Winter Wedding Tips

Practical Considerations

When planning a winter wedding, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind to ensure your day runs smoothly and remains as magical as you envision. While the season offers a stunning backdrop, it also comes with potential challenges like cold weather, shorter daylight hours, and possible winter travel disruptions. Here are some helpful tips to overcome these and make the most of your winter celebration:

1. Embrace the Cold: Cold weather is a part of winter’s charm, so be sure to prepare for it. Offering cosy blankets, heaters for outdoor spaces, or hot drinks like mulled wine or hot chocolate can help keep guests warm and comfortable. You might also consider incorporating stylish winter attire into your bridal party, such as elegant shawls, faux fur wraps, or even boots for outdoor photos.

2. Plan for Daylight: With shorter days, it’s important to be mindful of your schedule, particularly for photography. Work closely with your photographer to make the most of natural light, and consider scheduling key moments like your ceremony and photos earlier in the day. The golden hour just before sunset can make for especially beautiful winter photos, so plan around this if possible.

3. Travel Considerations: Winter travel conditions can sometimes be unpredictable, especially with snow or icy roads. To avoid any disruptions, encourage guests to arrive early and plan ahead by providing clear travel information. For guests travelling from afar, allotting additional time for disruptions is a good idea. 

4. Select a Winter-ready Venue: Choosing a venue that accommodates winter conditions is crucial. Virginia Park Lodge is a prime example, offering beautiful indoor spaces that are just as breathtaking as the outdoors. With wood burning fireplaces and cosy, elegant rooms, the Lodge ensures that you and your guests will stay comfortable no matter how cold it gets outside. When choosing your venue, look for places that provide both warmth and indoor beauty, as these will offer comfort and ambience regardless of the weather.

5. Winter Decor and Atmosphere: Showcase the beauty of the season by incorporating winter elements into your decor. Candles, twinkling lights, and seasonal foliage can enhance the cosiness and charm of a winter wedding. Virginia Park Lodge can help create this magical atmosphere, transforming its indoor spaces into a winter wonderland.

Winter Wedding Attire

When it comes to winter wedding attire, balancing style with practicality is key. The cooler temperatures provide a wonderful opportunity to incorporate luxurious fabrics, layers, and accessories that add both warmth and elegance to your look. Below we’ve included some considerations for your wedding attire: 

1. Bridal Attire: Winter weddings call for rich, luxurious fabrics such as satin, velvet, or heavier lace that not only look stunning but also help keep you warm. Long-sleeved gowns are a popular choice for winter brides, adding sophistication and coverage while still allowing for intricate detailing. Consider pairing your gown with a stylish cape, faux fur stole or wrap for outdoor photos or chilly moments. These accessories not only keep you warm but can also add a dramatic, fairytale-like effect to your bridal look.

2. Bridal Party Attire: For the bridal party, consider dresses or suits in deeper, seasonal hues like burgundy, emerald, navy, or even metallic tones. Providing your bridesmaids with matching shawls or fur wraps will not only keep them warm but will also create a coordinated, elegant look. For groomsmen, darker fabrics such as wool or velvet suits can offer both warmth and a refined winter style.

3. Footwear: Winter weddings may involve walking on snowy or icy ground, so be sure to consider appropriate footwear. Brides can opt for stylish boots or closed-toe shoes that offer comfort and warmth while still complementing their gowns. You can also have a fun, practical second pair of shoes for outdoor photos or during travel between venues.

4. Layering and Accessories: Winter weddings provide a great opportunity to accessorise with cosy and chic additions like gloves, scarves, or even a statement coat for dramatic arrivals or photos. These accessories can also double as great gifts for your bridal party, offering them both style and function.

5. Groom’s Attire: For the groom, winter offers the chance to wear heavier fabrics like velvet or tweed, which not only look sharp but also help with warmth. Layering a waistcoat under the suit adds extra warmth while enhancing the formal look. Darker, jewel-toned ties or pocket squares can complement the winter theme beautifully.

Seasonal Decor and Florals

When planning decor for a winter wedding, the season offers an incredible opportunity to create a warm, inviting, and magical atmosphere. Here are some winter-themed decor ideas to make your celebration at Virginia Park Lodge even more enchanting:

1. Lighting: One of the simplest and most effective ways to create a cosy, romantic atmosphere is through lighting. Candles and fairy lights can transform any space into a winter wonderland. Place clusters of candles along the aisle, around the venue, or on tables to create a soft, glowing ambience. Fairy lights strung across ceilings, wrapped around trees, or draped along staircases add a twinkling, festive touch, perfect for a winter wedding. Of course, this is something we will take care of. Just give us your vision and we will breathe life into it. 

2. Rich, Warm Colours: Winter lends itself beautifully to rich, bold colour palettes. Deep reds, emerald greens, and accents of gold or silver metallics create a luxurious and festive vibe. Incorporating these colours into table settings, floral arrangements, and decorative accents will give your wedding a seasonal warmth. Dark table linens, paired with gold cutlery and deep red napkins, can evoke a sense of elegance and celebration, perfectly suited to Virginia Park Lodge’s stately interiors.

