Embrace the chill with these fab winter wedding ideas. Taken from a real bride’s view, they’re just the ticket for an inspirational big day!
Christmas is, of course, one of the most magical times to get married. And with the chance of snow, you can dream of the most spectacular, romantic occasion, with dreamy photographs to match.
My sister Juliette got married on the 29th of December, in an old stone Somerset village church. Snow lay all around us, the weather was bright but freezing cold – surely the best kind of British weather… Her reception took place in a marquee within a barn and the decorations were symbolic of everything lovely about that time of year.
What made Juliette’s wedding so wonderful was, of course, all her lovely family and friends, but here are some great winter wedding ideas that you could use to make your own big day just as magical.
Fabulous florals
Juliette’s florist team created huge balls of mistletoe, ivy and holly that hung from the ceiling of the marquee. There were six of them in total, like giant baubles.
Each table centre consisted of a mini Christmas tree, complete with flashing lights and a different colour theme. So cool.
On arrival at the reception, guests were given mulled wine. A warming and delicious treat for cold guests.
What to wear?
Juliette wore a beautiful white fluffy wrap which was created for her by her bridal retailer – Ellie Sanderson in Beaconsfield. It looked so lovely in wedding photographs, and the bridesmaids wore coloured versions of the same design to match their dresses.
The bride wore wedding wellies – one of the great winter wedding ideas! Again, brilliant for photographs and so comfortable to wear during the ceremony and to walk up to the church through the snowy streets. She slipped into her Rainbow Club shoes when she arrived arrived at the reception.
Be flexible
While the weather made the perfect setting for a gorgeous Christmas wedding, it also meant that there were some guests who couldn’t make it. Around 10 guests were snowed in, or their travel efforts were hampered by a restricted train service. Juliette decided at the last minute to invite friends of our parents who lived in the village rather than let the food go to waste.
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Christmas is all about lights and sparkle, so think tinsel, twinkly fairy lights strung around the church and the marquee and detail on your dress. Twinkle twinkle little star!
Bear in mind that access to the wedding might be difficult. It’s always worth contacting local people with tractors and 4x4s if you’re planning a winter wedding. Check the forecast in the days leading up to the big day and make sure that your main suppliers are sorted.
Finishing touches
The festive period is awash with seasonal decorations, so why not incorporate the festive feel in your own big day – See the video below for great ideas on how to do this.
Protect your day
Wedding insurance is crucial if the weather might affect your wedding, whatever time of year. Don’t be upset if snow or floods affect your plans – it’s one of the risks of planning a winter wedding in the UK. Even heavy rain can lead to spectacular photographs – colourful umbrellas look great in pictures.
Christmas carols are gorgeous at church services – the bonus being that most people know the words. And there’s no better way of warming up than a good old singalong.
