Magical, cosy, romantic; just some of the words synonymous with Winter Weddings.
With roaring open fires and welcoming venues, it’s easy to understand how the Winter months can produce some of the most enchanting Wedding experiences. Combined with the bounty of beautiful, character venues which are in abundance across Essex, hearty food and moody weather, you can be sure that your guests will have a feast not only for their bellies but also for their souls.
Winter weddings however don’t come without their own unique set of challenges. So, be sure to plan ahead and consider all of your options. And to give you a helping hand I’ve compiled my top tips for planning your Winter Wedding, to help you to avoid the most common mistakes. So, to make sure yours is a magical Winter Wedding to remember, read on with a hot cuppa and cosy up for a warming read!
Choose a Wedding Venue that Complements your Winter Wedding Theme
It’s essential to choose a venue that complements your Wedding theme- and that’s true of any time of year and for any chosen theme- but no more so, than with a Winter Wedding. To achieve the right ambience for a Winter Wedding, you need a venue that’s going to compliment the mood. Historical houses, that just so happen to be in abundance across Essex, are a great option if you’re looking for a cosy feel; with dark wood panelling and roaring fires to complement a warm and intimate affair.
Choosing a venue with décor that is sympathetic to your theme can also mean that you can use what’s already available, which can make your venue decoration much simpler. Whether you’re looking to flood the room with flickering candle light, or create a Winter Wonderland, ensure that your theme is sympathetic to your venue and uses your venue’s natural beauty to it's full potential.
Check with your venue what decorations they already have and what will be set-up prior to your Wedding, to be sure that your chosen décor will compliment the venue’s, rather than clash- it might even save you some time and money!
Some great options for the season are dried flowers, which not only help create a winter woodland feel, but are great from a practical perspective, being able to be prepared far in advance and keeping well afterwards. But if you’d prefer a fresh flower approach there’s still a fantastic selection of seasonal florals and décor without feeling too Christmassy- this can include wood, bark & twigs, dried orange, cinnamon sticks, pine cones, eucalyptus and mistletoe. Flowers can include roses, ranaclulus, anemone, hellebores, winter jasmine, geraldton wax flower and freesias. Think also Wintry foliage such as ivy, yew, holly and hypericum berries. All of these options can serve for venue décor, centre pieces or even bouquets and button holes.
Put a Festive Stamp on your Wedding Stationery
Consider adding a Winter twist to your Wedding Stationery that will complement both your chosen Winter Theme and your venue & décor. Think opulent colours, velvet accents, rich textures, wax seals and a touch of gold or silver. Consider subtle illustrations with a nod to the season, such as snowflakes, winter foliage, berries and wreaths- you can’t go wrong with statement foliage in any season but none more so than at a Winter Wedding. The right stationery accents will immediately give a romantic, Winter ambience for your guests, in preparation for your big day.
Prepare for any Weather!
No matter what time of the year, the British weather can throw a curve ball, but no more so than during winter! So be prepared, find a venue with suitable covered areas for mingling and for photos and make sure that you have a plan to get to and from the ceremony & the reception (if they’re being held at different venues) without getting drenched or blown away! Make sure that you have your transport nailed down and that all of the venues have reliable heating... and if in doubt get more heaters!
Consider your Transport Options
Speaking of transport, it’s always worth leaving a little extra time for travel to your ceremony and reception, just in case the weather takes a turn for the worse- we all know that bad weather spells bad traffic. If you have the option, perhaps consider having your ceremony and reception at the same venue, eliminating any extra travel risks on the day.
Scope out Photo Opportunities
It’s something to be considered which ever season you choose to have your wedding, but with the risk of torrential downpours and muddy puddles during Winter at an all-time high, you’ll want to have a few options up your sleeve (and maybe even a spare pair of shoes!). So, scope out some local landmarks, parks, eye-catching buildings or unusual locations that could be suitable for your Wedding photos and make sure that you have an option should it rain. Don’t discount indoor locations, in the right setting, these photos can be just as stunning and intimate as outdoor photos.
Choose Food and Drink that Reflects the Season
On a cold Winters’ day, I can guarantee that your guests will appreciate a warm and hearty meal, so bring the season into your food choices as much as you do with your décor choices. Consider serving mulled wine or Winter cocktails, perhaps even a hot chocolate station for your reception drinks and a traditional roast dinner for your Wedding Breakfast. Whatever you choose, make sure that you love it- at the end of the day it's you’re special day and you want to enjoy it!
Consider some Winter Accessories
A great accessory can both compliment your outfit, protect you against the weather, as well as make for some fantastic photos. Consider adding a fur shawl, stole, cape or cloak to your Wedding dress, you could even consider a long-sleeved Wedding dress. For a funky alternative, think about a white tuxedo jacket, cool leather jacket or embroidered denim jacket- whatever suits your style and your dress! If it’s particularly cold, you might even want to consider some thick tights under your dress (as long as it’s long!)… nobody needs to ever know! For the Groomsmen, a velvet or tweed jacket will keep them looking both dapper and warm.
