Hello to my short engagement friends! It’s Abby here. If you’ve spent any time on our Instagram lately, you may have seen my face pop up. I’m on the ASE team, and I’m especially excited to share today’s post because I’m a “short engagement” bride myself! I got engaged in December 2022 and married just six months later on July 1, 2023! So when I talk about fast timelines, Instagram-worthy details, and budget-friendly finds, I truly get it. Let’s dive in.
Ahhh, the winter wedding. There’s just something magical about this season: the deep green florals, a jewel-toned color palette, faux-fur shawls wrapped around your bridesmaids, and maybe even a dusting of snow that feels straight out of a Christmas movie. If you’re a winter bride (whether you’re getting married in the next few months or planning ahead for next Christmas), now is the perfect time to start planning your decor. And if you're a bride on a quick timeline (or on a budget like I was), Amazon might just be your new best friend. I’ve rounded up some of my favorite Amazon finds for a winter wedding that achieves a dreamy look for less!
Tabletop Decor
One of the easiest (and most affordable) ways to elevate a reception space is with a cloth runner. This one comes in tons of colors, but for winter I especially love burgundy, emerald green, or ivory! These instantly add a layer of luxury and dimension to a table without needing huge centerpieces.
To complement the runner, tea light candle holders can be placed around the table for an elevated yet delicate look. Don’t forget the tea light candles themselves! Candlelight is a simple way to create that winter-wonderland glow—soft, romantic, and flattering in photos.
And if you love a whimsical look, this glass bud vase set creates beautiful height variation. Even with just a few stems (baby’s breath, greenery, roses), these little vases make everything feel intentional. I’ve personally used them for a corporate event, and they looked far more expensive than they are.
Card Boxes: Pretty and Practical
My friend who is a wedding planner once gave me this advice (which I now pass along to every bride): Always choose a card box/holder with a lid. This is to prevent any party crashers from easily swiping your cards (with your precious honeymoon cash)!
This clear card box is the exact one I bought for my own wedding. It’s sleek, modern, and secure, and I still lend it out to friends!
If you want something with a little more charm, this gold-edged glass card box is a pretty option. It has a more permanent and expensive look, like something that belongs in your home.
A Fully Customizable Wedding Website
Stepping away from the Amazon theme for a second to tell you about the option of creating a totally unique wedding website for your special day. A Short Engagement’s wedding website templates are perfect for the bride who wants a beautiful, custom-looking site without the designer price tag. Unlike the big wedding websites that limit your fonts, colors, and layouts (and stamp their logo everywhere), these templates give you complete creative freedom. You can customize everything, from the typography and color palette to the patterns, graphics, and overall vibe, so your website feels cohesive with your theme. It’s your wedding… your website should reflect that.
Amazon Jewelry for the Budget Bride
If you’re a bride on a budget or you just want backup options for bridal events, Amazon jewelry continues to surprise me (in the best way). These are all beautiful, affordable, and photograph so well:
Pearl Drop Earrings on Gold Chain
Pearl Earrings with Embellishments
Classic Velvet Ring Box
Another Amazon purchase I made for our own wedding: a simple velvet ring box. I wanted something classic that would look pretty in flat-lay photos without spending a fortune. I ordered the beige and loved how it photographed. Sometimes the smallest details end up being the sweetest ones.
Photo: Cuenca Creative
Final Thoughts for the Winter Bride
Planning a wedding (especially on a short timeline) can feel overwhelming. Between choosing vendors, staying on budget, navigating family dynamics, and making a million decisions, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most: marrying your best friend and the beautiful covenant of marriage as a reflection of Christ’s love for us.
If you’re a bride who’s planning quickly, budgeting wisely, and keeping your heart on what truly matters, you are in exactly the right place. And if you want a step-by-step guide to help you plan well (without losing your peace or your joy) we created How to Plan Your Wedding in Six Months or Less just for you. It’s practical, faith-centered, and designed to walk with you every step of the way.
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