Winter Weddings

Many couples are opting to have their wedding during the colder, winter months as opposed to the traditional “wedding season” over summer. Many choose this quieter time to have their ceremony as more popular venues are fully booked and winter often presents the opportunity to have their first choice of location. Honeymoon destinations such as Mexico, the Caribbean and the Maldives also have the best weather during the winter in England.

Here’s our guide on how to make the most of your seasonal wedding and overcome its challenges.

Winter Holidays

You can incorporate autumnal and winter holidays into your wedding, depending on which month you choose to set your date. Halloween themes are growing in popularity and fireworks can add that special celebratory touch to your evening close to Bonfire night. With heavy snow predicted this winter in the UK, you will be able to enjoy your own winter wonderland without the need for artificial frost and snow. If you’re wishing for white winter wedding and don’t wake up to a morning snowfall, adding blue and white touches to your colour scheme can create a wintery feel inside your venue. Snow globes and fairy lights can be used to add a magical touch. If you’re having a wedding close to Christmas, incorporating the venues decorations into your scheme. A red and gold colour scheme can coordinate well with the greenery of Christmas trees and winter foliage. You could even use these types of winter florals in your bouquet and centrepieces and add colour with berries, pine cones and poinsettias.

Winter Wedding Drinks

Welcome your guests with seasonal hot drinks to keep away the chill. Ideas include hot apple cider, Irish coffees, flavoured hot chocolate and mulled wine. A hearty meal will also warm everyone up and many people opt for a hog roast style feast or traditional roast dinner.

Winter Venues

When choosing your venue, it is important to bear in mind the unpredictable weather, especially during colder months which can bring sleet, hail, snow and fog. Outdoor photos can be stunning, especially with your guests in a snowy scene but it is not always an option in heavy rain or snow. Ensure there is a suitable area inside your venue for photography opportunities including large group photos and more private couple shots. Christmas trees can make an extra special backdrop for your photos, but also have some more neutral style scenes as you will be looking at your pictures all year round.

Timing and Weather

It is also best to have an earlier ceremony as the common afternoon time of 2pm may not allow enough time for your photographer to capture all the photos you would like before the light fades into an early sunset. Logistics should also be a consideration when planning your church or ceremony venue and reception location. If they are a great distance apart this may cause problems for both your wedding party and guests if road conditions are poor due to ice and snow. Classic cars don’t always cope well with colder climates and harsh weather conditions. Ask your transportation service whether they have a contingency plan if the car you’ve chosen isn’t suitable on the day. Having an elegant fur stole, wrap or blanket in the car may also be a good idea, as vintage cars are not renowned for their powerful heating systems.

Entertainment

Choose your entertainment wisely, as not all function bands are suitable for wintery weddings. Choosing a band reasonably local to your venue will minimise the risk of transport delays due to bad weather. Have an upbeat funk band to wow your guests and introduce some festive music into your celebrations. If Christmas tunes are not your thing, they are sure to have a selection of classic songs to keep you dancing all night long.

Written by Katy Quinn.