
I have a confession to make. I am currently completely and totally obsessed with winter weddings!! Now I want to make it very clear right from the start that I also love spring weddings, I love summer weddings and of course I adore autumn weddings but as I find myself in the cooler months I am more than a little inspired by the season!
I absolutely love the idea of a wedding in the snow. It’s so enchanting, so magical, so ethereal……......
And so never going to happened on my particular part of the coast!! The closest snow fields to me are over 500ks away!
So I started thinking about beach weddings in winter.
I know that most people don’t necessarily like the idea of hanging out at the beach in winter, especially in NSW southern regions but I spent nearly the whole day down at the beach today. It’s June. And it was glorious!

I took this photo at Mollymook Beach this afternoon.
The Sun was wonderful, warm and relaxing. The air so clean, fresh and invigorating. The colour of the water was crystal clear and blue and at 22 degrees extraordinarily warm. I watched a pod of dolphins playing in the waves, they were there for ages and they were awesome. To make things even better I spotted a whale cruising by – so cool!
My son and I had nearly the entire beach to ourselves for pretty much the whole time which is not at all uncommon for this time of year. Bliss.
This gorgeous day on the beach made me wonder why more people don’t get married down here this time of year. The reasons I came up with were; it gets dark earlier, cooler temperatures ……
Well that was all I could think of and to be honest these could also be positive things for a wedding day.
Hear me out.
The fact that is gets darker sooner may be a concern for getting those amazing wedding photos.
Yes I admit there may be a shorter timeframe for that natural light. The answer of having the ceremony earlier in the day also creates its own problems such as less time for hair and make-up. But that’s where the cons end. The pros out way them significantly, for example; an earlier wedding means less chance of getting blown off the beach! I’m not joking. The thing about beach weddings is that the wind nearly always picks up later in the afternoon, especially in spring.
The Sun was wonderful, warm and relaxing. The air so clean, fresh and invigorating. The colour of the water was crystal clear and blue and at 22 degrees extraordinarily warm. I watched a pod of dolphins playing in the waves, they were there for ages and they were awesome. To make things even better I spotted a whale cruising by – so cool!
My son and I had nearly the entire beach to ourselves for pretty much the whole time which is not at all uncommon for this time of year. Bliss.
This gorgeous day on the beach made me wonder why more people don’t get married down here this time of year. The reasons I came up with were; it gets dark earlier, cooler temperatures ……
Well that was all I could think of and to be honest these could also be positive things for a wedding day.
Hear me out.
The fact that is gets darker sooner may be a concern for getting those amazing wedding photos.
Yes I admit there may be a shorter timeframe for that natural light. The answer of having the ceremony earlier in the day also creates its own problems such as less time for hair and make-up. But that’s where the cons end. The pros out way them significantly, for example; an earlier wedding means less chance of getting blown off the beach! I’m not joking. The thing about beach weddings is that the wind nearly always picks up later in the afternoon, especially in spring.

Let’s talk lighting. If it gets dark earlier you get to take advantage of amazing lighting to set the whole vibe of your reception. Even your ceremony if you want to have a night wedding (I love this idea so much I think I will do a blog post on night time weddings alone). There are so many beautiful, subtle or out there stunning lighting ideas. Pinterest (Yes I have a small addiction) is saturated with amazing wedding lighting ideas. There are so many options that will go with any wedding style, colours or theme. Fairy lights, candles, lanterns, chandeliers, those awesome bare bulb strings that are SO hot right now. Lighting can make a celebration space magical. It’s warm and inviting and oh so romantic. Ask your photographer about low lighting photography. If it’s done well it’s spectacular!
The winter sun is much less harsh than the summer sun. It’s softer and clearer and for some reason feels cleaner. You won’t have to worry about squinting at the camera lens or constantly asking the groomsmen to “Please take off your sunnies” and there will be no having to cover up that bright red sunburn because amongst all the last minute duties you forgot to use sunblock the day before the big day. Grandma and Grandpa won’t be passing out from heat stroke, nor will the groomsmen from too many refreshing beverages in the sun!
The cooler temperature (and when I say cooler I’m talking mid to low 20s as opposed to high 30s so it’s not exactly cold) means that the guys are a lot more comfortable in their suits while standing out in the sunshine – especially if for whatever reason the Bride is running a little more than fashionably late. The girls Makeup will stay put. Long sleeved dresses are fabulous and if your more into the short sleeve, strappy or strapless variety there are some amazing boleros, shrugs, fur (Faux of course) stoles, not to mention gorgeous formal coats, jackets and cloaks.
And now that I mention it winter weddings can be more formal. If you are wanting a laid back, casual wedding where everyone is wearing thongs and boardies, well yes, a summer wedding is probably more for you. But winter weddings make way for debonair three piece suits, classic long gowns, fabulous closed toe shoes or better still fabulous boots!
