Winter Wedding Tips 

Unexpected Cold Temperatures

Since it will be winter, depending on where you live it is very possible it will be very cold at the time of the wedding. To accommodate for a sudden cold snap purchase some pretty, feminine and warm shawls for you and your bridesmaids in advance of the wedding. Choose long gowns for your maids so that if necessary they can wear a petticoat, an extra slip, or even long johns underneath their dresses if it’s really cold. If your wedding is an evening wedding, plan on having the maids wear gloves with their dresses, which will provide some warmth. Keep gel heating packs on hand that can be discreetly tucked into shoes or gloves to keep the hands and feet of the bridal party warm.

For guests, add more candles to the décor, which will help heat the room. If possible, place a few small, discreet space heaters around the church or reception hall. Don’t keep your guests waiting out in the cold; have a place for them to brush off their coats and arrange clothing inside. Arrange for valet parking so that your guests don’t need to walk a long distance in a cold and possibly snowy or icy parking lot, especially the women who will most likely be wearing fine dresses and dress shoes, which will not be safe for walking in such conditions.

At the reception hall, have a nice “hot beverage bar” set up in a corner with hot water dispensers, plenty of hot gourmet coffee, a selection of premium cocoas and teas along with some ladyfingers, tiramisu, or cookies so that guests can warm up immediately with a hot beverage. If your reception hall has a fireplace, have a roaring fire going before guests arrive so that guests can gather around the fire for warmth.

If you had planned an outdoor winter wedding and you are faced with an unexpected cold snap, it’s time to switch to Plan B. Have a backup indoor venue ready to go at a moment’s notice if the weather is too cold to be outdoors. If you are set on having the ceremony outdoors, consider shortening the ceremony so that your guests don’t have to be outside too long.