Baby, it’s cold outside. But before you reach for the nearest blanket and your ugg boots, consider celebrating your love story in the cooler months. Winter weddings rock. They are filled with dark, rich earthy colour tones, candles, warm nourishing food and rocking dancefloor antics.
Convinced? Not quite?
Why Winter weddings rock
Here’s some of the top reasons to consider cooler climate nuptials.
Access discounts and bonus inclusions
Most wedding venues offer “off peak” wedding discounts. That’s because they are not nearly as busy in Winter months as they are in Summer and Autumn months (their peak wedding season). So when you are touring venues, ask them specifically whether they offer discounts and note the dates when these discounts apply.
The other thing you’ll notice is that venues often offer extra inclusions in their Winter packages. For example, they might offer an additional cocktail during cocktail hour, additional menu items or more luxurious drinks packages.
Better venue availability
Popular wedding venues book up quickly. In fact, many venues are booked up to 18 months in advance of high season wedding dates. But you are unlikely to struggle with availability if you choose to marry in Winter. Yep, that means you are more likely to snag that prized Saturday night you’ve always dreamed of.
The global pandemic certainly hasn’t helped matters when it comes to wedding venue availability. Venues are not only scheduling weddings for newly engaged couples, but also trying to find new dates for couples who’ve had to postpone their weddings throughout 2020 and 2021.
So, if you have your heart set on a particular venue, then why wait years to book it for warmer months?
Book a Winter wedding instead and you’ll be saying I DO before you know it.
More energised wedding guests
Wedding season can be tiring. Let’s face it. Weekend after weekend of weddings eventually wears you down.
BUT when you get married in the cooler months, your guests are going to be beside themselves to be out and about. They’ll be super excited to be leaving their tracky dacks and ugg boots at home to head out, dance and celebrate your wedding with family and friends.
Imagine the dancefloor antics and buzz at your wedding when guests are feeling energised and ready to party.
No risk of a heatwave
Can you remember the last wedding you went to in Summer? Everyone has a story about how heat nearly melted guests into their chairs. And that feeling of being overheated and sweaty in formal wear, desperate for a formal breeze. This is not a situation you or your guests will face when you have a Winter wedding.
Don those heavy suits and gowns with no concerns whatsoever. You can guarantee that your wedding party, family and friends will feel comfortable in their party threads when you choose a Winter wedding.
Tips for creating cooler climate weddings that ROCK
When you have a Winter or cooler climate wedding you need to embrace the colder weather. And there are some creative and innovative ways to delight your guests (and yourselves) on your wedding day. Here’s just a few ideas to get you started:
Ceremony additions
Embrace the cooler weather and include some warm blankets for your guests to snuggle under during your ceremony
Candles and moody lighting
Nothing says romance like glowing candles in the dark night. Check in with your venue to understand their candles policy (some will say that candles need to be enclosed) and then work out how you can use candles to create a breathtaking celebration space
Slippers for the dancefloor
It’s common in Summer to offer a flip flop/thongs bar for guests who plan to carve up the dancefloor. In Winter, why not gift soft, comfy slip on slippers instead. That means guests will have warm feet as they dance the night away
Offer umbrellas
Not only will umbrellas make your guests feel more comfortable but they make for AWESOME photos. Clear umbrellas look particularly awesome
Celebrate with warm cocktails
Consider incorporating a warm, smoky cocktail into your cocktail hour or reception. This can be offered when guests arrive, during speeches or towards the end of the evening
Offer nourishing food options
There is no better time to provide nourishing food at your wedding reception than in Winter. Opt for slow cooked comfort food and warm late evening snacks to keep guest bellies warm and full
Create atmosphere
There are loads of ways to add a little more atmosphere to your Winter wedding. Choose a venue with a roaring open fireplace and cosy corners filled with comfortable lounges for guests to sit and chat.
Outdoor fire pits are also a great addition to any Winter wedding. Imagine guests toasting marshmallows or s’mores whilst sitting under warm blankets.
Extra things to consider when you have a Winter wedding
Location, location
It doesn’t always make sense to get married outdoors when you have a Winter wedding. To maximise guest comfort, choose a venue where you can get married on site and then continue the party straight afterwards.
That means that if the weather is inclement, guests don’t need to dash from one location to another, making their way through wild weather.
Have a Plan B
If your grand plan is to get married amidst the fog in a forest in the middle of Winter make sure you have a plan B. Don’t get me wrong. As a wedding planner I’d do everything I could to ensure that you married outdoors. But let’s say hail or wild winds suddenly hits. You need a Plan B. So make sure that wherever you plan to marry has a back up indoor location to say your I Dos.
Lighting
There are so many ways to play with lighting for a Winter wedding. Candles, chandeliers, neon signs, lamps – they all work beautifully in Winter. Be creative and create a gorgeous, moody space that guests will adore partying in.
Heating
If you plan to marry outdoors, think about how you can keep your guests warm. Rugs, blankets and outdoor heaters should be your first port of call. No one wants freezing cold guests.
Check out prospective photographer and videographer work before you book
Any professional photographer or videographer worth their weight will have shot Winter weddings before.
But make sure that you check out their work before you engage them to make sure you love the way they capture Winter shots. Superstars will create moody, loved up images filled with mystique, intrigue and know how to create a sense of fun in the most Wintery weather.
Planning a Winter wedding and need a hand? Get in touch. I would love to help you create your dream wedding day incorporating gorgeous surprises for your guests to create a wedding you’ll never forget.
Live in Melbourne? Here’s some Melbourne Winter Wedding Wonders
Each week I tour Melbourne’s wedding venues so you don’t have to. Having done the ground work for you, here’s a few venues that offer the perfect backdrop for your Winter wedding.
Port Phillip Estate
With vineyard views for miles, Port Phillip Estate offers an abundance of luxury. This divine venue will have your wedding guests basking in the glow and warmth of not one but two fireplaces, effortlessly built into the space.
Butterfly Red Hill
With a HUGE outdoor fire pit on this 4 acre property, Butterfly Red Hill offers the perfect backdrop for your Winter wedding. Set on 4 acres you can linger longer, taking advantage of their wedding packages that offer accommodation so you can create a mid Winter wedding festival at this gorgeous property . Marry beside the flames or seek refuge in the historical Art Gallery space and treat your guests to an indulgent Winter feast.
Melbourne Supper Club
Thinking of a smaller celebration with family and friends? Renowned for its oozing charm, luxurious, distinctly European setting, chesterfield lounges and ridiculously gorgeous large circular bay window, the Melbourne Supper Club is the perfect Winter option for Melbourne couples ready to say I DO.
Canvas House
Want to build your own Winter wedding wonderland? Canvas House in South Melbourne is an awesome choice. Bring in your own suppliers and caterers who can have full use of all of the equipment that they have on site and utilise their modern fireplace to create an epic Winter vibe.
It’s the perfect spot for guests to mingle and chat as they take a break from the dancefloor and celebrate your love.
Important note: I love showcasing Melbourne wedding venues, visionaries and creatives. Hey Lovers doesn’t have any formal affiliation, commercial arrangement or commission in place with the businesses showcased in this blog – we simply want to share the love.
Need a hand planning your wedding? If you’re recently engaged or just struggling in a wedding planning rut, I can help. From on the day wedding coordination services through to full wedding planning, Hey Lovers will help you create your dream wedding without stress and anxiety. Get in touch today to hear how.