Planning a Winter Wedding: what to consider
The idea of a wedding around Christmas-time seems pretty magical. The lights, the trees, the joy, it really is the best time of the year. A winter wedding has so much potential, but there are things to consider (both good and bad!):
The Weather - venue choice and guest list
This might seem a little obvious, but a UK winter wedding probably won’t bless you with perfect sunshine and a cold crisp day. Whilst a possibility, you only need to look at the rain we’ve received every single day for the last few weeks to know that good weather is not a certainty. This means your venue choice is imperative. You have to LOVE the inside just as much as the outside. It also means you will need tight back-up plans should the weather really throw a curveball (I’m talking suppliers getting snowed in, for example). If you have lots of international guests needing to fly in, a winter wedding might not be the perfect choice, as there is a risk that some might not be able to make it. If having a winter wedding is really important to you, think carefully about your venue choice and guest list.
The Timings
The timings of your day can be more relaxed with a winter wedding: bonus! You’re not waiting around for sunset for your first dance, or ensuring guests aren’t sweltering during the drinks reception in the mid-afternoon sun. A winter wedding means your wedding day timeline can be more flexible. If you want to eat at 3pm and have your first dance at 5pm - go for it; the sun will already be down!
However, a lot of people romanticise a New Year’s Eve wedding and it’s really important to know that this is going to be EXPENSIVE! You cannot do a New Year’s Eve wedding on a shoestring budget. Whilst we love our jobs, generally speaking suppliers don’t want to work on New Year’s Eve, so prices will go up. That includes delivery charges. You’re also competing with a day of the year that’s in incredibly high demand with parties and celebrations, so venue prices might be higher. Bear that in mind when deciding the date of your winter wedding.
The Design
A winter wedding creates lots of opportunities to get creative with the design. Lots of candlelight, romantic colours and twinkly lights creates the most beautiful ambience. If you want a nod to Christmas, this can be achieved without being tacky, through the florals/foliage, the lighting, the colours etc. However, it’s really important to remember that whilst there are beautiful flowers available in winter (hello anemones and hellebores!), your choice for seasonal flowers is far more limited than in other seasons. It’s best not to get your heart set on certain flower types, but rather on the overall aesthetic.
If planning a winter wedding is what you’re after, then feel free to get in touch, as I would love to help you create your wedding.
