How to Plan a Christmas Wedding
Christmas is a magical time of year to tie the knot. Sure, summer ceremonies bring reliable weather, but there’s something about a December wedding that’s hard to resist.
With a feeling of festive cheer in the air, and hopefully a dusting of snow on the ground, a Christmas wedding is always a special occasion. And there are other benefits to planning your big day at this holly jolly time of year, too, including a wider choice of venues and potentially cheaper rates.
If you’re thinking of planning your wedding around Christmas, we’re here to tell you why we think it’s a great idea. Plus, we’ll be sharing our top tips on how to plan the perfect Christmas nuptials, so you can be guaranteed a festive day to remember.
Should You Get Married at Christmas?
If you’re still undecided on the best time of year to get hitched and have been pondering the possibility of a Christmas wedding, there are lots of reasons why it’s a great idea, as we set out below.
Wider Choice of Venues
Compared to the peak summer season, Christmas is a much quieter time of year to get married. That means you have a wider choice of venues to choose from, and potentially more affordable rates too.
That said, some venues may prove harder to pin down at this time of year, simply because they’re busy hosting other events (office Christmas parties, for example). So, as we advise anyone planning a wedding – at any time of year – always get your venue sorted as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Lower Demand for Caterers, Vendors and Other Services
As with venues, some wedding vendors may be twiddling their thumbs a little in December, so you may find it easier to get the service providers you want. Lower demand in the run up to Christmas can make things simpler, and you may find you’re not battling for caterers, planners, and photographers as much as you are in the summer months.
Generally, the closer to Christmas, the more in demand wedding venues and vendors will be. You may also see a slight increase in price as Christmas Day creeps closer, and prices will remain high throughout the holidays and into New Year.
An Obvious Theme – That All Your Guests Will Love
Many couples like to pick a theme for their wedding day but choosing one that all your guests can get on board with can be tricky. Not so at Christmas, however; the festivities provide the perfect excuse to theme your day around everyone’s favourite holiday.
From seasonal decorations to a festive dress code, there are lots of ways to bring a little Christmas sparkle to your wedding celebration. Plus, many venues will already have decorated their reception rooms for Christmas anyway, so you may be able to benefit from some free Christmassy décor as part of your package.
More Flexibility Over Dates
One of the reasons most people get married on a Saturday or Sunday is because they feel guilty asking guests to take time off work to attend. But given that lots of people have a week off over the holiday season, this may not be as big a concern when planning a Christmas wedding.
Even if you don’t plan on getting hitched between Christmas and New Year, it may be more feasible to plan a weekday wedding in December. At the end of the year, your guests may be much more receptive to booking a single day off than they would in the peak summer season – especially if they have some days left to take before the New Year. It’s certainly something to think about if you have a specific date or day in mind.
A Sense of Seasonal Magic
Of course, one of the best things about getting married at Christmas is the joy and happiness it can bring. With the festive period in full swing, your guests will be all too happy for another excuse to enjoy a party, and your day will benefit from a pervading feeling of magic that you only get at this special time of year.
Planning a Christmas Wedding: Tips and Ideas for Your Festive Celebration
Set on a Christmas wedding? Before you start stocking up on the mistletoe and garlands, here are a few tips and ideas to make your seasonal ceremony extra special.
· Incorporate the festivities into your food menu – Any occasion for more than one Christmas dinner is OK with us, and we’re sure your guests will agree. Whether you opt for the classic Christmas roast or go all out on a seasonal cheeseboard at suppertime, incorporating festive fare in your wedding venue is a must for any December wedding.
· Include festive favourites in your wedding playlist – If you’re all in on the Christmas theme, be sure your DJ knows to spin some festive crackers during your wedding disco. There’s nothing like a Christmas classic to get everyone up and dancing, so don’t be afraid to embrace the cheesy side of seasonal tunes.
· Add a touch of festive sparkle to your wedding wardrobe – As it’s Christmas, you may as well go all out and embrace the spirit of the season, so don’t be afraid to add some festive embellishment to your dress code. Of course, the weather is something to consider, too, so you may wish to add a warm shawl, shrug, or coat to your wedding outfit – particularly if you plan to spend some of the day outside.
· Talk to your venue about decorations – As touched on earlier, one of the advantages of a Christmas wedding is that your venue will most likely be already decorated with some festive embellishment, so you could save on the cost of some decorations. Be sure to discuss what’s included with your venue, and don’t be afraid to buy extra decorations if you want to ramp-up the Christmas theme. What’s more, some couples like lots of candles at their festive wedding, but you’ll need to check with your venue first before transforming the space into your own winter wonderland.
· Have a weather-related contingency plan – As we all know, the British weather is an unpredictable beast, and that’s one of the only downsides to planning a wedding at Christmas. In the run up to the big day, try to think of all the scenarios in which your celebration could be affected by bad weather. For example, advise that all guests bring warm clothes if you plan to take some photographs outside, and make sure you have some umbrellas on standby in case that dream white Christmas turns into a soggy one.
· Add extra touches to bring your Christmas theme to life – There are lots of ways to make sure your wedding day screams “it’s Christmas!” a la Slade. From stocking party favours and Christmas crackers to sprigs of mistletoe, winter canapes, and a barrel of mulled wine; the options are endless, and the internet is a wonderful place to find inspiration for your big day.
So, there you have it, our ultimate guide on how to plan the perfect Christmas wedding. If you’re dreaming of a white and wonderful Christmas wedding celebration to remember, you can experience all that and more at The Mere. Click here to learn more about our special wedding packages or call our team on 01565 830155 to start planning your big day.