Top Tips for a Winter Wedding
Top 10 tips for autumn/winter weddings
Winter weddings can be truly magical, with the potential for snow, cozy atmospheres, and unique décor, not only this, having a Winter wedding is a great way to reduce your wedding budget (not always cheaper than summer weddings). Venues are generally cheaper to hire in the winter months and some suppliers may offer cheaper rates during their off peak season. However, they also come with some unique challenges, such as colder weather and potential travel disruptions. Here are some tips to help you plan a successful winter wedding:
- Choosing the Right Venue – Look for venues with indoor options or heated outdoor spaces to ensure guests stay warm. A venue that has a large indoor capacity? A fire? Not only to keep you and your guests warm but also to create a nice ambience.
- Timing – Consider an earlier ceremony time, take advantage of the limited winter daylight. Also check the sunset time and schedule as this will impact your photography.
- Dressing for the Occasion – Wear a warmer dress, maybe have a shawl ready or an over jacket a or longer sleeved dress. You can style beautifully for a colder wedding.
- Guest Comforts – If the budget permits, or the venue offers these, provide warm blankets for guests, or shawls/wraps for the outdoor elements of the wedding. During the winter months you can provide winter styled drinks – hot chocolate, mulled wine or coffees during the course of the day
- Decoration – Embrace the winter theme with décor like evergreen garlands, twinkling lights, and seasonal flowers. Consider incorporating winter themes such as pinecones, icicles, and snowflakes into your decor. Add a winter themed topper to your cake. Use winter-themed invitations, favors, and décor to tie the theme together. Take advantage of the snowy/icy backdrop for stunning winter wedding photos.
- Plan for the Weather -Have a backup plan in case of inclement weather, especially if you plan an outdoor ceremony. You may get lucky and the sun is still shining.
- Lighting – lighting is crucial, since it gets darker earlier in the winter, make sure you have adequate lighting for both your ceremony and reception. Candles, string lights, and lanterns can create a cozy and romantic atmosphere
- Food/Menu – Opt for a seasonal menu featuring hearty and warming dishes like soups, stews, and roasted meats. Consider a hot cocoa or dessert bar with seasonal treats instead of or as well as a sweet stand.
- Winter Entertainment – Consider winter-themed entertainment like a sleigh ride, ice skating, or a bonfire with marshmallow roasting
- Flowers – Choosing the right winter wedding flowers for your wedding bouquet, your bridesmaids bouquets, table decorations and decor. Some of your options to incorporate are listed below: Remember during autumn and winter, not all flower varieties will be available unless your florist can obtain freeze dried flowers or preserved flowers.
- Pinecones
- Ruscus
- Waxflower
- Pussy Willow
- Lisianthus
- Silver Brunia
- English Ivy Berry Heads
- Eucalyptus
- Anemone
- Grape Hyancith
- Narcissi
- Hellebore
- Ranunculus
- Chrysanthemum
- Delphinium
- Heather
- Stock
- Roses/Spray Roses
- Alstoemeria
- Snowdrop
- Tulips
- Junniper Berries
- Pampas Grass
- Seed Pod
- Spruce
- Nigella
- Catkins
- Viburnum Steel Berry
- Carnations
- Cysanthenem
- Snow Berry
- Skimmia
- Dried Grasses
- Dried Honesty
- Winter Blossom
- Larch Twig
The list could continue!
We love seeing Winter Weddings and the creativity that you can have with this wonderful season! The sun might not always be beaming down on you but its certainly just as radiant.