5 Reasons to Have a Winter Wedding in Pennsylvania

When planning a wedding in Pennsylvania, there’s a reason the most popular dates for tying the knot are May through September. Many couples tend to gravitate to the warmer months of the year to take advantage of outdoor venues or longer daylight hours, but when you rule out a winter wedding, you’re actually missing out on a lot of amazing details that come with the season. Whether you’re planning an elaborate, large-scale gathering or an intimate, minimalist wedding, you do not want to overlook the possibility of having your celebration during the colder months. If you are on the fence about setting a date during December through March, there are several reasons to consider a winter Pennsylvania wedding.

Florals by Gilly's Lilies in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania

1. Vendor Availability

As summer winds down, vendor availability often increases during what vendors refer to as “off-season.” Increased booking availability makes the winter a great time for couples who are not tied to getting married on a specific date or are focused on scheduling around a preferred vendor’s schedule. For example, if working with a specific wedding photographer is your top priority, let their availability guide the wedding date you choose and the other vendors you select.

2. Cost of a Winter Wedding

Increased vendor availability can also mean the possibility for reduced cost. Vendors tend to have more availability on their calendar after wrapping a wedding season filled with weekend after weekend of celebrations. When vendors are looking to fill open availability, they will sometimes offer lower cost packages or short term promotional rates.

Having a minimalist wedding is also helpful to lower the budget of your wedding. Let the natural beauty of winter, like fresh cut evergreen trimmings or holiday lights, save you money on decor. Serve seasonal cocktails, like hot toddies or spiked apple cider, in place of a full open bar.

To optimize costs and save even more, consider hiring a wedding planner. While it may seem like a large investment, you're more likely to stay on budget and save money overall.

"We always advise our couples to set aside a small amount of budget for things that may pop up in the final weeks before a wedding. But the truth is, surprises are less likely to occur when you work with a wedding planner," says Jilian Becker of We Do Events. 

"  We account for every possible scenario upfront, that way there are no surprises when it comes to your budget. In fact, you're even likely to come in under budget when working with a planner."

3. Seasonal offerings

Too often, couples are focused on what they think they might be missing by having a winter wedding - outdoor ceremonies, longer daylight hours, etc. - and don’t stop to think about all of the details specific to a winter wedding that they wouldn’t have in other seasons.
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While the colder months may mean no flowers are blooming outdoors in Pennsylvania, there are still a variety of seasonal flowers available to decorate your reception or design your bouquet. Flowers like amaryllis, roses, carnations, or poinsettias are all popular choices during the winter. Work with a local florist, like Gilly's Lilies in Lewisburg, to advise you on what floral offerings can be sourced for you on your winter wedding date. 

Don’t let the chilly temperatures of a winter wedding in Pennsylvania deter you. Choose a venue with a built-in fireplace to set the mood for a warm winter wedding indoors. It may sound crazy, but having a winter wedding does not mean that you can’t have space for guests to spend time outdoors. Ask a venue, like Pump House B&B in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, about the outdoor heating options they have available.

4. Winter color palettes

Colors play a huge role in setting the mood for your wedding day. Color palettes vary by season and the hues you choose can create any kind of theme from festive to celestial to romantic. Winter colors tend to be darker, moodier, and create a stark contrast against the bright, white snow.

​For a bold wintery palette, choose deep colors such as emerald green, navy blue, or merlot. Opt for gold, silver or other shimmering metallics to mimic the glistening Pennsylvania snowfall. Design your wedding invitations with these winter colors to give guests a sneak peak of your wedding design. 

5. Beautiful snowy wedding photos

While no one can guarantee any weather, it’s important to embrace the fact that it could heavily snow before, or during, your wedding day. A snow day will create a magical setting for your wedding photos, like a snowy scene straight out of a Hallmark movie.

​Not only will the snow create a picturesque scene for photos, so will the dark winter night. Getting darker earlier during the Pennsylvania winter months also means you can have your sparkler exit earlier in the evening before the photographer leaves or take photos outside under twinkling lights or by a glowing bonfire.

Looking for the perfect winter wedding invitations? Click the button below to get started with a free stationery consultation to discuss all your paper details and get an estimate!

Photo: Hannah Bjorndal Photography   //   Stationery: Freebird Paperie

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