This morning on the wedding blog we tackle that age old wedding planning conundrum – when is the
best time of year
to tie the knot? A spring/summer soirée or autumn/winter shindig?
rachel says: autumn/winter
While we can’t guarantee sunshine during the spring/summer season in Britain, one thing we can be sure of is cold weather come autumn/winter. So instantly, if for nothing else but to avoid weather woes, I’m drawn to the chillier months of the year in which to tie the knot.
But there’s more to it than that. Weddings out of peak season can often come at a cheaper price, saving you a buck or two, and a celebrations at this time of year gives guests something exciting to look forward to when their summer holidays are long gone, the days are darker and the temperatures cooler. It also gives brides and grooms the opportunity to piggyback on festive occasions such as Christmas and New Year when people are in full-on party mode.
Personally I find wintry weddings can be incredibly atmospheric. As the days are shorter in terms of light couples tend to look to cosier settings with open fires and candle light to provide a sensational seasonal backdrop to their celebrations. And thanks to the introduction of Scandinavian style tepees, complete with festoon lighting, faux fur throws and fire pits, a winter wedding doesn’t have to take place within four walls.
In terms of décor the cooler months lend themselves to a wide variety of colour palettes, including warm, welcoming hues such as burnt orange as well as pale icy pastels, sparkling metallics and deep elegant shades of emerald green and sapphire blue. Twinkling decorations such as fairy lights, tea light holders and lanterns add to the atmosphere and blooms become more edgy with the addition of berries, thistles and holly.
Then there’s the food. Seriously pass me a bowl of hearty sausage and mash any day over a light salad. As a foodie I find menu choices at weddings one of the most important elements and think couples can have much more fun with comforting winter dishes and tipples, such as steak pie, sticky toffee pudding, mulled wine and prosecco with a dash of crème de cassis, compared more obvious summer options. I’m rather tempted to leave the Eggnog in the 70s though.
image source, photography by Jennifer Eileen
julia says: spring/summer
Two words: peonies and Pimms.
For me, the dream English wedding scenario involves these two P’s; hazy sunshine in a cloudless blue sky; wide, green lawns dotted with daisies; a heaving bower of blooms atop a church gate; tiny bridesmaids dressed as fairies; a dazzling marquee and long, summer nights.
A spring or summer wedding will always be a winner. Why? Because everyone so badly wants it to work. Your guests are ready to mingle after a seemingly endless winter, the ladies are aching to don their summer brights and the boys are keen for some competitive garden games. If it’s a bit of a damp squib on the day, no one really cares – there’s always fake tan and a free bar to keep everyone happy. And if you luck out and the sun has got his hat on, well, hip hip hip hooray indeed!
Spring/ summer just fits with weddings. Traditionally ‘wedding season’ for a reason, it’s a time for new beginnings and fresh starts. The best flowers are in season, picking a honeymoon destination isn’t a game of weather roulette and you can wear a sleeveless wedding gown without worrying about goose bumps.
All that said, I actually got married in October.
Why? Because for me, my dream May wedding day would have had to involve another P – Piriton. I can generally just about cope with the red rimmed eyes and fuzzy head that my annual bout of hayfever brings – but not on my wedding day. So I shelved my flower plans and opted for an autumn celebration instead, sticking to a classic colour palette of blush pink and charcoal grey to offset and complement the colours of the season.
Just so happened, summer 2010 was nothing to write home about, but October of that year? A scorcher. So I got my blue skies after all.
Who am I kidding – you can’t plan for the English weather… so get hitched whenever you ruddy well feel like it! I hope the sun shines for you, whatever month you choose to say ‘I do’.
what you said on facebook:
Carla: “We chose to have a summer wedding and have our fingers crossed for sunshine!”
Jane: “Our February wedding will all be indoors anyway, so it doesn’t matter what time of year it is. Anyway, I think a winter wedding is cosier and more romantic.”
Rachael: “We are incorporating decorations from the venue into our Christmas wedding, so we have a ready made theme that isn’t costing anything.”
Peta: “I love the idea of a traditional English summer wedding – with bunting and croquet!”
image source, photography by Tessa Barton Photography
What’s your opinion – we’d love to hear your thoughts?
