How to Plan a Magical Winter Wedding
As the end of the year quickly approaches, we are certainly glad to start putting 2020 behind us. December has finally arrived, and although we will be seeing a very different festive period this year, the magic, romance and festive cheer will certainly not be lost. The reshuffling of many things this year has had a vast effect on wedding ceremonies, causing couples everywhere to think outside the box with their plans. So, with that in mind, it’s time to talk about how to plan a magical winter wedding!
Winter weddings can be a magical and enchanting way to tie the knot, and they are certainly increasing in popularity. For many couples who were due to marry in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced them to cancel, postpone or re-plan their big day to suit the new guidelines. A lot of summer dates have been moved to the end of the year, and, as there’s sure to be an increase in demand next year to make up for those dates lost during the pandemic, this has opened up the opportunity for people to look at winter weddings.
Surge in popularity
According to a recent study by Ramsdens Jewellery, search trends from June 2020 show that ‘winter wedding’ searches on Google increased by 84% compared with the previous year. From this data alone it looks as though a lot of couples could be planning winter weddings for this year and the next, and we don’t blame them! Crisp frost, festive cheer, cosy nights – winter has a magical sparkle that can create a wonderland wedding straight from a fairy tale. A merry atmosphere and a day overflowing with romance is sure to create a sparkle just as bright as the summer sun.
Summer may still feel like the better option for an outdoor wedding weather-wise, but an outdoor wedding is still possible in winter, and we’ve compiled some of our top tips and ideas for the ultimate winter wedding.
Venue, venue, venue!
Your venue is probably one of the most important things to plan when considering a winter wedding, so you need to make sure you book one that’s truly fit for a winter celebration. A huge plus for a winter wedding is that generally the venue hire will be cheaper as the demand does still tend to be lower.
We suggest trying to visit your venue after sunset to get an idea of what lighting you will have. Your outdoor ceremony will benefit from a shelter in the grounds of your venue to have your ceremony underneath – think wooden gazebos, marquees, tipis – the perfect option in case it rains, or maybe even snows! You might want to suggest that your guests bring warm attire for the outdoors part. Perhaps you could drape blankets on your guests’ chairs for their comfort during the ceremony. And don’t worry about any gloomy lighting from a winter’s day… fairy lights are the ultimate way to make your outdoor ceremony sparkle.
Your guests will want to get warm after the ceremony, so the after celebration needs to be somewhere cosy, but with perhaps the option of venturing into the frosty night to explore the beautiful surroundings of your venue (dressed as an enchanting wonderland!) Most venues will have a beautiful open space for you to hold your party, but keep in mind that it needs to be somewhere that can be kept warm. Barns, castles, country houses and hotels are all good choices for the winter months. Just as a bonus, if you can hunt down a venue with an open fire, you’re onto a winner!
Decor fit for a wonderland
When choosing your decor, we think embracing the season is best, but of course the choice is entirely down to you. There is a vast spectrum of themes that can be created and stuck to in order to capture the feel of the season, one of which being ALL white… everything! This can look beautiful in photos and just like being in a snow covered winter wonderland. Another idea is a rustic and cosy feel, which can be incredibly charming, especially in barns. Of course depending on which winter month you are marrying in, you could opt for a full on Christmas party that’s bursting with festive cheer.
Once you are set on your theme or colour scheme then the decorations can start being planned accordingly. Wintry foliage, like ivy, springs of yew, holly and berries look gorgeous on tables and around the room. Pine cones can look very delicate when lightly frosted with silver or gold paint. Candles are a must! The glow and flicker of candles is so romantic and atmospheric – perfect for any cosy wintry theme. Try placing them on tables and around the room in lanterns for that ultra rustic feel.
Don’t let the darker nights put you off, decorate with twinkly fairy lights inside and out, wherever there is space! Lanterns on the floor, on both sides of the path, that leads up to the entrance of your reception room would be a lovely touch. If you want to encapsulate that snow covered, winter wonderland theme, then how about wowing your guests with an ice sculpture! We associate winter with magic, so there is so much atmosphere to be made with winter weddings, the list really is endless.
