A winter wedding is a brave undertaking, but it can be one that everyone will remember, especially if you choose a stunning rural setting. Organising a winter wedding can be a bit more complicated than the usual summer event, though, as you have the holiday season, fewer daylight hours and potentially harsh weather to factor in. Here’s a few tips to help you along the way.
Have a fall-back plan
You’re dreaming of glittering snow and blue skies, but chances are it’ll be mud and grey clouds. This needn’t spoil your day if you have reliable vendors and experienced venue hosts. Ask what they’ll do if there’s heavy rain, or if paths are slippy. Visit the venue beforehand – Cheshire wedding venue Heaton House Farm offers open days for couples – to talk to the hosts to find out how they deal with bad weather or blocked roads.
Leave the fur behind
Don’t be restricted by the classic image of a faux fur shrug for your wedding outfit. Of course it looks great and is warm, but consider a velvet cloak or cape, or a long brocade coat over the gown.
Heart-warming food
Your guests will need some rib-sticking winter food, so try hot soup or stew as a starter and up the frosty ante with mulled wine, mashed winter vegetables, turkey or a hog roast. Braziers of chestnuts are also a talking feature.
Avoid Christmas
This is just a no-no. People will not thank you for clashing with Christmas, so don’t plan anything between December 23 and December 26. New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are best avoided too.
Think about transport restrictions
Depending on where you are and the date of your wedding, you may have blocked roads or restricted public transport to your venue. Make sure your wedding cars can cope with ice and think about whether your white cars will look awful after several miles through slush.
Winterflora
Don’t just opt for holly and mistletoe – there’s red berries, pinecones, fir branches as well. You could even ditch flower altogether and use crystal bouquets instead.
Start early
Your photographer will love you! Remember, by 3.00pm or so it may be getting dark and the best light is lost. Aim for a morning or noon ceremony to make the most of the daylight.
Ask about discounts
Most weddings are in the summer, so you might find wedding suppliers are happy to cut their rates in the winter, due to the lack of demand.
Get a great photographer
Choose a photographer who can bring out the best in low light or grey conditions. Hopefully you’ll get your snow and sunshine, but if not, there’s not much an experienced and creative photographer can’t do to impart some winter magic.
Make sure your guests are warm
Keep a stack of umbrellas, towels, hand warmers and blankets handy, as well as a dry space for people to gather and dry out. You must make sure that there’s a heated indoor space to retreat to just in case there’s everyone’s worst weather feature – sleet.