Everyone loves the idea of a winter wedding… cozy fires, twinkling lights, and festive decorations! It’s hard to go wrong with any of these ideas. While planning a dreamy winter wedding sounds like fun, it can be tricky and there are a few pitfalls that I want to make sure you look out for. Here are a few tips to make sure your winter wedding goes off without a hitch!
Timing!
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again (and probably again, haha), timing is a huge factor when it comes down to weddings – especially those that take place during the winter. The sun is setting by 4:00 pm, so if you’ve planned a church ceremony for 2:00 pm and the venue is a 40-minute drive away, you’re only going to have 15 minutes of daylight to work with for photos! Let’s hope your reception venue has a few lovely indoor spaces for photos but even so, nothing beats natural light.
Plan your ceremony for as early as possible and allow extra time! This will ensure that we have enough time to capture those gorgeous bridal portraits that you know I love and that you will cherish for a lifetime.
Keep travel limited.
If at all possible, keep travel to a minimum. Instead of having three locations involved in your plans for the day (your house, the church, the venue), consider only having two or even one location on the schedule. This means that your guests won’t be racing between locations in the cold and you’ll be able to relax instead of eating up your precious time with travel. One location will also limit the chances of icy roads or bad weather impacting your plans or your guest’s attendance. It’s a safer and easier option for everyone on your wedding day!
Wrap up!
It’s Ireland, so you know it’s going to be pretty damn cold in the winter time! The last thing you want to do is shiver through photos and the rest of your day, so invest in a warm wrap or stole to keep cozy and don’t forget about your bridesmaids! Trust me, they’ll thank you for thinking of them.
Send your invitations early.
The winter months are crazy busy for most people. They’re either traveling home, away on holidays, or their schedules are simply booked solid with special events. Be sure to give your guests a good amount of notice so that they will be able to attend your festive wedding!
Plan for the worst.
This really goes without saying for any season of the year in Ireland, but especially in the winter! A cold and crisp winter day is what everyone wants, but there’s a definite possibility that it will be raining, sleeting, or even… snowing. Plan ahead and don’t forget to bring umbrellas, coats, and suitable footwear for everyone in your wedding party! In the event of extreme weather, be sure to check with all of your suppliers in advance to make sure they’ll still be able to make it.
Find out what’s in season.
Flowers are a huge part of any wedding, so be sure to speak with your florist about what flowers are in season so that you don’t end up paying a fortune for out of season flowers that have to be shipped in for your winter wedding.
Embrace the season!
A winter wedding can look absolutely fantastic! Deep jewel tones and glitter can be encompassed into the look and style of your wedding day to accentuate the cold weather. Let your creative juices flow and go mad, from the table decorations to the colors of the bridesmaid dresses, it’s an excellent season to be inspired by!
These are just a few tips to help your winter wedding go off without a hitch. If you have any questions or are ready to chat about booking your own winter wedding photographer, please get in touch! Email me at info@silkephotograhy.ie and we’ll set up a time to chat. I can’t wait to hear what you have planned for your amazing winter wonderland event!
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