A winter wedding can be a romantic way to start off your marriage. It also may be convenient in some ways, as you can combine Christmas and wedding festivities. People already traveling for the holidays can attend your wedding without needing to spend extra. First, choose the date and place. Opt for an affordable venue and a time period that can work for most guests. From there, pick a wardrobe. In the winter, warmer clothing may be important. Embrace the season for the reception. Have Christmas-themed food, drinks, wedding cake, and decorations.
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:
Choosing the Date and Place
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Look into alternative venues to save money. As many events occur around the holidays, it may be pricier to book a traditional venue like a church. If money is an issue, look into alternative venues. [1] X Research source
- If you're having a winter wedding in a warmer region, consider marrying in an outdoor park. Usually, the only fee required is a small registration fee.
- See if you have space in your backyard or someone else's. It will not cost much money to have your wedding in your own backyard if you have enough space.
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Avoid a Christmas day wedding. When planning the date, it's best to avoid marrying on Christmas day. Many people will have existing obligations and be unable to attend. Also, having people arrive on Christmas day means travel costs can skyrocket. Instead of a Christmas day wedding, plan your wedding around the season. [2] X Research source
- Many people start feeling festive any time after Thanksgiving. You can try planning your wedding sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas. This way, you can use a Christmas theme without inconveniencing your guests.
- Try to pick a date that does not interfere too much with existing travel plans. If guests come from a variety of different places, many of them may already have tickets to other destinations on the days closest to Christmas. A wedding earlier in December may be easier for many people to manage.
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Choose the time of day for your wedding. The time of day you have your wedding actually has a big effect on cost. If you're looking to cut down on the budget, a morning ceremony is a good idea. Rates go up for locations in the afternoon and evening, and breakfast and brunch catering services tend to be less pricey. If you're looking to save money, be open to the idea of a ceremony earlier in the day. [3] X Research source
- However, there may be reasons other than cost affecting the time. If you have people who will be traveling the day of, a later ceremony may be a good idea as this will help make sure everyone arrives in time.
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Think about combining your wedding with other events. There are likely to be a lot of parties and events going on during the season. You do not want your wedding to be a source of stress or scheduling conflicts. See if you can combine your wedding with other holiday events. [4] X Research source
- For example, does your family throw a Christmas party each year? If people are already planning on attending that party, why not have your wedding before the party? The party can serve as a combination Christmas party and reception.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:
Choosing the Wardrobes
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Pick your wedding colors. If you want a Christmas theme, you can go with classic Christmas colors like reds, greens, silvers, and golds. However, you do not have to limit yourself if you're not in love with classic wedding colors. There are many wintery shades you can opt for that will still reflect the season. [5] X Research source
- Think about berry colors, like deep burgundies or purples. These have a Christmas feel without being too traditional.
- Also, consider different shades of greens. You do not have to use the bright, primary green associated with holiday decorations. Softer, wintery greens can be a great wedding color as well.
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Be open to warmer wardrobe options for an outdoor event. If you're doing an outdoor event, think about how to keep the wedding party warm. Even if you're in a warmer region, like California, temperatures can dip to the 50s in December. It's a good idea to plan on bundling everyone up a little. [6] X Research source
- Allow members of the wedding party to wear fashionable coats as part of their outfits. Dressy blazers, cardigans, or pashminas can keep the wedding party warm while still keeping things classy.
- Keep footwear in mind and allow people to wear warmer shoes. Requiring bridesmaids to wear heels even though it's going to be chilly out, for example, is a bad idea. Allow closed-toed shoes for the wedding party.
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Figure out how to stay warm in a wedding dress. Even for an indoor ceremony, you may want to dress a little warmer. Drafts and breezes can get in from outside and you'll be outdoors going to and from the wedding. If you're marrying in a colder climate, find ways to stay warm in your wedding dress. [7] X Research source
- A long-sleeved wedding dress can make more sense for a winter wedding. If you choose to wear a strapless dress, add a matching bridal winter coat.
