How to Plan a Winter Wedding

Winter weddings can be magical affairs. From snowflake-inspired decorations to whimsical winter wonderland themes, there are endless ways to make your winter wedding unique. But planning a winter wedding does come with its own set of challenges.

The lack of daylight, the colder temperatures, and even the possibility of winter weather can all put a dampener on your wedding day plans. But with a bit of extra planning, you can make sure your winter wedding is everything you’ve ever dreamed of.

With that in mind, here are a few things you need to consider when planning a winter wedding, along with some tips on overcoming some of the challenges you're likely to face.

1. Develop a Weatherproof Wedding Plan

If you’re set on having a winter wedding, you should go in knowing that the weather is much less likely to cooperate with your plans. And while you can’t control the weather, you can be prepared for anything Mother Nature throws your way by developing a weatherproof wedding plan.

A good start would be selecting a venue with both indoor and outdoor space. That way, if the weather does take a turn for the worse, you can still have your ceremony or reception inside.

Think about other aspects of your wedding that will be affected, including photography. For instance, where will you take photos if it's raining? Will you need a backup plan for your wedding transportation? And what about your wedding dress? Will you need a coat or jacket that goes over it?

Asking these questions now and coming up with a plan B can help you avoid any last-minute scrambling if the weather lets you down.

2. Embrace the Winter Season with Your Décor and Styling

One of the best things about winter weddings is that they offer a chance to get creative with your décor. After all, winter is the perfect time to embrace all things sparkly and festive.

From winter wonderland backdrops to sparkling chandeliers, there are endless ways to make your winter wedding décor stand out. You can also incorporate winter elements into your wedding stationery, like snowflakes, evergreens, or even festive holiday colours. When it comes to your wedding cake, winter is the perfect time to get creative. Consider adding winter elements like pinecones, holly, or even a dusting of snow.

Regarding your venue décor, if you're getting married in the run-up to Christmas, check with your venue about the Christmas decorations they already have in place. Many venues will have their own Christmas trees and other wintery touches that you can take advantage of – trimming what you'll need to spend on decorations.

3. Make Sure Your Lighting Choices Make Your Winter Wedding Shine

Of course, with it going dark much earlier in winter, there is a far greater emphasis on lighting at winter weddings.

You can use lighting to create a warm and inviting ambience for your guests. For example, string lights are always a popular choice for winter weddings. You could also consider using lanterns, candles, or even fire pits to add some extra warmth and light.

And when it comes to your winter wedding reception, think about how you can use lighting to create different areas or zones. For example, you could use fairy lights or lanterns to create a cosy lounge area or an outdoor winter garden while utilising uplighting to create a winter wonderland feel in your primary reception space.

4. Consider Heating Solutions for Your Guests

It's not just the elements that are more likely to spoil the party mood, but the temperatures can also make winter weddings a little more challenging.

If you're having a winter wedding, make sure you have heating solutions in place for your guests. For example, you could provide heaters, offer winter wedding favours like blankets or shawls, or even serve winter-themed warm cocktails to keep your guests comfortable.

Older or historic wedding ceremony venues such as castles and churches are notoriously cold, so it's always worth checking with your venue about what heating solutions they have in place. If they don't have any, then you may need to consider providing your own.

If you do decide to have any outdoor spaces at your reception venue, think about nice touches such as fire pits or heat lamps to keep your guests warm.

5. Think Carefully About Wedding Date Selection

Winter wedding dates are usually less popular due to some of the challenges mentioned above, meaning they are usually easier to secure. However, dates around Christmas and New Year remain the exception as these are often booked up years in advance.

If you're set on a winter wedding, be sure to start your venue search early and think carefully about your guests. The closer to Christmas you have your wedding, the more likely your friends and potentially family have other commitments, many of which could be years-long traditions in their own right!

Thus, when exploring dates, it might be best to aim for early winter – late November or early December. This way, you'll have more choice, and your guests are less likely to have other commitments already booked in their diaries.

6. Pay Extra Attention to Choosing a Wedding Photographer

While there are wedding photographers that can handle any season with ease, winter weddings do present some unique challenges.

For example, winter weather can make for some stunning backdrops but also present difficulties such as short days, low light, and bad weather conditions. While any wedding photographer can prepare to overcome these obstacles, it's always worth considering a specialist winter wedding photographer with significant experience in this area.

Not only will they know how to make photos pop in these wintery hues, but they'll also have the specialist equipment and techniques to help them succeed.

7. Incorporate Winter Themed Foods and Drinks

If you're having a festive-themed wedding, why not make the catering options festive too?

There are lots of winter-themed foods that you could consider serving at your winter wedding. For example, you could have a winter fruit punch or a mulled wine station. You could also serve wintery canapés such as roasted chestnuts or mini mince pies.

As for your winter wedding meal, you could consider a festive menu with winter vegetables, game dishes, or a traditional turkey with all the trimmings. How about a winter berry Christmas pudding or a yule log for dessert? Whatever you decide, winter weddings give you the perfect opportunity to get creative with your food and drink offerings!

There's no question that, as beautiful as winter weddings are, they do pose a few extra challenges. But with a little extra planning, your winter wedding can be the stuff of dreams.
By taking the above considerations into account, you can craft a robust wedding plan that ensures your winter wedding is a magical and memorable day for all!