Summers are joyful, bright, colourful, and – you guessed it – warm, making it the preferred season for weddings. But no one said you couldn’t tie the knot during wintertime!
The chilly season carries a host of romance emblems, such as cosy fires, crimson blooms, long rainy nights, fur capes, and snow-covered landscapes.
A bold choice, throwing a winter wedding is no less exciting than planning your big day during the warmer months. Besides, nuptials at this cooler time of year are much cheaper, leaving you with more money to spend on a honeymoon. If a home or car emergency comes up beforehand leaving you short on cash, you can always get an alternative to a small loan and have the wedding day of your dreams – just budget for the repayments before you commit.
Below are a few tips to help plan your winter wedding:
Consider seasonal tones
There is a long list of magical colours that we associate with the cold months, and choosing the right combination should set the ambiance for the perfect winter wedding. The season’s palette features high contrast, cool, and vivid variations.
There is white in each of our favourite combinations. These include dusty blue with blush; rose gold with dark wine and pine; silver with pebble grey and charcoal; and light rose with pale blush, merlot, and pebble grey.
Add loads of magic with fairy lights
Lighting can transform a venue into a magical fairy ballroom. Use winter’s long dark nights as an excuse for making the venue sparkle. Set up a backdrop of string lights for glamorous yet cosy bokeh pictures, wrap them around bannisters, hang them from trees, and place them inside bottles.
Create DIY centrepieces
Wintertime brings family and friends together in cosy rooms, and what’s better than having a romantic arts project to work on? Use seasonal flowers, pines, birdcages, rustic books, candles, and tree branches to create beautiful, winter-inspired centrepieces.
Serve mulled wine and hot chocolate
The frosty months mean mulled wine and hot chocolate. Perhaps include a decorated drinks station and allow guests to build their own hot beverage.
When it comes to cocktails, remember to feature classic seasonal flavours for a memorable and delicious experience. Consider dark spices like cinnamon and nutmeg for a warming mix. Salted caramel, citrus and apples are also great winter ingredients for your signature cocktail.
Turn the fireplace into a focal piece
A blazing fireplace can create a warming and gorgeous focal piece to complement your cosy winter wedding. Adorn a mantel or hearth with your choice of flowers, greenery, fabric, candles, mirrors or even string lights.
Send guests home with wedding favours
Wedding favours are a great way of saying thank you to your guests. Opt for a seasonal motif that reflects your wedding date, such as spearmint-scented candles, Christmas tree decorations if you’re having a festive wedding, thermoses, or fuzzy throws – whatever works for your budget.