I think we should refer to people that like winter as “aliens.” They just seem plain crazy. What is there to like about darkness falling by 5pm, shivering, and not being able to drive your car up a snowy road? Apparently not much… So how is it possible to embrace a winter wedding? I happen to be one of these winter-loving weirdos, so allow me to shed some light on why winter weddings can be awesome.
In my previous blog article I emphasized how important it is to be excited about your wedding photo location. If you’re hoping to have a super awesome wedding, then I highly recommend to book your big day in a season that you love. I’ve had the pleasure of photographing a few winter weddings and I’d love to share some of my insight.
Benefits of a winter wedding:
1. Easier to book your venue/vendors of choice
Above: Liberty Grand in the summer? Book early or be disappointed!
Popular venues get booked up super far in advance for all summer weekends. Benefit of winter venue and vendor bookings: you are more likely to get your date of choice. Your desired caterer, photographer, officiant, etc. are more likely to be available as well. This could alleviate a lot of stress during the planning stages.
2. Chances of rain are way lower, and snow is BEAUTIFUL
Above: Sometimes rain causes couples to postpone engagement shoots. Not this one, the snow was a welcome addition!
Rain is NOT the end of the world, although I understand how every bride and groom fears the chance of wedding rain. Well, if it’s below zero, then you can pretty much bank on getting no rain at all. Instead you’ll have snow, the substance of magic. The combination of a photographer that is eager to shoot in snow + a bride/groom/bridal party that is positive about the situation can yield outstanding photo results.
3. Guests appreciate “slow season” weddings
Summer is busy for everyone. Vacations, the cottage, festivals. There’s a reason why it’s called the “high season.” Although your bridal party and guests love you, they might love you a little more if you plan your wedding in a season that isn’t jam-packed with travel plans and more weddings. Your guests will probably even remember your wedding more clearly if it falls in a month in which it was the only wedding they attended!
4. You’ll LOVE your honeymoon a hundred times more
Imagine: you celebrate your wedding in snowy/icy Canada and then fly off to tropical Cuba for a week. It just makes sense and it’ll feel awesome.
5. You won’t be sweating buckets
Above: Hot summer wedding, best man reporting for duty.
July/August humidity and heat can be equally as uncomfortable as a -15 wind chill. Hail the size of baseballs can fall from the sky in any season. And, as we’ve experienced in Toronto recently, blackouts can be caused by either intensely heavy rain or bone chilling ice storms. Don’t fall under the misconception that summer guarantees perfect wedding weather. Weather patterns are random and summer can be equally as brutal as any of the other seasons.
So, are you seriously considering a winter wedding?
Winter wedding planning tips:
1. Try to have everything take place in 1-2 locations
Above: A winter wedding planned successfully. It was mid-December, the first real GTA snow storm of the year. The hotel, Dave ‘N Busters (location for bride/groom photos) and the banquet hall were all within a 2 minute drive of each other. The guests didn’t have to go to any other location other than the hall!
Winter = chance of snow = slippery roads. Your guests will appreciate a winter wedding a lot more if you limit the amount of locations to 1, maximum 2. If your venue can host everything (accommodations, makeup, ceremony, photos, cocktail hour, reception, etc.) then that is IDEAL. If you’re planning to get married in a place of worship (church, mosque, synagogue, etc.) then try to have the ceremony location fairly close to the venue.
2. Bridesmaids MUST wear boots
I know fancy shoes are a big thing for the ladies, although I highly recommend that the bridesmaids wear boots for any outdoor photos. Wearing high heels is pretty much like being barefoot. Your outdoor wedding photo shoot will last 5 minutes if the bridesmaids have freezing feet. Besides, boots are SUPER classy and cute. I think wearing nice boots with a bridesmaid dress is a definitive winter look. Don’t try and make it look like it’s summer outside. Embrace the winter conditions and wear boots!
Groomsmen have it easier since they wear suit/tuxedo jackets and dress shoes. I think it’s equally cool if groomsmen want to wear boots.
3. Don’t be afraid to take some wedding photos while wearing jackets
Above: Candid bridesmaid moment with jackets on vs. a posed outdoor winter shot with no jackets.
I recommend to begin taking outdoor winter shots without jackets, although after a while it’ll be wise to just put your jackets on. I’m a big believer in keeping things “real” – so again, don’t try to pretend as if it’s 20 degrees outside when it’s actually minus 20. Wearing jackets can look super cool. After your photographer “nails” the formal wedding photos with everyone looking their best, do some fun stuff with your jackets on. Besides, you want your photos to communicate that you are having fun as a group.
4. Plan an outdoor AND an indoor photoshoot
Above: We began with bridal party photos outside at the Distillery District. Then we moved inside to the Mill Street Brewery where we warmed up with a couple pints and took a lot of candid photos.
I would recommend spending 30-40 minutes taking outdoor winter photos and then spending 30-40 minutes indoors. Take your outdoor photos first, and then the indoor photos will serve as a “warm up” period. This approach is very practical. And on top of everything else, you will have 2 unique looks in your wedding photos. I generally like to take the more “formal” photos outdoors with everyone looking handsome and pretty. Then take more candid and casual photos indoors. Pubs, restaurants, diners, ANYTHING works for an indoor wedding photo location.
5. Walk in the snow!
A snow-covered field or frozen lake is NOT a “no trespassing” zone. Venture into the snow and you can expect some stunning scenery and photos.
My only word of caution: read the personality of your bridal party, your core guests, and of course – be honest with yourself. Don’t plan a winter wedding unless you and your loved ones are a positive group that will make the most out of a winter wedding. Happy planning!
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