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Winter weddings are not most people’s first choice – there’s a reason summer is called wedding season, and that’s because the majority of weddings take place during the warm summer months.
But winter can be an excellent time to celebrate your wedding and can make for an unforgettable experience.
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of hosting a winter wedding and why it might just be the best decision you make.
The Pros – Why Have a Winter Wedding
1- More Glamorous
There’s no denying it. Winter weddings can be more glamorous than a summer wedding. You can use rich colors that would tend to look out of place in other months. I’m talking golds, blacks, reds and purples. This would go beautifully with the heavier atmosphere and the landscape.
2- Unique Beauty
Winter brings with it the heaviness of the cold and possibility of snow which adds a fantastic, festive sort of beauty to any event.
Photos will look amazing, especially if you include the outdoor aesthetic. Wedding photos in the snow are out of this world and have an ethereal, nostalgic, dreamy look to them. It can be picture postcard perfect.
3- Indoor or Outdoor
Unlike other seasons, winter is perfect for an indoor wedding because it just feels cozier and more comfortable. No one really wants to brave freezing weather and nothing’s better than staying inside and chatting, eating and dancing.
But what if you really want that outside wedding? You can have that too, but the trick is to pay attention to the details. Bring the outdoors inside with a clear tent and have some heaters placed all around to warm up the room.
4- Great Rates and Discounts
Winter is off-peak season for weddings, which means that more often than not, vendors are looking for customers. They’ll be happy to have your business and often provide great incentives to get it.
Venues, caterers and lodgings tend to be less expensive, and you can get great deals. You can save on most aspects of the wedding which makes it an excellent season to get married in if you like slashing your budget.
5- More Comfortable
True, you’ll always have that one guest complaining about the cold, but for most people, winter means no humidity, no sweating and no overheating. The air is fresh and crisp and everyone typically tend to feel fresher in winter.
Men won’t complain about having to wear tuxedos and the ladies can opt for their long, gorgeous gowns.
Remember that time a groomsman fainted from overheating? Well, let’s just say that would never happen in winter.
6- Something to Look Forward to
Because most weddings tend to be in the warmer months, winter weddings aren’t as popular. If you opt for a winter wedding, your date will be unique and you won’t have to share the date with other couples.
Winter is when people are stuck indoors and they can get tired of it. By hosting your wedding in winter, you’re giving all your guests something to look forward to and get excited about. And it’ll stand out from all the summer weddings that your guests will have been to.
7- Add in Winter Themes
People might think that winter wedding takes away your options (no garden, no beach etc…) but what they often don’t factor in is that you also gain a lot of options not available to you in the warmer months.
You can add in cute winter props and themes, like fireplaces and candles. It’s ideal to add in those cozy details that wouldn’t make sense in summer. What about sleigh rides, fireworks, bonfires and even smores around a fire? The opportunities are endless.
8- Fewer Weddings To Compete With
We’ve said this before, but we’ll say it again. You’ll have fewer weddings to compete with during the colder months. How does this benefit you? Well, for one thing you’ll have access to those great rates and discounts we talked about before.
But you also won’t have to compete with other weddings taking attention away from you. Dates to your favorite venues will likely be available and overall, things won’t be as hectic as in wedding season.
The Cons – Why Not to Have a Winter Wedding
1- The Cold
There’s just no getting past this. Yes, a winter wedding is going to be cold and people are going to be freezing, if not at the wedding, then at least while getting there. Some people will complain, and others may not be able to make it, which can be a downer.
In addition to this, you’ll have to make sure that your dress is able to keep you warm throughout the entire ceremony and reception. You might need to wear a second or third layer, or even thermals underneath.
Bridesmaids will be freezing, especially if they’re wearing sheer dresses. Ensure that your bridal party is appropriately dressed for this, with wraps on hand.
2- Unexpected Weather Conditions
This is one of the main concerns with a winter wedding because you never know what type of weather you’ll get on your special day.
To be fair though, this can be the case for a wedding in any season. How many times have you heard of a couple having to rush their summer wedding indoors because of a sudden, unexpected downpour?
But with winter weather, it can get very unpredictable. There’s no way of knowing 12 to 10 months ahead, what sort of weather you’re going to get. This can affect every aspect of your wedding, from caterers, photographers and musicians who could find it impossible to get to the venue.
3- Shorter Daylight Hours
With a winter wedding, you’ll have to consider the number of daylight hours you’re going to get as this’ll impact your photography and videography timing, which in turn may impact the ceremony and reception times.
4- Clashing Dates with Holidays
If you’re going to pick a date closer to the holidays (Christmas, New Year etc…) note that some people will prioritize their holidays over your wedding. What’s more, ever year when you celebrate your wedding anniversary, it’ll continue to clash with these holidays. I
It’s best to pick a date that doesn’t coincide with other big dates. After all, you do have November, December, January and February to choose from. This not only keeps your wedding day special but also allows others to give you their undivided attention.
Having a winter wedding is all about attitude. You can find pros and cons in any season, but if you look at the benefits and are prepared to make it work, a winter wedding will be unique and something you’ll remember forever.
