Winter Wedding Tips
Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? Er, I mean, wedding? If you’ve always wanted to say your vows surrounded by snowflakes with the nip of cold in the air, you’ve come to the right place!
As a photographer specializing in weddings in Minnesota, I shoot a majority of weddings in the late spring, summer, and early fall months. It’s the typical busy season for weddings.
However, there’s something to be said for a winter wedding. The way the light hits the snowflakes just right? Ooooh. Taking first look photos in an untouched pile of snow? Perfection. I’ve loved working with couples in the winter to capture beautiful images while they say their vows in the colder winter months.
As with any time of year, there are things you need to expect in the winter months — like mosquitos and humidity during an outdoor summer wedding or rain in the spring.
This article will help jumpstart your winter wedding plans.
Tips for a Winter Wedding
A winter wedding can be absolutely magical, a true winter wonderland. Just keep these tips in mind while you plan!
Tip #1: Make a Backup Plan
If you’re from the Midwest, you know that the winter months can be unpredictable. The last thing you want is for a snowstorm to hit just before your wedding and leave your guests stranded at the venue. Keep potential weather delays in mind when planning travel for you and your guests.
Consider booking a venue close to accommodations and having transportation provided to and from the venue. Make sure the venue has an action plan if the sidewalks are icy. It’s also not a bad idea to have details on the nearest plowing company in case it snows a lot and guests need help.
If you’re hosting any part of your wedding outside, have a backup option indoors in case it's too snowy, cold, or icy outside.
Tip #2: Have an Earlier Ceremony
Daylight hours are shorter in the winter. If your vision for your photos is natural light, consider hosting an earlier ceremony. Many couples reserve a slot in their timeline for sunset photos. Be sure to plan your wedding day in a way that allows you to take the photos that are most important to you.
An early afternoon ceremony could be perfect. For a more unique experience, some couples are even leaning toward brunch weddings with a ceremony in the morning and a reception in the early afternoon.
No matter what time of day you decide to host your wedding, consider doing a first look. This will give you and your partner time to see each other earlier in the day and take portraits in the daylight. You’ll be able to take wedding party and family portraits before the ceremony too.
Tip #3: Embrace the Season
You have a great opportunity to embrace the season when it comes to decor, color scheme, florals, and food choices — run with it!
When searching for venues, try to find one that is beautiful with a dusting of snow, like a cozy lodge, a grand ballroom, or a historic mansion. When choosing your color scheme and decorations, don’t be afraid to lean into the winter theme with rich colors like deep reds, emerald greens, and golds. Use elements like pinecones, evergreen branches, and twinkling fairy lights.
Winter greenery, like holly, pine, and eucalyptus looks beautiful with seasonal flowers like amaryllis and Christmas roses.
Winter is known as the cozy time of year. Take advantage of this by using candles, lanterns, and string lights to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. A fireplace, if your venue has one, is a nice touch too. Low lighting and lots of candles creates a beautiful, cozy atmosphere during your vows.
When it comes to choosing your menu, consider serving hearty, warming dishes like soups, roasted vegetables, and rich desserts. If you want something extra special, add a hot cocoa bar or serve cider and mulled wine.
Tip #4: Think About Your Guests’ Comfort
It may be very cold on your wedding date. Think about your guests’ comfort by planning ahead and making sure the venue is well-heated and stocked with blankets (if needed).
If you’ll be taking photos outside with your wedding party and family members, consider their comfort as well. Some brides accessorize with a fur stole and have their bridesmaids coordinate with matching wraps or scarves.
Just make sure that you don’t take all your pictures outside. You don’t want to have a red nose and cheeks in all of them. If some of your guests are sensitive to the cold but need to be in formal photographs, take those photos indoors.
If any portion of the wedding will be outside, think about giving out hand warmers, hot beverages, and blankets. Fire pits and extra heaters are a nice touch too.
It’s best to avoid keeping your guests outside for too long, though!
Mistakes to Avoid When Planning a Winter Wedding
Don’t make these mistakes when planning!
Mistake #1: Sending Save-the-Dates Too Late
The holidays are busy. If you plan on hosting your wedding around the holidays, you need to send your save-the-dates early. Otherwise, you risk would-be guests RSVP-ing no because they already have plans.
Mistake #2: Not Preparing Guests
You need to make sure your guests are fully prepared for your ceremony and reception. If they’re expected to be outdoors in the elements, you should say so in the invitation. You don’t want to risk anyone getting frostbite or hypothermia at your wedding!
Mistake #3: Forgetting the Essentials
You want to keep yourself warm and taken care of on your wedding day, too. That means making sure you choose an ensemble that’ll keep you warm, whether that’s a long-sleeved dress with a beautiful shawl or a suit with a wool coat and scarf.
If you plan to take photos outside, bring boots or an extra pair of shoes. No one wants to wear cold, wet, snowy boots all day, much less on their wedding day! Bring gloves and hand warmers too, and tissues for cold runny noses.
Mistake #4: Not Investing in Wedding Insurance
If the weather is too bad, not only will many of your guests miss the wedding, but some of your vendors might miss it too.
Invest in wedding insurance to help cover the cost of having to cancel or change your wedding date. There are some things you’ll still have to pay for (like perishables), but wedding insurance can save you a lot of money.
Plan With a Pro
A winter wedding can be an enchanting experience, filled with unique and cozy moments that make your big day truly unforgettable. By keeping these winter wedding tips in mind, you can navigate the challenges of the season and create a magical celebration amidst the snowflakes.
Ensure you have a solid backup plan for unpredictable weather, schedule an earlier ceremony to capture the best light, and fully embrace the season with your décor and menu choices. Remember to prioritize your guests' comfort and avoid common mistakes like late save-the-dates and forgetting essential winter gear.
For more help planning, check out this article that outlines how you can use The Knot and other similar services.