Whatever you do, don’t forget an umbrella- consider a clear brolly so everyone can still see the newlyweds as you arrive, or a colour themed umbrella for some fabulous and dramatic snaps!
Always have an extra pair of shoes (or even wellies!) on hand, to make sure that you capture the perfect photos, whilst making sure your Wedding shoes don’t get ruined in the process! Plus a pair of flats for the evening is always a welcome relief, no matter how comfortable you expect your Wedding shoes to be.
Find the Perfect Date
Avoid key dates and Christmas parties- December is a busy time for social calendars so be mindful of both people’s and venue’s availability. January on the other hand is often the perfect time to plan a Winter Wedding for, with calendars generally being quiet and being the hospitality industry low-season (which could make for some fantastic deals). You’ll have the natural beauty of mid-winter and everything that goes with it… and with January and February being the most likely months for snow, you will be guaranteed some stunning Winter-Wedding photos.
Start Early
With shorter days and longer nights, you’ll want to be conscious of running out of daylight for the all-important Wedding photos, so be sure to book an earlier ceremony. Having said that, with an earlier sunset and starlit nights, you can still be guaranteed some magic in your Wedding photography. And, not that you need an excuse, but it means there’s no delay in getting the party started! Talk to your photographer about photo locations and light- they will always have some fantastic ideas.
Personal Preparation
The Winter months can take it’s toll on everyone, but add in the stress of planning a Wedding and the result can leave you not looking your best! Being a blushing Bride and gallant Groomsmen, means you will be centre of attention and need to be looking your best on the big day, so make sure you don’t neglect your beauty prep! Keep your lips moisturised in the run up to the Wedding and be sure to use a good facial moisturiser to make sure you’re glowing on your Wedding Day.
On the day you may be starting your Wedding preparations early, to accommodate an earlier ceremony, so make sure that your hair and makeup artists have sufficient time to get you ready and the available light is good enough for them to work with.
Consider your Guests
If you’re feeling the cold, then it’s likely that your guests will be too… many of them are likely to be wrapped in their favourite Winter coat! So, be sure that someone has responsibility to take coats at the reception and make sure they are kept safe. A hot drink on arrival at the reception will also go down a treat- why not try some mulled wine for a Winter warmer for your reception. Consider having a basket of warm, cosy blankets at the ready for anyone who arrives a little unprepared, or is looking for a little extra toasting!
Carefully chosen Wedding favours can be a big hit
Think shawls and pashminas for the women, maybe a little tipple for the men, or some cosy blankets and hand warmers all round! A thoughtful Wedding favour could be a great way to remember your special day, as well as keeping everyone comfortable and happy on the day, should the weather turn colder.
A great alternative could be homemade mince pies, fudge, truffles, nougat, hot chocolate mixes or s’mores kits- all are a delicious and warming treat to take home.
Indulge in some Sparkles
You can’t get more festive than the twinkling of gems and sequins and at Winter time you won’t be at a loss for dresses to follow suit. So why not incorporate some Winter sparkle with glamourous sequin Bridesmaids’ dresses. Just remember to keep the whole of the Bridal party warm and dry on the day, so make sure your Bridesmaids have a warm coverup available too.
But if sequins aren’t for you, consider some rich textures such as long velvet dresses for your Bridesmaids in rich, deep colours, such as navy, bottle green and merlot. With such luxurious fabrics your will need minimal accessories and simple bouquets.
Just add Candles
With the dark evenings make the most of your warm and cosy venue. Be sure to work with your venue and your décor and really make it come to life with a selection of soft lighting, flickering candles and fairy lights to enhance the romantic and intimate ambiance. You could play with lanterns, differing heights, even different scents to create a truly magical experience. Consider, bathing your alter or ceremony table in soft candle light for a truly romantic experience.
Consider Hiring a Wedding Coordinator
With all of the time and effort that goes into planning a Wedding, you’ll want to be sure that everything is perfect on the day. So, take the stress away from the lead-up to your Wedding and to make sure that you relax and enjoy your big day, why not hire a Wedding Day Coordinator to make sure that everything comes together and that you’re carefully curated plans are in safe hands.
If you would like to learn more about how I can help you to plan and Co-ordinate your Magical Winter Wedding feel free to contact me or follow the links below to learn a little more about the services that I offer.
If you’re looking to plan your own, unique Wedding in Essex and the surrounding areas, you too can experience the perfect Wedding Day with the help, support & guidance of a professional Wedding Planner.
I can help you to unravel your ideas, develop you dreams & bring your Wedding vision to life. Connecting you with the very best and most trusted, local Wedding Professionals to craft your day; I can help you to create a more sustainable Wedding, without compromising on the style, elegance & luxury of your event.
With luxury & dedicated Wedding Planning support, you can enjoy a fun, relaxing & stress-free Wedding Planning Journey. You can also rest assured that every detail will be taken care of and your journey from start to finish will be in the safest hands.
No matter where you are in your Wedding Planning journey, I can offer support and guidance to help you achieve your perfect Day. To learn more about the Wedding Planning services available to you, follow the links below or contact me to discover how I can help.
