Winter is already one of the most popular times of year to get engaged with Christmas Day, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve regularly hitting the top spots for proposals. It’s also becoming an increasingly popular choice for weddings, with couples looking to save money and avoid the rush of peak wedding season when venues and suppliers can often be booked up years in advance.
Whether you want to create the perfect Christmas proposal or you’re planning the winter wedding of your dreams, there are lots of fantastic ways to incorporate the season into your celebrations.
The Ring
First things first, the all important ring! Diamond engagement rings suit any season and there is a range of styles to choose from, including solitaire rings featuring a single stone or halo rings, where a stone of your choice is surrounded by a circle of diamonds. Aquamarine is a popular gemstone known for having an icy blue tone that would suit a winter proposal or wedding beautifully.
You’ll also want to match the rest of your wedding jewellery to the season, whether through a special gemstone piece or the subtle sparkle of a diamond necklace or earrings.
The Dress
Winter brides have plenty of choice when it comes to their wedding dress. Whether you go for luxurious fabrics like silk, satin or velvet or nod to the opulence of the season with an all-over lace or beaded number, the options are endless. Not only that but winter brides can also accessorise to their heart’s content with capes, wraps, soles or shawls. You could even incorporate winter colours into your bridal party outfits, whether that’s rich red and green hues, shimmering metallics or shades of blue.
The Food
Winter is synonymous with delicious food and having a winter wedding means you can lean into the very best of the season. You might want to serve your guests mulled wine and hot chestnuts or give homemade cookies or candy canes as wedding favours. There are also plenty of drink options, including winter cocktails and mocktails or a boozy hot chocolate station.
The Décor
Deciding on a colour palette for your winter wedding is essential for planning your wedding venue décor. You could go for an evergreen look with winter ferns against a classic white backdrop or stick to crisp white and blue like a frosty winter’s day. Opulent shades like gold and silver work well when paired with black or white. Or you could make a nod to Christmas with green or red accents.
The Location
Location is key for your winter wedding. This will largely be dictated by your budget and the type of wedding you want, plus the number of guests you’re inviting and how easily they’ll be able to reach your chosen venue.
If you want a truly white wedding, you may need to be prepared to travel. Getting married in Austria, Finland and parts of Canada will mean snow guaranteed but there are also places in the UK where you could increase your chances of having snowfall (or at least ground frost!) on your big day, such as The Scottish Highlands.
The Finishing Touches
There’s no denying that a winter wedding can present some challenges. For one thing, you’ll need to find ways to keep yourselves and your guests warm during the ceremony and reception. You might want to consider providing guests with cosy blankets and a warm drink on arrival at the venue.
If your guests will be bundled up in coats and winter woollies, then a cloakroom where they can store their outdoor wear is essential. You’ll also need to consider the practicalities of travelling in bad weather and try to ensure that your ceremony, reception and accommodation are as close together as possible.
Many couples hope for a crisp, cold winter’s day for their wedding, or possibly even snowfall but if you’re getting married in the UK, you’ll need to be prepared for the possibility of rain too! Investing in clear or white wedding umbrellas and ensuring your bridal makeup is waterproof means you’ll still look wonderful in your wedding photos no matter what the weather.
