The Ultimate Guide to Planning and Capturing a Magical Winter Wedding
There is something so special about getting married in the winter. I love the cosy feel to it, the twinkling lights, the focus on the indoor spaces. Do you know those super cheesy Hallmark Christmas movies where when it snows it just comes down so perfectly and everything looks magical? The kind of snow that is puffy and light? Some might say Minnesota was made for winter weddings, and with winter weddings growing in popularity, some brides and grooms may wonder how they’ll survive their outdoor portraits.
The Magic of a Winter Venue: The Barn On the Pemi
The Barn on the Pemi is a gorgeous New Hampshire wedding venue with stunning mountain views but due to the magical snow fall – they weren’t able to be seen – trust me when I say, no one was upset. We were basically able to go anywhere on the property and it looked like we were in a snow globe – can you say winter wedding goals?!
Nikki’s family is Polish and they chose to not only have their intimate mountain wedding in December but on the Polish holiday that celebrates Saint Nicholas called “Mikolajki”. I loved that they tied that in during their ceremony and paid homage to her families culture! Below are the vendors who made this day possible:
| Role | Vendor |
|---|---|
| Venue | The Barn on the Pemi |
| Photography | Alexsandra Wiciel Photography |
| Dress | Galina // Davids Bridal |
| Hair | Stella Boutique Hair Salon |
| DJ | Sweep The Leg Entertainment |
How To Stay Warm During Winter Wedding Portraits
If you run cold, as I do, here are tips that’ll help you and your future spouse stay warm during winter wedding portraits:
- Choose a wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses with long sleeves. There are some seriously stylish wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses out there that have long sleeves. Add a cute coat or faux fur into the mix to stay warm during your wedding portraits!
- Bring along a scarf or shawl. Not only will it keep you warm by blocking the wind and keeping in your body heat, but it’ll also look super cute and can double as a prop.
- Wear long underwear or leggings under your dress. This is such a brilliant tip because literally no one will be able to tell you’re wearing them…your dress hides it all!
- Swap out your bridal shoes for winter boots or waterproof boots. Put on your winter boots and thick socks! Bonus: boots have extra tread on the bottom that will keep you from slipping.
- Use hand warmers. Putting hand warmers inside of your mittens will keep your hands nice and toasty in-between photos. If you need a bit of heat while you’re taking portraits, you could hold one between your hands and bouquet.
- Warm yourself from the inside out. It’s the caffeine that stimulates your metabolism which encourages the body to burn fuel. Holding and sipping a warm cup of coffee, tea, or hot cocoa never hurts.
Essential Considerations for Winter Photography
Timing and Daylight
The single most important thing to think about is the daylight. Winter days are shorter days, and photography is all about the light. Unless you want portraits in the dark, you’ll need to plan your timings carefully. By the end of October, the sun will set at 4.30pm in the UK, so make sure you have enough time for any group photos and couple shots. It might even work well to have a first look and/or some photos before the ceremony to make the most of the daylight.
Indoor Lighting and Atmosphere
Think carefully about lighting for the inside. Lighting is one of the things that makes winter weddings so special and helps to create that cosy feel. Try to create welcoming pockets of light and twinkling backgrounds. Candles are wonderful at this time of year, and can help create a really magical feel. The more, the better! If you have fairy lights as well, keep them warmer toned to tie in with your candles.
Embrace the Elements
There is no expectation for warm and sunny days, and there is always a rain plan! Have some spare footwear suitable for muddy ground, and something to keep you warm if it’s chilly. Then, if we are lucky with the weather, we can get outside and make the most of the gorgeous winter light. Know that it’ll be a bit chilly but that’s part of the fun. Embrace the elements, prepare ahead of time, and cuddle up with your future spouse!