Ask an Expert: Why a Winter Wedding?

Photo – Madeline Kate. Venue – Panama Dining Room.

If you’re currently in a cold part of the world (like us!), perhaps you’re wondering what the draw is for those couples who choose a winter wedding. Aside from the ability to take your fashion game to another level, there’s a host of reasons why a winter wedding could be the perfect option for you. We spoke to celebrant and winter wedding expert  Zoe Starr (who recently celebrated her own dreamy July wedding) for what to consider when planning a cold-weather soiree.

Photo – Ash Haase. Venue – Mitchelton.

Over to you, Zoe.

I have always wondered why, in Victoria, Australia, our clothing and our homes don’t match the extremely cold winters we inevitably endure every single year! You jump on a ferry to Tasmania, and old homes have grand fireplaces in every room, and the new ones come with an abundance of insulation and double-glazed windows, too, no doubt. But in Victoria, it’s like we’re in denial about our weather and we’re more likely to have a pool out the back than a decently North-orientated living area.

So, with such curiosity in mind, upon becoming a celebrant, I was really shocked to see that we also treat weddings in a similar way. One mustn’t dare wed in the depths of winter (aka five whole months of one entire year!).

Photo – Sofia Flinn

Benefits of a winter wedding.

As a celebrant who loves to be busy over winter, and offers special winter wedding packages, I often consider the myriad of benefits of hosting a wedding in winter. Here are just a small sample:

Mood

When it’s raining outside, but you’re indoors with the fire going, that’s instant romance. Think candles, softly lit interiors, and dramatic mood boards, or alternately, bring a touch of chic, crisp contrast through a clean, light palette – winter weddings are a vibe.

Photo of Zoe’s stunning wedding day by Johnny Rollins. Venue – Provenance.

Budget

Many wedding vendors are likely to offer a winter discount – all you have to do is ask.

Availability

Your top desired wedding vendors are very likely to be available on your wedding date.

Fashion

We all know winter fashion is fab! Deeper colours, faux fur jackets, elegant long sleeves and statement bridal gloves. And that’s not even mentioning that half your guests won’t be sweating in their suits!

Photo: Kinship by Kristy.

Victorian venues.

Here’s another amazing thing about Victoria: We are graced with an incredible number of wineries, galleries, high-end restaurants, and beautifully bougie establishments. Yes, our beaches are up there with some of the best in the world, but when it’s windy or cold (or excruciatingly hot), you’re likely going to wish you were indoors anyway. The advantage of planning your wedding in winter is that you can plan for cold from the get-go: no plan Bs or last-minute changes required due to our unpredictable weather.

Photo – Evia Zachariah. Venue – Sophia at the Prahran Arcade.

See, there are just so many winter advantages. Another one of my favourites is that it’s darker much earlier. This means you can create a cosy, warm, and romantic atmosphere instantly.

Zoe Starr – winter wedding expert.

If you’re considering a winter wedding and don’t know where to start – get in touch with Zoe! Not only has she beautifully officiated many weddings, but she successfully held her own wintery wedding this year.

And, give yourself a mid-season vacay by planning some mini-breaks to stunning venues like Mitchelton for inspiration.

Photo – Hey Jack. Venue – Mitchelton.

For indoor wedding inspiration, check out Adrian and Alycia’s stunning New York inspired affair. Chic, ultra-fun and city centric, this one is a dream.