Fun and festive winter wedding ideas
As someone who got married in December in the snow covered French Alps, I’m a fan of winter weddings. Many couples prefer to get married in spring or summer, hopeful for sunshine and smiles, but winter can be the perfect time to get married and winter weddings are just as magical as their summer counterparts.
Here are my top two reasons to have a winter wedding and 11 fun ideas for your winter wedding inspiration.
Availability
Many Devon venues are booked out over 12 months in advance for their summer weekend wedding dates. Booking a winter season wedding may mean you have more choice of dates, and even that you don’t have to wait as long to get married.
Affordability
It can be cheaper, for you and your guests, to have a winter wedding. Many venues and accommodation providers in Devon have seasonal pricing, which means that the summer months will be the most expensive time of the year to hire them. Tying the knot in the winter months may mean you can stretch your budget a little further than you might in peak holiday season.
Planning your winter wedding ceremony
Winter wedding ceremonies lend themselves to a cosy intimate feeling. With me as your wedding celebrant we can choose any venue, it doesn’t need to be licensed for weddings, perhaps you’ve a favourite cosy pub, local hall or other private venue that can host the winter wedding day of your dreams.
Choosing the perfect winter wedding venue
Here in Devon you’re spoilt for choice when looking for the perfect wedding venues, from the stunning country house beauty of The Deer Park or for a more intimate wedding you could choose a the traditional thatched cottage charm of Higher Eggbeer Farm or the Elizabethan charm of The Pig at Combe.
There are also many blank canvas wedding spaces and wedding barns that you can be the perfect venue let your imagination go wild and create a winter wonderland theme – perhaps even include some giant candy canes!
What to wear for your winter wedding day
Capes, cloaks and wraps
The eternal question – how to stay warm in the colder months when you’re wearing a beautiful wedding gown? Capes and wraps are the answer. They add a sense of flair, are gender neutral and are terrific fun to wear.
Velvet and jewel tones
Rich reds, dark greens and deep blues, the warm tones of winter colours and textures lend themselves to stunning combinations for your winter wedding outfits.
Green velvet jumpsuit from Nancy Mac (as worn by Gillian Anderson in season 1 of Sex Education)
Burgundy velvet suit from Xposed London
Seasonal winter flowers for your wedding
You may be surprised at the range of seasonal flowers available during winter, and of course it is the season of evergreens and bright berries.
Helebores, ranunculus and anemones all come in pale tones and jewel tones. Winter jasmine and paperwhite narcissus, for delicate white flowers or the bold statement of amaryllis. Combine them to create a stunning winter wedding bouquet.
Dried flowers with seed pods and seed heads and evergreens with pinecones all add a structural element to your wedding flowers.
Embrace seasonal decor
Winter decor is all about the sparkle and evergreen of festive season, and can you ever have too many fairy lights? I love Christmas decor and there are so many styles to choose from, traditional, contemporary, eclectic, not to mention the wonder of a Christmas tree. If you’re planning ahead, hit up the January sales the year before to grab some decor bargains to decorate your reception venue.
Use spices to create a sensory experience.
Winter is a time for spices, from the Pumpkin Spice of Autumn to the frankincense and myrrh offered by the magi at Bethlehem. Choose scented candles or fragrance diffusers in cinnamon, clove and ginger to add a sense of warmth to your ceremony spaces.
I particularly love these candles from Monday’s Moon And these from St Eva
Winter wedding cake
A traditional cake with its snow white icing lends itself to winter themes, though you might run the risk of it looking a little toooooo much like a Christmas cake, which might be your desire!
If traditional cake isn’t your thing, a deep rich chocolate cake lends itself to winter, or even a spicy carrot cake.
Decorate with frosted evergreen leaves or go for glitz of gold leaf decorations.
Hot chocolate station
Warm you wedding party and guests with a hot cocoa from a hot chocolate station with toppings galore to choose from and personalise their hot choc you could even give them hot chocolate kits as thank you presents.
Mulled wine and cider station
Winter is the time for hot booze, the mulled cider stand at Camden Market holds a special place in my heart.
Create a hot toddy station serving mulled wine and cider station for your guests, with mulled apple juice for the non-drinkers, or maybe create a signature hot cocktail for your drinks reception.
Hot chestnut station
Along with mulled wine, hot chestnuts are a standard of winter fayres and Christmas markets. Add a hot chestnut stall to your outside space or ask your venue to provide roasted chestnuts (open fire optional)
Have a blanket basket
I’m sure you’re venue will be well heated to cope with a British Winter, but someone always feels the cold and being wrapped up in a cosy fluffy blanket will keep your guests warm even in the draughtiest of indoor spaces.
Gingerbread
Houses, men, women, gnomes, deer, trees, you name it you can make it out of gingerbread.
It is perhaps, the most versatile of biscuits. Use it to create place holders, cake toppers, favours for guests, or just as delicious snacks for hungry revellers.
I hope you’ve enjoyed these winter wedding ideas and they’ve sparked some inspiration. I’m sure there are many more wonderful ways to create a unique and personal winter wedding.
If you’re planning a winter wedding for this 2024 or 2025 I’d love to talk to you about how I can create a wedding ceremony that will be at the centre of your day. Email me at [email protected] and let’s make a plan!
