What to Consider Before Planning a Winter Wedding

By Catie-Reagan Palmore

Posted: 11/16/17

Category: Wedding Tips

A winter wedding can be such a dreamy event because of the need to be all nestled up and warm to shut out the winter cold. It's the perfect time of year since everyone is starting to get excited for the holiday season and, if it snows, all the better for serving up magic! Many vendors start closing up shop this time of year assuming that wedding season is coming to an end, but I would argue that they're missing out on the most magical time of year to tie the knot. Nowadays, people seem to enthusiastically delight in the opportunity to have a winter wedding — and that isn't just becase of better availability and lower prices. Making a winter wedding run effortlessly is important, so here are some things to consider before planning a winter wedding.

Seasonal Savings

Since winter is the opposite of peak wedding season, wedding venues tend to offer lower prices during the winter months. Not only will you have less competition for the most popular and exclusive venues, but you'll be able to score some major discounts. Your honeymoon budget just got a whole lot bigger.

You'll Definitely Need a Plan B

Weather is unpredictable so keep in mind consulting with your vendors beforehand about what would happen should you need to cancel, reschedule, or change locations due to the weather. Definitely consider investing in wedding insurance. A lot of policies will protect you from losing your deposit due to weather-related cancellation.

Cater to the Season

Consider offering hearty, warming food, hot chocolate, and mulled wine instead of salads and Prosecco. Winter is generally the time of year when people have more of an appetite, so make sure to provide tasty refreshments and drinks throughout the day in order to avoid hungry guests.

Embrace the Winter Chill

If you're preparing to be outside for a portion of the day and the weather becomes unbarable, have your contingencies in place. Avoid making your guests stand around in the cold, such as in between the ceremony and reception. SImilarly, make sure it doesn't get too hot inside the venue. Temperature can be a difficult call to make this time of year, so it definitely needs real consideration. Another thing to be mindful of is how early it gets dark in the winter and make sure your pictures are taken in time if you want them in the daylight. When scoping out possible venues, consider looking at them around the same time of year, if you're planning well in advance, to get an accurate feel for precisely how it will look on your big day.

Go Crazy with Decorations

Winter is a magnificent time of year to infuse deep and vivacious color into a wedding — and it doesn't have to be all green and crimson either. Don't be afraid to experiment with color. You shouldn't be prisoner to a palette of winter greens, reds, and whites. Selecting other colors might seem counterintuitive, but can create a charming and surprising setting for your guests. Fill your reception hall with the romantic glow of candles. This will add a warm ambience to your day. Consider plush, soft textures to cozy up the space.

Plan Around the Holidays

Keep your guests in mind when choosing a date. Would they thank you for choosing Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve? Are there some guests who wouldn't be able to make it to your wedding due to family obligations? Traveling during this time of year can be tricky and expensive. On the upside, booking a florist, caterer, and other services for your big day may seem like a big headache during the holidays, but actually it might be rather painless in comparison to trying to book them during peak wedding season. You might even be able to negotiate a great deal.