So you’ve just become engaged and you’re wondering when you should have your wedding. Part of you would like to have a summer wedding, on a beautiful warm day with a very lovely evening that everybody can enjoy. On the other hand, winter might be the ideal time to get married. Venues might be easier to book around this time, and there’s always the option of planning a proper white wedding overseas, with a beautiful church in the snow, candle lights and the festive atmosphere.
Here are our tips for planning your wedding - whether it’s in summer or winter.
Venue
Weather aside, the first thing you need to consider if you want to get married during summer or winter is the venue. A number of venues make themselves available at different times of the year.
Say for example, if you were able to get a fabulous outdoor area that you want to fill with marquees, then plan on getting married during the warmer months. On the other hand, if you want your wedding to be more intimate and have a cosy feeling, a winter wedding can work to your advantage.
Budget
Other important things that you need to consider are your budget and the venue’s availability. A large percentage of couples tend to marry during summer as compared to winter, thus more popular venues tend to be booked well in advance, specifically on weekends. Also wedding suppliers such as photographers, florists, caterers, and chauffeurs are likely to be very busy.
If you schedule your wedding on a less popular day of the week, say Wednesday or Thursday, there’s a high chance that you will get the venue and wedding suppliers of your choice. Keep in mind there can be waiting lists for venues, wedding dresses and decorators during the more popular months so it’s never too early to start planning.
Winter Wedding
One good thing about a winter wedding is that more people will actually attend the event because they are less likely to book holidays during winter. Plus, most people tend to enjoy a good family get together at this time of the year.
As mentioned earlier, finding venues and suppliers will be easier if you’re looking to book for winter. This might mean your wedding will be kind to your budget and your stress levels! Your dream venue will likely be more available and they may give a special rate which is always good. Your out-of-town friends may also find plenty of accommodation with special rates.
Winter weddings can still be creative. Dress your bridesmaids with brightly-coloured pashminas or scarves. Decorate the venue using tea lights and twinkling candles, serve hot chocolate or warm/hot mulled wine at the reception together with some spicy canape sausages, mince pies, warm soups and hearty stews.
Your winter wedding will not be forgotten any time soon, because everyone enjoys something different once in a while. It will be more intimate with a cozy and warm atmosphere.
Winter Wedding Menu Ideas
With a winter wedding, you can provide a cozy atmosphere for your reception with a warm and hearty meal using seasonal flavors with classic winter cocktails and treats.
For appetisers and main dishes, a soup course will not be out of place. Soup shooters served during cocktail hour is a good starter, comfort foods like mini grilled cheese sandwiches, butternut squash ravioli, tiny spaghetti and meatballs hors d’oeuvres and a hearty meal of meat and potatoes with gravy as your main dish.
Drinks can be a spiked hot chocolate bar for the adults. You can set up toppings like whipped cream, nuts, small candies and marshmallows. You can also go for signature warm cocktails like mulled wine and some good old bottles of scotch.
For desserts, pies and tarts work well for winter weddings, if your place has no snow and is close to the beach or a fireplace, create a s’mores bar. You can also have pudding, lemon curd crème brulee with hazelnut flapjacks, coffee, petits fours, Boozy marzipan balls, chocolate macaroons. A fruit bar will also be a good fit for the setting.
Summer Weddings
Obviously, the weather is usually much nicer in summer. Summer just gives people a happier and more energised vibe. Think about having a mid-afternoon wedding and then dance throughout the evening with your guests at the reception.
You’ll need to book early for everything if you’re planning for a summer wedding…. the venue, the wardrobe, photographers, catering and florist.
Summer Wedding Menu Ideas
Summer weddings are fun and you can start off with plenty of refreshing drinks. Nonalcoholic lemonade or iced tea bars are popular, offering different flavours and colours. Sangria is an easy and refreshing option for alcohol. For cocktails it can be hibiscus iced tea with raspberry liqueur and citron vodka or cucumber-mint lemonade.
For entrees, barbecues are an easy to manage option that everyone will enjoy. Make sure you have some grilled vegetarian options. A whole pig roast is a great summer wedding main, but if you prefer a lighter meal, you can always go for chicken and fish. Still, grilled carved meats will never go out of style during summer weddings.
Desserts can be a mini-scoop trio of sorbet flavours that mimic the colors or decorations of your wedding. With so many flavors to choose from - melon, lime, raspberry, mango, and more - you're sure to find something yummy that suits your style. Fruit platters served with chilled sparkling wine are also a welcome treat after having some barbecue with friends and family. Or for the ultimate dessert, check out this donut wall!
If you need more tips on wedding catering ideas, check out this blog post.
Laissez-faire Catering also offers Wedding Packages. You can download our package information by clicking on the banner below:
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