Tips for Planning a Winter or Holiday Wedding

Planning a winter wedding can be a difficult task, but with proper planning and creativity, it can be a beautiful event. Snowy winter weather can lend a bit of romance to a winter wedding, so don't be afraid of the snow. As long as it doesn't derail guests from attending the wedding, look at it as a plus. You may be able to secure various discounts with vendors, due to having your wedding during the holiday season, so be sure to ask around. So, start planning your romantic, beautiful winter wedding, and keep the following in mind:

1. Choose a location that is comfortable for your guests.When trying to choose a location for my wedding, I had to consider the weather. With it being late November, the weather would be chilly, so I didn't want to go for an outside wedding. Even though a part of me wanted to. If you do decide to go for an outdoor wedding, you can choose a tent with windows and have heaters inside to keep guests warm. This was an option that I had at one facility that I wanted to go with that only did outdoor weddings. In the end, I went with a church and a banquet hall for my reception.

2. Book locations as early as possible. The earlier you book locations and set things in stone, the less stress you will have as the time approaches. Planning a wedding during a holiday can be very stressful, because many people are trying to shop for Christmas, or will be out of town, or have other engagements. Also, the sooner your church and reception sites are booked, then you can mail out invitations.

3. Mail out invitations on time. When planning a winter wedding, you definitely need to make sure that you mail out invitations on time, or you risk the chance of people already having an engagement to attend. I planned a wedding in a short time, and failed to mail the invitations out 8 weeks in advance. Instead, I mailed them out about 5 or 6 weeks, and there were a number of people who already had prior engagements, or planned to be out of town.

4. David's Bridal is great for bridesmaids dresses.I told my bridesmaids to choose floor-length, satin, pearl pink dresses. They could choose their own style of dress, but it had to have those three elements. All of my bridesmaids found their dresses easily and were able to choose a dress that flattered them.

5. Decorate a Christmas tree in your wedding colors.My colors were pink and silver and I included a Christmas tree decorated with pink roses and pink and silver ornaments hanging from the tree. Many guests raved on how beautiful the Christmas tree was and how it added a special touch to my wedding décor.

6. Wear comfortable shoes.I purchased off white, comfortable shoes at a local shoe store. Don't worry about not wearing white shoes after Labor Day. It doesn't apply to wedding shoes. At least, not in my book.

7. Prepare for bad weather. There could be chances of snowstorms or hail or icy roads on your wedding day. Prepare by keeping abreast of weather possibilities and plan accordingly. I know of weddings that proceeded despite mild snowstorms or hail. As long as all of the closest family members and friends are able to brave the weather, the show can go on. Use your own judgment to determine to proceed or postpone.

8. Incorporate holiday music into your reception music.

9. Choose a wedding dress with sleeves, or purchase a warm bridal shawl to wear while transitioning from the wedding site to the reception site.

10. Choose cute or unique Christmas ornaments for wedding favors. E.g. Christmas ornament ball with you and your spouse's name and wedding date engraved on it, in your wedding colors.

11. Decorate the reception site with lots of white lights, to add an elegant Christmas feel to your reception.

12. Book a limo for transportation from the wedding to the reception site and from there to your hotel. It makes for a very romantic ride.

13. Donate leftover food to a shelter as a holiday service.

14. Add snowflake ornaments and glittery ribbons to the food table and hang them from the ceiling.

15. Help keep floral costs at a minimum by choosing flowers that are in season, like roses, poinsettias, and lilies.