Why you might want to consider a winter wedding
Remember how we talked about engagement season? Well, there is also a wedding season. I swear it’s true!
Peak wedding season tends to run from summer into early fall. While the most popular wedding month varies year to year, the wedding season tends to stay within that summer to fall range.
Personally, I got married in July. While it was beautiful sunny weather, it was also over 90 degrees and the event was outside. Our ceremony had zero shade and our poor guests were SWEATING and also getting sunburned as we said our vows. It was serious work to spend the day in that heat in a corseted wedding gown. Also, the bugs. My dress had this swooped tulle that was visually stunning to me and also apparently the bugs. They kept getting trapped in my dress (see below for a photo of my cousin meticulously picking the bugs out of my dress).
My sweet cousin picking the bugs out of my wedding dress #summerweddingproblems
I know…probably not the dreamy summer wedding photo you would expect from most wedding blogs. You’ll learn I’m not a big sugar coater and I also love having all the information. If I had known about the bugs and the dehydration of a July wedding, I might have chosen a different month. Seriously though, bugs in your dress? These are the things no one tells you about summer weddings.
Of course, pick whatever wedding month you and your partner want - I’m just making sure you know all the ups and downs of the options. It seems other couples might be catching on to this whole summer-weddings-aren’t-quite-the-dream-you-think-they-are concept. In 2022, in a survey of 12,000 participants, October was the most popular wedding month. The crisp autumn weather, the bold leaf colors, the bright skies - Okay fall…
While getting married during the wedding season has the benefit of warmer weather and it can also be easier for guests who are traveling to take vacation time to join the festivities, there is a benefit (or five) to getting married in the “off season”.
I didn’t attend my first winter wedding until 2017. The moment I was onsite for the event, I was sold. The wedding took place on a beautiful farmland outside of Memphis, Tennessee in December. It was a chilly day, though not unbearable. The ceremony took place outside. The bridesmaids wore these stunning red shawls to help keep them warm. I may or may not have sat behind a cousin who was sharing their whiskey with those around them (another option to help you warm up quickly). I totally would’ve participated in this, had I not been over 7 months pregnant. The cocktail hour was also outside. There were heat lamps and warm appetizers. Then we all headed over to the rustic barn for the reception. There was a huge fireplace with garland on the mantle, and this stunning twinkle light arch. Like I said, this wedding really sold me on the off season wedding idea.
My family + the magical twinkle arch
Let me tell you 5 reasons why winter weddings can be fabulous:
Budget + Less Competition
Florals + Decor
Food + Drinks
Photography
Music
Budget + Less Competition
If you’re looking for ways to reduce your wedding costs, having it during the off season might just be the way to go. Venue rentals tend to come down in the winter months (also on weekdays, if you’re wanting to save even more!). Consider looking into your venue of choice and comparing their summer versus winter pricing. The difference might be enough to have you consider a winter wedding.
In addition to saving money, saying “I do” in the snow season also comes with less competition for venues, florists, photographers, caterers…basically all vendors. It will be easier to find vendors to use in the off season. In the summer/fall season, you’ll likely only get a few dates to choose from with your venue. Looking into a winter wedding might be a good idea if you want more date options.
Not sold on a wintry wedding yet? Let’s talk about florals and decor…
Florals + Decor
There are a lot of things that go into a wedding, the design part is my ABSOLUTE favorite though. I could care less about the food (even though we’ll talk about that in a minute), as long as the centerpieces are stunning, I’m happy. With a winter wedding, your flower choices might feel limited at first (note: you can get any flower you want, but in the winter, it’ll cost you more to access those beautiful Dahlias you’ve been dreaming about). But don’t let this discourage you. While Dahlias might not be the ideal winter choice, the off season opens up a whole new selection of floral and greenery options. Think garlands, holly, mistletoe (how fitting is that for a wedding?!?) - the options are unique and endless.
Pine Tree Seedling Wedding Favor + Birchwood Place Holder (styled by yours truly!)
Same goes for decor. You can bring in things that you would normally never see in a typical wedding. Want mini Christmas trees as the centerpiece? Go for it! A glass vase filled with gold and silver ornaments and birchwood? Done. A wreath with candle votives in the center? So cozy and elegant. If you're looking to push beyond the traditional designs you see and really get creative, winter weddings are a great place to do that!
Food + Drinks
I know I said I could care less about the food and I really could (ask my older sister and she’ll go on and on about how boring my wedding food was). Even still, I think food and drinks can be a fun way to infuse more personality and creativity into your wedding. Note - an outdoors summer wedding leaves limited food options (especially if you’re outside). In the winter, you’ll likely be indoors with access to things like electricity and burners to keep food warm.
Winter weddings are a great place to bring comfort food into play. Tomato soup with grilled cheese, mini applewood bacon macaroni cups, baked brie spread on fresh bread…whoops, sorry I just drooled a little on my keyboard!
Don’t even get me started on the drinks! Eggnog, candy cane martinis, mulled wine, a hot chocolate bar. Anyone who knows me knows I am a hot chocolate fanatic and during the holidays, I drink candy cane martinis on the regular. Dang! Maybe I should have gotten married in the winter.
Photo Credit: Candy Cane Martini
Photography
Wedding photography can feel a little stale at times (I know I just made every wedding photographer cringe). It’s not their fault. There’s only so many ways you can take a shot of a summer wedding. The winter though? It brings so many options. Backlit photos with the snow falling, chilling on a ski lift, blankets and fur shawls, writing in the snow, cozying up by the fire, making snow angels…the list goes on. I love this photo below from this couple’s elopement, perfectly captured by Lauren Neely Photography.
The winter brings a new element of excitement to wedding photos, especially when it’s actively snowing.
Photo Credit: Lauren Neely Photography
Music
My final plea for you to consider a winter wedding is the music. Yes, the music. When I went to my first winter wedding back in 2017, it was a delightful surprise to hear “The Christmas Song” in between “We are family” and “Shout!”. I had never even thought of the possibility of hearing a Christmas song during a reception, until I was in the middle of enjoying a winter wedding.
Also, I LOOOOOVEEEE the Avett Brothers and they have a song called “January Wedding” (you’re welcome). If I got married in January, I would 100% be playing that song at the wedding.
Me + My Husband at The Avett Brothers Concert (July 2023) - Outlaw Field in Boise, ID
So basically, if you have no idea what time of year you and your partner want to get married, I feel I’ve made a pretty good case for considering the winter season for your special day.
Whether you’re trying to keep to a budget or you’re just wanting to spice things up with something unique and magical, a winter wedding might be perfect for you and your love.
Craving more winter wedding ideas? I have made a whole Pitnerest board just for you, complete with categorized sections (naturally). Check it out here
Keep loving + keep creating,
Amanda Jean
