Summer Vs Winter Weddings
The Pros & Cons
You’re finally engaged! The moment you’ve been waiting for. Now it’s time to decide on WHEN you’ll be having your dream wedding. With each season having its own pros and cons, we’re here to help you make a decision! Keep reading to find out which season would be best for your special day!
Winter Wedding Pros
Pricing
Oftentimes, the winter season is a much quieter and slower time of the year for most suppliers and vendors. So, typically you’ll find yourself receiving lower-cost options compared to the peak seasons.
However, do keep in mind that this may not apply to EVERYTHING you may want/need for your wedding day, but we can still see a significant amount of money saved compared to the summer! I mean, what’s better than having extra wedding budget money to throw into the honeymoon?
Availability
According to The Knot’s 2021 Real Weddings Study, 80% of all weddings took place between May to October and only 5% of weddings take place during winter. It’s quite common to see your dream venue booked up years in advance for the peak season dates. In other words, it’s safe to say that fewer people tend to say “I Do.” during the winter-time, giving you more availability to choose from!
But, what’s a wedding without guests? Availability will not only be your best friend in the winter when choosing your wedding date, but it’ll be your guest’s best friend too. They may find that traveling may be cheaper and there aren’t many plans going on!
Lucky for you, if you’re getting married in the Reno area during the winter season, then you’ll have Lake Tahoe just an hour away from you! Why not go the whole nine yards and book a little getaway into the snowy mountains with your friends and loved ones?
The Weather
Did you grow up watching Hallmark Christmas movies during the winter? Did you ever dream of that perfect winter scenery with snow falling, while the love of your life sweeps you off your feet and kisses you under the mistletoe? The winter-time always gives off that extra special, magical, and dreamy vibe. Although winter is known for its unpredictable weather, here at The Elm Estate, you’ll find that no matter, if it’s sunshine, rain or snow – the beautiful property and remarkable Elm House, will give you the perfect backdrop regardless.
On top of the perfect backdrop, the snowfall allows for additional creativity as all colors against the white blanketed snow will stand out. Add in the fireplaces, the portable heaters, candles, dimmed lights, and warm drinks for your guests. All these calm, cozy details will be sure to make your winter wedding one to remember.
Winter Wedding Cons
The Weather
Although the weather can be a pro, it can also be a con. With winter having very unpredictable weather, this can disrupt any travel plans for your guests. If you planned on having your wedding in the mountains, be prepared for closed roads or needing chains.
Always have a plan B and be sure to connect with your wedding planner or venue to see if they have back-up plans in place.
The Time
The winter-time is notorious for shorter days and longer nights. So, you need to be prepared when planning out the timeline of your special day!
Some things to keep in mind for lighting are your ceremony and photos. With sunset happening earlier, this can cause some additional challenges for your photographer, who’ll have far less time to capture the day during the day! You’ll also have to take account of weather restrictions, like if it happens to be overcast or stormy. This will force your photographer to think outside of the box to make sure they get the perfect shots to remember your special day!
Summer Wedding Pros
The Florals
Summer-time means more flexibility when it comes to your florals! This is the time of the year when the flowers are going to be most available and most affordable because they’re in full bloom and in season! Because of this, it’ll be easier to find the color scheme and arrangement ideas you’ve been pinning to your Pinterest board!
The Weather
Summer just hits differently in all aspects. It’s the time of the year when people are happier and more energized with nothing but positivity. It’s the weather that makes us all feel so elated. The summer-time season is sunnier & warmer, and it brings life to Mother Nature. So, if you are planning an outdoor wedding, not only will this be great for your guests, but it will also allow your photographer to be sure of getting the most beautiful shots!
When cocktail hour hits after your ceremony, the pleasant summer weather after the sun goes down will be sure to get the party going! If the temperatures are too hot during the day, you definitely can’t beat a summer night!
With summer, there’s also less of a likelihood that it will rain! June, July and August on average, typically have lower chances of rain which will help with couples who want outdoor ceremonies and receptions.
The Time
Because the days are longer during the summer-time, this will help with scheduling your ceremony, your reception, and even sunset photos with your photographer! Around this time of the year, the sun will set around 9:00 pm, which will give you the option to have a late ceremony to beat the heat, if that’s what you want!
Summer Wedding Cons
The Weather
Just like the winter-time, although the weather can be a pro during the summer, it can also be a con. The high heat temperatures are always something to be aware of when deciding on a summer wedding. The heat can be distracting and the guests might have a hard time staying focused and comfortable during your ceremony.
Aside from the guests, the most important people on this day are the bride and groom. It’s very important to keep these two calm, cool and collected, especially after planning and stressing about their special day for a few months! Keeping cool will ensure that the bride doesn’t sweat off her hair and makeup in the heat, no bride wants to look oily or shiny with frazzled hair in her forever-to-remember pictures.
So, be sure to keep these things into consideration when planning your wedding because even though summer may be warm, the high temperatures can be harsh for you and your guests! You definitely don’t want to take away from the enjoyment of your big day!
The Lighting
Although, the vibes are at an all time high during the summer because of the beautiful sunshine, sometimes that sunshine might just be a little too harsh. And by harsh, I mean having challenges when it comes to the photos. It can get really tough for your photographer to get those beautiful shots with the harsh lighting coming through the lens.
Carefully consider the timeline of your special day, as your photos are what you’ll have to remember. It’ll be best to take your photos later in the day so the sun isn’t giving your photographer that harsh lighting that may wash out your photos!
So, which season is the best season for your wedding?
Remember, this is YOUR special day for you and your partner. So be sure to choose the season that best suits both of you and your personalities. This day is all about you two and your love for one another!