Winter Wedding Ceremony and Reception Tips

Winter Wedding Ceremony and Reception Tips

Winter can be a magical time in western North Carolina. At times, snow will fall and accumulate on the ridges such that downtown Asheville seems more like Salt Lake City and the Rocky Mountains. Even in the valleys, the area receives about a foot of snow each year; however, temperatures are much milder than other high elevation cities. Winter weather is one of the things that attract new residents and tourists to the mountains. 

Have you chosen a winter date for your upcoming wedding? Planning a winter wedding in North Carolina can be more difficult because you have to consider the potential for cold or inclement weather. There’s a good chance your January wedding date will be sunny with highs in the upper 50s, but there is also the potential for snow and freezing temperatures. The simple details can make your wedding guests feel warmly welcomed, even on the coldest of days. Here are some of our favorite ways to add these special touches on your winter wedding festivities.

 

Eight Winter Wedding Tips for You and Your Guests

1. Lights

What better way to add warmth to your wedding ceremony than by giving special attention to the lighting? Depending on the ambiance you want to achieve, you could use hanging lanterns lining the aisle and have the bridesmaids carry lanterns in lieu of flowers, string white lights in trees at the ceremony or reception, incorporate candles in your centerpieces, or use a canopy of large-bulbed lights over the dance floor.

2. Christmas ornaments as centerpieces

Centerpieces are one of the most important parts of your wedding decorations. A winter wedding gives you the opportunity to combine your wedding decorations with Christmas. For example, add blue, white, and silver ornaments to a clear vase to transform your reception venue into a winter wonderland. 

3. Pearls and crystals

Whether they are accenting the wedding cake or adorning the bride’s hair, dress and veil, pearls are elegant and reminiscent of snowballs. Similarly, crystals will remind guests of ice, reflecting light and transporting guests to a snowy dream.

4. Hot beverage bar

Since the temperatures outside are likely on the chilly side, winter weddings are the perfect opportunity to serve hot beverages like apple cider, hot cocoa, or coffee. If your guests can’t be warm on the outside, at least they can warm up on the inside with a yummy hot drink.

5. Bold makeup

The bride and bridesmaids can use this opportunity to experiment with lip colors that really stand out, such as red or plum, which are both stylish colors of the season and look particularly striking against a white dress or a snowy backdrop. Your expert wedding hair and makeup stylist can help you determine just how bold to be.

6. Dried flowers or berries

While dried flowers can be incorporated into centerpieces or used for other decor, they can also be used to create a beautiful flower crown for the bride and the flower girl.

7. Sweets bar

Candy, cookies, and desserts are synonymous with the holidays and winter. There’s no better time of year for indulging in sweet treats than when the weather outside is frightful. There’s just something comforting about biting into a truffle or cupcake, and these snacks pair perfectly with a hot beverage buffet like that mentioned above. Treat your guests to treats for your winter wedding ceremony.

8. Winter accessories

Of course, every bride wants guests to ooh and aah over her wedding dress, but she also doesn’t want to freeze. Whether it’s a faux fur wrap, a bridal cape, fuzzy earmuffs, or a pair of velvet heels, a winter accessory can be a practical way to complete your bridal look and can elevate your wedding photos to the next level. Accessories are often too much and too warm for summer and fall weddings but perfect for a cold-weather ceremony.

Jeanne’s Hair and Makeup in Asheville

If you have chosen to host your winter wedding ceremony in western North Carolina, you have made a great choice. Wherever you are in the area, Jeanne’s Hair and Makeup will come to you to prepare your bridal party for your special day. We are ready to make sure we support your planning and themes, so you can focus on those who matter most. If you want an experienced and licensed wedding hair and makeup studio that will come to your venue, contact the team and Jeanne’s.