Do you have your heart set on a perfect winter wedding for your big day? There’s something undeniably magical about saying "I do" surrounded by the charm of the season. Planning a winter wedding can be a magical experience, but it comes with unique considerations to ensure a seamless and memorable celebration. Here’s a guide to the dos and don’ts of winter wedding planning:

 

1. Do Embrace the Season’s Charm

This is the time to really incorporate winter themes into your décor, such as snowflakes, evergreen accents, and cosy lighting like candles and fairy lights.

You can also embrace seasonal vegetables, wines, and maybe even a hot soup for your first course. You don’t need to go overboard with holiday theme but having a small nod to the season through décor, florals or food will acknowledge the spirit of the season in a tasteful way. Jewel-tone floral arrangements, resembling miniature emerald green Christmas trees, are a stylish option for your bouquet and table décor centrepieces.

You can also use a winter-appropriate colour palette in your wedding day. Whites, deep reds, emerald greens, navy blues, or metallics like gold and silver are a great way to incorporate the winter feel without going overboard.

2. Do Choose the Right Venue

 Find a venue that offer indoor spaces or heated options for guest comfort. Winter weddings can be unpredictable because of weather conditions. Try and look for locations with large windows or fireplaces to showcase winter’s beauty. This can also help with the lighting for the daytime

3. Do Prioritise Guest Comfort

If your event is in a snowy location or requires guests to walk to the venue through snow, why not offer a boot check upon arrival. Your guests can have their heels and shoes for the party and toes kept warm at entry and departure. Offer warm beverages like hot chocolate, mulled wine, or coffee at the welcome station. You can also provide cosy accessories, such as blankets, hand warmers, or shawls, especially for outdoor portions of the event.

4. Do Plan for Weather

Have contingency plans for snow or icy roads, such as transportation options like shuttles or backup plans for late arrivals. Ensure paths and parking areas are cleared and safe for guests.

Don’t risk ruining your brand-new wedding shoes in snow or slushy conditions. Bring a pair of boots for your outdoor portraits, if you elect for outdoors. Nobody will be able to tell under your dress and its saves anything getting ruined before the reception.

 

5. Do Consider Lighting

As we all know Winter days are shorter, so plan your timeline to maximise natural light for photos. Try having some photos in the morning with your partner when the light is the highest then have your wedding soon after.

Veni suggests designing your wedding with ample candlelight if you are wanting a later wedding. “This doesn’t mean the wedding must feel like it’s straight out of Frozen,”.  “What I mean is that you will want to consider really embracing the season and making sure your wedding feels authentic to the season, venue, and your design aesthetic.” Try to avoid colourful lights and anything loud that will distract from the bride and groom. White accents against rich, warm tones are lovely. Using warm, ambient lighting can also create a cosy atmosphere indoors.

Dresses with sparkles like Hunter, Hattie or Zada     

 

6. Do Choose Seasonally Appropriate Food and Drink

When it comes to the food, it can be a hard choice round the Christmas season. We suggest serve hearty dishes, seasonal soups, and comfort foods for your menu. Include festive drinks like spiced cider, eggnog, or seasonal cocktails apron arrival.

7. Do Dress Appropriately

Brides, this may seem obvious, but it's worth emphasising. A strapless dress with no shawl or wrap means red skin and goose bumps – not a good look in your photos. Think carefully about what the weather might do on your big day and dress yourself and the bridesmaids and groomsmen accordingly.

For a winter wedding princess ballgowns are always a great choice. Having a bit of sparkle can make your dress even more magical. Style like Zanndra, Zara and Zaragoza are create a perfect winter wedding theme.

But if you are wanting more of a chic, simple ballgown then Hadleigh, Hye or Hester might be ideal.   

Try to think about the fabric and go for something that is a little thicker like Mikado. This more structured material which should be able to keep you a little warmer like Harriet, Kashi or Haiti which all have big skirt and over fabric to keep you warm and beautiful on your big day.    

 

1. Don’t Ignore Travel Challenges

Avoid planning your wedding too close to major holidays, when travel can be stressful and expensive. Late November to early December is a great time to have a winter wedding. Also try and provide clear directions and updates to guests if weather impacts travel. This is important if you travel abroad for winter snow.

2. Don’t Skimp on Heating

Ensure your venue is well-heated, especially if it has outdoor spaces. We would suggest renting heaters for outdoor tents or lounge areas, if your wanting a more outdoor winter wedding.

3. Don’t Forget the Photography

 

Discuss winter lighting with your photographer, as snow can create glare and daylight hours are limited. Also think about the colour of your dress and the surrounding. If its an all-white background maybe a wedding dress with a little bit of colour like Hideko or Yashi might work well.    

4. Don’t Overdo the Holiday Theme

While seasonal touches are lovely, avoid making your wedding feel like a Christmas party unless that’s your specific vision. Instead, subtle nods to the season (like evergreen centrepieces or snowflake motifs) keep it elegant.

5. Don’t Take all your Photos Outside

Whilst the idea of a winter wedding outdoor photoshoot may sound pretty in theory, you’ll also have pink cheeks and noses throughout and may get too cold afterwards. Working with a top-notch planner and photographer will ensure plenty of indoor locations for first looks and portraits have also been scouted. Just bare in winter the winter weather can mean, rain, sleet, fog and snow so plan for all weathers.

6. Don’t Ignore Your Budget

Your wedding might fall during the “off-season” in your region, but it could also align with a high tourist season (think London) and make it difficult to secure vendors or room blocks.

Winter is considered the high season in the mountains, so make sure your guests are financially ready to spend more on flights, hotels, food, skiing, and so on, if you are wanting that true white winter wedding.  This is the most expensive time of the year for many of these destinations, which also often results in multi-night minimum stays. try not to overspend on the Christmas winter décor and instead think about the venue and comfort to make sure you have the perfect day

By keeping these dos and don’ts in mind, you’ll ensure your winter wedding is not only beautiful and memorable but also comfortable and stress-free for you and your guests.