How to Plan for a Winter Wedding in Scotland
Arguably, weddings in Scotland are spectacular at any time of the year. Nevertheless, winter weddings in Scotland are especially fabulous. As a Scottish wedding photographer, I shoot fairly evenly throughout the year and I genuinely LOVE every season but perhaps have a slight preference for autumnal and winter weddings. There’s swathes of advantages to holding a winter wedding: from a wider range of venue dates, greater likelihood of invited guests being around to celebrate with you and not to mention having more realistic expectations surrounding the weather, winter weddings hold plenty of promise.
All that said, advice for those planning a winter weddings in Scotland isn’t terrifically different for those planning a wedding in spring, summer or autumn - plan for the worst, hope for the best! Chances are, you’ll be versed in the unpredictable nature of the weather and are already in preparation mode. Here’s a lot of helpful wee pointers for those of you planning your Scottish winter wedding.
Visit your Venue at Night
It’s common to see your venue during the daytime, but at a winter wedding, the majority of your reception will take place after sunset. Your venue will have an entirely different feel when the day light’s gone. Arrange a visit to your venue in the evening when you can see what kind of lighting they have, and whether the vibe is cosy and inviting.
Layers + Winter Accessories
Nothing says winter more than wrapping up in cosy layers. Beyond feeling snug, layers are a genuine necessity depending on your plans and expectations for the day: tweed suits are ideal for winter. I’ve seen many a groom regret the decision to wear one in the height of summer and many a groom relieved to have the heavy material around them when out on a hillside in the freezing January climes.
Practise Putting in your Veil Securely…if Your Have One
If I had a penny for every veil that was blown out by an unexpected gust of wind…
Make a Plan with your Photographer / Film-maker
It gets dark considerably earlier in winter. If you’ve hired a photographer and / or film-maker, it’s important to discuss - in advance - your expectations for the day. Your 3pm service might have to pulled earlier if you’re expecting to get outdoors for a couple shoot. Some couples opt to go for their couple shoot prior to their ceremony; others steel away immediately after the ceremony to grab the remaining moments of day light. Regardless, it’s best to have this conversation sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment.
Check Out your Venue’s Heating Situation
This point only applies to those of you using a dry hire DIY venue. By that, if you’re hiring the venue space alone, it’s probably best to work on the assumption you’ll need to bring in our own heating sources. It’s an important point not to get caught out on!
What Decorations Will Be Up
Do you really want a Christmas tree to be standing front and centre aisle during your ceremony? Do you love those multi-coloured lights hanging on that otherwise clean, minimal white wall that so struck you on your show around? It’s perfectly acceptable to ask for decorations you don’t like to be removed on your wedding day. Just plan in advance and have that conversation prior to the day itself.
Minimise Travel - keep everything at the same location
Ideally, aim to have your ceremony and reception in the one venue. If this isn’t possible, try to ensure your venues are in close proximity of each other. Reducing margin for error on this front will take away potentially avoidable stress. Some venues have on-site accommodation. This is optimal if you have guests who have a long journey.
Allow Extra Travel Time
Bad weather means bad traffic, so give extra time for travel to your ceremony - no matter how near or far you are going. You’ll be surprised at what could crop up unexpectedly.
Keep Guests Warm
Consider making an effort to ensure your guests are kept warm and cheery once they arrive. A hot drink on arrival is a nice and simple idea nor need it blow the wedding budget. It’s worthwhile considering bringing in blankets and umbrellas for the folks caught short. Brolly Bucket specialises in the hiring of fleeces, blankets and brollies - less faff and less waste for you.
Go Seasonal
Nothing will say winter more than your flowers and menu. In Scotland, we’re spoiled for incredible caterers and florists. The folks I typically work with are passionate about issues around sustainability. You’ll find many Scottish suppliers are keen to work within the parameters of your season. Beyond this, check out Pinterest for ideas around styling your winter wedding. There’s so many interesting wintry concepts you could integrate into your day to make sure it stands out. A highlight from a recent winter wedding I photographed were lots of differently coloured mini pumpkins layered on top of each other on the tables in the reception room. They looked incredible alongside the seasonal flowers the couple had selected.
Take Out Wedding Insurance
This is something you should consider regardless of the time of year however, wedding insurance is particularly important in winter. In all likelihood, you’re investing a large sum of money into this one day and so it will be worth spending a little extra to gain the peace of mind it brings.
Other Helpful Winter Wedding Planning Posts
Here’s a lot of helpful wee pointers for those of you planning your Scottish winter wedding.