So, you’re thinking of having a winter wedding? It’s easy to see why more couples are choosing the “off-season” to celebrate their special day. Wedding venues are usually easier to book and there’s nothing more romantic than the crisp winter air amidst the backdrop of freshly fallen snow.
Although winter weddings can be magical, pulling off the event of a lifetime during this time of year requires a little extra thought and consideration of the weather, holidays, and lack of sunlight. Keep reading to learn all of the best tips for planning a winter wedding!
Keep Your Guests Comfortable
Unless you’re getting married in the tropics, the biggest issue you’ll likely have to deal with when having a winter wedding is keeping your guests comfortable. If you’re planning a Colorado wedding, that means planning for a warm, sunny day, and a frigid snowy night, and everything in between. Colorado weather can be extremely unpredictable, so you need to be prepared for anything.
Bring in Heaters
If you’re having an outdoor wedding or you’re at a wedding venue that doesn’t have a robust heating system, you’ll want to plan on bringing in some heaters. Although you might be too preoccupied to notice the ice building up on your lashes, you certainly don’t want to have your guests shivering from the cold while you say your I dos.
Have Extra Coats and Gloves if You’re Having an Outdoor Ceremony
Don’t assume everyone will come prepared – especially if they’re from out-of-town. For those who didn’t bring their winter coat or gloves and expected to still be comfortable outside, at a January wedding in the Rockies, make sure you have a few extra coats, gloves, hats, and scarves to go around.
Provide a Coat Check
Speaking of coats…having a winter wedding means you’ll have lots and LOTS of coats to deal with. Don’t expect your guests to hold them or leave them hanging on the back of a chair. Instead, make sure that you have a coat check set up. Your coat check should be an organized space where people can hang their coats. You’ll also need to create a quick and failproof system of retrieving each coat at the end of the night.
Provide Food and Drinks That Speak to the Season
Unless you really have your heart set on it, your winter wedding is not the time to bust out the frozen daiquiris and iced tea. Instead, tailor your food and drink menu to provide nourishment that’s warm and comforting.
Consider serving hot buttered rum, hot toddies, and boozy cider at the bar. For dinner, go with dishes that are rich and satisfying such as lobster bisque followed by a hearty steak or pasta alfredo.
Although your wedding cake might be the star of the dessert table, why not set up a hot cocoa station where guests can make and customize their own warm, yummy drink.
Consider That You’ll Be Dealing With Shorter Days
Something that you might not think about when deciding to have a winter wedding is the limited number of daylight hours. That means you may want to plan to have your wedding and reception earlier in the day than you would if you were having it in July. Allow for access to plenty of “prime” daylight hours so your guests won’t have trouble finding the venue and you can get epic pics of your big day.
Have a Back-Up Plan
Winter weather can create a whole host of uncertainties. What if there’s a blizzard on your wedding day and you can’t have the ceremony outside? What if your maid of honor gets stuck at the airport because her flight was delayed? Even having to deal with NOT having any snow can be a big stressor, especially when every image you had of your dream wedding included you and your loved one surrounded by a soft, white blanket and millions of tiny snowflakes.
The moral of the story is that things happen. Expect the unexpected, and have alternative plans to fall back on if the unthinkable comes true. Chances are, you’ll look back on your special day and remember the unexpected things that made it unique.
Create Your Dream Winter Wedding at Platte River Fort Resort & Event Center
Whether you’re planning a rustic barn wedding, a beautiful outdoor wedding, or an elegant Colorado wedding with views of the mountains, you’ll find the perfect winter wedding venue right here, at Platte River Fort in Greeley.
We offer multiple wedding packages as well as specialty wedding packages that can only be booked during the months of January through March. Learn more about them on our wedding packages page or contact us to schedule your personal tour of our event venue.
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