Seasons of Love: Winter Weddings

If saving money and planning with ease are your goals, a winter wedding is for you. With the popularity of spring and fall weddings, most desirable locations are booked months, even years in advance. A busy public garden or large church will not be able to accommodate you with only a few months notice during most months of the year. However, a winter wedding sidesteps this issue.

Why would you want a winter wedding, you ask? If you are the kind of person who stands in delighted awe before a lit Christmas tree or stands in a warm bundle of scarf and mittens in the middle of the first snow with your tongue sticking out in hopes of catching a flake, you have answered your own question. Winter is a magical time for weddings. The snow, or even just the frost on windows, can make an indoor venue come to life with a kind of fairy tale beauty.

From theme weddings to something more traditional, a winter wedding may be just the thing to bring some magic into your day. Here are some things to remember when planning a winter wedding so that everything goes smoothly:

• Since one of the first things you shop for is your dress, remember to keep in mind the weather when you try on various styles. Sleeveless and off the shoulder styles are very popular, and you do not have to give up this trend simply because the weather outside is chilly. A shawl or bolero jacket, even a full-length coat in matching satin or silk is a beautiful accessory for your gown and will enable you to still look elegant when outdoors or in cool rooms. Gloves are also an excellent option, as is a headpiece that covers more of your hair than a simple tiara. When you remove your cover up, elbow length gloves make an off the shoulder or cap-sleeved dress look classic.
• If you live in an area where there is likely to be snow on the ground, be sure that the walkways and driveways leading to your ceremony and reception locations are clear. It is advisable to hold these ceremonies in the same place to avoid submitting your out of town guests to any hazardous winter driving they may not be accustomed to. While grandma may have been driving these roads for years, your grooms aunt from Texas may have a harder time on snowy streets.
• Finally, keep your decorations simple and take advantage of the cooler weather. This is the perfect time to decorate with ice sculptures. They can be placed at each table or used on the cake table only. Remember that the more you compliment the season, the more the season will compliment you.