3. Seasonal Floral Arrangements: Winter offers a wealth of beautiful floral options that can enhance the seasonal theme. Consider using evergreen foliage like pine, fir, or cedar in your arrangements, which not only bring a fresh winter scent but also add a natural, rustic element. Berries, like red holly or snowberries, are perfect for adding pops of colour. Winter blooms such as amaryllis, hellebores, or white roses paired with delicate touches of mistletoe can also elevate the arrangements. Combine these with metallic accents like gold or silver vases for an added touch of glamour.

4. Evergreen and Berry Accents: Incorporating natural elements like evergreen garlands or wreaths around the venue can create a wintery, forest-like feel. Drape garlands along staircases, mantels, or even as a table runner to bring the outdoors in. Adding berry clusters or pinecones to these arrangements will provide depth and texture, adding a festive, seasonal touch to your decor.

5. Metallic Accents: Metallics like gold, silver, or bronze bring an elegant, wintery sparkle to your wedding decor. From shimmering table runners and gold-rimmed glassware to metallic candles and mirror vases, these accents can add sophistication to the entire space. Paired with rich, warm colours, these tones can reflect the warmth and cosiness of a winter wedding while adding a touch of glamour.

6. Textural Elements: Winter decor is all about creating warmth and comfort. Adding textured fabrics like velvet table runners, soft throws, or fur accents can enhance that cosy feeling. Layering textures and fabrics in your decor, from chair covers to table linens, adds richness to the overall aesthetic.

Winter Menu Ideas

When planning a winter wedding at Virginia Park Lodge, the menu is a key element in creating a memorable and seasonal experience for your guests. At the heart of our culinary offering is our Gooseberry Gardens, where we grow much of our produce on-site. Under the guidance of Michelin-starred chef Richard Corrigan, the culinary team takes pride in crafting bespoke menus that reflect the very best of each season.

During the winter months, the garden offers a rich selection of seasonal produce that can inspire hearty and warming dishes. For a winter wedding, hearty dishes that offer warmth and comfort are ideal. Think slow-cooked meats, warming soups, and rich stews that help guests feel cosy and content. Roasted game or venison, paired with seasonal root vegetables, could be a stunning main course option, while starters like a velvety butternut squash soup or baked camembert provide that extra layer of indulgence. For dessert, rich, warming options like sticky toffee pudding or chocolate fondant could be perfect for a winter feast, especially when paired with seasonal fruits like pears or figs.

Not only will your menu reflect the season, but it will also offer your guests a true farm-to-fork experience, showcasing the very best of what Virginia Park Lodge’s gardens have to offer. 

Photography Tips

Capturing the beauty of a winter wedding at Virginia Park Lodge can result in breathtaking, timeless photographs. From snow dusted landscapes to the warm embrace of shared moments indoors, winter offers a unique backdrop for your special day. Here are some photography tips to help make the most of your winter wedding:

1. Maximising Natural Light: Winter days are shorter, which means you’ll need to be mindful of the limited natural light. To make the most of it, consider scheduling your ceremony and outdoor photos earlier in the day when the light is softer and more flattering. The golden hour can create stunning, warm lighting that enhances the winter landscape, especially when paired with the soft glow of snow.

2. Using the Snowy Landscape: Virginia Park Lodge's 100 acre grounds, with snow covering the trees and the frozen beauty of Lough Ramor, offer endless opportunities for stunning outdoor photos. The contrast of the white snow against rich winter attire can create a striking effect. Whether you’re standing in front of the Lodge’s grand entrance, walking through Deerpark Forest, or posing by the lake, snow will add a magical touch to your wedding album.

3. Indoor Photo Spots: For moments when the chill outside becomes too much, Virginia Park Lodge offers plenty of gorgeous indoor locations for photos. The stately fireplaces, elegant chandeliers, and beautifully decorated rooms create a warm, inviting backdrop. The Lodge’s stunning interiors, such as The Lounge with its crystal chandeliers or Dickie’s Bar with its cosy charm, are perfect for intimate portraits, ensuring that your photos feel as special indoors as they do outside.

4. Keeping Comfortable in the Cold: Winter weddings come with cooler temperatures, so keeping the couple and bridal party comfortable during outdoor sessions is essential. Incorporating stylish outerwear, such as fur wraps, wool coats, or even chic winter boots, can keep you warm without compromising on style. Planning for shorter outdoor sessions and taking breaks to warm up inside is also a smart approach to ensure everyone stays comfortable.

5. Props and Accessories: Consider incorporating winter-themed props or accessories into your photos. Cosy blankets, mugs of hot chocolate, or even a festive wreath can add a playful and seasonal element to your images. These personal touches can also help create candid, joyful moments during your photoshoot.

Virginia Park Lodge Winter Weddings 

Winter weddings are truly magical, especially when held in the intimate and enchanting hideaway of Virginia Park Lodge. With snow covered grounds, breathtaking interiors, and always an atmosphere of romance, the Lodge offers a perfect backdrop for a winter celebration. Our dedicated and attentive team is on hand to help with every aspect of wedding planning, ensuring that your big day unfolds smoothly and just as you’ve envisioned. Please get in touch to discuss how we can bring your dream winter wedding to life.