Daryl Ross, wedding co-ordinator at the Lodore Falls Hotel, is passionate about helping brides create the perfect wedding day and wanted to share with you her thoughts on Winter weddings…
With all this snow (and rain!) that we have had, it has sparked a thought in my head about winter weddings. How beautiful they are and how creative they allow you to be… Taking the plunge and holding your wedding throughout November to February can be a daunting task, but the payoff can be great. See my following suggestions to help on your special day:
You have a theme. A great theme. And this theme can travel throughout your wedding from save the dates all the way to the thank you cards. You can use seasonal décor and adorn the rooms with rustic woodland decorations to ensure your wedding is picturesque. From the first moment your guests see the invitations, up until they walk into the ceremony room, the cold yet inviting essence of winter will be upon them. Use tiny baubles or pinecones as part of your place cards, gift warming whiskey as favours and hand out deliciously sweet hot chocolates for a welcoming drink (you could even add a splash of something alcoholic!). Also, play with the lighting of the ceremony and wedding breakfast rooms; string lights are a great feature but candles will give an intimate atmosphere.
Winter Wedding Favours and Name Card Ideas
Take note: The Lodore Falls Hotel puts their Christmas decorations up at the very beginning of November and get taken down around the 6th January giving you plenty of dates to make the most of a Winter Wonderland theme
For your colour scheme, white; White everywhere! White keeps a frosty feel going whilst looking fresh and crisp. White chair covers with white sashes, white linen, white dress, white tux… it will be clean and classic. Subtle but completely beautiful. If it is snowing, even better! However, for that completely striking and slightly unusual touch, use a sharp, contrasting colour for the bridesmaids’ dresses and your bouquet. Reds go perfectly for a Christmas feel, but deep purples work if you want to steer away from anything festive. Using just a splash of colour throughout your wedding will look stunning and will be very simple to organise.
Your wedding outfits can be, in one word, amazing. For a classy yet relaxed feel, wear a pale, pastel coloured jumper on top of your dress to keep yourself warm. Alternately, a faux fur shawl or gilet would give your outfit a luxurious feel whilst keeping the heat in! Delicate looking but sturdy brollies teamed with wedding wellies will help you fight against any turbulent rain and wind, whilst allowing you to look fabulous.
Take note: If the weather’s not so fab your guests can gather and mingle in our side lounges for the welcome drink, which is great as it means they are not in the main function room for the entire day.
Speaking of rain, embracing the weather will result in some dramatic pictures and unforgettable evenings. When rain strikes, don’t let it put a dampener on your special day. Incredible photographs and extremely fun opportunities arise to make your day one that your guests will remember for years to come. And, if you’re lucky, snow will create the most beautiful backdrop to your wedding, making the whole day something magical. Have a spontaneous snowball fight with your guests and make snowmen with the children (and adults alike!).
In the evening, sit by inviting fireplaces and wrap everyone in soft blankets to create the cosiest of atmospheres. Serve your guests mulled wine whilst they listen to the fires crackling away, and serve them your beautifully decorated wedding cake. If you decide on fruit cake, this is a great option to spice up the festive feel, however, if you decided on perhaps chocolate cake, warm that delicious slice up and serve with a white chocolate and cranberry ice cream!
Any path you choose to take with a winter wedding will result in an awe inspiring day that will have your guests excited from the very start. Remember to embrace the weather and enjoy the whole experience!
Here at Lodore, we’re very enthusiastic about creating personalised and unique weddings that will be a day to remember. If you are interested in a winter wedding and are looking for some inspiration, call or email Daryl Ross the wedding coordinator on 017687 77285 weddings.lodorefalls@lakedistricthotels.net
