Top tips for a winter wedding

Winter weddings are less common than balmy summer soirees or springtime celebrations. Frosty mid-year lends itself to a sophisticated or enchanting look and feel. With only weeks before the season begins, now is the time to work through your checklist and confirm final details.
Top tips

1. Embrace the season in all aspects of planning; look for a venue with a working fireplace; include a cape or opera cloak in your wedding attire; adopt an icy colour palette with bright white and silver accents.
2. Indulge in beautiful flowers. Many blooms that might stretch the budget of a summer bride are in season. Tulips, sweetpeas, freesias, snowdrops, orchids and late-blooming poppies are all at their best. White Asiatic lilies are also available and their heady perfume will enhance the atmosphere of a room.
3. Take advantage of the beautiful clarity of morning light. Schedule an early service followed by a lavish morning tea.
4. Candles are a must for an afternoon wedding. They cast a flattering glow in the gloom that slips over late afternoon.
5. Be prepared for bad weather. In the event of rain you’ll need one umbrella for each attendant and preferably two for the bride. Keep a spare pair of shoes on hand to wear across wet ground, then change back into your wedding slippers.