08 Feb Winter Wedding Planning
Considering or Planning a Winter Wedding?
The colder months set the scene for a magically, cosy wedding day. Read on to find out why we love them, and some tips on how to make the most of a winter’s day…
Creating Ambience
Let’s set the scene; the ground is covered in white frost, the air is brisk and the candles are lit, your guests are welcomed into the warm surroundings of Thirsk Lodge Barns. This unique atmosphere creates a cosy and romantic vibe that will be carried throughout your day.
Our indoor space generously allows you and your guests to relax, and enjoy their time celebrating in comfort and style and as the evening draws in, soft lights create a warming feel to the Main Barn.
We encourage you to embrace the feel of a winter wedding by using candles and fairy lights, providing blankets for your guests and choosing seasonal drinks and food for them to enjoy. The use of our Fire Pits make a great addition to the colder evenings too!
Leaning into the season ensures your special day leaves a long-lasting impression on your guests, as well as the happiest of memories for you as newlyweds to look back on!
Plan for Shorter Days
When planning a Winter Wedding, is is important to factor in the shorter daylight hours. If outdoor photos are important to you, then going for a ceremony at 1pm will maximise the time for photos both before and after the ceremony.
When planned for, your photographer can capture magnificent memories from your winter’s day; whether its moody skies, or bright red sunsets.
If you are lucky, the winter sun may even make an appearance, although you might have to pop out during your Wedding Breakfast if you want to make the most of golden hour!
Darker nights mean that your Evening Reception will feel even more magical; the ambient lighting, and a dark dance floor never fails to get guests in the party mood!
Ensure You Have A Wet Weather Plan
If the weather is less than desirable, you need to ensure that you have a wet weather plan. Often venues will need time to turn around the ceremony space for dining, leaving guests to wait in small spaces or even outside during this time. However, at Thirsk Lodge Barns we benefit from having ample space in the bar area for guests to enjoy a drink before heading to our completely separate dining room – meaning there is no turnaround time at all and one event runs seamlessly into the next!
Our Ceremony Barn also works wonders on rainy days, as group shots can be taken in front of our wall of Fairy Lights. Our mezzanine is the perfect place for your photographer to stand to get a photo of all your guests too.
Read on for how we ensure you get epic confetti shots whatever the weather…
Get Excited For An Indoor Confetti Throw
Occasionally the weather in winter (or at any time of year in the UK!) means that guests are unable to go into the courtyard for a confetti throw, but what’s not to love about an indoor confetti run?!
At the end of your ceremony guests will be encouraged to throw handfuls of confetti up in the air as you make your way back down the aisle.
The joy radiating from the room as you take your first steps as newly-weds is a feeling like no other! The energy created by your loved ones sharing this moment with you creates photographic memories that can be relived for years to come. As our coordinators will tell you, you absolutely must stop for a kiss half way back down the aisle; trust us, your guests (and photographer) will love it!
Make The Most Of Rich Colour Themes And Lush Fabrics
Whether you’re looking into bold glamour, black tie or a relaxed rustic theme; winter weddings lend themselves to a variety of rich colours, luxurious textures and exciting accessories.
Spring and summer weddings tend to see alot of pastel colours and lighter tones, whereas colder months are the perfect opportunity to introduce deeper colour palettes and textures through décor, florals and dress codes. Think sparkles, satin, faux fur and velvet – winter is also the perfect time for a black tie dress code!
On the other hand, wool or tweed suits and beaded dresses teamed with lush evergreens makes for a wonderfully seasonal yet relaxed look.
