Top Tips for Planning your Winter Wedding

While many brides (and grooms) dream of a summer wedding, having your wedding in winter can be a great option. Winter weddings can be cheaper than in the summer due to less demand, and a winter wonderland, or even a Christmas theme can give a magical feel.

There are lots of things to take into consideration, not least the winter climate. Top of the list, particularly for the bride and guests will be what to wear for a winter wedding. You should always bear in mind the weather and style your dress accordingly. Short sleeves and strappy sandals are probably not going to be an option, particularly if the church is a bit chilly or you’re having photos outdoors. Instead of regretting not being able to have a summery dress, embrace it! There are lots of really nice winter style dresses and shoes. Long sleeves are really fashionable at the moment, and you can accessorise with wraps and fur-trimmed cloaks which you can shed once things start to warm up.

Transport is another consideration. Winters are more likely to provide a challenge to you and your guests, especially if snow sets in. Think about how you are going to get to and from the church and reception, and make contingency plans should the weather take a turn for the worse. If you want snow to add a bit of winter magic and it doesn’t look like it will happen, then look into hiring a snow machine.

Winter-themed food is the way to go at the reception. Not many people want salads and canapés in the winter season, so consider serving more seasonal food like roast vegetables, a hog roast, and mince pies. Talk to your caterer as they’ll have some good suggestions and will know what is popular.

Use inspiration from seasonal plants and flowers for your bouquet and centrepieces. Holly is the flower of domestic happiness, and Mistletoe means affection. They both sound like great choices for a wedding. They are also both easy (and cheap) to get hold of in the winter – you can even pick some yourself and make your own decorations.

The best thing about a winter wedding is white. White is a perfect wedding colour, and winter provides the perfect excuse to have white everything. A Winter Wonderland theme looks amazing with lots of white and sparkle.

A white look is easy to achieve with choices from our fabulous indoor or outdoor wedding furniture hire collection. Drape white sheets around your venue, and use white fairy lights to add ambience. White tablecloths are pretty much standard stock at any venue, and white flowers are in abundance at this time of year. Furniture, such as this Louis Chair, adds class and even more white, and if your venue hasn’t got white furniture for you, then either hire it, or use white chair covers.

To make a bold statement, why not consider a dress other than white? A dark red dress against an all-white background will really show your guests who is the focus of attention for your special day. Match your dress to your seasonal flowers, and you have a simple effective theme to really make your winter wedding sparkle!

Whether you choose winter or summer, Rio Lounge have a wide range of outdoor wedding furniture hire and are on hand to make your day as special as it can be.