For many couples, a winter wedding is the perfect option. Winter can be a breathtakingly beautiful season, creating opportunities for unique backdrops you don’t see at other times of the year. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a bundle to have a fantastic event. Here are seven winter wedding ideas under $10k that couples should consider.
1. Off-Season Venues
Generally, wedding venues are less expensive during their off-season, which can help couples save on their big day. During winter, certain locations are usually outside of their peak seasons. Rustic barn venues may be less expensive this time of year. Similarly, wineries and vineyards may have fewer bookings, leading to better pricing. The same can be true of waterfront locations in areas where the temperatures are cooler, as those venues usually see more traffic during the warmer months.
2. Public Parks
If you like the idea of an outdoor wedding during the winter – which can be a particularly attractive setting if there’s fresh snow – public parks may be a low-cost option. Many city, state, and national parks do have permit options for wedding ceremonies, and they typically aren’t expensive to secure.
Some parks also have indoor spaces available for rent, which can be excellent if you want to hold the reception on-site, too. You’ll just need to check the park’s website to see what’s available and what steps are required to secure permits and rentals.
3. Ski Resorts
For a beautiful snowy mountain setting, booking your wedding at a ski resort is potentially the simplest option for a winter event. Many of them have plenty of indoor spaces for receptions or ceremonies, too, often with excellent views of the surrounding landscape. Plus, catering options are often available on-site, and you may be able to avoid having to rent tables, chairs, linens, and more.
The cost of a ski resort wedding can vary dramatically. Often, if you choose a smaller location that’s not a tourist mecca, you’ll get better pricing. Keeping the event on the smaller side also helps, so consider limiting your guest list if price is an issue.
4. Cabin Vacation Rental
If you’re a fan of Airbnb or VRBO, you might be able to find the perfect spot for your winter wedding through one of those platforms. Rustic cabins can be excellent settings for winter weddings, so check out vacation rentals in your target location and see what’s available.
Just be aware that you may need to jump through some extra hoops if you want to use an Airbnb or VRBO location for your wedding. At a minimum, you’ll need permission from the property owner, though there may be other steps to navigate, too.
5. Christmas Tree Farms
While a Christmas tree farm is an unconventional location for a wedding, it can be a magical venue. You’ll be surrounded by beautiful evergreens, and if there’s snow, it takes the entire experience up a notch.
Generally, this option is best explored outside of the holiday season, as the property owners won’t be managing the influx of tree buyers. Additionally, this isn’t a service they may automatically offer, so you may need to reach out and inquire if the owners are open to the idea. If they are, there’s a good chance it’ll cost less than some alternative venues. Just make sure to inquire about other potential spaces that could be available, such as room for tents, if you want to hold a reception there, too.
6. White Box Art Galleries
White box art galleries do occasionally serve as wedding venues, and they can be excellent choices for a winter wedding. The walls are pure white to showcase artwork, not unlike fresh snow. That means you can easily embellish the space with evergreen centerpieces, snowflake ornaments, and other touches to create your ideal atmosphere.
The size of white box art galleries also varies. Some are incredibly intimate, making them excellent choices for intimate ceremonies and receptions. Others are surprisingly large, giving you plenty of room for a sizeable number of guests, dancing, and more.
7. Botanical Gardens
Heading to a botanical garden for a winter wedding may seem like an odd choice, but it can work well. Many larger botanical gardens have areas that bloom during the winter months, allowing you to add natural flowers to your backdrop.
Some botanical gardens have conservatories that are temperature-controlled and filled with thriving plants. But these structures also feature plenty of windows to view the outside world, which can create an intriguing juxtaposition if it’s snowing outside while you’re surrounded by tropical foliage.
Like other options on this list, botanical gardens may be a lower-cost option. That’s particularly true during the winter, as they may have fewer visitors and requests for event reservations.
Do you know of any other winter wedding ideas couples should consider? Did you have a winter wedding and want to tell others about your celebration? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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