Go ahead! Have a winter celebration
If an outdoor wedding in June is just not your thing, you’re in luck! Winter is becoming a popular wedding season—and with good reason. White mountaintops and snow-covered scenery set a spectacular backdrop to exchange vows, and there’s no shortage of memorable photo ops. (Like the moment it starts slowly dusting during your first look. Or when your spouse holds an umbrella for you as you are greeted by falling snow as you step outside.) Despite all of this, winter weddings are still surrounded by a cloud of seasonal untruths. Here, we debunk some of the top winter wedding myths.
Myth 1: You can’t have an outdoor ceremony.
While weather can be trickier during the winter, it’s nothing heat lamps and tent covers can’t handle if your heart is set on a ceremony on top of a mountain or in a woodland clearing surrounded by snow-covered pine trees. Just keep your ceremony on the shorter side and let guests know the plan ahead of time so they can dress accordingly. You’ll also want to set up heaters (or an entire heated tent) and provide guests with shawls and hot drinks for the duration of the ceremony. A delightful bonus would be sleigh rides or ski lifts to take your guests to the reception!
Myth 2: All of your pictures will be inside.
While snow and cold may limit the amount of time you spend taking photographs outdoors, use the chilly weather as an excuse to get close to your new spouse. Have gloves, a stylish cover-up or coat, and winter boots on hand for when you’re not shooting, or for those playful shots staged in the snow. The goosebumps will be well worth the photographs.
Myth 3: You’ll have to wear a long-sleeve wedding dress.
While a long-sleeve gown might be a natural choice for a winter wedding (it’s also a huge trend in bridal), there are brides who don full sleeves for their summer nuptials and vice versa. Chances are you won’t be outside for too long, so it’s ultimately up to you if you go strapless, sleeveless, or tea length. If experiencing even short-term cold is a concern, consider choosing a warmer material for your gown, throwing on a wrap, opting for closed-toe shoes (or even bridal booties), and sneaking warm tights on underneath your dress.
Myth 4: You won’t be able to have your dream flowers.
We’ll be completely honest with you. Of course seasonal flowers that don’t have to be flown in from abroad will be cheaper to source. But if your heart is set on peonies during your January wedding, it is possible to get them almost year-round. You just have to leave slightly more room in your floral budget. That said, gone are the days when poinsettias were your only option at a wintertime wedding. Now plenty of blooms like roses, tulips, gerbera daisies and ranunculus in every shade possible are widely available during the winter season for a reasonable price.
Myth 5: Your guests won’t like going to a winter wedding.
It’s actually quite the opposite. Given how many weddings take place during the summer, it may be quite a relief for your guests to have a wedding to look forward to in the colder months. If you’re having a destination wedding somewhere warm, it will just be an added bonus.
Myth 6: The food won’t taste good.
Similar to flowers, there’s a misconception that only summer’s and spring’s freshest can make a truly delicious dinner spread. While you might be limited in some produce (think peaches or artichokes), there will be plenty of other seasonal fare to make it a true farm-to-table experience, if that’s what you’re after. Plus, winter is a great time to offer comfort foods that would otherwise be too heavy to serve, like a mashed potato bar or mac-and-cheese bites.
Myth 7: You have to stick to a winter palette or winter wonderland theme.
Admittedly, winter weddings and a winter wonderland theme often go hand-in-hand—but there’s no rule that says you have to stick to that. While candlelight and a colour palette of white and silver does set an enchanting scene for nuptials, you can get creative with your colour choices and decor. If, on the other hand, you’d like a more classic holiday scheme, you can also pull that off in a way that doesn’t scream Christmas. Just trade the traditional red and green combo for a more refined palette of burgundy and emerald. Or for whimsy, consider poppy and celadon as primary hues.
Source: theknot.com.
