Wedding Wednesday: Favorite Winter Wedding Gowns

Winter wedding gowns are tricky, especially when you're having a royal wedding with lots of balcony appearances and other assorted outdoor shenanigans. Since that time is upon us now (well, it's upon me - if you're in Australia or something...bookmark and come back in six months I guess?), I thought we'd throw some praise at those royal wedding dresses that have leapt their climate hurdles valiantly.

Two winter brides stick out from my personal list of favorite royal wedding dresses - Máxima (February) and Mathilde (December).

Of course, I have always loved a high collar on a grand wedding gown, that's just me.

But if you want something that just screams winter wedding, fur's the way to go.

Queen Fabiola of the Belgians, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, Archduchess Marie-Christine of Austria, Archduchess Catharina von Österreich

I confess, I'm not a huge fan of fur used on a wedding gown, but there is something about a winter wedding that lends itself to things that seem a little farcical otherwise...

...which brings us to a personal favorite in this category, Baroness Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza's gown from her January 1993 marriage to Archduke Karl of Austria.

At any other time, in any other place, this wedding outfit would have been too much. The lace-up front, the enormous ball skirt, the heavy 200-year-old Habsburg veil held in place with a small pearl and diamond bandeau tiara, even the bride carrying a Mass Book instead of a bouquet - it's a Versace design that could have come straight from a movie set, and borders on comical for use in real life (even for a character such as this bride).

But set in an Austrian winter scene? It's completely enchanting.

What's your favorite winter wedding gown?

Photos: Zimbio/Rex/Hola/The Royal Forums