Now is the time to plan those winter weddings

Imagine a romantic, candle-lit ceremony with a cozy fireplace backdrop, outlined with white birch tree branches and twinkle lights as your couple exchanges vows. Or think of them standing at nature’s altar as guests, wrapped in warm blankets and sipping hot cocoa as snowflakes fall overhead, eagerly waiting for the officiant to say those five words, “You may kiss the bride.” After the ceremony guests are escorted to a sunset, horse-drawn sleigh-ride before dinner and dancing. Winter weddings, whether in Wisconsin or Lake Tahoe, can be fabulous affairs!If your couples are planning a wedding in the chilly winter months, hopefully, they love the snow and the chill. Yet we all know these types of weddings bring other challenges. Planning a winter wedding can seem risky, especially in the mountains, but if you plan accordingly, the weddings can be magical events that satisfy the dreams of your clients. Get your group activities set upWith winter travel, there may be travel delays. Planning a couple days of activities leading up to the big day will entice guests to stay longer and give guests’ buffer time to make it to the wedding day. Be sure to plan activities for all ages and abilities, from sledding and tubing to snowmobiling and skiing. It’s always fun for friends and family to meet at the end of a chilly, active day with rosy cheeks and tired legs—sharing stories around the fireplace, while sipping on hot toddies. Surprisingly, it’s often the guests who are not used to winter weather that are the most excited to take home these fun memories!Have a back-up planIt’s important to be flexible and decide on an alternative plan far in advance if the weather doesn’t cooperate. For instance, if you are planning a mountaintop wedding and the transportation is a ski lift, you’ll need to prepare in case the lifts close due to snow or wind. Be sure to have a back-up venue, and advise your vendors of the changes if it happens last minute. To alleviate stress on the wedding day, plan far in advance so wedding vendors will know how you want to move forward. And look at the bright side; if you are planning a winter wedding, because your couple loves to ski or snowboard, they can look forward to fun in the snow the next day!Plan in advanceRecommend your couples work with you to plan a winter wedding at least a year in advance. This means there will be less competition and more options to choose from for venues. Hire local vendors, especially in the winter months, to ensure they are familiar with winter weather and travel. If you are hiring someone from outside of the area, consider bringing them in the day before, which may mean providing them with lodging.Décor and ThemesWinter weddings are so much fun when it comes to choosing colors and décor. Start with the save-the-dates. Think miniature cable knit sweaters in small boxes with attached tags that explain the location and date, or send small, corked bottle with fake snow inside.Velvet is the latest craze in table linens, and when better to use this than at a winter wedding! Colors can vary from deep red tones to whites, ivory, or golds. Be sure to create a cozy lounge setting with a warm fire, blankets, and displayed in wood boxes, wedding favors—cable knit mittens and scarves or matching beanies. Candlelight may be the best part of a winter wedding. The sun sets early, after all, so candlelight can be used for all aspects of the wedding—from a ceremony aisle lined with different-sized candles, to hanging lanterns on shepherd hooks to light a pathway, or to using tall, tapered candles for centerpieces.Winter weddings are magical, especially when planned with thought and care. Be sure to work with your couple on staying flexible and understanding that weather may shift some of the plans. If they know this, then winter weddings may be the perfect way to say “I do!”__Kerry Hawk, Blue Sky Events, Stateline, Nev.