winter

Choosing the Right Wedding Date
Winter wedding dates are becoming increasingly popular.

Due to the popularity of the movie “Frozen”, more and more people are placing their wedding date in the winter.

Every bride dreams of the perfect wedding and one of the first decisions that you have to make is the date. Some couples have a special day and won’t even think about choosing another wedding date, but many people aren’t even sure where to start. Here are some tips to help you narrow the choices and select a date that will work for you.

What’s Your Dream Wedding?

When you see yourself getting married, you have to know what you envision as your ideal. Maybe you want to be married in a lush rose garden, which might mean a late spring or early summer wedding. If you’ve always wanted to get married in a vineyard, you might have to think late September or October. With the popularity of the movie “Frozen,” more couples are thinking of a beautiful white, winter wedding. Choose a season that fits your imagination.

Consider the Weather

Even if your wedding is inside, you should take into account the weather when planning the date. If you imagine the groom wearing a tux or full suit, the middle of summer might not be the best choice. It’s just too hot to be so formal in 100-degree weather. The other factor in considering the weather is your guests’ comfort. If you’re having an outside wedding, you don’t want your guests to bake in the sun or freeze because it’s too cold. Of course, there are always unseasonable temperatures, but you can’t control everything.

Consider Your Budget

There’s a reason June, September and October are popular months to get married in, and it’s because the weather is generally fairly dependable. Vendors know that these are popular months, and the prices go up during the wedding season. If you have a strict budget, you might want to consider an off-season wedding. But you do need think about sacrifices in other areas, because specialty flowers aren’t always as readily available in off-season months. Saving money with the venue, then spending it on flowers doesn’t make the most sense if you’re trying to save money.

Special Occasions to Consider for Your Wedding Date

It might be nice to get married on New Year’s Eve, because the date will always be special in more ways than one. When considering your wedding date, you have to consider the holiday season. On Valentine’s Day, roses tend to be more expensive, which could increase your budget. If you live in a college town, you may also have to think about sports events, such as homecoming. This might make it difficult for your friends and family to find reasonable accommodations. Hotels, flights and car rentals all tend to get more expensive on holiday weekends and when demand is higher.

Another element in looking at special dates is that of those dates special to you and your spouse. Whether it’s the day you met or your grandparent’s anniversary, you may be looking at one particular date. Consider how important the actual date is versus some flexibility in scheduling.

The Venues May Have Limited Availability

Once you choose your ideal date, you have to work it out with your venues. Often, churches won’t hold weddings on Sundays because they are using the facility for their own services. With some places, you may have to work around corporate events or other weddings. Again, some flexibility is always good when planning, especially when you have a short time frame.

Decide what’s most important to you when choosing your wedding date and what you won’t compromise on. Check with family members and your wedding party to make sure you’re not planning your wedding on top of someone’s graduation from college or silver anniversary wedding trip. It will save you a lot of headache in the long run. Although you cannot plan for every contingency, you can really consider some of the most important factors in choosing your wedding date to have the wedding of your dreams.

The Magic of a Winter Wedding

ThinkstockPhotos-493974290December seems to be a time for getting engaged. It’s a magical time of year. There’s snow on the ground. Homes are decorated for all the upcoming festivities. Families are together for the holidays, which makes it easier to make that special announcement. After the engagement, it’s time to pick a date. Although June is a traditional month in which to hold your special day, consider a winter wedding. You’ll have a year to plan, which gives you plenty of time. But even beyond the time factor, there are many other reasons to choose the enchanting months of November through February for your wedding day.

It’s the Off-Season

Summer and fall are the most popular times of year to hold a wedding. Winter comes in dead last. Having a wedding in January means that you aren’t fighting with dozens of other couples for the same venues and vendors. You may even score a discount on your location, DJ, or photographer. It pays to ask if there is an off-season rate for a venue. Guests may get discounts on travel if your date doesn’t fall on a major holiday. Hotels often offer better pricing during winter months. Ask a travel agent about when you can get the best winter rates into your city. 

Special Considerations

When marrying in the winter, you do need to make special plans for problems that may occur. Don’t forget to consider these things when planning.

