With less traffic and cheaper flights in January, more couples are opting for winter weddings, skipping the busier summer and fall seasons. Your budget-savvy guests will appreciate the lower costs, and the stark landscape offers the perfect backdrop for your winter wedding photoshoot. Still, winter weddings require a lot of planning, so it’s important to get started as soon as you choose the date.
1. Choose Your Rings
To start, you’ll need affordable engagement rings to wear before the wedding. Some rings come in a set with a matching wedding band.
If you prefer to buy the rings separately, look for men’s wedding bands or women’s wedding rings that complement the engagement ring without overshadowing the design. Wedding bands are usually simpler, often featuring small, dainty jewels instead of a large center stone.
For the base, your options include yellow gold, rose gold, silver and titanium. Rose gold’s pink hue makes it popular for romantic gifts. Yellow gold is a softer metal, but its warm hue gives the jewels a pleasant glow. If you prefer neutral shades, titanium is a strong and durable metal that resembles polished silver.
2. Make Reservations
Winter is a slower time for venues, but you should still choose a location at least a year or two ahead. You’ll need time to tour different venues, get price estimates, ask questions and choose a place for your ceremony. Once you’ve made a decision, you don’t want to miss your chance to grab your preferred date.
Before you start touring locations, create a guest list so that you’ll know how much space you’ll need. Afterward, look for a venue with easily accessible amenities, including heating, paved roads and clean restrooms. This is especially important if you’re booking a venue in a secluded, woodsy area.
3. Check the Weather
While you can’t predict the weather ahead of time, you can check the average temperatures from previous years and figure out what to expect. Once you’ve learned about the climate, tell your guests so that they can prepare their outfits accordingly. You might want to avoid venues with histories of icy roads or severe weather.
4. Plan to Keep Your Guests Warm
The landscape might look beautiful, but your guests won’t enjoy your wedding if they’re freezing during the ceremony. Look for venues with covered areas in case you have to move the ceremony indoors. During the reception, your guests should have access to indoor heating and an insulated building.
5. Shop for Bridal Jewelry
Your bridal jewelry is almost as important as the dress. The glittering jewels and polished metals can accentuate your look, draw attention to certain areas and mimic the snow’s frosty glitter. Some pieces sell out quickly, so don’t hesitate to start shopping before the big day.
If you want to show off your veil or hairstyle, look for bridal earrings that delicately frame your face. A simple necklace or choker adds sparkle to a plunging neckline. You could also decorate your hands with bracelets and rings for a luxurious touch.
6. Determine the Menu
When the temperatures drop, your guests will crave a hot meal, especially if you’re hosting part of the ceremony outdoors. Try treating your guests to a hot drink, such as apple cider, coffee, tea or hot chocolate, when they arrive. For dinner, you could serve grilled chicken, roast vegetables, soups, stews, pasta and other winter favorites.
To pull this off, you’ll need a caterer who specializes in hearty, filling meals. Many caterers offer special tasting events for couples during the wedding planning process. Reach out to local caterers and restaurants in your area and then book a company at least several months ahead. Their schedules tend to fill up quickly.
7. Select an Outfit
Many people focus on the dress or tuxedo and forget that they’ll need a different outfit for the reception. If you’re planning on buying a new outfit for your wedding, start looking for formal wear in brown, gray and earthy shades. These colors look good with most hairstyles and skin tones and complement the winter backdrop.
You could also use pieces that you already have in your closet. Since you’re dressing for colder weather, try different combinations of sweaters, formal coats, boots and formal pants. A hat or scarf could accessorize your outfit and protect your face from the wind.
8. Consider the Costs
Destination weddings are popular, but they’re also inaccessible to people with lower incomes who can’t afford to spend thousands of dollars or take a week off work. Plus, if they’re part of your wedding party, they might already have to spend hundreds of dollars on a tuxedo or a bridesmaid’s dress.
Fortunately, your dream wedding doesn’t have to cost millions of dollars. Many small towns have venues in parks or nature areas that allow you to enjoy nature’s beauty without flying to a five-star hotel or ski resort. You could also choose a small, intimate location that has personal meaning for you and your future spouse.
9. Plan for Emergencies
If you’re lucky, you’ll have clear skies or a light snowfall on your wedding day. However, winter can also bring harsh weather conditions, including sleet, heavy snowfall, freezing rain and below-zero temperatures. Snowstorms can also make the roads dangerous, forcing you to reschedule your ceremony.
To stay connected and prepared, be sure to gather everyone’s contact information so you can easily reach out if needed. Creating a group chat or a Facebook group with your wedding party is a great way to keep everyone informed and safe, especially during unexpected weather. This way, you can help make sure no one accidentally heads out during a severe storm.
Start Planning Your Dream Wedding
Winter weddings can be a little tricky, but if you plan ahead, you’ll find a cozy venue with a stunning landscape and plenty of opportunities for photoshoots. When you look back on the ceremony, you’ll remember the icy lakes, snowcapped mountains and early sunset that made the event truly memorable.
