6 Things to Keep in Mind When Planning a Winter Wedding

We love planning winter weddings! There is something about crisp, white snowy backdrops and cozy designs that warm the soul. However, that cold and snow can throw a curve (snow)ball in your plans if you are not prepared for them. Here are some ways to snow-proof your plans and enjoy the cold winter weddings.

Winter Elements

For summer weddings, we talk a lot about Plan B for outdoor ceremonies when rain or thunderstorms could be a problem. For winter weddings, we need to have this same level of awareness about the weather, but focus on extreme cold and snow. While we won’t have to move the wedding inside, we will have to make accommodations for delayed deliveries or new delivery dates if the forecast is looking suspicious. Also, guests (especially ones from out of town) should be aware of the potential weather. That way they can make the best travel, accommodation, and clothing decisions. For wedding VIPs, they should consider travelling a few days before the wedding or have a back up plan if they get delayed. 

Daylight Hours

In the winter, the number of daylight hours is greatly reduced. This will affect your photography and videography. Those amazing golden hour vibes will be happening closer to 5pm instead of 8pm in the summer. Take this into consideration when planning your timeline. An earlier ceremony or photos before the ceremony may be the best way to utilize those daylight hours.

Travel Time

Buffer your travel times even more when planning a winter wedding. Expect it to be cold, snowy and the potential for slow moving traffic. Usually in the summer, we buffer by 10-15 minutes. In the winter, we buffer more in the range of 20-30 minutes depending on the distance and time you need to travel from point A to B.

Outside Photos

If you are brave and want to do some outdoor photos, there are ways to make it less frigid and actually enjoyable. First, consider which photos that you want outside. We suggest couple portraits outside, but leave family and wedding party photos inside. Second, pack your warm gear and don’t be cute about it. Pull out your warmest (and maybe ugliest) winter parka that you can take on and off as you do the photos. Pack your warmest mitts for between photos and buy hand warmers to put into your mitts. Throw on some long winter underwear and grab your snow boots. Most of the time you can hide both of these under your attire or they don’t distract all that much from the photo. 

Outdoor Ceremony

This is for the nature enthusiasts who really embrace the winter and the outdoors together. If you are planning to have an outdoor ceremony in the winter, make sure that guests know that it will be outdoors and to be prepared for any condition. Consider providing a fire or hot beverages for your guests as they arrive. Also, do not be late for your wedding! We say this in the summer as well, but it really is important in the winter. We don’t want people to be sitting outside exposed to the elements longer than they need to be. Also you still need to have a Plan B. At some point, it is too dangerous to have people outside in the cold and we need to define the parameters of when we will move to the Plan B.

Embrace Winter Vibes

Keep the cozy vibes going and add hot drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) to your bar menu. Hot chocolate bars with or without the Bailey’s are fabulous ideas that aren’t always summer friendly. Blankets at your ceremony or reception are great ways to keep everyone warm and content. The possibilities are endless, just lean into it!