A Winter Wedding That Won’t Spoil The Holidays: The Do’s & Don’ts of a Winter Wedding

Planning a winter wedding? Winter weddings can be beautiful, festive, and romantic.  But they can also be a lot of work.  From dealing with inclement... Read More

winter wedding

Planning a winter wedding? Winter weddings can be beautiful, festive, and romantic. 

But they can also be a lot of work. 

From dealing with inclement weather to accommodating out-of-town guests, there’s a lot to think about when planning a winter wedding. To help you avoid some common pitfalls, we’ve put together a list of do’s and don’ts for planning the perfect winter wedding.

7 DO’S OF WINTER WEDDINGS

Winter weddings can be breathtakingly beautiful. Snowflakes falling gently on a white dress, sparkling lights everywhere you look, and the overall feeling of love and warmth in the air. 

However, winter weddings come with their own set of challenges. Here are a few winter wedding dos to make sure your day is everything you’ve ever dreamed of!

  1. Do invest in a good coat (or two) or a wedding dress that will be warm enough for the weather. You’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors taking pictures, so make sure you have a warm coat that you’re comfortable being photographed in. (Bonus points if it’s festive!)
  2. Do delegate tasks to your wedding party. Your bridesmaids and groomsmen are there to help you, so put them to work! Assign someone to be in charge of coordinating transportation, monitoring the weather forecast, and collecting gifts from guests.
  3. Do plan for inclement weather. Snowy conditions can put a damper on even the best-laid plans. Have backups for everything from your ceremony location to your photographer. And make sure your guests know what the plan is in case of bad weather.
  4. Consider hosting your wedding at an off-peak time. December is one of the most popular months for weddings, which means venues and vendors will be in high demand (and therefore more expensive). If you’re flexible on dates, consider hosting your wedding in January or February instead. You’ll likely get better rates and have more choices with venues and vendors.
  5. Do embrace the season! Use winter décor to your advantage by incorporating festive elements like garlands, wreaths, candles, and twinkle lights into your wedding décor. And serve seasonal menu items like roasted root vegetables, soup shooters, hot chocolate bars, etc. Your guests will appreciate the effort!
     
  6. Give your guests favors they can actually use. No one wants another mug or keychain collecting dust on their shelf. Instead, give your guests something they’ll actually use and appreciate, like candles, gourmet food items, or charitable donations in their name.
  7. Do give plenty of advanced notice. If you’ve decided to tie the knot during the winter months, there are a few things you’ll need to consider saving the dates. First, you’ll want to send them out well in advance. Guests will need plenty of time to make travel arrangements, so aim to send your save the dates 6-8 months before your wedding date.

    Second, be sure to include information about any special accommodations guests may need to make. If you’re holding your wedding in a remote location, provide contact information for local hotels or transportation companies. Finally, include a dress code on your save the dates. While some winter weddings are formal affairs, others prefer a more relaxed vibe. 

5 DON’TS OF WINTER WEDDINGS

Winter weddings can be absolutely magical, but they can also be a total disaster if you’re not careful! Here are some winter wedding don’ts to keep in mind as you plan your big day:

  1. Don’t wait until the last minute to book your vendors. The best vendors get booked up early, so start researching and booking as soon as you have a date set for your wedding. Otherwise, you may end up being disappointed with your choices.
  2. Don’t forget about your guest list until after you’ve booked the venue. It may seem like common sense, but you’d be surprised how many couples do this! Make sure you have a good idea of how many people you’ll need to accommodate before booking a venue or ordering catering. Nothing is worse than having too much (or too little) food … or not enough seats for all of your guests! 
  3. Don’t rely on DIY projects to save money. We’re all for DIY weddings — but only if you have the time (and skill set) to execute them flawlessly. Otherwise, it’s not worth the stress (or wasted money) trying to do everything yourself when there are professionals who can do it better (and faster).
  4. Don’t go overboard on Christmas decor or other holiday-themed decor. A winter wedding can be a beautiful and festive event. However, if you’re planning a winter wedding, it is essential to avoid going overboard with the holiday theme.

    While a few festive elements can add to the atmosphere of your wedding, too many Christmas decorations can make it feel more like a holiday party than a special occasion. If you are set on having a holiday-themed wedding, try to focus on things that will create a warm and inviting atmosphere, such as candles, soft lighting, and cozy firesides. By keeping the decor simple and elegant, you can ensure that your winter wedding will be an unforgettable event.
  5. Don’t get carried away with Christmas music. Instead of filling the dance floor with holiday-themed songs, choose a few that capture the spirit of the season without being overtly Christmas-y.

    For example, “All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey is a fun and upbeat choice that will get everyone moving, but won’t make your guests feel like they’re at an office holiday party.

    If you want to include some traditional Christmas songs, consider playing them during the cocktail hour or as background music while people are chatting. That way, your reception will have a festive flavor without being overloaded with holiday cheer.

By following our simple guide of dos and don’ts, your winter wedding will be everything you’ve ever wanted — without putting unnecessary stress on yourself (or breaking the bank) and not hindering the season’s festive cheer. So plan away — your perfect winter wonderland awaits you!

And for help with New England event rentals, give us a call at Sperry Tents Seacoast!

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Planning a winter wedding? Winter weddings can be beautiful, festive, and romantic.  But they can also be a lot of work.  From dealing with inclement... Read More

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