George Boyle
Winter weddings have become an increasingly popular choice for couples, and it's easy to see why. There are many advantages to a winter wedding, from cost savings to unique seasonal food and decor options. However, there are also some important considerations to keep in mind, such as the earlier sunset and potential weather conditions. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of a winter wedding and offer tips and suggestions for making your big day magical. From timing your ceremony to take advantage of the golden hour to creating a weatherproof plan, we'll help you navigate the ins and outs of planning a winter wedding.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time of year | January, February, March, November – February, December |
| Pros | Less competition for venues and vendors, cheaper rates, more attention from vendors, unique seasonal themes, better availability, no weather stress |
| Cons | Less daylight, cold temperatures, bad weather, difficult for guests with children |
| Themes | Holiday, winter wonderland, red and green, winter white, emerald and plum, black and white |
| Food | Warm soups, hors d'oeuvres, mashed potato bar, pasta station |
| Drinks | White Russians, mulled wine, peppermint cocktails, hot-buttered rum |
| Cake | Dark chocolate, caramel, red velvet, French vanilla and bourbon, peppermint and white chocolate |
| Favours | Ceramic mugs, Frasier fir-scented candles, hot cocoa cones, candy canes, mulling spices |
| Flowers | Manzanita branches, pinecones, hypericum berries, white or deep red roses |
| Photography | Discuss golden hour with photographer, plan for indoor and outdoor photos, ensure ample travel time |
| Clothing | Boots, glitter and sequin dresses, hand warmers, umbrellas, cover-ups |
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What You'll Learn
- Start planning early to avoid holiday clashes and give guests enough notice
- Discuss bad weather plans with your venue, photographer and transport suppliers
- Embrace the season with winter-themed food, decor and flowers
- Consider the shorter days and plan your ceremony time to ensure daylight photos
- Choose a venue with exclusive use and accommodation for guests to stay overnight
Start planning early to avoid holiday clashes and give guests enough notice
Winter weddings are a wonderful choice, but they do require some extra planning considerations. The winter months can get busy with holiday festivities, so it's essential to start planning early to avoid any clashes and ensure your guests have enough notice.
One crucial aspect to consider is the availability of your chosen date. While winter is generally considered an off-season for weddings, some dates, such as December 28th to 31st, tend to be quite popular. Earlier December dates can also be in high demand, so it's best to finalise your date early and send out save-the-dates to your guests well in advance. This is especially important if your wedding date is close to a major holiday, as people's plans may already be booked.
Another factor to keep in mind is the shorter days and earlier sunsets typical of the winter season. If you want to capture daylight in your wedding photos, you may need to adjust the timing of your ceremony and plan for an earlier start. Discuss this with your photographer, who can advise you on the "`golden hour'" and help you create a timeline that ensures you get the pictures you want.
Additionally, consider the impact of potential winter weather conditions. It's a good idea to choose a venue that can accommodate both the ceremony and reception to minimise travel for your guests and vendors. Communicate with your venue about their plans in case of snow, and ensure your transport suppliers are prepared for potential delays due to bad weather.
By starting your planning early, you can ensure that you have all the necessary information and that your guests have enough notice to attend your winter wedding. With careful consideration and timely preparation, you can create a magical and memorable experience for everyone.
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Discuss bad weather plans with your venue, photographer and transport suppliers
Winter weddings can be magical, but it's important to be prepared for all weather conditions. Discuss your plans with your venue, photographer, and transport suppliers, so that everyone is on the same page and ready to adapt if needed.
Firstly, check the average temperatures and weather for your destination. Be realistic about the conditions you are likely to face, and don't expect sunshine and clear skies if you're in a typically cold and wet region during winter. You can then plan accordingly and be prepared for the elements. If you're expecting snow and ice, provide hand warmers, snow boots, and gloves for your guests. If it's likely to be rainy, bring clear umbrellas, and ensure your guests have appropriate footwear and raincoats.
Speak to your venue about your plans for the day. If you're hoping for an outdoor ceremony, discuss the possibility of moving it inside if the weather is bad. Consider the timing of your ceremony and reception events. If you want daylight photos, an earlier ceremony might be preferable. Discuss with your photographer about the timing of photos, and whether they will stay for the entire reception. You may want to plan for ample travel time if your ceremony and reception are in separate locations.
Photographers often love moody skies and snowy scenes, so don't worry about getting great photos. Discuss with your photographer their experience shooting in various weather conditions, and ask for their advice on a rain plan for portraits. They may suggest moving some photos to before the ceremony to make the most of dryer weather, so be prepared to adjust your hair and makeup schedule if needed.
Finally, don't forget to consider transport. Ensure your transport suppliers are aware of the potential for bad weather and have suitable vehicles for the conditions. Discuss any changes to the timeline with them, so they can adapt their schedules and ensure timely arrivals and departures.
By being prepared and flexible, you can ensure your winter wedding runs smoothly, even if the weather isn't perfect.
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Embrace the season with winter-themed food, decor and flowers
Winter weddings can be magical, with fairy lights, snow-covered backdrops, and stylish jewel-tone floral arrangements. If you're planning a winter wedding, you can embrace the season with these ideas for winter-themed food, decor, and flowers.
Decor
For decor, bring the outdoors in with pine cones, white pine, and eucalyptus greenery. You can DIY glistening snow-covered pine cones or incorporate them into a garland runner. Fairy lights also add a magical touch, whether indoors or outdoors. Drape them from the ceiling, weave them into your tablescape, or create a majestic canopy at the reception.
