Romantic winter weddings need extra planning
Compiled by R. Legault
Winter weddings can be pure magic. Yet, they come with a few expected issues that go hand in hand with colder temperatures, no matter how mild a winter we have.
If you’re having a winter wedding, don’t worry. These issues are truly small-stuff when it comes to the overall celebration of the day. It requires some extra thought and preparation.
Ottawa Wedding Magazine has compiled these simple tips to ensure your winter wedding goes off without a hitch.
Invest in winter accessories
It will be cold, so accessories will be important to keep warm. A faux fur stole, a veil, a cape or a chic cardigan are all good options. Alternatively, opt for a long-sleeve wedding dress.
Don’t forget the guys
For grooms and groomsmen, a velvet blazer is ideal. It’s a nice thick fabric, which will keep the guys warm, plus it’s perfectly on-trend.
Don’t forget beauty prep
Chapped lips and dry skin are inevitable come winter. Keep your lips moisturized in the run-up to the wedding (we highly recommend Elizabeth Arden’s 8-hour Cream) use a good face moisturizer and have a Chapstick in your clutch on the day.
Under your dress
If it’s very cold you can always wear thick tights under your wedding dress (as long as it’s long) — nobody will know! This goes for your bridesmaids too.
Consider stylish winter footwear
Boots can be a stylish (and practical) bridal shoe option for winter weddings, especially if it rains.
Indulge in some glitter
You can’t get more festive than bridesmaids in glitter. Sequin or glitter dresses are always easy to find come winter, plus they look wonderful in photos.
Keep your bridesmaids warm
Don’t forget your bridesmaids will be cold too! Make sure to have bridesmaid cover-ups ready on the day.
Winter venue tips
Extra travel time
Bad weather means bad traffic, so give extra time for travel to your ceremony — no matter how near or far you are going.
Have just one venue
If possible, have your ceremony and reception in the one venue, or venues very near to each other. This will make transport easier in case of bad weather.
Warm it up with candles
It will be dark quite early. Embrace it with lots of romantic candlelight in both your ceremony and reception space.
Winter colours
Decorate in rich, warm tones of berry red, burgundy, black and gold. Add extra wintry romance with lots of natural greenery, or even a hint of tartan.
Coat check
Make sure someone is in charge of taking coats at your reception and making sure they’re kept safe.
Keep guests warm
Consider making an effort to ensure your guests are kept warm and cheery once they arrive. A hot drink upon arrival is a nice and simple idea.
Wintry favours
Choose winter wedding favours. Blankets or pashminas, sparklers, cookies, mulled wine spices, candy canes or little bottles of Baileys are all cute and doable winter wedding favour options.
Winter tips and advice
Photography tips
It’s all in the timing. It gets dark much earlier in the winter so adjust your photo schedule for more light. Taking portraits before your ceremony is often a good idea. If you’re not sure how to go about this, just chat with your photographer. They should have a good idea of what will work.
Get ready to cover up
Have nice umbrellas on stand-by for outdoor wedding photographs. These don’t have to be fancy – simple and black can often do the job. Or, you can check out some very elaborate options online for monogrammed umbrellas a a memento for the day.
Come well-heeled
If you’re wearing heels, have another shoe option for your outdoor pics. You don’t want to be sinking into mud of snow in your Jessica Bedards, Jimmy Choos or Valentinos!
Keep hands warm
Ice cold blue hands are not a good look in winter wedding pictures, this is where hand warmers come in.
