5 tips for a beautiful winter wedding
How to plan a successful winter wedding
WINTER WEDDING PHOTO INSPIRATION
Up until a couple of years ago I had never really photographed winter weddings, as I had been lucky enough to spend all UK winters in New Zealand. So when I came back to London in December 2018 with a bunch of weddings booked in over the coming months, I was very excited, and also a little apprehensive - thinking, cold and DARK!
But I changed my mind about winter weddings pretty quickly! Being someone who likes soft light, muted tones and cozy lighting, I soon figured that winter weddings were very much my jam.
Winter weddings are certainly a little different from summer, and I’ve learned a few things that are important to think about when planning one, so I wanted to share a few tips with you here:
Know your sunset time
Light (or lack of) is definitely something to be mindful of when you are planning your day. It’s a good idea to have your ceremony earlier in the day if you’d like to get some photos outside in natural light afterwards. If you’re getting married between November and February, I would recommending starting your ceremony no later than 2pm, and probably earlier if you are having a long church ceremony. Winter light is honestly gorgeous, the sun is always low and soft, so you don’t have issues with those harsh shadows that you often get in the middle of the summer. The great thing is that you can also get some gorgeous twilight and night photos done.
Pick the right venue
Make sure the venue you’re considering is set up well for winter weddings. Do they have a nice cosy (and warm!) space for winter weddings that will really bring the magic of your day to life? Do they offer a winter menu, mulled wine, hot cider etc that are suitable for a cold day. Visit your chosen venue on a dark, cold and rainy day if you can, and see if you still like it.
Embrace the dark
Sounds a little creepy perhaps, but the dark can be so magical. Think candles, fairy lights, sparklers, bonfire. If you would like to do a sparkler exit, check with your venue whether they allow it. Talk to your photographer about night photography. In summer it’s really hard to get night photos, as it gets dark so late, and we often already finished for the day by that time, but during the winter there’s loads of opportunity to create some epic low light shots.
Do it your way
There’s no need to go with the full on fairy light, winter wonderland theme if that’s just not your thing. Maybe you’re even thinking of doing something really low key, a small elopement with just a handful of guests, and not even bothering with a wedding dress. Have a chat with your florist or a wedding stylist to get ideas of how you can embrace winter florals as well, and create a style that’s unique and to your taste. There will be less fresh wedding flowers available during the winter, but your florist has probably lots of creative ideas for what you can do.
Be ready for any weather
It goes without saying, it’s most likely going to be pretty chilly on your wedding day. Funny enough, most brides seem to do perfectly fine in their wedding dresses when we pop out for photos (I always feel a bit guilty being fully wrapped up in my winter coat!). I think it must be the adrenaline keeping you warm. I also always do a good reccy before we go out for photos, so I know exactly where we are going, and you don’t have to be outside for too long. I also have a bunch of nice umbrellas with me if we need them. If you’re someone who feels the cold a lot, it’s definitely a good excuse to shop for some gorgeous warm wedding fashion for you and your bridesmaids.
