Winter weddings present a very different prospect from their summer counterparts. So many things that we think of as surrounding a wedding, such as outdoor elements, pastel colours or light food at the reception, only really work during the summer. Despite that, winter ceremonies offer potentially significant advantages in terms of both their cost and the availability of friends, so it’s worth making the extra effort to make them work.

Planning and Cost

Possibly the biggest advantage of holding your wedding in the winter months comes when the bill for it arrives. From venues to caterers, transport to clothing, you’ll probably find that the lower demand in the off season makes winter weddings considerably cheaper than summer ones. You might also find that you suddenly aren’t fighting with dozens of other couples for every time slot at a venue, giving you the freedom to pick out your perfect one. Even so, you should still plan early, both because there will still be some competition for the very best venues, and because friends will need plenty of warning if you aren’t to find that they’ve wandered away on winter holidays the week you pick.

Indoor or Outdoor

The winter means colder weather, and if you were thinking of including outdoor elements to your wedding or reception, you need to take that into account. Will your guests react well to a sudden snowfall in the middle of the service? If in doubt, work indoors. If you really want an outdoor ceremony, make sure you have a back up plan in place, so that if poor weather arrives, you can move indoors quickly. The key to success is working with the likely conditions rather than trying to fight them.

Colour Schemes and Tips

Among other things, that means some element of practicality in the choice of wedding outfits. Shoes with open toes or thin soles will not work well in cold or slippery conditions, so look for alternatives that will work more effectively. For colour schemes, the pastel colours that would have worked so well in the summer will now only serve to make everyone look washed out, so consider something brighter. If you’re aiming for the heart of winter rather than autumn, jewellery can also sparkle that much more. For the venue, try bringing a sense of the winter inside with you. Use pieces of greenery as decoration, along with flecks of fake snow. Recognise the time of year, and use it.

Food and Drink

Food and drink in a winter ceremony probably needs to be more substantial than the finger buffet offered in the summer. Make it a full meal, and your guests will have more energy to brave the cold and celebrate with you.

Make the Most of It

Working with the circumstances is probably the most important point when it comes to winter weddings. Don’t see them as poor relations to their summer counterparts that you only choose if you don’t have the budget. Don’t try to hold a summer wedding in the middle of a day when the temperature dips below freezing. See them, instead, as a chance to make the most of the frozen splendour around you, while marrying someone you love.