What do I need to think about when it comes to different seasonal weddings?
SPRING TIME
Spring weddings are beautiful, mainly because you’ve got gorgeous blossom everywhere (if you’re lucky enough to catch it in the 2/3 weeks it blooms anyway!). The days are starting to get longer and warmer - the end of March has actually been very warm for the UK these last few years! Nature’s really starting to do her thing… flowers are starting to bloom, baby lambs are being born, birds are coming out and filling the morning air with their singing. And there’s a general sense of happiness from everyone as Winter leaves us for another year and everyone starts to feel that ‘Summer is coming’ vibe!
So what do I need to think about for a Spring wedding I hear you ask??
When I think of Spring weddings, I think of:
Florals - flowers eveywhere! Floral arches, lily of the valley (this wedding classic blooms in Spring!), tulips, fresh or dried petals for confetti, green gardens and meadows to get lost in
Pastels - bring all the colours of Springs flowers to life with lilacs, pale pinks, mint greens (fave!), lemon yellows and lots of pure white
Cutesy details - flower crowns and little baskets for the flower girls, aisle lined with fresh flowers, fragrant details filling the rooms with a fresh Spring scent, your cake decorated with fresh blooms
Fresh, light canapes & cocktails - utilise the fresh veggies and fruits that are in season with light & fruity desserts, fresh understated cocktails and canapes that scream Spring
Natural materials - wooden crates, woven baskets, limewash chairs
Umbrellas - can shade from warm sun or cover guests during showers (lets face it, April Showers are generally still a thing!)
There really is something special about Spring weddings, so if you’re having a Spring wedding embrace it! It is the season that is all about welcoming change and warmer weather after all!
SUMMER MONTHS
Ahh Summer! The most popular time of year for weddings and its so obvious why! The long & warm evenings, chilled prosecco, the sun shining down and the general happiness in the air because that’s what Summer time does to us isn’t it?! It’s also probably the most versatile season to get married in because if you’re lucky enough to choose a venue with nice outdoor spaces and gardens then it opens up even more options for you to entertain in and keep your guests smiling!
What are some of the things i might not have thought about for my summer wedding??
Summer weddings open up a whole load of options for you and here’s a few you might not have thought about:
Colour & texture - Summer is great for embracing a bright colour palette, think sunshine yellow, hot pink, blues, lots of white with green leafy tones and gold accents. Glass and metals are great for adding understated sparkle and shine to your styling as the sun reflects beautifully from it all!
Flip flops - being on your feet all day in high heels is hard enough at the best of times let alone in the heat, treat the ladies of your wedding to some flip flops (just Primark cheapies are fine) and trust me, they will love you even more and will be able to dance the night away
Cooling treats - think ice cold beers, fresh strawberries (covered in chocolate obviously!) and to offer something a little different, alcoholic ice lollys and ice cream!
Lawn games - with everyone enjoying the nice weather, why not keep them entertained with lawn games like giant connect 4 or beer & prosecco pong! This works great if there’s quite a few kiddies too (connect 4 that is, not beer pong haha)
Live music & canapes - nothing screams Summer wedding to me more than a wedding with live music ouside on the patio with guests sipping on ice cold prosecco & beer with tasty canapes going round! Summer vibes right there!!
Hog roast & BBQ - longer nights mean your guests will want to spend more time outside and opting for a hog roast or BBQ buffet option for your evening guests is a perfect way to do this and keep everyone together - plus its super tasty!!
With your Summer wedding don’t forget to embrace the weather and the outdoor space at your venue. you’ve already chosen a season with the most flexibility so now is your chance to really make it stand out from the crowd and be one that your guests will remember for all the best reasons!
AUTUMNAL WEDDINGS
If you’ve picked yourself an Autumn wedding then you are in for a treat. I often think Autumn is one of the most overlooked seasons to get married in aside from September & early October. Yet it one of the most beautiful! The colours that this season brings are stunning and the most perfect Autumn weddings truly embrace this with warm tonal colours. So go on, get foraging those pine cones!
What makes an autumn wedding and what should I be thinking about?
