A winter wedding can be beautiful and unique—what better way to start the new year than with a new life together? Here are a few tips to make sure your winter wedding is as wonderful as possible.

Timing is Everything

The holiday season can be crowded with commitments: Family trips, holiday events, and get-togethers are often planned months in advance. Before setting your wedding date, check with important guests and relatives to see if they’ve made prior commitments that would prevent them from attending. It might be best to pick a date at least two weeks before Christmas, or else one that falls after the first of the year so out-of-town guests won't needlessly pay higher airline fees.

 

On the other hand, if lots of family members are already planning a holiday visit, having your wedding while everyone is still gathered is a great way to celebrate your marriage!

 

Have Fun with Wedding Attire

If your style is a bit modern and funky, a winter wedding was made for you. The current trend is to be creative when planning the wedding party’s wardrobe: Winter boots, fake furs, mufflers, and fluffy hats all add an appropriately fun touch to even the most elegant wedding.

 

Take Advantage of Turnkey Décor

Many churches, inns, reception halls, and other venues are already beautifully decorated for the season. Because decorating for your wedding and reception comprises such a large part of your overall budget, you can save money by taking advantage of what’s already in place; there’s no reason to re-gild the lily.

 

Request photos from the previous year to see what the venue looks like decked out for the holidays; anything you dislike can be removed and put back in place after the ceremony. Using what’s already in place for the season, however, can significantly lower the decorating costs for your wedding or reception. Even if you choose to add more flowers or other personal touches, you’ll have plenty of money left in your budget to splurge on food, wine, or even the honeymoon.