The Pros and Cons of Winter Weddings
PLEASE. The thing about me is that I am a winter girl through-and-through. And I can’t think of anything I personally find more beautiful than the city in the winter. That being said - I know it’s not for everyone but I’m here to plead my case. But of course, as with any situation, there are pros and cons.
Pros:
Your dream vendors have a higher chance of being available for your date. For a lot of us, this is our “slow season” and many dates (except for NYE or Valentine’s Day) are often open. Some professionals may even have competitive pricing for an off-season wedding.
There is room to be creative. I think there is a misconception that winter weddings have to be dark or moody but that’s not the case. They can be filled with warmth - classic hues of gold, red, orange, or whites. And your flower of choice doesn’t reside in only poinsettias or greenery. White roses, candlelit tables, an a warmer menu are something I have seen incorporated into winter wedding days that can make any cold day feel comforting.
You won’t be gambling on the weather. It can be assumed it’s going to be cold so you’ll plan for your event to be indoors. The worry of “will it rain, will it not” won’t really come into play here. Of course, there’s always a concern for ice or snow, but if your guests are close, snow might be a welcomed addition to your day.
Don’t even get me started on the fashion! Winter allows for so much wiggle room. You can play with different textures, colors, and patterns that might not be suitable for summer. Furs, velvets, dark silks, tweed, and wool are what come to mind first. Plus, cold weather means layers for suits and other formalwear. Dresses with sleeves of all sorts would not be out of place and the opportunity to add a chic jacket, cape, or wrap leaves the possibilities endless when it comes to bridal attire. And did someone say gloves? Let’s add them to the mix.
Lastly, the lack of sweat and bugs is all I need to say to stand by the opinion that this is a pro for winter weddings.
Cons:
If you don’t like the cold, this is probably not for you. Enough said? I think so.
You most likely have to have your event indoors. Unless you and your guests want to go outside for a ceremony, you will have to consider the limitations of your venue space. While this can present challenges, I think a lot of venues do take it upon themselves to make their spaces as inviting, cozy, and stunning as possible for a winter wedding as much as summer.
The sun is not your friend in the winter. If you are looking for natural light, you’ll have until ~5:00 PM on most winter days, and that’s assuming there are no clouds. This can pose a threat to your pictures if you are looking for that warm sunlight or even golden hour photos depending on how you time your ceremony. However, you can always work with your photographer and wedding planner to accommodate your needs and build a timeline that works with these limitations.
Circling back to the pro I mentioned about weather - the con here is that, yes. It could snow or ice on your wedding day and that will leave a lot of people wary of commuting to your event. While the snow may be beautiful, we all know it poses its own dangers.
Do I have you convinced? What is your dream wedding season? If you’re looking for someone to brave the cold with you, don’t wait to reach out. I’ve got my coat on.
