Wedding planning is a complex logistical equation, marrying organized execution and spontaneous fun – while also marrying the two of you! While you can control many parts surrounding your big day, there are some things we simply need to work with and around, one of which being the season.

It’s important to keep in mind that there is no bad season to get married. Every season comes with its own set of pros and cons and create a different foundation to build your big day upon.

Winter weddings come with the hopes of fluffy snow, muted evergreens, and dramatic landscapes covered in white. Winter weddings also give us the opportunity to trade pastels for more complex color palettes, incorporate comfort food into our meals, and layer warm fabrics into our attire. With all the great things complimenting winter weddings, there are also some things to keep in mind when planning your winter wedding day.

Daylight

One of the most overlooked things in the early steps of winter wedding planning is accommodating an early sunset. Here in Ohio, sunset can be as early as 4:30pm, leaving the time for outdoor photos limited to the first part of the day. The good news is there are simple fixes to this issue. Planning a morning ceremony and giving yourself ample time for travel and wedding photos prior to the reception, or incorporating a first look earlier in the day to take care of the wedding party photos while we have daylight, are easy ways to work around this issue and ensure we have the best shot at getting great outdoor photos. Check out our First look vs. Aisle Reveal post for more details surround that option.

Another way to remedy daylight is to choose an indoor location for photos that doesn’t rely on daylight. Having an indoor location for photos keeps everyone warm, dry, and makes daylight less of an issue for wedding party photos.

Competition with other holidays

Aside from not wanting your wedding to land on an established holiday, you also need to take into account how those holidays effect the decor and availability of your potential venues. New Years events are typical some of the hardest events to schedule and coordinate due to the high demand for the date and overwhelming demand for alcohol, food, and accommodations.

Other holidays to keep in mind while picking your wedding date:

  • Hanukkah – December (Changes year to year in accordance with the Hebrew calendar)
  • Christmas – December 25
  • Kwanzaa – December 26 – January 1
  • New Year’s Eve – December 31
  • New Year’s Day – January 1
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Third Monday of January
  • Super Bowl Sunday – First or second weekend in February
  • Valentines Day – February 14

Travel

Wedding day is a monster that feeds on time and efficiency. Anything that takes 5 minutes will generally take 10 on wedding day and there isn’t much that can be done to avoid it. For that reason we plan for it and work with it.

Not only do you need to travel on wedding day, but your guests are against potentially tough driving conditions and others on the road. Whether you choose to leave flexibility in the form of time buffers to accommodate potentially prolonged travel or choose a single venue for both your ceremony and reception, be sure to plan extra time for everyone to get around.

Temperatures

I am sure we all know winter comes with colder weather but most overlook the amount of time you can be outside for those beautiful winter photos. Choosing heavier fabrics for the groomsmen and incorporating shawls into your bridesmaids’ attire keeps everyone warm and adds elegance and style to your photos.

Snow melts and makes things wet

This is another one of those things everyone knows but often gets overlooked while planning. Have your wedding party bring an extra pair of shoes and socks to ensure the snowy wedding party photos don’t turn into soggy dancing shoes during your reception. It’s an easy way to keep everyone in good spirits through the whole day.

Coats and Boots

Your guests will be traveling much heavier than they do in the summer time. Knowing everyone will have jackets, hats, and boots to keep them warm during their travels, its always a great idea to ensure they have a coat check to offload those things; otherwise, those things find their way onto your perfectly decorates tables, chairs, and corners of your reception.

Cost of Flowers

Between holiday spending and wedding day expenses, budgeting is very important. If you have a specific flower in mind for your bouquet, it’s important to check with your florist to ensure it will be available and if there are any extra charges to get an out-of-season flower. Sticking to flowers that are in-season or opting for fake floral arrangements is a good way to combat seasonal availability and higher costs.

With a bit of planning and finesse, avoiding some potential hiccups for your winter wedding becomes extremely streamlined. Like anything else, it’s always a great idea to use the resources available to you (in this case the knowledge and experience of your chosen vendors) to ensure no stone is left unturned in your planning process.

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