Image via The Pretty Blog
Planning a winter wedding can be really fun. The weather will more than likely be one of three things, wet, cold or windy (with a touch of sleet or snow in there for good measure!) and you’re okay with it, in fact you’re embracing it. Accepting it and working with it means you can factor in all kinds of achingly gorgeous touches to make your day as romantic as possible. With a handsome new hubby to keep you warm, you’ll be the happiest girl alive, but keep your guests smiling and snug too by incorporating some little touches that will go a long way. Here are 8 of our favourites…
Savoury Treats
Image via The Wedding Community
Ladies sans tights (why do we do it to ourselves!) and standing around outside a ceremony equals some very chilled bones come reception time! Warm your guests up and win them over with some yummy home-baked scones. Served warm with lashings of butter and jam (our mouths are watering just thinking of them) and there won’t be a crumb left. As for the aroma – nothing quite beats it! Pair with a roaring fire and you won’t get rid of them.
Cosy Cover Ups
Images via The Knot
Blankets or throws in all manner of shapes and sizes will come in really handy if there is a bit of a nip in the air and your guests feel the need to snuggle up. And there are some really lovely ways to store them – use old suitcases or a pretty wicker basket with a little sign propped in the corner inviting guests to keep warm. You don’t have to spend a fortune on them either – source them in the likes of Penneys or Tiger or see if you can borrow a few from family members and friends.
A Hot Chocolate Bar
Image via 100 Layer Cake, Photography by Rachel Peters
Nothing says winter quite like a good hot chocolate! Although to be fair, we could probably manage them during the summer months here too. A really pretty addition to any winter affair, a hot chocolate bar will attract quite the crowd and won’t cost the earth to set up. Things like marshmallows (the heart version are beyond cute) and a bowl filled to the brim with chocolate sprinkles will make a sweet display or you could even create some custom cardboard sleeves for your cups with your wedding details or your guests’ names etched on to them. Alternatively, if you fancy going down the favour route, add some cocoa and store bought marshmallows to a mason jar and leave them at your guests’ place settings – they can whip one up later on if they get a bit chilly.
Tea/Coffee Station
Vintage china via Found Rentals | Tea party via Style Me Pretty, Photography by Caroline Tran | Coffee cup via Style me Pretty | Sign post via Clayton Austin Love Stories
We Irish were reared on tea so you won’t go wrong with a little tea station where guests can help themselves to a homemade cuppa! Make sure the water is flowing and the teabags are aplenty should you decide to embark on one of these as there will be queues! You can go to town on the details – if you’re going down the tea route, old crockery, china teapots and vintage tea tins could look really pretty on an old dresser. Or if you’re a coffee connoisseur and fancy a bit of a barista set-up, use chrome plungers and display woven bags overflowing with beans. Some couples even invest in a professional barista! But we love the idea of setting up your own little corner so guests can help themselves.
Hot Drinks
Mulled wine dispenser via Pinterest | Warm berry drink via Claire Justine OXOX | Apple Cider via Delightfully Tacky
So we’ve covered the non-alcoholic version, now on to the strong stuff! Warm winter inspired cocktails go down a treat on cold days, guests will love something warm to wrap their hands around and sip on – think hot whiskies, mulled wine and warm apple ciders. You can even create your own signature cocktail if you fancy, complete with all the trimmings. There’s something so pretty about cinnamon sticks garnishing a glass corner or you can customise some cute flags for stirrers. If you’re looking for some inspiration Wedding Chicks have some great recipes you can try.
Lip Balms and Hand Warmers
Lip balms via The Budget Savvy Bride | Arrow hand warmers via Arommy | Tartan Hand warmers via Swoon Studio
Ladies will definitely appreciate this one! Leave lip balms bundled in a basket or perched by each person’s seat as a sweet favour idea. Ladies may have their lippy on hand which is all well and good for a splash of colour but the likes of lip balm may have been forgotten. Either way, they’re a useful gift for afterwards. Hand warmers are also a lovely little DIY and very practical – pick up fabric in your colour scheme and match them to your decor. To make the hand warmers shown above by Swoon Studio or Arommy, click on the links above for the full tutorials.
Milk and Cookies
Image via Emma Sharkey Photography
So, we may all be grown-ups but there’s something still really appealing about the milk and cookies combo, particularly on colder nights. A great late-night treat for your guests, milk and cookies will warm them up and fill a little gap (courtesy of all the dancing!) when served close to midnight. There are also lots of lovely ways to serve them – you can pop one on top of each glass of milk and have someone pass them around or you can leave them aside on a platter with old-school bottles of milk for your guests to nibble on as the night progresses.
The Little Things
Gloves via Bridesmaid | Umbrellas via The Knot
If it’s raining, your guests will really appreciate a row of umbrellas perched by the door should they need to pop outside! You could even leave the likes of wellies lined up for guests to borrow or a little basket filled with gloves and scarves to keep the kiddies toasty.
