Are you considering a winter wedding this year or in 2022? If so you would not be alone as winter weddings have become increasingly more popular in the UK in recent years. This is especially true for pub weddings, where couples can benefit from the cosy atmosphere. Winter weddings can be great picture opportunities as well, especially for those lucky enough to catch some snow on their big day.
A cosy winter wedding can be magical if managed correctly but there is much that must be considered in order to get it just right.
This guide will provide you with a few tips and tricks to rock your next winter wedding and make it a day to remember forever!
The Benefits of a Winter Wedding
It is true that in most instances the Summer is often the most popular season to get married due to the hot weather and less unpredictable weather. However, that does not mean to say that winter weddings cannot also be a fantastic idea if they are well organised.
A unique benefit of winter weddings is that they can be very cosy, especially with the right venue in place. As we have previously mentioned they can also make for striking picture opportunities, especially with the addition of vibrant autumn leaves as a backdrop or snow if you should be so lucky.
Increased demand for a more casual and relaxed style of wedding ceremony has seen pubs become increasingly popular as venues, which has sparked increased popularity for weddings in the wintertime. So much so that some may argue that there is no longer such a thing as a wedding season anymore at all!
Unless you specifically wish to get married outside, which can be difficult in the winter, it should no longer matter what season you pick to get married. There is a wide range of stunning and gorgeous venues to choose from for a perfect cosy winter wedding.
Throw in some hearty seasonal winter food and candles and you can have all the ingredients for the perfect wedding. Additionally, by choosing against the summer months, you can save yourself a little money and not have to worry about the heat causing you to sweat in your dress or suit.
Picking the Right Venue
A top tip for selecting a venue for your winter wedding is to find one that fits your theme. In many cases, the venue’s decor will work as the first layer of decoration you need. This means that all you will need to do is add simple additions based on your chosen theme, which will make your life much easier. We all know how stressful organising decoration for weddings can be!
Do you wish for a winter wonderland? Or perhaps a more simplistic cosy romantic theme complete with candles galore? Perhaps you are holding your wedding in December and want to make the most of the Christmas season with trees, tinsels, baubles, gingerbread houses and fairy lights.
No matter what you go for with your theme, make sure you find a value that matches.
Expect the Unexpected
Even for those holding summer weddings, you can never be quite sure what the weather will decide to do on the day. This is especially true in the UK. We all know how cold and harsh the winter months can be, so if you are considering a wedding in these months, you best be prepared for the worst.
Ensure that you find a venue that has covered areas for any photo opportunities that arise and protect guests from the rain. Additionally, the last thing you want is to turn up to the wedding completely drenched so ensure you have travel plans already set up to prevent this.
It is also important that you find a venue that has reliable heating for maximum comfort for both yourself and your guests.
Photography for a Winter Wedding
Wedding photography is an extremely important part of any wedding ceremony. The pictures you obtain can be looked at for years and years into the future and help to remind you of how you felt on a special day. When picking a venue for your wedding, consider its surroundings. Keep your eyes peeled for any landmarks, parks, buildings and interesting locations that will make for perfect backdrops. For winter weddings, you will also need to consider if these places will be covered enough if there is rain. If the answer is no, you will need to consider other locations for pictures or alternative solutions such as setting up marquees.
Food and Drink to Match the Season
Similar to how you would go about picking your decoration to fit within your theme, the same goes for your catering options. For winter themed weddings, why not consider warming up the hearts of your guests with hot chocolate and mulled wine stations.
Especially, for weddings around the Christmas period, a great matching wedding breakfast option could be a hearty traditional roast dinner with all the trimmings. You could even combine this with an additional warm soup starter and a sticky toffee pudding dessert to maximise the cosiness.
Whatever catering options you decide to go with, make the most of the tasting sessions offered to you so you can ensure you are happy with the dishes before the day.
Accessorise!
Accessories are a must for any wedding, especially in adding to your chosen theme and for adding to photo opportunities. Whether it be a fur shawl, a brolly or a suit jacket for the lucky groom, there are many options to choose from so get creative! An additional benefit of accessorising for winter weddings is that they can help add an extra layer of warmth and protection against harsh weather.
When is the Best Time for a Winter Wedding?
One issue you may run into when organising a wedding in the winter months is that some of your guests may be busy with other engagements. This can be especially true during the Christmas period as many people have time booked off from work for Christmas parties and other related events. To avoid the stress of cancellations, you may wish to consider a month such as January to hold a winter wedding. The reason is that it is a low season for hospitality and your guests are less likely to have other engagements in place.
Make the Most of the Daylight
As the clocks go back and the winter season begins, you will want to ensure that any weddings are planned to start earlier in the day. Any ceremonies that start past 3 pm may be challenging as the daylight will most likely be gone by the time you reach reception. By planning your wedding so it starts earlier in the day, you will ensure plenty of time for photo opportunities. An additional benefit for winter weddings is that as it gets dark sooner you can start your evening parties sooner as well-meaning you will have more time to dance and enjoy the night.
Light Up Your Wedding with Candles, Lanterns and Fairy Lights
Make the most of the sun setting earlier in your wedding and make sure your venue shines bright with your lighting decorations. Candles, lanterns and fairy lights, will do wonders in adding to the cosy atmosphere and will look stunning in any photos taken too.
Natural light sources such as candles are great for creating a romantic setting in your chosen venue. If you are having a wedding close to the new year why not get extra creative and provide sparklers for guests to wave around during the evening celebrations.
Minimise the Stress and Hire a Wedding Coordinator
Organising weddings can be extremely stressful as there is much to consider in order to get it just right. The last thing you want is for the stress of organisation to take away from the enjoyment of the day itself. This is why hiring a wedding coordinator can be very beneficial in order to ensure that everything comes together exactly as planned.
How Can Vanilla Bean Support You with Your Winter Wedding?
Wedding Catering is our passion and we strive to ensure that every detail of your wedding from the venue to the food and service match your requirements. We are committed to giving you a truly memorable experience and our team always goes the extra mile to ensure the day is everything you hoped it would be.
Our unique catering menus provide you with an extensive range of options that will please even the fussiest of guests. We work with top quality ingredients and seasonal produce to make bespoke wedding catering options perfect for your wedding celebration.
Additionally, we work closely with many of the finest wedding venues and marquee companies throughout the South East. So whether you are looking for an exciting contemporary venue in the city or a cosy country manor house, we know exactly who to contact on your behalf.
If you would like to know more about how we can be of service for your winter wedding, get in touch today!