- Wear tights under your dress if it's on the longer side. No one will notice and you will stay warm.
- Instead of flats or heels, consider wearing matching bridal boots on your wedding day.
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Opt for velvet suits. Velvet suits can keep you feeling warmer. Velvet is also a festive color that can keep the Christmas theme strong. If you're going to be wearing a suit on your big day, opt for velvet. [8] X Research sourceAdvertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:
Planning the Reception
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Think about including a Christmas tree. As your wedding is Christmas-themed, a big tree in the center of the reception area can really make things feel festive. Christmas trees can be purchased in a variety of places around the Christmas season and are simple to set up on your own time. [9] X Research source
- A fun way to combine the season and your wedding is to choose wedding-themed decorations for the tree. You can, for example, garnish the tree in black and white ribbons.
- Give it a sentimental touch. Punch holes through various pictures of you and your spouse and then thread string through the holes. Hang these up on the tree for your big day.
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Go for sparkly, snow-related decorations. Incorporate snow into your decorations. Pick light white, gray, and ivory decorations that sparkle a little. This will remind guests of snow, which is often a staple of the Christmas season. [10] X Research source
- Have glittery white vases holding flowers as the centerpiece of each table.
- Use sparkly gray or white tablecloths for tables at the reception.
- Crystal can also have a snow-like feel, so opt for crystal glasses, plates, and silverware during the reception.
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Choose Christmas-related foods and beverages. When choosing food and drinks, go with a Christmas theme. For the main course, pick a version of a traditional Christmas dinner. You could, for example, serve some kind of roast carvery style. For example, have guests have slices of a baked ham for dinner. [11] X Research source
- If you're serving alcohol, pick Christmas-themed cocktails like mulled wine and spiked eggnog.
- Keep your desserts in the spirit of the season with a Christmas-Themed Wedding Cake. For other desserts, choose flavors people associate with Christmas, such as nutmeg and peppermint.
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4Choose Christmas-Themed Wedding Music. There are so many kinds of Christmas songs to choose from, including love songs. You and your new spouse can dance the "wedding waltz" to a slow Christmas love song, and include Top 40 Pop Hits with the different Christmas songs.
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Keep your options open regarding flowers. Flowers can be tricky for a Christmas wedding, as many flowers are out of season during the winter months. If you have your heart set on a particular type of flower, you may end up having to pay a very high price. Therefore, be flexible regarding flower choices. [12] X Research source
- Have a long list of acceptable flowers on hand before visiting a florist. You may have to go with your second, third, or even fourth choice depending on the price and season.
- It may be a good idea to go in without specific flowers in mind. Talk to a florist about affordable, in-season options. With flowers, the more flexible you are the better for a Christmas wedding.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:
Appreciating Your Guests
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Be aware of all December/January holidays. Not everyone celebrates Christmas. If you have guests who participate in other religious holidays around the Christmas season, be aware of this. You do not want to plan your ceremony on an important day of Hanukkah, for example. [13] X Research source
- Read up on all holidays that take place around Christmas. Avoid picking a date that interferes with other holidays, especially if you know for a fact you have guests attending that celebrate holidays like Hanukkah or Ramadan.
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Allow for extra travel time. The weather can be unpredictable during December. Even if you live in a warm region, if you have guests flying in from Ohio, there may be flight or driving delays. When booking hotels, do so in a way that allows a little wiggle room. Make sure guests can arrive a few days prior to the wedding rather than the day before. This way, if there's a delay due to weather, guests will not be at as high of risk of missing your ceremony. [14] X Research source
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Provide Christmas-related gift packages if you want to thank your guests for attending your special day. When assembling gift packages, use your Christmas theme to your advantage. Give your guests Christmas related items. [15] X Research source
- Give your guests Christmas-related snacks. Pack gift bags with things like hot cocoa and Christmas cookies.
- Ornaments can be a nice touch. Try giving members of the wedding party ornaments with their names on them as a gift.