Autumn weddings are beautiful, here’s a few things to consider for yours:
Colours & texture - embrace those warm Autumnal tones of reds/ oranges/ greens & golden shades. Velvets, silks, woods, copper metal… ahh its just beautiful!
Pumpkins - who doesn’t love little pumpkins (especially those little white ones), they make perfect centrepieces when mixed with other earthy tones and textures, fresh and dried flowers (very on trend right now!)
Blankets - as the nights start to get cooler again, why not entice your guests outside for photos and evening drinks on fairy lit terraces with blankets draping the outdoor seating
Candles - candles everywhere, utilise those fireplaces and window sills and adorn them with candles to give the whole venue a lovely warm glow
Seasonal drinks & nibbles - offer your guests a warming welcome drink of hot apple cider or Winter Pimms whilst they’re outside for photos and swap the typical Summer sweetie cart for a cookie or crepe station (a more cosy option!)
Gin bars - something like a private gin bar is a great idea to entertain your guests during the down time period as the evenings grow darker, they’ll be inside more during this time
With Autumn having so much to offer your wedding, dive right in and enjoy the natural colours, tones and textures this fabulous season holds. Happy planning, you’ll not regret your choice of season I’m sure of it!
EMBRACING WINTER
Who says Winter weddings don’t have as much to offer as any other season? Not us! In fact they can offer so much magic and create a perfectly whimsical day. With crisp, cold days followed by early, dark nights, they offer the best backdrop for twilight and fairy light heavy weddings!
A winter wedding is so different to a summer wedding, what might i not have thought about??
Some key things I would suggest you think about for a Winter wedding are:
Winter warmers - blankets for your guests if wanting outside photos and shawls (or something like that anyway) for your bridal party to keep nice and warm
Hot treats & drinks - Winter Pimms and mulled wine are absolute winners here! As are fresh crepes and do it yourself S’mores stations (who doesn’t love a toasted marshmallow with biscuits and chocolate!!)
Indoor photo opportunities - make sure you speak to your venue about good alternative photo spots indoors incase the weather is bad and stops you getting your photos outside
Festive colour palette - now i dont mean full on Christmas tree red and green but deep reds, maroons, navys, dusky pinks, emeralds, golds and coppers all suit a Winter wedding beautifully. On the flip side, a sea of white with pretty frosted pinks looks super gorgeous too!
Florals - think thistles, berries, deep red roses, evergreen (ahh it’s so pretty!)
Hearty food - for your wedding breakfast and evening options, opt for something nice and hearty, a true classic maybe!
Mood lighting - with the days being darker, candles will make such a huge impact to the lighting on your wedding day. Get fires on (if your venue has them!), light an abundance of candles and really set the mood to take you seamlessly into the evening. Fairy lights can also make a huge impact, especially in the outdoor spaces
Sparkler photos - no Winter wedding would be complete without a bridal party sparkler shot! Make sure you run it by your venue first (some don’t allow due to health & safety reasons) and get yourselves some lovely long ones that have a decent burn time on it!
With magic in the air anyway throughout the Winter season, a Winter wedding can be the most perfect way to celebrate your special day! Go candle and fairy light crazy, get the s’mores and the mulled wine out and make it yours!
SPRING, SUMMER, AUTUMN OR WINTER?
It’s your wedding day and it’s as special as you make it! I truly hope this gives you a few ideas of things you might not have thought about if you’ve recently changed form a Summer to a Winter wedding then I hope it’s put your mind at ease that all seasons are beautiful and don’t forget, we’re here to offer advice and ideas if you are struggling to adapt your original plans to suit more as are your other suppliers.
Check out the rest of our wedding blog for tonnes of help!
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Olivia Gray
Director
Olivia is part of the Sparth House owning family. Over the past 6 years, she reimagined and redesigned how the House hosts weddings. With nearly 300 Sparth House weddings under her belt, her goal has always been to achieve the most personalised day for each couple
Her favourite moment of a wedding? “The moment I share with each bride before they walk down the aisle, I get chills every time!”
Where will you find Olivia? “Working with a cup of tea or glass of wine (or both!) in hand.”