Welcome back, dear reader, to Money & Matrimony! The monthly series where I look at the intersection of spounces and spending, and try to demystify the financial nuisances of nuptials. Basically help you make budgeting and spending money on your next wedding easier!
We’re still deep in the throes of wintertime (despite NYC seeing barely a lick of snow!!!) and as such I wanted to talk about the wedding road less-traveled.
Winter weddings!
Yes, even a seemingly more frugal off-season wedding can still cost a pretty penny. So, what can one do to make it cheaper?
That’s what I’m here for with Money & Matrimony! So let’s dive right in!
Winter Wedding Budget Tips
Getting married in the winter is most certainly the wedding road less traveled. In fact, according to a study, only 5% of weddings take place during the winter and only 1% each during January and February!
Think about it, have you ever been to a winter wedding? I certainly haven’t, as an attendee, planner, nor coordinator.
That doesn’t mean this is a bad idea, as there are still plenty of venues to choose from. On top of that, having a gorgeous winter landscape for photos? I mean for some people this is a no-brainer!
Greenery Is The Goal
Flowers are always a major price point for weddings. Even the leanest of budgets will still see a good portion go to flowers (even if there isn’t anyone to hold a bouquet!).
But when you have a wedding in the winter, you might be able to use this to your advantage.
With the scarcity of green in nature’s winter landscape, having greenery of vines, pine, and branches from other evergreen sources could be a cheaper option. And to see that green stand out from the white, black, gold, or whatever colder climate palette you choose will really punctuate their purpose. And speaking of…
Utilize The Venue’s Decor!
If you’re looking to get married at a venue in the wintertime, oftentimes they will be using decor that reflects the season (especially if your ceremony is being held in December!).
Those elegant touches of decor at the venue could be perfect for your own landscape, which means you can relax your budget on decorations just a bit more. Let the venue take care of the fancy touches!
Plan Way In Advance And Look For Off-Season
Last but certainly not least, is a big reason why tighter budgets lend themselves to a winter wedding. Winter is seen as the off-season for weddings. This means venues and vendors very well have cheaper rates to ensure they still are able to make money during a less busy time of year.
So check around for off-season rates! Make this a priority. And, be sure to be looking at least a year to a year in a half at minimum. With some negotiating you could saving a lot of money this way.
