Winter is a romantic time of year, filled with roaring fires, cozy blankets, and plenty of opportunities for gift giving from Christmas through Valentine’s Day. Why not take advantage of the season and plan a winter wedding?
There are many benefits to having a wedding in the winter. December is beautiful, and brings the benefit of enjoying your wedding in the midst of the holiday season, which many people enjoy. It’s one of the busiest seasons at Legacy Stables and Events, for good reason! However, once we get into January and February, the dead of winter so to speak, other benefits come into play. Since it’s not as busy of a wedding time as the other seasons, you have more chance of getting the date you want. Vendors are also less busy, which helps in scheduling. You can even save a little money, as we offer lower rates during those months and many other vendors do as well. You might even find it’s easier for guests to plan to attend, without the busy vacation season of summer getting in the way.
We love hosting winter weddings at Legacy Stables and Events. The Grace Barn provides a warm, inviting gathering place when dark falls earlier in the day. Our Salem Stallway allows couples who want an outdoor experience to open up the barn doors and have the ceremony against nature’s beautiful backdrop while keeping guests nice and warm inside. And we also have outdoor heaters to make use of our beautiful patio and outdoor areas even during the colder months.
Planning for a winter wedding can be a little different than other times of the year. Here are a few things to consider to make sure your big day goes off without a hitch.
Photography. Most of the time, couples plan a wedding ceremony that takes place in the late afternoon or early evening, and between the wedding and the reception the photographer does their work taking pictures of the bridal party. However, in the winter the sun goes down earlier, between 5-6 p.m. through the months of December and January. We recommend getting everyone together for pictures before the wedding. You might even consider a “first look” photo, so you can take pictures with the bride and groom together without having to wait until after the walk down the aisle.
While the lighting can be challenging, pictures taken against the stark background of winter are very stunning. And the white bridal gowns make a beautiful statement against a winter landscape.
Décor. One of the benefits of a wedding around the Christmas season is the décor is already in place in many venues. Poinsettias grace churches and garlands are hung in meeting spaces. Incorporating the looks of the season can make choosing decorations easier. Through January and February, the poinsettias might be gone, but greenery and pinecones make great centerpieces. Also, consider flowers of the season such as pansies and chrysanthemums for bursts of color.
Lighting should be a big consideration for winter wedding decor. Strings of lights and candles help create a romantic mood and lighten up the dark winter nights.
Keeping Warm. Even for indoor weddings, you’ll most likely be outside at some point, whether taking pictures or greeting guests. Consider incorporating shawls and wraps in the bridal party’s wardrobe. Long-sleeve wedding gowns make an elegant statement.
You also want to keep guests comfortable. Put out baskets with folded up blankets and cozy throws for people to wrap up in if your ceremony is outdoors. You might even put out blankets for an indoor ceremony if you’re planning to use the Salem Stallway and have the barn doors open to embrace the view from outside. Hot chocolate or a coffee bar make a fun addition to the reception. Winter is a great time to include comfort foods such as macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes on the menu.
Winter Weather. We’re lucky that the Triad region of North Carolina experiences mostly mild winters. However, there is always the chance of snow or ice. When planning your event, make sure you have a backup plan in place just in case of bad weather.
If you’re interested in a winter wedding, our team at Legacy Stables and Events can work with you on the planning process. Contact us today to set up a consultation and tour and experience all we have to offer.
Photo Credit: Shannyn Dare Photography
