Winter weddings are getting more popular, and we can see why. Venues tend to be less booked up, the atmosphere is cosy rather than sunny, and nobody's worrying about whether it'll be warm enough for the garden. Northamptonshire has plenty of old houses, barns and country hotels that look their best with the fires lit and the candles out.
Here's how to plan one well.
Why choose winter
The big one is availability. Popular venues often have far more free dates between November and February than in summer, and many offer lower rates for off-peak dates. Ask them directly, because it varies a lot from venue to venue. Suppliers may have more availability too.
There's also the feel of it. Velvet, candlelight, mulled wine, dark greenery. A December wedding close to Christmas has a lovely sense of occasion, and a January or February one can brighten up the gloomiest bit of the year.
Plan around the light
This is the most important thing. In midwinter it can be dark before half past four, so a 3pm ceremony leaves very little daylight for photos. That's why most winter couples go for an earlier ceremony, around midday or 1pm.
Talk to your photographer about it. They'll want to get the outdoor shots done straight after the ceremony, and might suggest a few indoor or night-time shots with sparklers or fairy lights later on. Our sample wedding timeline has a 1pm version that works well for winter.
Keep guests warm
Pretty obvious, but easy to overlook. The drinks reception will almost certainly be indoors, so check the space is big enough for everyone standing at once. Hot drinks are a lovely touch as guests come out of the ceremony. Mulled wine, hot chocolate, maybe a warm cider.
Put blankets out if any of the day is outside. And mention on your invitations or wedding website that guests should wrap up, especially if there's a walk from the car park.
Think about travel
Winter weather can make country lanes tricky, and some Northamptonshire venues are down narrow roads well away from the main routes. See if your venue has rooms or there are hotels nearby, and think about laying on a minibus from a central point like Northampton, Kettering or Corby. It saves people driving home on icy roads after dark.
Around Christmas and New Year, guests may already have family plans. Send save the dates early.
Entertainment for a winter wedding
Because everything's indoors, the entertainment has to suit indoor spaces, and there's often a longer evening to fill. A close-up magician is perfect for the drinks reception, because guests are packed into one room and it gets them mingling. We run Magician For Hire, so we're biased, but it really does suit winter.
Evening guests at a winter wedding are often ready to go by 7pm, because it's been dark for hours. A short show from Jay & Joss is a great way to kick the evening off. A fun casino from UK Casino Hire suits the season too, a bit of a festive, black tie feel. And a magic mirror looks very smart against a backdrop of fairy lights.
Styling ideas
Lean into the season rather than fighting it. Deep colours like burgundy, forest green and navy. Candles everywhere (check the venue's rules on naked flames). Seasonal flowers and foliage. Faux fur wraps for the bridal party. A hot chocolate station in the evening instead of a sweet table.
If you're getting married near Christmas, the venue may already be decorated. Ask what it looks like, so your own styling works with it rather than clashing.
Don't forget the back-up
Snow is rare but not unheard of. Ask your venue and suppliers what their policy is if severe weather makes it hard to get there, and think about wedding insurance. It's very unlikely you'll need it, but it's peace of mind. Our rainy day wedding plan has more on weather planning, and the venue guide is a good place to start looking.