You’re engaged — congratulations! I hope your partner surprised you with a beautiful engagement ring.
No doubt everyone and their dog will now be asking you if you’ve set a date for the wedding yet — every single time you see them!
You’ve probably been looking into it but choosing a date can be tough. There are pros and cons to every season, and in this article, we take a look at the benefits and drawbacks of planning a wedding for winter.
We’ll start with the positives then move onto the negatives, and leave you to make your mind up on if winter is the perfect time for you and your beloved to tie the knot.
The pros of a winter wedding
There are many positives to booking a winter wedding, which we have outlined below.
The cost can be significantly less
A huge pro is that winter weddings can end up being significantly cheaper. This is because venues and most suppliers will charge you less, due to it being a less popular time of the year to get married.
If you’re on a tight budget, midweek in winter is the way to go.
Don’t be afraid to bargain if you’re not happy with a price you’ve been quoted — most venues and suppliers would rather have something booked in than nothing, even if they’re not making as much profit as they would in summer.
It is something to look forward to in winter
Most couples choose spring, summer or autumn for their big day, so guests will be excited to attend a wedding in winter and enjoy an entirely different experience.
Also, it will get people out of their houses and socialising at a time of year when they tend to hibernate a little.
You’ll have a unique date
Your wedding will be unique and the chances of sharing your wedding date (and anniversary) with friends and family are slim.
However, do bear in mind that if you choose a date near Christmas or New Year, then your guests will have more than your wedding on their minds.
Winter is beautiful
Winter can be the most beautiful season. Imagine getting married inside a gorgeous country house when you can see snow falling outside through the window. With the right weather, winter could provide you with some breathtaking photographs to treasure forever.
The cons of a winter wedding
As with every season, there are some potential downsides to booking a winter wedding.
The weather might be bad
As with weddings at any time of year, the weather isn’t guaranteed, and so, while you may be imagining approaching the wedding venue in a horse-drawn carriage through crisp white snow, the reality could be very different. Be prepared for grey skies, rain, sleet, hail and fog.
While you could get a rain shower at a summer wedding, the chances are much higher in winter. Of course, you could give your chances of snow a boost by getting married abroad — Canada, New York and Switzerland are just a few ideas.
Fewer people may attend
Related to the weather, and depending on the location of your wedding, you may find that a winter wedding will result in fewer guests.
Some may decline the invite with their RSVP and others may end up dropping out at the last minute due to the weather.
Bad weather can impact on travel, and older and frailer guests may have to prioritise their health over attending your nuptials.
The wedding might be called off
Your wedding might be cancelled altogether. If the weather is terrible, nobody will be able to make it to the wedding — including you, your guests, the staff at the venue, florists, DJs, photographers, and so on.
There’s no predicting the weather, especially if you’re organising the wedding a year or so in advance, so you must purchase wedding insurance when booking a winter wedding.
I also recommend speaking to each of your suppliers, to check what happens if the wedding is cancelled due to bad weather. Do this before you book with them or place an order.
Some aspects could cost more
Not everything costs less when booking a winter wedding. Flowers, for example, are harder to source in the winter months.
Additionally, travel tends to be costly over the festive season, so check prices for both wedding guests and your honeymoon before booking your big day.
The wedding is indoors
This may not bother you, but it’s worth noting that a winter wedding will be entirely indoors.
The weather might make smokers a little grumpy when they need to brave the cold, as well as anyone who fancies some fresh air.
However, a few glasses of champagne may help warm your guests up, ready for their outdoor adventures!
While planning your wedding, don’t forget to browse our selection of wedding rings online or in-store.
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