. Look for an inn with a fireplace for an intimate wedding dinner. For larger affairs, try to find an historic mansion or private club, which will still render an aura of warmth to the occasion. Unless you marry in a state that can practically "guarantee" that snow will be on the ground, avoid a room with a large picture window.

No one can deny that there is a bit of magic involved, albeit of the chillier variety. Drapes of fabric can do magic when cast against walls and ceilings and today classic rich tones like burgundy, royal blue, purple and hunter green, have dared to confront the traditional, icier winter shades of white, silver and icy blue. The appeal of these deep colors against the background of crisp white makes for a beautiful, unexpected and understated contrast of tones. Consider draping the walls and tables of the winter wedding reception room with tulle or organza and twinkle lights. It may cost a bit more than you would be happy with (about $2,000), but the transformation from room to wonderland is sure to be positively breathtaking.

Still, any wonderland worth its salt needs a bit more in the sparkle department and some ideas for that might include wedding decorations from your magical wedding toolbox such as:

• feather boas

• clear beaded garlands

• silver bells

• luxurious satin ribbons and rose petals

Trees and centerpieces greatly enhance the mood and atmosphere of a winter wedding. Tree-lined corridors along the length of the room with an aisle adorned by rose petal "snow" might not elicit fantasies of the Champs-Elysés, but they will greatly impact the winter wedding setting if you consider sparkling the trees with twinkle-light strands and veiling them in swaths of tulle. You can do the tables the same way with four-foot topiaries from local craft stores.

If you are more into simple but lovely floral decorations for your winter wedding, consider either white-potted poinsettias or possibly crisp white carnations. Fragrant and showy, these floral wreaths can be a smashing addition to winter wedding décor.

Some ideal winter wedding favors might include:

• snowflake wine bottle stopper

• snowflake candle holders

• snowflake key chain

• "snow in love" tea light candle

Your winter wedding can be a spectacular affair to remember, and one that will always evoke warmth in the hearts of all those privileged to attend your very special winter wedding day!