Considering a winter wedding? Before you start planning look into these important seasonal factors every winter bride needs to know.

Winter is the season of elegance. The cold months may get a bad rap, but they’re aesthetically pleasing, quiet, bright, and inviting all at the same time. They stand out thanks to their own unique attire, food, flowers, venues, décor, and typically lower costs. That’s right, booking venues, caterers, photographers, and even honeymoons outside of the standard wedding season can save you big!

Granted, winter weddings are also unique in their challenges. That’s why, though we always recommend taking the polar plunge with your special someone, couples need to be aware of some things to avoid when planning a winter wedding.

1. Book Ahead, and Plan in Advance

The jam-packed holiday season can pose problems when booking a winter wedding. As such, it’s courteous to account for your guest’s cultural and religious observances.

Planning at least six months in advance provides enough time to navigate your loved ones’ availability. Remember that the winter months offer far more celebrations than Christmas! Many people honor Hanukkah, Yule, and Kwanzaa, too.

Of course, you know your invitees best. So, go through the guest list and make note of who might potentially have conflicting holiday plans. Stay flexible on dates until important guests have confirmed their availability.

Afarose Insider Tip: Once the date is established, book the venue well in advance. Locking down the right location early will save the couple trouble down the line. Furthermore, sending out save the dates before most people book their holiday accommodations is essential for guests that need to travel. Be mindful that winter weddings fall around a busy time of year, as well as a costly time to travel.

2. Be Prepared for Weather Changes

When planning a winter wedding, people naturally tend to have an idealized version of the day in their heads. For instance, most couples don’t picture a storm rolling in on their big day.

Unfortunately, there’s just no way to predict what the weather will be like months in advance. The best you can do is to carefully research the local weather patterns around the time of the wedding and create contingency plans. Hosts of destination winter weddings should attempt to coordinate travel around weeks that don’t typically get heavy snow.

However, be aware that no amount of planning can eliminate the possibility of travel delays or ensure a clear wedding day altogether. The good news is that a little snowfall on the big day can make the celebration that much more magical.

Moreover, the limited daylight hours are critical to account for when setting up timelines. Winter sunsets are both beautiful and early. Couples that don’t want to get married in the dark should know when the sun sets on their day. An evening winter wedding ceremony will need to go down a few hours earlier than its summer counterparts.

3. Styling and Winter Wedding Décor

The real work begins once the date is saved and the venue is booked. The fun of a winter wedding comes from the unique décor elements that can fit a frosty aesthetic. Here are some winter wedding essentials:

• Low Lighting does the heavy lifting for couples that want to bring a cozy feel to their reception. Candlelight, twinkle lights, or lanterns produce a wonderfully warm atmosphere on even the crispest of winter nights.
• Color Palettes for a winter wedding usually shift from vibrant spring and summer tones to darker, richer schemes. Think of the naturally occurring seasonal colors, like berries and evergreen trees. Of course, winter also comes with lighter palettes, like pale blue, white, and silver.
• Winter Attire opens up a world of possibilities for the bridal party. Velvet is a wonderful option for the season, as well as faux fur. The traditional white naturally embrace the season, so outdoor winter bridal photos are bound to be stunning.
• Celestial Elements like hanging metallic stars and moons call the night sky to mind. Couples using twinkle lights can tie their theme together with an ode to astronomy.
• Winter Food is rich, warm, and hearty. Creamy soups and comfort options will go over well with guests that braved the chill to attend the wedding. Make sure to add some warm drink options, like hot toddies, hot chocolate, and mulled wine.
• Winter Party Favors are generally a hit with attendees because they can use them on the spot. Couples can get creative with cozy items like blankets, mittens, or seasonal candles.
• Holiday Elements like wreaths can be a subtle nod to the season’s festivities. However, it is possible to overdo it. Too many ornaments can turn a wedding into a Christmas party (which is not a bad idea if that is what you are looking for!) Those that intend to add holiday elements to their décor should consider the variety of cultures and religions their guests might represent. Try to be inclusive by adding nods to other seasonal celebrations, too.

Before ordering any décor, make sure to check with the venue for restrictions on things like open flames. Also, note that some venues will put up their own festive styling. Look over venue décor elements to ensure they add to the theme and, if they clash, ask if they can be removed in advance.

Start Designing a Winter Wedding

At the end of the day, every wedding is special in its own right. But, there’s just something a little extra magical about a winter wedding. The glow of the season and the festivity associated with it lends special meaning to winter celebrations. Though hosting a winter wedding comes with its own set of special considerations, careful planning can alleviate the season’s difficulties.

That being said, wedding planning is a world unto itself. Couples often feel like they’re in over their heads. Mistakes can be costly and disruptive on the day they’ve waited their entire lives for. Don’t let finding the right dress add to the stress.

Let Afarose—the industry authority for helping you say a resounding ‘Yes’ to your dream dress—lead the way. Our online, made-to-order bridal store is the perfect one-stop shop for all of your winter wedding dress needs today!