Are you planning a winter wedding? You may be wondering what a wedding in the months of December, January and February in the Midwest snow belt of Chicago, Northwest Indiana and southwest Michigan looks like. What is the atmosphere of the reception, the guests, the wedding parties, etc.?

The Look Of A Winter Wedding

Below is a collection of various winter weddings along with some observations and tips.

One of the first things you may notice is if there is snow on the ground, I tend to lean toward black and white images. I shoot everything in color so the color versions are always available but I usually have a black and white alternate as I feel it really lends itself to the wintery feel, especially if we get falling snow.

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Winter Wedding Preparations

All of the normal wedding planning should take place of course, but a few additional things should be considered when having a winter wedding in an area with the possibility of inclement weather.

Give yourself a little more time in everything you do. We all move slower in the winter (vehicles on the road, wearing additional layers, more things to pack, etc.) so add some cushion to your timeline.
Consider a shuttle to and from your venue for guests as well as your wedding party.
I’m a fan of long sleeve dresses during anytime of the year as these are not only elegant, but practical for a winter wedding as well. Many brides and bridesmaids wear shawls for winter wedding photos.
Don’t be afraid of the dark! Daylight goes away a lot faster in the winter months, but we can still get great images inside and outside.
Embrace the season with your decor. Many of my winter wedding couples will show the season in their reception decorations and I’ve done photos outside at tree farms and used tree lights for foreground and background elements as well.

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Winter weddings are unique and guests will remember them fondly. Also, your images from the day can really stand out and you will have some unique wedding photos for sure.

No matter the season, get out there and celebrate! Contact me here to inquire about wedding photography and video for your big day, no matter the season.