How to Plan a Charming Outdoor Winter Wedding
With almost three quarters of all weddings taking place between May and October, having a winter wedding is a great way to set your special day apart and do something a little different. It’s a romantic season, with snow covered landscapes, cosy fires and lush evergreen foliage, making it a wonderful backdrop to your nuptials. However, it’s not without its own set of challenges, so if your heart is set on a winter wedding, consider these tips when making your plans.
Give plenty of notice
Winter is one of the most expensive seasons, with Christmas, New Years and festive gatherings to budget for. So there’s a high chance your guests will have commitments already in place, and you don’t want to plan your perfect day, only to discover that half your guests can’t attend. With this in mind, it’s a good idea to send out your Save the Dates as early as possible so that your guests can block off the time in their calendars and make your wedding.
Embrace an alternative theme
You’re already choosing a season that people won’t be expecting, so why not go all out and embrace an alternative theme? From a fun colour scheme that’s bold and vibrant to the wedding cake of your dreams with an unusual flavour combination or a unique shape and design, there are various ways to put your own spin on your special day and really have fun with the winter backdrop. You could try a table setting covered in rich jewel tones, for example, or go gothic and create a candle-lit altar for your vows and the perfect ambiance.
Stay covered throughout the event
Just because you’re getting married in winter doesn’t mean you and your guests need to be freezing cold all day long. Clear-span tents and marquees are ideal for outdoor winter weddings, giving you the beautiful views of your surrounding location but with the added benefit of shelter from the elements. Marquees can be used year-round with thermostatically controlled heating and flooring to provide a bespoke venue that’s tailored to your special day, even on crisp winter days. The flexibility of a wedding marquee enables you to have everything under one roof, in your ideal outdoor location, without compromising on comfort or space for guests.
Keep everyone warm
Temperatures are likely to dip in the winter, so whether you’re planning an outdoor event or cosying up inside, it’s important to consider your heating options so your guests don’t get too chilly. Keeping your guests comfortable is a priority, so make sure there are blankets around the venue that people can use if they want to head outdoors to take in the fresh air, or if they get cold in the venue. They can even serve as wedding favours to commemorate the day.
Have a backup plan
Even the best planned events can go awry, so it pays to have a few other options up your sleeve in case the worst should happen. Winter weddings are naturally higher risk than a summer event because the weather can cause travel delays for vendors and guests, and can increase the likelihood of power outages. Be prepared for all of this and more, from rain and snow to flight delays, and make sure you have a back-up plan in place so you can still enjoy your special day — even if it’s not quite how you envisaged it playing out.
Choose an accessible venue
Winter means there’s a higher chance of frost, rain and snow, as well as more traffic and slower drivers. If you’re choosing a winter wedding in the middle of nowhere that requires guests to drive along winding roads and off the beaten track, it could affect their ability to get to you safely and on time. Wherever you choose to get married, make sure you give your guests plenty of time to arrive, and where possible, choose a venue that they can access without frustration.
Warm your guests with winter-inspired treats
Champagne is a wonderful way to greet your guests and invite them into the venue, but why not embrace your winter setting and warm them up with something toasty? A glass of mulled wine or warm spiced cider can be a great alternative to the classic fizz, and it’s a seasonal treat to get them in the festive mood. You may wish to have a non alcoholic element to the event. Why not set up a hot chocolate station with marshmallows, gingerbread crumbles, whipped cream and cookies, so they can create their own concoctions at the reception. It’s something both kids and adults alike will adore, and it's a fun way to set the evening off on the right note.
Get your timings right
In the winter, the sun can start setting as early as 4pm, so you need to plan your schedule of events carefully to accommodate photos and the ceremony. If your ceremony is booked in for 3pm, for example, you don’t have a lot of time with the photographer to immortalise those special memories on film. With a winter wedding, plan your ceremony closer to midday so you have more time for taking in your beautiful surroundings and capturing some snaps with your loved ones while it’s still daylight.
Winter weddings are truly magical and with a bit of careful planning, they can run just as smoothly as a summer ceremony. The key to making sure your wedding goes to plan is to factor in the shorter days, make sure your guests are warm and comfortable, and to make sure that everyone attending has plenty of advance notice, both for getting to the venue and keeping the day free from other commitments. All that’s left to do after that is enjoy the day with your friends and family close by.