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Be courteous regarding costs of travel. Review average prices of hotels and plane tickets when picking your travel date. You do not want to force guests to spend extra money attending your wedding by planning your festivities on peak travel days. Try to find a date where cost of travel is reasonable as to not put your guests out. [16] X Research sourceAdvertisement
Expert Q&A
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QuestionAre Christmas weddings tacky?Megan Papageorge is a Certified Wedding Planner and Owner of Sweet Peach Planning, a wedding planning and management company based in Long Beach, California. She has completed over 200 weddings in settings such as gondolas, church halls, the side of cliffs, and vintage warehouses. Megan also co-hosts Peach & Honey, a wedding planning podcast. She is certified to plan and run weddings by the Bridal Society Educational Course. Her work has been featured in A Practical Wedding, Junebug Weddings, Ceremony Magazine, and The Bridal Society.Not necessarily. The thing a lot of people don't realize is that themes don't need to be reflected in every single thing at the wedding. A few Christmas-style decorations is more than enough to get your theme across. You don't need to make every single outfit, decoration, and flower has to have something to do with Christmas.
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QuestionCan I wear white to a Christmas wedding?Megan Papageorge is a Certified Wedding Planner and Owner of Sweet Peach Planning, a wedding planning and management company based in Long Beach, California. She has completed over 200 weddings in settings such as gondolas, church halls, the side of cliffs, and vintage warehouses. Megan also co-hosts Peach & Honey, a wedding planning podcast. She is certified to plan and run weddings by the Bridal Society Educational Course. Her work has been featured in A Practical Wedding, Junebug Weddings, Ceremony Magazine, and The Bridal Society.No, even if the bride isn't wearing white I still wouldn't show up in white. It's just not a good idea from a traditional perspective.
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QuestionWill people show up to a Christmas wedding?Megan Papageorge is a Certified Wedding Planner and Owner of Sweet Peach Planning, a wedding planning and management company based in Long Beach, California. She has completed over 200 weddings in settings such as gondolas, church halls, the side of cliffs, and vintage warehouses. Megan also co-hosts Peach & Honey, a wedding planning podcast. She is certified to plan and run weddings by the Bridal Society Educational Course. Her work has been featured in A Practical Wedding, Junebug Weddings, Ceremony Magazine, and The Bridal Society.You're probably going to have fewer people able to show up during the holidays. At the same time, you may be pleasantly surprised. A lot of people don't have to work during the holiday season, so you may get more guests than you normally would. You can always poke around and ask folks if they'd be open to it if you'd like.
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References
- ↑ http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Plan-a-Budget-Wedding-on-Christmas-Day-/10000000178982754/g.html
- ↑ http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Plan-a-Budget-Wedding-on-Christmas-Day-/10000000178982754/g.html
- ↑ http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Plan-a-Budget-Wedding-on-Christmas-Day-/10000000178982754/g.html
- ↑ http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Plan-a-Budget-Wedding-on-Christmas-Day-/10000000178982754/g.html
- ↑ http://onefabday.com/winter-wedding-tips/
- ↑ https://www.theknot.com/content/winter-wedding-dos-and-donts
- ↑ http://onefabday.com/winter-wedding-tips/
- ↑ http://onefabday.com/winter-wedding-tips/
- ↑ http://www.weddingideasmag.com/how-to-have-a-fabulously-festive-christmas-wedding/
- ↑ http://www.weddingideasmag.com/how-plan-christmas-themed-wedding/
- ↑ http://www.weddingideasmag.com/how-to-have-a-fabulously-festive-christmas-wedding/
- ↑ http://www.bridalguide.com/blogs/bridal-buzz/winter-wedding-advice
- ↑ http://www.bridalguide.com/blogs/bridal-buzz/winter-wedding-advice
- ↑ http://onefabday.com/winter-wedding-tips/
- ↑ https://www.theknot.com/content/winter-wedding-dos-and-donts
- ↑ http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Plan-a-Budget-Wedding-on-Christmas-Day-/10000000178982754/g.html
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