Oxford, England may not be the first place you think about when the idea “winter wedding” comes to mind – images of snow-capped mountains or candlelit chateaus in the French countryside probably come to mind – but there are many ways to create a beautiful, memorable winter wedding in Oxford. There may be no guaranteed snow but the landscape surrounding Oxford is stunning in the frost and the countryside is bare and beautiful in the wintertime. A cosy log fire in a traditional wedding venue is the perfect setting for a wonderful winter wedding. Plus, you can find some great bargains compared to booking the same venue in the summer time. Here are some wintery tips for creating a dream cold-weather wedding.
- Winter Décor
Winter is the ideal time to create a festive atmosphere with traditional red and green trimmings, pine cones, fir branches, scented candles and mini Christmas trees. If you’d prefer to steer clear of anything Christmassy, choose silver and shades of deep blue or purple to match the stunning winter skies in Oxfordshire.
- Festive Photography
If you want to take pictures outside, make sure the ceremony is early so you still have enough light. But it is ideal if the wedding venues in Oxford you are looking at have attractive places inside for pictures. Look out for beautiful staircases, sparkling chandeliers, or plenty of mirrors and lights. Remember you don’t really want anything too Christmassy because the pictures will look a bit odd on your wall in high summer.
- Cold-Weather Fashion
You can wear a stylish wedding dress without having to look bundled up in layers – just add a few elements to keep you warm when you go from the car to the ceremony and for pictures outside. For example, you can show off your shoulders in a slip dress if you have a fake-fur wrap or an elegant woven scarf. Your shoes should be stunning and you can add sparkly detail on shoes for winter weddings that you may not be able to in the summer.
- Cars for the Wedding
Modern cars won’t have any problems in the winter in Oxford (unless you are getting married miles away from civilisation and there happens to be a snowstorm) but vintage cars may have problems on icy days or cold mornings. Check with the hire firm which car will be suitable for winter. You need something comfortable and reliable as well as attractive. And bear in mind that the traditional white car will look dirty if there is any snow or frost – a dark-coloured car in navy blue or a grey car is a much better choice.
- Comfortable Wedding Guests
Make sure that your guests have an easy time getting from their cars into the venue – remove ice from the paths, and hand out umbrellas to anyone who needs one. Most venues in Oxford like https://www.heythroppark.co.uk/weddingvenues will have space to store coats and umbrellas, but check just in case. You can also be creative with the drinks you serve to guests, including mulled wine as people wait for the wedding breakfast to begin.
