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This afternoon, I am happy to introduce another of my little Christmas elves (you know, the ones that do all the wedding blog writing whilst I laze on the sofa eating Quality Street and watching Downton Abbey reruns*) and guest bloggers, Rebecca from Chillisauce Events.  Rebecca is currently interning at Chillisauce and before she completes her training she has promised us a little series of seasonal delights, so watch the wedding blog for more from her shortly.

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*If only! An afternoon on the sofa (with Downton’s Cousin Matthew, thank you very much!) would be my dream date right now.  Instead I am hard at work planning some pretty amazing events for 2012:

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For brides, the MASSIVE Brides Up North Super Showcase in the North East (have YOU registered for your VIP Bride To Be Goody Bag yet?) and three fabulous Wedding Exclusives with Dine Venues in Yorkshire.  I am also currently in talks to add a North West event very soon!  Eeeek!

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For wedding industry friends, three more Brides Up North Tweet Ups – dates and locations to be announced soon.  Please contact me to join the guest list if you would like to come along!

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Plus some other very exciting TOP SECRET projects for 2012.

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So whilst I get on with all of the above, I’ll leave you in Rebecca’s capable hands, as she talks about planning a Winter Wedding…

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Rebecca says: At this time of year there are lots of seasonal elements that could make your wedding a Winter wonderland from log fires and rich green Christmas trees to fairy lights and snowscapes. Winter is a very romantic time of year and the perfect time to say I do.

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Winter Wedding Venues

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December weddings can be amongst the most beautiful as you can tie in a wintery venue with oak beamed ceilings and the warmth of candlelight, as well as taking advantage of existing Christmas decorations. Incorporate seasonal flowers into your wedding that will be readily available at this time such as Holly, Roses, Ivy and Mistletoe.  These will look both romantic and festive. Having your wedding at Christmas does not mean you have to stick to traditional; keep it contemporary using white and gold as opposed to red and green.

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Things to consider: If you are planning a traditional Church ceremony, many Anglican and Catholic ministers refuse to marry during Advent, which runs until Christmas Eve.  With regards to venues, you may struggle to decide on a date that is available and suits the majority of your guests. Venues will be booked up with Christmas parties and so will your guests, so make sure you make arrangements far in advance.

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January and February can be great for saving money on venues and your honeymoon as there will be lots of deals on at this time. With the New Year being a quiet time for venues, you can easily bargain cheaper prices for the same space and this will give you more options to splurge elsewhere with your wedding budget. Forget three year waiting lists: over the winter months dream venues will have more availability and suppliers will often be offering discounts too.

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Things to consider: You will need to be super organised especially if your wedding is in the early New Year, planning ahead of the Christmas and New Year lull, as many companies will be closed and out of contact during this time. Also consider the weather as snow and strong winds might throw a spanner in the works! Be prepared to have an action plan should guests have difficulty making it on the day.

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Winter Wedding Food

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There are great ingredients and produce unique to Winter. In December you may want to keep it traditional with turkey, parsnips and swede, both colourful and warming veggies. In January and February duck and halibut are great meats to experiment with for main courses, with beetroot and pumpkin as considerations for starters and apples and rhubarb as great Winter desert ingredients.

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Include the Christmas theme all the way down to the favours, thinking Winter all the way with snowflake shaped cinnamon biscuits or red and white striped candy canes. Why not serve mulled wine or wintery cocktails like a Pom Cosmo – just replace cranberry juice with pomegranate for a festive touch.

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Winter Wedding Bridal Style

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The great thing about winter weddings is that you can really accessorize with shawls, gillets and fur or make a statement with long sleeves. Lace and fur are very on trend, so would look great, especially during winter.  Twinkle is never going out of fashion and more is more in the darker months!

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Rebecca works at Chillisauce Ltd. an Events Company specialising in Hen Nights, Stag Dos and Corporate Events.

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These fun photographs are by Stan Seaton Photography and styled by Brides Up North at Rockliffe Hall.  Dress by Poppy Bridal.  Hair by Hooker & Young Darlington.  To see the full styled shoot which was featured in The Sunday Sun, click here

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Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © Stan Seaton Photography

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