Winter Weddings - Weighing the Pros and Cons
Posted by Nataliya Matin on December 2nd, 2020
Every season comes with their advantages and disadvantages, so let’s break down the pros and cons of hosting a winter wedding to give you a better idea on whether or not it’s the right time for you.
Advantages
1. Off-Season Celebration
Winter is known as the off-season when it comes to weddings. As such, you’ll find yourself saving far more money than if you were planning a wedding during the other seasons. Many businesses from photographers to the venues themselves cut their prices around this time.
If you're looking for more ways to save money while planning a wedding, check out our detailed guide How to Have a Dream Wedding on a Budget.
2. Easier Pick in Venues
On the notion of venues cutting prices, you may also have an easier selection of it. This is because not many people actually opt for weddings around the season compared to summer and spring. In this case, you don’t have to stress over finding the perfect venue on the perfect day. More than likely, it’ll be readily available.
3. Different Décor
One of the best things about having a winter wedding is the décor. You have more wiggle room to get away with unique decorations than you would during the other seasons. This includes holiday-themed decorations whether you’re hosting the wedding closer to Christmas or even around Valentine’s Day.
Also, this could save you money since plenty of venues are already pre-decorated for the holidays. So, you may be able to score some free decorations.
4. Lack of Humidity
Brides especially will enjoy this. Winter weather means no humidity. No humidity means there’s no risk of any hairstyles being ruined.
5. Romantic Backdrop
Winter season offers a stunning backdrop for photographs to give off a truly romantic vibe. There’s the gentle snowfall, the stunning lights, and the beautiful décor that you can only see during that time. It’s the perfect vibe you want for your wedding.
Disadvantages
1. Chance for Terrible Weather Conditions
Just as gorgeous as the snowfall can be, it can also become treacherous. What starts out as gentle can turn into a full-fledged storm, or maybe the cold weather has completely caused the roads and sidewalks to ice over. This can make it difficult for guests to come and ruin any potential outdoor pictures.
2. Days are Shortened
If one thing is true about the winter season, it’s that the days are remarkably shortened. This means you can lose daylight fast, a factor that can negatively impact your outdoor photo shoot. So, winter weddings can cause you to run on a slightly tighter schedule.
3. Budgeting Guests
Although guests may find it easier to travel for winter weddings compared to other seasons, this doesn’t mean they all will be able to attend based on budget. Winter weddings tend to happen around the holidays, and if your guests celebrate, then money may be too tight for them to afford to attend your wedding and purchase gifts.
Winter Wedding Colors
So, you’ve decided that a winter wedding is the best choice. In that case, here are some of the best colors to use that best fit with the season:
• White and gray
• Black and white
• Black, gold, and white
• Light blue and silver
• Red and pink
• Greenery and brown
• Burgundy and brown
• Red, black, and white
• Gray or metallic
• Red and emerald green
• Navy and gray
• Sage green and gold
These are just a few popular picks to help you get an idea on which route to go down when picking out decorations and choosing dresses and tuxedos.
Tips and Advice for a Successful Winter Wedding
Once you have your color theme in mind, it’s time to start deep planning the rest of the wedding. Here are some tips you can consider that may help you have a more successful winter celebration.
Tip #1: Remember warm clothing.
The weather is, naturally, going to be colder. So, if you want to be comfortable, invest in some warm accessories.
Capes and faux fur accessories are beautiful add-ons that go along with dresses. There are even some long-sleeved wedding gowns designed specifically to keep brides warm for the big day. Of course, if those wearing dresses still feel a bit cold, consider adding some thick stockings underneath that no one will see.
As for tuxedos, there are plenty of velvet blazers that are both trendy and cozy. Everyone should also consider their footwear. Some may want to stick to the traditional heels, but there are some stylish winter-themed shoes and boots that can look good with dresses and tuxedos.
When it comes to your guests, be sure to emphasize in the invitations to dress for the weather so everyone is as relaxed as possible throughout the ceremony and reception.
Tip #2: Think about going for a double venue.
When we talk about double venues, we mean finding an area where you can both have the wedding ceremony and have the reception. This way, it can make things easier for you and guests so that there’s less travel involved, a major benefit if the weather worsens throughout the day.
Tip #3: Keep travel time in mind.
If you can’t find a wedding to hold the ceremony and reception, then be sure to take travel times to heart. For bad weather conditions, it may be best to space out the time between the two events so you and the guests have a good enough time to get from place to place.
Tip #4: Make sure guests stay warm.
Keeping guests happy is important, so consider a venue that’s well-heated. You may even consider some fun treats like hot chocolate for the cocktail hour or reception.
Final Thoughts
Just like with any time of the year, winter weddings have their ups and downs mainly depending on the weather at hand. However, keeping some of our tips and advice in mind, you may be able to have a perfect, romantic winter wedding you’ll remember for years to come.
