A winter wedding can be just as amazing and special as one in the height of summer, specially with a little careful planning. Read on for our top hints, tips and inspiration to personalise your special day.
1. Winter Wedding Decor Ideas
Whether you want to embrace christmas for your wedding, or the winter season you really are spoiled for choice with what is available. Rich, lucious colours, evergreens and snowflakes, or all out white and silver. What will you choose ?
2. Rustic Wedding Signs
Rustic Signs can look great on their own or surrounded with winter greenery.
3. Fairylights
Lights add that little sparkle and romance than many brides are looking for and can be used to create a winter wonderland for you and your guests to enjoy. We loved the way the fairylights made us think of gently, falling snow at Ye Olde Plough House in Essex for this wedding. This beautiful setup was by the amazing ladies from White Lace Events.
4. Rich, warm colours
Create a warm ambience even if it s freezing cold outside with rich warm colours.
5. Keeping guests warm
With a winter wedding, a cute blanket for your guests to snuggle up with will be much appreciated on a cold winters evening.
6. Dried fruits to add colour
What says winter more than dried fruits sprinkled around your wedding breakfast tables, just like these at Gosfield Hall in Essex.
7. Candlelight
Candlelight not only creates a romantic feel, but creates a warm ambience to brighten even the coldest winter day. These at Hedingham Castle in Essex work perfectly don't you agree ?
To find out more about Hedingham Castle read our blog here
8. Decorate the fireplaces
Create a focal point around the large fireplaces at your wedding venue just like this one at Layer Marney Tower in Essex
Layer Marney Tower is a stunning wedding venue and even has a church right next door. Read our blog here to find out more.
9. Seasonal Flowers
Not only do they match your winter wedding theme, but seasonal flowers tend to be slightly cheaper than ones which have had to be grown in a hot house or shipped in from abroad. Your florist is the expert and can advise you on how to get the most out of your budget. These were supplied by Butterfly Flowers and Poppydots and I think you will agree they look amazing.
10. White flower petals to look like snow
Whether used as confetti or scattered on your wedding breakfast tables with a few sparkles, white flower petals evoke the feeling of snow on your winter wedding day. Just make sure to check with your wedding venue what they allow when it comes to confetti.
11. Sparkler Send Off
With shorter days there is always plenty of time and darkness to have a little fun with sparklers. Check with your venue to make sure what their rules are regarding fireworks. We had a great time with all the wedding guests at Parklands, Quendon Hall at this winter wedding.
For a one venue location and to find out more read our blog here.
12. Hot Chocolate Bar
Sumptuous hot chocolate with all the trimmings and maybe even a shot of alcohol for the adults is a lovely way to warm up on a cold winters day.
13. Mulled Wine
If you are having a drinks reception after your ceremony how about serving your guests with mulled wine to get them in the mood for your winter wedding ?
14. Seasonal Buttonholes
Red roses, berries and winter evergreens will bring everything together perfectly for your winter wedding.
15. Visit venue at night
With a winter wedding there won't be as many daylight hours so make sure to visit your venue at night to see what it looks like. Your photographer will also have suggestions and ideas on how to make the most of your venue at night and get you some gorgeous photos.
16. Time of Wedding
If you are still wanting outside photos during daylight, you may need to consider having your ceremony at an earlier time in the day to free up time for those all important photos.
17. One venue wedding
With the weather being more uncertain in the winter months and even the possibility of snow, consider holding your wedding all in one venue. This will save you and your guests worrying about travelling between venues, specially if it does snow.
For more ideas and tips about choosing your wedding venue read our blog "11 Things To Consider When Choosing Your Wedding Venue"
18. Venue heating
When visiting your prospective venues, Make sure to check whether they have heating or open fires to keep you all warm. Also check if this is included in your package, as some venues do charge extra for lighting fires etc. If you are having a church wedding ask if the heating can be turned on some time before your ceremony as large buildings can take a while to heat up, specially if they are not in use every day.
19. Home for coats
Since it is winter, most if not all of your guests will be arriving in coats which they wont want to carry around with them all day. make sure to arrange a cloakroom service/area with your venue.
20. Experienced low light photographer
The light on winter days is often a lot lower than in the height of summer, so make sure to check your photographer knows how to deal with low light situations.
21. Winter Wedding Statonery
A winter wedding opens up so many possibilities for your wedding stationery designs. We love all these ideas from Paper Ballards
22. Winter Wedding dress
For our own winter wedding at Rivenhall Hotel in Essex, I had a bespoke wedding dress made in burgundy velvet which kept me warm and toasty all day long.
23. Rich colours for bridesmaids
Adding colour and a bit of sparkle to your day is simple if you have your bridesmaids in rich colours. Why not add a little belt for that touch of bling we all love.
24. Winter canapes
With your drinks reception, why not serve warm canapes ? Hot sausage rolls, mini yorkshire puddings with roast beef or warm mince pies are all great choices. What would you choose ?
25. Winter wedding cake
A naked cake with seasonal flowers or a white winter scene are just two ideas for you. This gorgeous creation came from Cakes from Rachel tasted just as good as it looks.
Or for something more intimate and personal, how about these scrummy cupcakes from Bouqcakes and Bakes ? Lisa and Jo are based in Braintree and we can personally recommend them having used their services previously.
26. Winter Themed Table Names
What will you choose for your table names.....
Christmas food and drink - turkey, mulled wine, eggnog and stuffing to name a few
The 12 days of Christmas - if you have enough tables.
Christmas films - Elf, The Santa Claus, The Christmas Chronicles, It's A Wonderful Life
Winter plants - Holly, Ivy, Fir Tree, Mistletoe
Christmas Number 1's- Do They Know It's Christmas, Two Become One, Mistletoe and Wine
Wintry Theme - Snow, Icicles, Snowman, Frost
27. Fire Pit for marshmallows
If your venue allows it, how about giving all your guests marshamllows to toast on an open flame ? Obviously make sure children are supervised at all times if you choose this option.
28. Rustic wood slices and fairylights on tables
A rustic winter weddings i easily achieved. Wood slices, glass jars or bottles with little fairy lights can create a magical scene for everyone to enjoy.
29. Winter themed favours
Hot chocolate jars, candy canes, christmas baubles, hand warmers are just a few ideas to treat your guests. We love these gift bags from Bouqcakes and Bakes in Braintree, Essex.
Don't forget to add a little tag to match your winter wedding theme.
30. Make sure your bridesmaids are warm and cosy.
Little jackets, boleros, or fake fur stoles are perfect for adding layers and interest to your bridesmaids outfits and perform an important second role in keeping your bridesmaids warm.
To find out more about the services we offer, you can visit our pricing page.
If you are ready to book a consultation for your wedding photography get in touch.