Reasons for a Winter Wedding

Mar 9

While many 2024 couples eagerly await the warmth of spring, let's take a moment to cozy up during these last days of winter and reflect on the inherent romance of a winter wedding. The offseason offers a slower, more intimate ambiance, set upon majestic backdrops of snow-covered landscapes. In addition to its obvious beauty, hosting your wedding in the colder months provides unique advantages that spring, summer and fall weddings simply cannot replicate. Below, we break down all of the reasons for choosing a winter wedding date.

Date Availability

Opting for a winter wedding comes with a significant benefit — a broader range of available dates. Popular venues and key vendors often secure peak season dates well in advance, typically twelve to eighteen months ahead. In contrast, winter dates (November—March) tend to linger longer, providing you with ample time to select the ideal day to exchange vows.

While early December may be off-limits for many venues who host holiday festivities, consider the enchantment of a New Year's celebration for your wedding. Ringing in the New Year at the same time as your union adds a meaningful touch (not just for your wedding, but also your anniversary!) and gathers all of your loved ones in one place during the festive season. Plus, your celebration gives family and friends something purposeful to look forward to for NYE, and an excuse to dress up!

Indoor Winter Ceremony with Drapery and Candle Backdrop

Whereas the warmer months tend to usher in hectic schedules, with guests having to juggle multiple commitments, by contrast, opting for a winter wedding significantly boosts the likelihood of guest attendance. And this also applies to supplementary events for your wedding, like your bachelorette party and bridal shower. The relaxed offseason means that the spotlight will remain firmly on you, steering clear of any 'wedding burnout' for family and friends who have a slew of summer celebrations. Not to mention, hosting your wedding post-holidays brings a fresh and inspiring vibe, creating anticipation not only for you and your loved ones, but also for vendors involved in making your day truly magical.

Pricing Incentives

Due to reduced demand in the winter months, various vendors such as venues, florists, and photographers often provide appealing cost incentives for offseason bookings. At St. Marys Weddings, we offer discounted rates on venue fees, design services, and food and beverage packages throughout the winter months. Additionally, during this season, St. Marys provides the added benefit of almost exclusive use of the venue, allowing couples to fully appreciate the uniqueness of the entire establishment. Envision exchanging vows in the sophisticated Hideaway space, hosting your reception in the classic Ballroom, utilizing both onsite bridal suites, and having the ability to roam freely for photos on the picturesque backdrop of the snow-covered golf course — all for special offseason pricing.

Winter Wedding Photography with Falling Snow

Stylish Attire

There's an undeniable allure to a long-sleeved wedding dress that exudes timelessness, grace, and sheer elegance. Beyond its stylish appeal, the practicality of staying covered and warm during the crisp winter temperatures only adds to its popularity. A fitted bodice with intricate full lace sleeves complements a dramatic train, or opt for an off-shoulder gown with fashion-forward detachable, ruched chiffon sleeves. Soft and luxurious fabrics like satin and crepe are fitting for the season and move gracefully with the wind — sure to be a jaw-dropping moment for those winter photos!

After you’ve perfected your bridal look, extend the winter fashion forward to your wedding party. Grooms and groomsmen can elevate their style with sophisticated velvet jackets, ties, or loafers in classic tones like black, navy blue, or forest green. Bridesmaids can opt for timeless elegance with various complimenting styles of long dresses in shades of black, wine or sparkling champagne — or they may opt for jewel-toned and on-trend slip dresses. Complete their ensemble with stylish and warm layers like faux fur jackets or cool-girl oversized blazers. And for all other guests, set the tone by suggesting a black-tie dress code on your invitations – because there's no better time for formal wear than a modern winter celebration.

Romantic Decor

Candles, candles and more candles. It truly doesn’t get any classier than an evening wedding in the winter months, warmed by an abundance of glowing candlelight. From a ceremony aisle flooded with pillars in glass vases, to reception guest gallery tables displaying endless rows of taper or floating candle beauties, to a backdrop gleaming with real (contained) flame, lean into candlelight as your main piece of decor and have it scattered everywhere throughout the venue.

Opt for a design that complements the rustic charm of the season, with exposed natural wood harvest tables and a room full of wood vineyard chairs, or choose an upscale and timeless palette of black and white that emphasizes texture over colour. To add to the classic feel, select a monochromatic palette of all white floral, favouring elegant varieties like roses, calla lilies and orchids. Embrace luxurious fabrics like satin or velvet, in rich tones like black, latte, navy, or hunter green. Use these materials to dress your guest tables, but also consider other creative uses such as for loosely-tied napkins on place settings, as pocket squares for groomsmen, or as on-trend ribbon accents to adorn candlescaping.

Anniversary Plans

Selecting your wedding date is more than just choosing a day to exchange vows — it's picking the date you'll celebrate your union every year. And what better way to celebrate your honeymoon, followed by each consecutive wedding anniversary, than with a romantic getaway? While winter clearly brings its own magic and sentiment, many of us eagerly anticipate escaping to warmer destinations for a week or two during the colder months. Aligning your wedding date with your annual vacation plans means you'll have a perpetual excuse to travel together, exploring new locations and cultures as partners year after year!