If an outdoor wedding in June was never going to be your thing, you’re in luck! Winter is becoming a more popular wedding season—and with good reason. White mountaintops and snow-covered scenery set a spectacular backdrop to say your vows against, and there’s no shortage of memorable photo ops (like the moment it starts slowly dusting during your first look, or when your spouse holds an umbrella for you as you step outside in the snowfall). Despite all of this, winter dates are still surrounded by a cloud of seasonal untruths. Here, we debunk some of the top winter wedding myths.
Myth 1: You can’t have an outdoor ceremony.
While weather can be trickier during wintertime, it’s nothing that heat lamps and tent covers can’t handle if your heart is set on a ceremony on top of a mountain or in a woodland clearing surrounded by snow-covered pine trees. Just keep your ceremony on the shorter side and let guests know the plan ahead of time on your wedding website so they can dress accordingly. You’ll also want to set up heaters (or an entire heated tent) and provide guests with shawls and hot drinks for the duration of the ceremony. Bonus if you can arrange sleigh rides or ski lifts that will take your guests to the reception afterward!
Myth 2: All of your pictures will be inside.
While snow and cold can limit the amount of time you spend taking photographs outdoors, use the chilly weather as an excuse to get close to your new spouse. Have gloves, a stylish cover-up or coat, and winter boots on hand for when you’re not shooting, or for those playful shots staged in the snow. The goose bumps will be well worth the photographs that you’ll get in the end. Don’t believe us? Check out these winter wedding photos from real couples who’ve done it.
Myth 3: You’ll have to wear a long-sleeve wedding dress.
While a long-sleeve wedding gown might be a natural choice for a winter wedding (it’s also a huge trend right now in bridal), there are brides who don full sleeves for their summer nuptials and vice versa. Chances are that you won’t be outside for too long, so it’s ultimately up to you if you go strapless, sleeveless or tea length. If experiencing even short-term cold is a concern for you, consider choosing a warmer material for your gown, throwing on a wrap, opting for close-toe shoes or even bridal booties and sneaking warm tights on underneath your dress.
Myth 4: You won’t be able to have your dream flowers.
We’ll be completely honest with you: Of course, seasonal flowers that don’t have to be flown in from abroad will be cheaper to source. But if your heart is set on peonies during your January wedding, it is possible to get them almost year-round. You just have to leave slightly more room in your floral budget. That said, gone are the days when poinsettias were your only option at a wintertime wedding. Now plenty of blooms like roses, tulips, gerbera daisies and ranunculus in every shade possible are widely available during the winter season for a reasonable price.
Myth 5: Your guests won’t like going to a winter wedding.
It’s actually quite the opposite. Given how many weddings take place during summertime, it may be quite a relief for your guests to have one less wedding to plan for then. If you’re having a destination wedding somewhere warm, it will be just that much of an added bonus.
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Myth 6: The food won’t taste good.
Similar to flowers, there’s a misconception that only summer’s and spring’s freshest can make a truly delicious dinner spread. While you might be limited in some produce (think: peaches or artichokes), there will be plenty of other seasonal fare to make it a true farm-to-table experience, if that’s what you’re after. Plus, winter is a great time to offer comfort foods that would otherwise be too heavy to serve, like a mashed potato bar or mac-and-cheese bites.
Myth 7: You have to stick to a winter palette or winter wonderland theme.
Admittedly, winter weddings and a winter wonderland theme often go hand in hand—but there’s no rule that says you have to stick to that. While candlelight and a color palette of white and silver does set an enchanting scene for nuptials, you can get creative with your color choices and décor. If, on the other hand, you’d like a more classic holiday scheme, you can also pull that off in a way that doesn’t scream Christmas. Just trade the traditional red and green combo for a more refined palette of burgundy and emerald, or for whimsy, one with poppy and celadon as primary hues.
