Winter Wedding Planning: A Guide To Your Dream Day

Planning a winter wedding can be a magical experience, with the season providing a ready-made atmosphere, an excuse for sparkle, and more venue and supplier availability. However, there are some extra considerations to ensure your wedding looks great and runs smoothly. From discussing weatherproof plans with your venue to keeping guests warm with blankets and fire pits, there are many ways to create a cosy and stylish winter wedding.

Keeping guests warm

When planning a winter wedding, it's important to keep your guests warm, especially if you're planning an outdoor ceremony or reception. Here are some tips to ensure your guests stay cosy and comfortable throughout your special day:

Be transparent with your guests about the venue and potential weather conditions. The more information you share, the more prepared your guests will be. Let them know if there will be any outdoor elements so they can dress appropriately and bring extra layers if needed.

Provide blankets for your guests to snuggle up in if they feel chilly. Choose blankets that complement your wedding colours or mix and match with a variety of colourful blankets. This will not only keep your guests warm but also add a fun and stylish touch to your wedding decor.

Keep yourself warm, too! Don't forget to consider your own outfit and those of your wedding party. Even if you think your dress or tuxedo will be cosy enough, it's always a good idea to have an extra layer, like thermal tights, just in case.

Add a cosy touch to your wedding with a fire pit. Chat with your venue to see if this is possible, and if so, consider providing a late-night snack of s'mores for your guests to roast over the fire. A fire pit will not only keep your guests warm but also create a magical, atmospheric vibe for your winter wedding.

By following these tips, you can ensure your guests stay warm and comfortable, allowing them to fully enjoy your winter wedding celebration.

Venue considerations

When it comes to venue considerations, there are a few things to keep in mind for a winter wedding. Firstly, it's important to be transparent with your guests about the venue and the possibility of what the weather could be like. This will help them plan and feel more comfortable on the day. It's also a good idea to talk to your venue about what they'll do if it snows, especially if it's in a remote location. If you're planning on having any outdoor elements, make sure you let your guests know in advance so they can dress appropriately.

In terms of keeping guests warm, consider having blankets available that match your wedding colours. You could also have a fire pit, which is a great end-of-night treat and adds to the outdoor vibe. If you and your fiancé are planning on being outside a lot, make sure you have an extra layer to put on, like thermal tights.

When viewing venues, it's worth noting that many couples only view their venues during the daytime, particularly if the initial search is during spring or summer. So, it's important to consider what the venue will look like in the winter and how this might impact your plans.

Weatherproof plans

When planning a winter wedding, it's important to have a weatherproof plan. Even a July wedding can be hit by a hailstorm, but a winter wedding needs a little more planning around potential meteorological pitfalls. Talk to your venue about what they'll do if it snows, especially if it's in a remote location. Chat to your photographer about where you'll do photos if it's a rainy day, and speak to your transport suppliers about allowing extra time for traffic if there's bad weather. If you have any outdoor elements, make sure you let your guests know in advance so they can dress appropriately, and have back-ups in place should you need them.

You could also consider providing blankets for your guests, in your wedding colours, to keep them warm. Don't forget to think about you and your fiancé’s outfits. The two of you will be outside more than anyone, for early morning photos or venue walk-throughs. Even though you might think you’ll be cosy in your dress (or in a tuxedo) always have an additional layer to put on, like thermal tights, just in case you get cold.

A great end-of-night treat could be having everyone gather around a fire pit. Chat with your venue to see if this is something that you can do. If it’s a go, consider doing a late-snack s'more snack. Either way, having a fire pit, even one you can bring and safely do yourself, adds to the outdoor vibe of any winter wedding.

Wedding outfits

When it comes to wedding outfits, it's important to remember that you and your fiancé will be outside more than anyone else, so make sure you have an extra layer to put on, like thermal tights, just in case you get cold. You might think you'll be cosy in your dress or tuxedo, but it's always better to be prepared.

If you want to add a bit of fun and keep your guests warm, consider providing blankets that match your wedding colours. This will give your guests the option to cover themselves if they get cold, and it will also add to the cosy, wintery atmosphere.

When planning your outfit, don't forget to consider the possibility of bad weather. Talk to your venue about what they'll do if it snows, especially if it's in a remote location. Chat to your photographer about where you'll do photos if it's a rainy day, and speak to your transport suppliers about allowing extra time for traffic in case of bad weather.

If you have any outdoor elements to your wedding, make sure you let your guests know in advance so they can dress appropriately. This will help ensure that everyone is comfortable and prepared for whatever the weather may bring.

End-of-night treats

When it comes to end-of-night treats, there are plenty of options to choose from for a winter wedding. One idea is to have everyone gather around a fire pit, which can be a great way to add to the outdoor vibe of a winter wedding. If you're serving hot drinks like hot chocolate or mulled wine, these can be enjoyed by the fire pit, too. You could even provide marshmallows for toasting and create a fun, interactive experience for your guests.

If you're looking for something more substantial, grilled cheese and tomato soup is a great option to warm up your guests before they head home. Or, for something a little more indulgent, how about a hot chocolate bar with an array of toppings like sprinkles, graham cracker crumbles, whipped cream, and M&Ms?

For the adults, a Vanilla Chai Tea White Russian is a great way to end the night, especially served by the fire. Or, for a non-alcoholic option, caramel apple spice cider is a delicious winter warmer that can be enjoyed by guests of all ages.

Finally, don't forget to keep your guests warm throughout the night. Blankets that match your wedding colours are a fun way to add to the decor while keeping your guests cosy.

Frequently asked questions