  • Inclement weather – ask the “what if we have a blizzard?” question as you are booking your vendors and venues. Many places have a weather-related cancellation policy.
  • Lighting – The days are shorter, which means you won’t have outside light for pictures if you want them. Make sure you remember to get the pictures you want before it gets dark.
  • Warmth and comfort – With summer weddings, guests can often walk from their hotel to the church or reception. You may need to make other arrangements for a winter ceremony. It may also be a good idea to have a few blankets on hand for older guests who get chilled more easily.
  • Flowers – While some flowers may be difficult to obtain, you aren’t completely limited during this season. You may even have some options that you don’t have in the summer. Check with your florist in plenty of time to order what you want.

Watch the Holidays

Roses go up in price around Valentines’ Day, and florists are extremely busy. What you saved on your reception hall may be spent on flowers or other accommodations if you aren’t aware of the dates. Taking a honeymoon over certain time frames can dramatically increase the cost too. However, if the entire family is coming home for the Christmas holidays, it could save a lot of money for your guests by holding the ceremony while they’re home. You know your family best. Think about their needs too.

The Beauty of the Season

Winter color schemes can be more dramatic than summer ones. If your reception hall offers fireplaces, you can have a cozy fire going to add to the ambiance. Candles are another way to increase lighting and improve the overall atmosphere. You may even have the option of a sleigh ride to the ceremony, instead of the traditional limo. Brides and guests can get out their furs and boots, which adds a special fashion element to the day.

Winter weddings can feel even more intimate than one held in the summer, but planning is required. Consider the special elements before you cross a January wedding off the list. You may be surprised how much the season has to offer. You’ll have an excuse to take an anniversary trip every winter thereafter. What more could you ask for?

Top Wedding Destinations in Canada

Recently married couple poses in the snow, johnhope14

Recently married couple poses in the snow

Canada boasts some of the top weddings destinations on the planet.  World-class metropolitan areas such as Toronto and Vancouver offer almost unprecedented cultural diversity, variety, and wedding opportunities.  In addition, nearby areas such as Whistler offer an ideal setting for snowy weddings, and winter weddings can be held comfortably aboard larger vessels on the Pacific Northwest coastline.

Below is a list of three very distinct Canadian wedding destinations that have the ability to transform almost any wedding ceremony into a truly memorable event:

·        The City of Toronto

In addition to being the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto has an extensive mass transit system that connects multiple neighborhoods including Polish Town, Little India, Greek Town, and multiple China Towns.  The city offers numerous traditional wedding venues as well as unparalleled religious and cultural diversity.  Couples can easily find ways to stay true to family culture and religious values while enjoying globally recognized art, dining, and accommodations.  Toronto is a winter wedding destination that offers a truly unique urban adventure.  The chilly winter conditions are usually less of an issue due to clean underground sidewalks and multiple indoor venues with spectacular views of the city skyline or Lake Huron.

·        Whistler, British Columbia

Whistler is located in the scenic mountains outside of Vancouver.  Whistler offers world-class skiing, resorts that specialize in winter weddings, and a prime location.  Like Toronto, Vancouver is a metropolitan area rich in cultural and religious diversity.  Vancouver has been nicknamed “the city of glass” due to its many impressive glass skyscrapers.  Only a short drive away from a phenomenal metropolitan area, Whistler has some of the best skiing and winter lodging on the planet for snowy weddings.

·        Maritime Weddings on the Northwest Coast

Some couples have an undying love for the ocean.  The Northwest Coast of Canada can offer fantastic winter maritime weddings.  Instead of embarking on an urban or Mountain adventure, couples can be married aboard private cruises that offer fine dining, top accommodations, and unparalleled scenery.  Unlike many parts of the East Coast or far North, the Northwest Pacific typically does not freeze.  There are ample opportunities to comfortably view marine life, natural wonders, and enjoy the serenity of the sea.

What to Look for in Destination Weddings

There are a number of considerations that should be taken into account before planning a destination wedding.  A few primary considerations are listed below:

  • Is the destination easily accessible for guests and others associated with the wedding?
  • Does the destination offer venues that meet religious and cultural needs?
  • Does the destination offer a chance for couples to afford the perfect wedding?

Winter Weddings in Canada are Recognized Among the Best

Besides boasting major cultural meccas and globally recognized destinations, Canada has something unique to offer.  Canada has a marked history of cultural diversity and eagerness to embrace different religions as well as progressive social change.  Canadians are known for being extraordinarily polite, and courtesy is a general hallmark of Canadian culture.  Canada is a very welcoming country with ample opportunities to create the perfect wedding for almost any couple. Whatever your dream winter wedding is, there are likely multiple Canadian wedding destinations that can turn that dream into a reality.