The frosty, glistening white months of the winter season provide great times to get married. This time of year allows brides to be festively creative with their special day. Here are some particular things to consider when planning your winter wedding. 

For winter brides, the date is especially important because many of your guests travel for the holidays. If your wedding isn’t on Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s Day, be cautious of setting your date too close to the actual holiday. However, if you’re planning a Christmas wedding, give your guests extra time to evaluate their holiday plans. The beginning of December is usually a better time for guests as opposed to the end. If you give your guests enough time to plan accordingly most will be able to make it.

The venue throws brides a twist if cold temperatures are likely. While you may want to hold your ceremony outdoors and hope for a snowy evening under the twinkling stars, you should consider having an indoor reception. It’s very difficult for your guests to enjoy your wedding when they’re forming icicles. Look for banquet halls with adjacent gardens or large outdoor areas. This way, you can have a starlight celebration outside and head indoors for some fun in the heat. For example, the Volunteer Princess is an ideal venue for winter weddings. You and your guests will be indoors (in the heat) without having to comprise on scenery. Talk about a win/win situation!

Putting creative touches on the menu gives you the chance to showcase your style. A unique idea for winter weddings is a hot chocolate bar. Set up hot chocolate dispensers at one end of the bar, and have different toppings and garnishes next to it. Whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles, marshmallows, cinnamon or cinnamon sticks are delicious ways to dress up hot chocolate. 

Try serving warm cocktails, such as an apple cider margarita [*see below for the recipe!]. Drinks such as this allow guests to stay warm while enjoying the party. Also, consider having a soup bar. Soup is a winter staple; it tastes great and will keep your guests warm inside! Be sure to have several different kinds available and serve with crackers or toasted bread.

The majority of your posed pictures are probably going to be taken outside. With that being said, you should lay out a plan for the different poses you will capture and who will be in each picture. Because it will be cold outside, it will be much less painful for you and your bridal party and are able to get out of the cold as quickly as possible. 

Being prepared for bad weather is crucial for winter weddings. If a snowstorm were to happen during the ceremony or reception, you need to have a plan of what your bridal party and guests will do. Remember, safety first! If ice is likely to be a problem, valet parking is a great solution. Your guests won’t have to walk far in the cold, and you won’t have to have an emergency trip to the hospital because someone slipped on ice.

All weddings cause stress for brides, but if you remember these winter points, you should be in the clear. Have fun, take pictures and hope for snow (but not too much…)

* Here is a great recipe for apple cider margaritas from How Sweet Eats 

1 ounce Grand Marnier
1 ounce gold tequila
5-6 ounces sweet apple cider
Orange segments and apple slices
Cinnamon, cane sugar and coarse sugar for the glass rim
Cinnamon sticks for garnish

Add a few spoonfuls of cane sugar, coarse sugar and cinnamon to a plate. Run an orange segment around the edge of the glass, then press into the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat the rim. Place a few orange slices in the bottom of the glass, fill with ice and then add the Grand Marnier, tequila and apple cider. Stir, then garnish with apple slices and cinnamon sticks. Enjoy!