I have photographed well over a hundred winter weddings in Ireland and I can only think of a handful where the weather interfered with the day. We have a Goldilocks climate here, not too cold, not too snowy and not too wet. If you plan ahead and get your timings right, you can have a fantastic day with great photographs and then have a cosy drinks reception with your guests before dinner.
Also, from the end of November, all the hotels are decorated for Christmas, which adds an extra festive dimension to the day.
I would classify winter weddings as the ones that happen between October and New Years Eve, not much happens in January and February. All the photographs in this blog post were taken in those three months.
Christmas Weddings in Ireland
The biggest problem from a photography point of view is how early it gets dark. By mid December, the light is gone by 4.15, so it is worth considering a church ceremony at 12.00 or 12.30. This can mean an early start for your hair and make up though, depending on how many bridesmaids you have.
A first look shoot before the ceremony is a good way to get some wedding party photographs done in daylight, especially if you have any distance to travel from the church to your reception venue.
Civil ceremonies at the venue where your reception is being held make the day a little easier to manage, but I would still suggest a 1.00 or 1.30 start for your ceremony.
Click here to see my guide to managing the time on your wedding day.
Top Tips for a Winter Bride
There are a few extra things that I would recommend you bring with you to make your day run smoother…
- Comfortable shoes that you walk outside in without getting your wedding shoes wet or dirty.
- Some umbrellas, just in case! I have some nice cream wedding ones, but it is worth having a few extra.
- Pashminas to keep bride and bridesmaids warm in the afternoon during the location shoot.
- Some sandwiches and water for the wedding car after the ceremony, getting married gives you an appetite.
All couples and all wedding days are different, which is why I work out a bespoke wedding day plan and a timeline with all my couples to suit their requirements.
If you are planning a winter wedding, I would love to have a chat with you to hear what you have in mind for your day. You never know, I might be the photographer that you are looking for.
See my Favourite Wedding Photographs of 2020 here…
Winter Weddings In Ireland