Planning Your 2026 Winter Wedding : Pros, Cons, and our Promise to Celebrate Confidently
- summiteventsco
- Nov 7
- 4 min read
Imagine the Puesta del Sol Farm fields covered in snow, or a Rosemont Manor sunset over sparkling, frosty lawns where the heat from dancing pours out of the lit building… that’s a party!
If you’re planning a Winter Wedding next year between December and March, you’re choosing romance, intimacy, and a couple of distinct benefits you don't always find in the busy peak season.
We won't tell you that a winter wedding doesn't present its own difficulties (hello, frosty weather). But, with smart planning and the right team, these moments become stories you tell for the rest of your life.
Should I Plan a Winter Wedding?
Vendor selection is less competitive
This is the industry’s slower time. This means you have a much better chance to reserve your preferred vendors - the photographer you’ve followed on instagram for years, the venue you adore, and of course, the best DJ, without the typical seasonal competition.
Instant Atmosphere
The moment the sun goes down, the lights turn on and you’re in control of the vibe. Earlier darkness allows lighting and mood-setting elements to instantly feel more dramatic and romantic. Play with bistro lights, colorful uplighting, or a custom monogram spotlight.
One Big Party
There’s less competition with outside activities. When the outside is chilly, folks generally stay inside where the action is, so your event feels full and lively. If you, like us, want the night to be full of dancing, one of your favorite tricks is to get a group photo on the dancefloor then drop a high-energy song! It's a great way to break the ice for the rest of the night.
A Bit Of Preparation Solves Most Winter Wedding Cons
The main challenges for winter weddings are pretty straightforward: less light and the potential for a severe storm. We guide our couples through these obstacles with workable solutions. The good thing is, it’s not our first rodeo!
Natural light is a limited resource in winter. Here's our advice for a winter wedding schedule:
Adjust the Schedule
Think about planning a 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM wedding instead of a later timeline. Moving the start time up helps you get enough natural light for your ceremony and sunset photos before the cold and dark really sets in.
Make Parting Indoors Your Plan A
Make an inside ceremony your Plan A. If it happens to be unseasonably warm, you can certainly keep an outdoor ceremony Plan B ready.
Emergency Policy & Backup Power
It’s our job to prepare for the unexpected. We pivot when winter throws severe weather situations at you, like snowstorms and power outages.
Vendor Policy: Always know your emergency policy for your vendors should an extreme weather event happen. We will do everything we can to perform until safety concerns restrict us from doing so.
Reschedule Promise
If your wedding is postponed due to extreme weather or by a government mandate, we will work with you to reschedule at no or minimum charge.
Power Backup
We’ve had a couple weddings that lost power but with our battery powered uplights and battery powered speakers, we were still able to do all the toasts, special dances and even some partying!
Real Events: Katie and James at The National Arboretum
Ben’s longtime friend (since Kindergarten!) had a gorgeous winter wedding. The venue, The National Arboretum in DC, has no lighting because it’s usually only open during daylight hours. This meant we had to set up our own lighting, bringing in bistro lights and moving fast to meet a tight one-and-a-half-hour setup window. The ceremony site was a quarter-mile walk away, so forgetting a piece of equipment was not an option.
The photo booth used the stunning pillars at the end of a trellis walkway as its backdrop. Guests had a wonderful time dancing outdoors to early 2000s R&B throwbacks. They opted for no lights over the dance floor—the natural ambiance was magical in the photos! Despite the cold and the intense setup schedule, everything came together perfectly.
This celebration proves that when you have vendors who focus on adaptable execution, even logistical hurdles simply add to an unforgettable night.
Real Events: Aly and Jake at Historic Rosemont
Aly and Jake's beautiful Winter Manor Wedding at Historic Rosemont was the picture of seasonal romance. The outdoor ceremony was held on the beautiful lawn at Rosemont where the bridal procession was accompanied by Joji's "Gimme Love". A close friend of the couple—who also played the role of matchmaker—officiated the ceremony.
The celebration then continued indoors in Rosemont's ballroom, for the custom-lit indoor reception and the dance floor stayed busy all night. Aly and Jake provided some song ideas for their wedding receptions in our app, which was a great starting point. It gave us a feel for the vibe they’re going for. They trusted us to take the reins and keep the energy flowing throughout the event.
It was a lovely night full of genuine warmth, regardless of the chill outside. It was a lovely night full of genuine warmth, regardless of the chill outside.
Choosing a winter wedding prioritizes intimacy and style. When you hire us, you’re not just getting music; you’re getting a partner who has navigated celebrations in all seasons and weather. We guarantee you have the plans and backup power to focus on your day.
Ready to book your 2026 date? Get in touch!