It means you can dish up delicious hearty meals – with gravy - and it’s more likely that people will eat them.
You will also have a much better chance of getting the venue you want. As well as the decorator, photographer, make-up artist, hairdresser and most importantly The Celebrant.
Since most people plan their weddings around spring and summer you will have the luxury of deciding what you want rather than fitting in with the provider or settling for option ‘B’ or sadly even ‘C’ or ‘D’.
I’ve heard women joke about paying the deposit on their dream venue for the date they wanted then rushing out to find Mr Right before the next payment was due!
With a winter wedding there is far less chance you will have to worry about that.
It’s also probably worth mentioning that since beach weddings are predominately destination weddings the accommodation will be cheaper. Being the off season, accommodation owners are far more likely to do a much better deal for you and your guests. Win Win.
So as fabulous as spring and summer weddings are (because they really are, I do love them I swear) I hope that I have also given you a moment to think about the endless possibilities that winter weddings possess.
And if you are planning a wedding in the snow….. Pick me, Pick Me!!
I promise I won’t even charge extra to travel to get there.
So enchanting, so magical, so ethereal……..
For more fabulous winter wedding pics check out my pinterest Marriage board http://www.pinterest.com/ebonymillard/
Or my Facebook page www.facebook.com/EbonyMillardMarriageCelebrant
Photo cred to:
Style me pretty via Pinterest http://www.stylemepretty.com/little-black-book-blog/2013/06/10/new-york-wedding-from-brian-dorsey-studios-ang-weddings-and-events/
Her white wardrobe http://www.pinterest.com/pin/571112796469173743/
And
http://www.confetti.co.uk/tag/winter-real-weddings/ also via Pinterest
The winter sun is much less harsh than the summer sun. It’s softer and clearer and for some reason feels cleaner. You won’t have to worry about squinting at the camera lens or constantly asking the groomsmen to “Please take off your sunnies” and there will be no having to cover up that bright red sunburn because amongst all the last minute duties you forgot to use sunblock the day before the big day. Grandma and Grandpa won’t be passing out from heat stroke, nor will the groomsmen from too many refreshing beverages in the sun!
The cooler temperature (and when I say cooler I’m talking mid to low 20s as opposed to high 30s so it’s not exactly cold) means that the guys are a lot more comfortable in their suits while standing out in the sunshine – especially if for whatever reason the Bride is running a little more than fashionably late. The girls Makeup will stay put. Long sleeved dresses are fabulous and if your more into the short sleeve, strappy or strapless variety there are some amazing boleros, shrugs, fur (Faux of course) stoles, not to mention gorgeous formal coats, jackets and cloaks.
And now that I mention it winter weddings can be more formal. If you are wanting a laid back, casual wedding where everyone is wearing thongs and boardies, well yes, a summer wedding is probably more for you. But winter weddings make way for debonair three piece suits, classic long gowns, fabulous closed toe shoes or better still fabulous boots!
It means you can dish up delicious hearty meals – with gravy - and it’s more likely that people will eat them.
You will also have a much better chance of getting the venue you want. As well as the decorator, photographer, make-up artist, hairdresser and most importantly The Celebrant.
Since most people plan their weddings around spring and summer you will have the luxury of deciding what you want rather than fitting in with the provider or settling for option ‘B’ or sadly even ‘C’ or ‘D’.
I’ve heard women joke about paying the deposit on their dream venue for the date they wanted then rushing out to find Mr Right before the next payment was due!
With a winter wedding there is far less chance you will have to worry about that.
It’s also probably worth mentioning that since beach weddings are predominately destination weddings the accommodation will be cheaper. Being the off season, accommodation owners are far more likely to do a much better deal for you and your guests. Win Win.
So as fabulous as spring and summer weddings are (because they really are, I do love them I swear) I hope that I have also given you a moment to think about the endless possibilities that winter weddings possess.
And if you are planning a wedding in the snow….. Pick me, Pick Me!!
I promise I won’t even charge extra to travel to get there.
So enchanting, so magical, so ethereal……..
For more fabulous winter wedding pics check out my pinterest Marriage board http://www.pinterest.com/ebonymillard/
Or my Facebook page www.facebook.com/EbonyMillardMarriageCelebrant
Photo cred to:
Style me pretty via Pinterest http://www.stylemepretty.com/little-black-book-blog/2013/06/10/new-york-wedding-from-brian-dorsey-studios-ang-weddings-and-events/
Her white wardrobe http://www.pinterest.com/pin/571112796469173743/
And
http://www.confetti.co.uk/tag/winter-real-weddings/ also via Pinterest