It’s the season to be jolly and often it is one of the busiest times to get married too.
Here are my top ten tips when planning your wedding in the winter and especially around the festive season:
1. Save the Date and Invitations
Because it is the festive season send your wedding invitations well in advance; definitely give your guests 8 weeks notice, more if you can.
Save the Date cards are a great idea to send as guests can get flights, travel, time off, accommodation and babysitters organized at this time.
2. Book Your Venue
If you are at the early stages of planning and would like a Christmas wedding don’t delay. Research your venues and check availability. Christmas is an exceptionally busy time for weddings so avoid disappointment if your dream venue is already booked.
3. Music
You can have so much fun with music at this time of year. Would you like to have Christmas Carols included in your ceremony music? Or perhaps at your drinks reception? And of course the Christmas hits are great floor fillers later on in the wedding celebrations!
4. Drinks and Food
There is no doubt about it, it will be cold at Christmas. For your drinks reception have a warm punch or mulled wine reception to warm your guests after the ceremony –they will appreciate it! Chat to your chef for festive menu options – or not if you prefer!
5. Honeymoon
Planning your honeymoon is one of the exciting aspects of wedding planning. Heading away at Christmas time on honeymoon can be expensive (depending on your chosen location) so it may be no harm to have a few locations in mind.
6. Décor
The options at Christmas for your décor are endless! You can keep it simple and go all out! Christmas trees, fairy lights, silvers, blues, berries, snow and glitter!
7. Beauty Appointments
As it is holiday season at Christmas and there are lots of Bank Holidays get your beauty appointments booked months in advance! That includes hair trials, tanning, waxing, shaves for the boys – everything!
8. Daylight (or lack of it!)
Because it gets dark really early from the end of October have your ceremony as early in the day as you can. Discuss timings with your photographer to work out the best options.
9. Keep Warm
Shawls, wraps, boleros, blankets, umbrellas, gloves, cozy socks and warm boots – have a supply of “warm” accessories near you so that during the photo-shoot you and your bridesmaids can keep warm!
10. Flowers
I love Christmas bridal bouquets and flower arrangements! Your florist will advise you on the best options for the time of year, what is available and at what cost.
Karen Buchanan is a regular blogger for Wedding Dates. She runs a wedding planning business called Weddings With Karen Buchanan. Connect with her on her Facebook page at Weddings With Karen Buchanan or chirp her over on Twitter. Her Twitter handle is @karenbuchanan3.
{Image of winter wedding couple via sleepyjeanie}
