Outside Winter Ceremony

I would just make sure every one of your guests know it will be an outdoor ceremony and keep the ceremony short and sweet.

ETA: If your heart is dead set on this, it would be a good idea to set up a nice viewing room at or near your reception venue that guests that couldn't bear the weather could see the wedding live streamed.

Sorry, but yes, I have some health issues that make sitting outside in the northeast winter the best way to hit the overdrive button on some painful, physical reactions -- with blankets, with heaters, with the best of intentions. In fact, once initiated, these reactions take on a life of their own, and they would be distracting me through the next several hours of your reception, and I'd really hate that (because I love weddings).

If you want the winter experience, which you'll get in January, take it inside. Find a venue with a gorgeous ceiling to floor fireplace and have it roaring. Incorporate snow, silver, glitter, and branches liberally in your decor (I could knock your theme out of the park), but please, don't ask your guests to sit outside in January -- not for a minute, let alone 25 minutes.

If you want to do this, elope. It's not fair to invite guests to an outdoor wedding in January.

I would hate it...sorry

Considering the average HIGH in jan in winconsin is 28, this would be a hard nope from me.... if I wasn't made aware of the ceremony details I would probably meet you inside and miss the whole thing - FH may be nice and stick it out but he is a polar bear... Keep in mind, when you're outside in these elements on a normal day, you're not wearing party shoes, pantyhose, nice hair which doesn' allow for a hat and scarf...

Its actually dangerous for your guests to be exposed like that

Well I have no clue what your budget is, but there are heated seat cushions sold at outdoor stores, that way no one has a cold bum. Or I've seen for beach weddings they have a basket of flip flops by the start of the path with some kind of cute saying, you could do that but with hand warmers or cheap mittens. I hope your wedding is exactly what you dream!! (Mines going to be a January wedding, 1/6/19 it'll be our 10th anniversary, I worry about snow or rain for ours!)

I wouldn't do that. What about having the ceremony indoors where people will be comfortable and you and FH take pictures outside in the snow? That way people are not miserble, but you get some amazing snow pictures together. Eta: spelling

I think the idea is incredibly sweet but I would hate it as a guest. I freeze easily and would be counting down every second until I got to go inside. I would also have to dress in a lot of layers, which could be uncomfortable during the reception. You would need someone to check in coats, shawls, blankets, etc., or else they would be hanging on all the chairs or sitting on the tables and floors.

Aww almost date twins! I got so excited thinking I finally had one. Can you find a venue with large windows you can see the snow from? So that way people won't be super cold but you can see the beauty from the inside. Then you can take pictures in the snow.

My FH has a back injury that would kill him. I also hate the cold. My suggestion find a place with huge bay windows so you get the snowy look but no cold. Good luck

I like this idea in theory but as a guest I would be miserable. I hate being cold.

Nope nope nope. All your guest are going to be thinking about it how cold it is and how they can't wait for it to be over. Is that what you want people to take away from your ceremony? I would try and find a venue with an amazing view instead.

Sure, just the two of you? No problem! Any guests? Nope! If I got to a wedding, in winter, and found out that I was supposed to be outside, that would be a "fuck no" and we would leave.

I love winter and snow so I personally might enjoy it, however I know my family would never stop complaining if we had done something like that. We went to the California coast one summer for a family reunion, it was warm/cool but cloudy and my family complained the entire time about how "horrible" the weather was, even though it was not unbearable in the least (probably about 65-72 degrees). It was warm enough to wear shorts and tshirts and go swimming, but cool enough that you could wear a sweater or light sweatshirt. They STILL complain about the weather from that trip to this day, and that trip was 10 YEARS ago!

Also, our wedding was in January in California (where it doesn't snow) and it was indoors, and my family still had all sorts of things to say about it. "Why not get married in spring? It's going to be so cold in January!" And "but it will be INDOORS, right?" And "it will probably rain! It will be ugly and gloomy!"

How long do you plan for your ceremony to be? If it's like 5 minutes, I'd say that would be acceptable (but you'll still have complainers and/or people who skip it) but over 10 minutes would be seriously pushing it. The elderly tend to have arthritis which acts up in cold weather, anyone with a chronic illness or condition may have issues with it, kids could (loudly) complain during your vows that they are cold, wearing wedding attire can be quite uncomfortable in the snow. You'll also have to consider the possibility of high winds and/or snowstorms, and how that might adversely affect your photos (your hair could get really messed up, super red nose, dress blowing in an unflattering way, frizzy hair from melted snow, runny makeup from watery eyes, etc.). You will also likely incur additional expenses for things that will ensure your guests' comfort, like space heaters, blankets and mittens/hats for guests, heated seats, umbrellas, etc. Those are things to think about.

That said, I have seen photos from weddings where their ceremony was held in the snow. They were quite beautiful. If you decide to go this route, supply your guests with warm blankets, extra comfy seats, and rent space heaters. And be absolutely sure to make it abundantly clear to every one of your guests that the ceremony will be outdoors. Some people may decline or show up after the ceremony and only attend the reception.

Otherwise, is it possible to find a venue with big windows overlooking a snowy scene? Then take your couples portraits outdoors in the snow afterward?

Venue with big windows. Or have a private ceremony and then a reception later.

Please don't do this!

I would suggest looking into a venue that has large bay windows in the area where you could perform the ceremony. That way you get the winter scene, but keep out the cold.

'If I got to a wedding, in winter, and found out that I was supposed to be outside, that would be a "fuck no" and we would leave.'

That sounds like a rather over the top (and dare I say rude) reaction there. Having said that I think it would be wise to choose indoors, if only for the sake of any elderly or sick guests.

This is another case of a couple making their vision more important than their guest's comfort.

If you love the snow that much, take your engagement photos in the snow. Take some bridal portraits in the snow, as well as your wedding pictures. Hell, go take some boudoir pics in the snow and gift them to your FH. Shoot, go on your honeymoon to the coldest place on earth.

But FFS, leave your guests out of it.

I would say no. Find a venue that is indoors with large floor the ceiling windows to get the effect of the snow outside. Your guests will be warm and you can still have the cold winter snow theme

@Natalie, is it really over the top? I have an autoimmune illness that makes me very cold, even in warmer temperatures. My extremities have to be covered if it's below 10*C, so no, it's not an overreaction.

My point is, you have no idea how healthy or not some of your guests may be. You need to take everyone's comfort into account!