The winter season provides endless inspiration and creativity for a winter wedding. Make the most of the season and avoid its less-than-pleasant moments with our list of winter wedding do’s and don’ts.
1. Do Stay Cozy
A warm reception is a welcome escape from the frigid weather, and there are plenty of ways to make your reception inviting.
Incorporate lush fabrics in warm colours, such as tying burgundy velvet ribbon bows to the back of chairs or wrapping the material around cutlery. Leave chenille throws in a lounging area for guests to wrap around themselves.
If the venue has a fireplace, make use of it. It’ll be a comfortable escape from the chilly outdoors.
2. Don’t Overheat
You want everyone to stay warm, but you don’t want your friends and family roasting. Talk to the venue to determine how fast the space will warm up given your guest list.
If the venue has separate thermostats, see if you can reduce the temperature on the dance floor while keeping the reception cozy.
3. Do Play with the Season
What’s your bridal style? You may have picked a winter wedding precisely because of the winter season, knowing you have so many ways to create a romantic, wintery ambiance.
Incorporate the season with native items such as whites, creams, pinecones, ferns, and branches. These timely flavours make winter a mainstay in the décor.
4. Don’t Stick to the Holiday
Just because the wedding is around Christmastime doesn’t mean you need to include Christmas colours and ornaments—unless that’s the theme you’re going for. There are so many ways to incorporate winter using a theme that doesn’t involve the festive holiday.
5. Do Play with Colour
Don’t feel obligated to stick to traditional greens, blues, and whites. Play with bright, bold hues for a fun backdrop and a pop of colour. Opt for a light palette using dreamy pastels, dusty rose pinks, and violets to add an elegant twist.
Garner inspiration from wedding bloggers to dream and design your winter wedding however you’d like.
6. Do Invest in the Right Accessories
If any part of the wedding is outdoors, such as the ceremony or photographs, keep the bridal party warm and stylish with the right accessories. A faux fur shawl around shoulders keeps bridesmaids warm, while velvet blazers are a sharp look for groomsmen that also provide a thick coat for warmth.
Warm, fuzzy earmuffs keep ears warm and hair in place, while muffs over hands in matching colours are a perfect touch for the bridal party. There are plenty of chic ways to stay warm.
7. Don’t Cram the Entire Day
Getting to a winter wedding may require penciling in extra travel time. Bad weather means bad traffic. Guests, as well as yourself, may need some extra minutes—regardless of the distance.
Consider hosting the ceremony and the reception at the same venue to eliminate the need to go one extra stop, so it’s just a matter of changing rooms.
8. Do Consider Your Guests
Cold weather doesn’t inspire people to leave their homes. Show friends and family you care with special winter wedding favours to take home. It could be hot chocolate mason jars, warm baked treats, or late-night snacks.
This little something extra shows your appreciation for guests who braved the winter weather to attend the wedding.
9. Don’t Worry
Yes, winter is a challenging time of the year and the weather can be unpredictable, but don’t get bogged down by it. There’s nothing you can do to change the weather, so don’t let the forecast ruin your big day. When you have everything planned and are ready to go, you can relax and enjoy the day regardless of what it looks like outside.