Party time!
Winter is all about parties – from bonfire night, to Christmas and then new years eve. So why not make your wedding celebration one of those enchanting parties. There are so many ways for you to entertain your guests that keep in mind the time of year and provide them with bundles of festive fun. Perhaps you can offer mulled wine as the guests arrive to keep them warm for the ceremony, and have a mulled wine stand at the reception too. Fire-pits outside can be a wonderful way to stay cosy and enjoy the night’s conversation outdoors – just make sure they are kept safe for younger guests.
If you’re an animal lover then a truly wonderful addition to a winter wedding can be horses and ponies for that fairy-tale feel. Enter in a horse-drawn carriage, and then have them stay onsite for children to visit later!
Blankets, blankets, blankets!
If your chosen venue is unable to be heated strongly then faux fur blankets draped around the room are not only bonus decor, they are also a nice option for your guests if they want to get warm. Although your guests are sure to warm up on the dance floor! A live band is always great in winter, especially swing bands. The music compliments the atmosphere and is a lovely full sound for your night. Plus they will be sure to have a few Christmas classics in their repertoire for the ultimate festive feel. For a touch with even more enchanting Christmas sparkle, you could have carol singers perform, whenever feels appropriate.
When it comes to catering, your guests will appreciate comfort food when it’s chilly outside. Think rich foods like roast dinners with seasonal vegetables for the sit-down meal. An array of festive flavours! Or, perhaps you could have a hog roast with a selection of festive add-ons. A bar serving Christmassy cocktails full of winter spice and sweetness is sure to be a hit, and for those not drinking alcohol, perhaps a hot chocolate stall, which is just as delicious and seasonal. If you love the idea of having fire-pits, then maybe you can offer marshmallows for younger (or older!) guests to toast.
The entertainment you provide for your guests of course depends on your budget, however if you are saving money from hiring your chosen venue during the winter, you may find that you have slightly more to spend on everything else that makes your day fabulous. Something that could be especially unforgettable is rounding up your guests after dinner and sweeping them back into the night for a surprise firework display. Imagine you and your loved ones with mulled wine, hot chocolate or hot toddies in hand, and children playing with sparklers whilst the night sky lights up for you – what could be more romantic?
Chilly attire
Obviously keeping your wedding party warm will be important, so the best option is to incorporate layers and accessories into the outfits. For the bride and bridesmaids, things like capes, wraps or shrugs can look beautifully elegant when matched well to the dresses. As for colours, wintry shades such as maroons, golds, silvers and emeralds will look gorgeous against the brides ivory dress. Long sleeve wedding dresses are stunningly elegant and will help keep that extra warmth. Or if the dress isn’t for you, perhaps a chic trouser suit. Wedding attire isn’t only designed for the summer- there are loads of options for the colder months that look just as wonderful.
For the men, there is the bonus of already having a shirt and a blazer, but maybe opt for the combination of waistcoats too for the groom and groomsman, for extra layering and also extra style! Don’t be afraid to chuck on some thermals under those shirts too, you can always take layers off at any point of the night if you get too warm. Consider using wintry foliage for corsages. The theme will work well and it will suit the time of year perfectly. After all, a summer flower may not be too happy.
Hopefully these ideas will have inspired you to consider winter dates when planning your special day. It’s easy to see why winter weddings are growing in popularity – it is almost impossible to not have a magical day when there is so much atmosphere to be made from the darker nights. Besides, with summer weddings still being slightly more sought-after, you can bet that yours will be the one to stick in people’s minds as having stood out from the crowd. So grab your blankets and your mulled wine – and start planning your unforgettable wedding day!
Love the idea of an outdoor wedding ceremony? Browse our directories of outdoor wedding venues, celebrants and marquee and tipi suppliers to begin planning your perfect day.
