Contributed Collaborative Post
Winter weddings can be spectacular and every bit as beautiful and enjoyable as their summer counterparts. Perhaps you prefer the cooler months or maybe your wedding has been postponed so many times as a result of the recent pandemic you don’t wish to wait anymore. If you are planning a wedding this winter then here are some of the planning essentials to help you plan your special day.
Image credit Nika Zhorzholiani from Pexels
What you are wearing
If your wedding dress or bridesmaid dresses lend themselves to the warmer summer months then go with it and layer up. You can still choose the dress you want for a winter wedding. If it is backless, go for it and add a stylish bridal coat for when you are outside. Off the shouler? Why not use a fur stole to keep the chill off. Faux fur, leather jackets or fluffy coats all make stunning stylish additions to the bridal look or bridesmaid dresses.
If you are opting for a colour theme then winter gives you the perfect opportunity to add splashes of seasonal colour. Autumnal colours such as dark and rich shades of orange, mixed with reds and yellows will look great for an Autumn wedding. Whereas bold reds, whites and greens compliment the winter Christmas weddings perfectly.
Don’t forget your shoes. Strappy sandals won’t be the best choice of footwear on a cold winters day so be sure to pick your shoes accordingly and where possible protect your footwear. If it is rainy or snowy and you have delicate or expensive shoes, bring a spare pair to avoid them being damaged forever.
The venue
When choosing your wedding venue you need to have the time of year in mind. Large open spaces can be harder to keep warm so you need to be mindful of the likely temperatures on your wedding day. Can they provide ample heating or perhaps blankets for the ceremony?
What about the lighting? It is a good idea to visit your wedding venue at night as the days are shorter in winter and a lot of your wedding day will take place when natural light is depleted. Smaller venues with low level ambient lighting are perfect for creating a cosy and intimate atmosphere on your wedding day. Ensure you are happy with the venue once the sun goes down and if the lighting isn’t sufficient – you can always add your own.
On a practical note when it comes to choosing a venue in winter you may want to allow a little more travel time for guests if they are coming from further afield or if your venue is particularly remote. Further, a nuisance of this winter may be that certain restrictions are imposed, does your venue have the ability to accommodate for social distancing at events or to provide table service throughout if the table service requirement be re-imposed for example?
Finally, one of the benefits of a winter wedding is that typically they are less costly than summer weddings. Negotiate with your venue and see if you can reach an agreement on the cost as they are less likely to be as busy in the winter. This comes with the caveat of the Christmas to New Year holiday period. You are less likely to be able to negotiate a lower price during this time and you will also need to consider whether the guests will be able to attend as it is a notoriously busy time of year for everyone.
This is a contributed collaborative post
