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It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Spirits are merry and while the city is coated in the cold, people’s hearts are at their warmest during the winter.
And, while summer weddings still remain number one for the best season to get married, winter is swiftly catching up. We’re totally behind Winter stealing the number one spot in a flurry of true love and bright lights.
So, we’ve gathered a list of 10 tips to guarantee the world’s most wonderfully-wintery wedding, (try saying that 5x faster!).
But first…
Why should I have a winter wedding?
Some couples are skeptical of hosting the biggest day of their lives in the middle of winter. We understand that. So, here are 5 reasons why a winter wedding is the perfect choice for you:
1) It's unique
With most couples opting for a summer wedding, winter is an unusual time to get married. If you’re looking to add a touch of flare to your wedding day, hosting it in the winter is your ticket to difference. Your entire theme will be adjusted to match the season, meaning your wedding will stand out.
2) Mulled wine
Enough said. What better drink to replace a glass of champers? With specialised wintery drinks like mulled wine or egg-nog, (and perhaps a big mug of hot chocolate for the little ones), spirits will be high.
3) No panicking about the weather
There’s little uncertainty about a winter wedding. The fact is: it’s going to be cold. After you’ve selected a winter wedding, you’re already accepting this. So, your plan is to create the most beautiful indoor wedding around.
In the summertime, there’s no guarantee that it’ll be sunny. By picking a winter wedding, you’re reducing the amount of things to stress about.
4) Stunning color schemes
Oh, the colors of winter! Reds, plums, golds, silvers - we live and breathe for these! If you can incorporate a Christmas tree, all the better. Wintery color schemes are richer and just a touch more extravagant. Plus, glitter is a must-have for a winter wedding.
5) No compromise on beauty, but your wallet will be considerably lighter
Despite the winter-wins of a Christmassy wedding, it’s a much more budget-friendly option. You could save up to 30% on your venue. That’s without the winter deals! You’ll find that many venues offer discounts during the colder months. If you’re planning a wedding on a budget, setting the date for winter can help pull the cost down.
Proposing on a budget? Read our list of the top 10 most romantic ways to propose without busting your bank account.
The tips:
1) Arrange day time & night time viewings of your venue
In the colder seasons, the nights come earlier and they’re darker than your standard summer evening. It’s important that you visit your venue when it’s light and when it’s dark to get the full picture. It’s likely to be a 50-50 ratio of sunlight and darkness, so be sure that the lighting is bright and romantic at your chosen venue.
Extra tip: Ask your photographer to visit the venue with you. Let them scope the lighting situation so they can give you feedback and put strategies in place to guarantee beautiful wedding photos.
2) Allow the season to inspire your theme
There’s nothing worse than being cold. It’s all very well and good to go all Queen Elsa and tell the world ‘the cold never bothered me anyway,’ but trust us: when you’re stood at the altar and you’re already shaking with nerves, the last thing you need is to feel the bitter chill of winter.
So, allow the beauty of winter to inspire your theme. Brides, ask your dress fitters to recommend some winter wedding dresses. They’ll have a whole section.
Grooms, you’re in luck. Your suit comes with a jacket, so you should be safe from the cold. That said, it’s best to mention it when selecting your suit. You’ll find that textured suits are recommended for a stylish edge and to keep you warm.
From clothing to food and drink, make sure to add a touch of heat to your big day and select wisely.
3) Give yourself extra travel time
Whether it’s snowing, raining or hailing, getting to the Church, (or venue), on time can be slightly trickier in the winter. As such, make sure you allow yourself extra time to compromise for difficult weather. With heavy rain comes more traffic. With snow comes standstill. So, plan ahead and give yourself some breathing space.
4) Check out the venue’s Christmas decorations
What if the venue’s Christmas tree is red and gold, but your color scheme is blue and silver? This could cause a clash and may take the focus away from your decorations.
When you visit the venue, ask about their Christmas decorations. If they have photos, even better.
For some, this isn’t a dealbreaker. For others, it’s important that everything works in sync. Either way, it’s best to know.
Some venues will even allow you to take down their current decorations for the day of the wedding. Make sure you ask for permission, though!
5) Add a lot of candle-light
Candles are romantic. There’s no doubt about it. But, candles in the summer? You can get away with using one or two, but too many will make the venue too hot.
In the winter, though, candles are your best friend. Not only do they give a beautifully romantic vibe, they also work for extra heat.
That said, some venues don’t allow naked flames as they’re a fire hazard. If you have lots of little ones on your guest list, opt for LED candles instead.
6) Make your wedding favors rival Santa
Oh! Wedding favors are fun at the best of times, but during winter? It’s a whole different ballpark and a chance to get creative with your theme. We’re thinking candy-canes, personalized snow globes and mini hot chocolate kits.
7) Opt for minimalistic flowers
We’re about to let you in on a secret that will gain gasps of delight from your guests and your bank account.
In summer, you’ll need a large bunch of flowers.
In winter, however, the greenery around makes the perfect contrast for minimalistic flowers. With green backdrops by using ivy and holly, you’re free to use deep red roses and berries to contrast.
You can even spread the love by having mistletoe points. And, what a stunning photo opportunity that will be!
8) Go all in for your winter wedding cake
While summer usually demands pastel colors for your wedding cake, winter lets you take your creativity to the next level. With colors like gold, silver, blue, red, white and green on offer, winter wedding cakes are next-level in terms of beauty.
Plus, edible glitter is always used in abundance with wintery-wedding cakes.
9) Insurance, insurance, insurance!
We recommend insuring your wedding no matter what day of the year. But, insurance is even more important during the winter months. If the weather turns to the extremes, you may have certain suppliers backing out. Make sure you’re insured to avoid a massive cut in your bank account for no result.
10) Create a coat-station
There’s nothing worse than having to carry your coat everywhere. Set up a secure coat station where your guests are able to trade their coat for a ticket. When they need it, they can simply return to the station to collect it.
Guests will be thankful to have somewhere safe to place their jacket, making it a smoother, more comfortable experience.
Thinking about hosting a winter wedding? We’d love to hear from you. Click here to connect with us on Instagram and send us a message! We’d love to hear your reasons for selecting the most merry time of year.