9 Reasons to Plan a Winter Wedding

Though most couples choose to tie the knot in the spring or summer, there are plenty of reasons you should consider having a wedding in winter. It may not be the most conventional season for an Aussie wedding, but once you’ve considered the many benefits, you may just find yourself agreeing that this is the way to go. Here are 9 extra cool (sorry, couldn’t help it) reasons to plan a wedding in winter.

Book the venue (and vendors) you want

The most popular wedding venues are booked months or years in advance for the peak summer and spring dates. When you choose a winter wedding date, there’s a much better chance of booking your favourite wedding venue without having to wait. This also goes for popular wedding vendors, including florists, photographers, caterers and stylists.

Stay within your wedding budget

Wedding venues (and some vendors) offer reduced rates during winter, as this is their slow season. Because the venue usually accounts for about half of the total cost of a wedding, getting married during the off-peak season is the easiest way to stick to your wedding budget.

Avoid rain

Winter in Australia doesn’t have to mean rain (unless you’re in Melbourne!). In many cities, the winter months actually experience the lowest average rainfall. If you choose to get hitched in winter, you might be less stressed out about rain on your wedding day.

Avoid overheating

When people think about summer weddings, they usually visualize couples tying the knot under a clear blue sky. What they don’t take into account is the sweltering summer heat, the makeup melting off the bride’s face and the groom sweating under his suit.

When you get married in the winter, the cooler weather makes things more comfortable. If you get chilly, just add more layers to warm up. This actually gives you an opportunity to play around with winter wear - another perk of winter weddings.

Winter fashion

One of the best things about a winter wedding is that you get to accessorise with scarves, boleros, jackets, boots and other nice things to keep you warm. Brides can wear gowns with sleeves, faux fur or cashmere wraps, and denim or leather jackets. Winter fashion is as chic as it is practical.

Winter flowers

Some couples worry that they won’t be able to get their hands on their favourite blooms if they choose to tie the knot in the winter months. But some of the most gorgeous flowers — dahlias, poppies, tulips, anemones, hydrangeas and daffodils — are plentiful during winter. They also make the most stunning bouquets and centrepieces.

Winter sunlight

Because the sun sets earlier, there’s a better chance of getting wedding snapshots with a breathtaking sunset as the backdrop. With the sun sitting lower in the sky, the light is softer which makes for the most dreamy photos. Best of all, there’s none of the squinting that goes on when taking wedding photos in the bright summer sun.

Spend more time with your guests

Earlier sunsets make for longer wedding receptions, which means you get to spend some extra time sipping, dining, dancing and chatting with your guests. An earlier sunset also means that you won’t have to step away from the reception to take those coveted sunset photos, ensuring a seamless flow of wedding activities.

Perfect time for a honeymoon

Planning a honeymoon somewhere close? If you go soon after your winter wedding, you’ll be able to save on off-season rates during your honeymoon as well! Planning a honeymoon overseas? Winter is the best time to go as it will be summer in the Northern Hemisphere!

Find your winter wedding venue

Have we convinced you to ditch your summer wedding plans and start researching the best winter wedding ideas? Whether you’re dreaming of a romantic winter ceremony in the mountains or a luxury reception in the city, choosing the right location for your wedding is paramount. Explore the best wedding venues in Australia with VenueNow.