Have yourself a merry, little...wedding

December nuptials remain a small minority - 2 per cent of couples surveyed last year by the bridal site TheKnot.com - and not all are looking to take on the holiday in a big way, but embracing readily available festive decor makes it easy to incorporate the spirit of the season. And it saves money in the process.

Molway and Burns will take to the floor at their reception for their first dance as a married couple to Judy Garland singing Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Clips from It's a Wonderful Life will roll on a screen as they dance, Molway said.

"That was my mum's favourite Christmas movie and she is no longer with us, so we're going to dedicate the dance to her," Molway said. "We decided to get married around this time because it's my favourite time of year. It's also a time that screams family to me."

For couples willing to go over the top, treat guests to a performance by carolers, she said. Maybe have Santa make an appearance for little guests. Set up a hot cocoa and cookie station with frosting to keep them occupied.

Susan Colby was married December 14, 2013, at a Chicago hotel that was beautifully decorated for the season. Her white, four-tier cake had an edible bow at the top, with ribbons cascading down to the red tablecloth at the cake station. Her groom wore a red bow tie and vest with his tuxedo and Colby's bouquet was red roses.

For photos, they draped themselves in a string of twinkling snowflake lights that matched a snowflake bauble in her hair.