Flowers
When it comes to flowers, consider what's in season during the winter months. Anemones, for example, are in season during the winter and have a dramatic appearance with their black center and white, purple, or red petals. Camellias, which come in a variety of shades, are also in season from October through May. If you're looking for a more sustainable option, consider adding non-floral elements like berries, silver brunia, dusty miller, and eucalyptus greenery to your arrangements.
Food
For food, warm up your guests with seasonal treats. Offer a hot chocolate bar with marshmallows, whipped cream, and cinnamon or peppermint sticks. You can also serve hot apple cider, either with or without alcohol, as a cozy cocktail option. If you want to include a soup course, consider a hot and hearty option to embrace the winter theme.
Cake
A winter wedding cake can make a statement without being over the top. Consider a petite, two-tiered, multi-flavored fondant cake accented with aspen leaves and pine cones. Or, for something truly winter-themed, opt for a spice cake with layers of blackberry jam, cream cheese, and orange zest frosting.
Remember, as event planner Lisa Vorce suggests, "send out save-the-dates far in advance if your wedding date surrounds a major holiday." This will ensure your guests have the best opportunity to attend and embrace your winter wonderland celebration.
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Consider the shorter days and plan your ceremony time to ensure daylight photos
Winter weddings have a cosy vibe, cheaper venues, and the potential for gorgeous snowy photos. However, there is less daylight, which directly affects the look of your photos. To ensure you have enough light for portraits, it is important to create a detailed timeline.
The sun sets earlier in the winter, so if you want daylight photos, consider an earlier ceremony time. The time you choose will depend on whether you want sunlight during the ceremony itself, or just for photos. If you want sunlight for your ceremony, it will need to take place at or before 4 pm, depending on your location. In New England, for example, the sun sets at 4:15 pm on the shortest day of the year. If you want natural light for your photos but not during the ceremony, a ceremony start time of 3 pm will give you an hour and a half of daylight for photos before the sun sets.
If you are doing your own makeup and hair, it is recommended that you finish by 12:00, get dressed at 12:30, and take photos alone at 1:30, with the groom and groomsmen taking their photos at 2:00. This will allow you to be tucked away before the ceremony at 2:30, with the ceremony starting at 3:30. If you want to take photos before the ceremony, you will need to arrive at the venue earlier.
If you are not concerned about having natural light for your photos, the time of your ceremony is less important, and you can opt for a candlelit ceremony or use a flash.
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Choose a venue with exclusive use and accommodation for guests to stay overnight
Winter weddings have many advantages, from stunning snowy photos to better venue rates. When choosing a venue with exclusive use and accommodation for your winter wedding, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, decide on the location and whether you prefer a more intimate setting or a grand celebration. This will help you narrow down your venue options. For example, if you're looking for a charming countryside estate or a rustic vineyard, venues in Pennsylvania offer fabulous amenities and on-site accommodations for both you and your guests. If you're dreaming of a seaside ceremony or a cliffside celebration, there are stunning venues in New Jersey and Florida that provide exclusive use and breathtaking backdrops.
Next, consider the number of guests you plan to invite and the amount of accommodation required. Some venues offer exclusive use of the entire property, including multiple bedrooms, separate function rooms, and private gardens or lawns. For instance, Fawsley Hall in the UK provides exclusive use of the hall, which includes 60 bedrooms, as well as the separate Knightley Court with eight bedrooms and a private bar. Similarly, Bailbrook House Hotel, an 18th-century hotel near Bath, has 94 bedrooms to accommodate your overnight guests, along with an award-winning restaurant and beautiful grounds. If you're looking for a more intimate setting, Milsoms Kesgrave Hall in Suffolk, UK, offers a charming Georgian mansion with 23 stylish bedrooms for your guests to relax and enjoy the celebration without travel worries.
For those seeking a truly unique experience, glamping or outdoor wedding venues provide an unforgettable night under the stars. Swinton Bivouac in the UK allows couples to exchange vows in Druid's Woodland and then sleep in meadow yurts, tree lodges, and a bunk barn. If you're dreaming of a castle wedding, venues like Cornhill Castle in Scotland and Achnagairn Castle near Inverness offer exclusive use of a Renaissance-style French chateau or a castle with individually designed bedrooms, respectively. These venues often include luxe touches, such as private hot tubs and spiral staircases, making your wedding day truly magical.
Lastly, consider the timeline of your winter wedding and the sunset time when choosing a venue with accommodation. The early sunsets during winter may impact your ceremony time and photo opportunities. By selecting a venue with accommodation, you can ensure your guests are comfortable and close by, allowing for a seamless transition from ceremony to reception without the worry of travel time. This can also extend your celebrations, giving you more time to savour every moment with your loved ones.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many benefits to a winter wedding. Vendors and venues are more available and less expensive during the colder months, and they can focus more of their attention on your big day. You can also avoid the stress of your guests having wedding fatigue, as they are less likely to have other weddings to attend that season.
There are many sophisticated colour palettes to consider for a winter wedding. Think moody emeralds and plums, warm cream and
Warm and creamy soups like tomato, lobster bisque, and clam chowder are excellent starters. You can also serve them in mini-mugs and turn them into soup shooters. For the main course, a mashed potato bar with all the fixings or a pasta station with different noodles and sauces are good options.
The sun sets earlier in the winter, so you may want to consider an earlier ceremony time if you want daylight photos. If you are doing portraits before the ceremony, 3:00 pm is a good time to start. If you are doing a first look before the ceremony, 5:15 pm is a good time for the grand entrance into the reception.
