Winter weddings? May save you a ton! (think about it)

Winter wedding: Less-expensive, unique option

By William Loeffler, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, January 31, 2010

Bachelors, beware: it may indeed be a cold day when you finally say "I do."

When planning the big day, many couples are opting to walk down the aisle in January or February.

A winter wedding can be considerably cheaper. It also provides the opportunity to pull off the kind of singular event that will stand out from the endless parade of June nuptials.

Just ask Jennifer Greer, who married J.R. Gordon on Jan. 23 at Heinz Chapel in Oakland.

"I always saw my wedding in the winter with my bridesmaids carrying muffs," says Greer, 27, of Cecil. "When I was little and it was cold out, my mom would dress me in a furry white coat with a furry white muff. So, of course, my bridesmaids will be wearing a white fur muff instead of carrying a bouquet."

Greer and Gordon both remained unfazed when their mothers, Kathy Gordon and Sandy Greer, brought up the b-word: blizzard.

"Pittsburgh weather is problematic as it is," Greer says. "I can remember a Halloween when we were running around in our costumes in the snow. In the summer, you could have a hurricane come up the coast and you could have pouring down rain. We were willing to take the chance."

A winter wedding is not as far-fetched as it sounds, says Anja Winikka, editor at TheKnot.com, a leading wedding Web site. Anybody can have a June wedding, but guests won't likely forget a Christmas-themed wedding in December or a February ceremony, where the snowy landscape can provide a dramatic contrast for photos of the wedding party.

"Nobody wants to have a wedding that looks like their friend's weddings," Winikka says. "You can really take advantage of the seasonal elements and make it your own."

Those planning a December wedding probably will find many reception venues already decorated for Christmas. Instead of pastels, rich jewel tones and velvet fabrics can be incorporated into the bridesmaids dresses and groomsmen's tuxes. The church and reception hall and the bouquets can be accented with metallic blues and gold that will reflect candlelight and impart a rich and cozy glow.

"Metallics are huge in the winter because it has that ... reflective quality that works well with candles," Winikka says. "Usually in a winter wedding, you're dealing with a darker space. You want to create an intimate atmosphere."

Photographers, caterers and limousine services are more likely to give off-season discounts. So will many banquet facilities -- at least after the holiday season is over.

Lora Peluso, director of catering and convention services at the Omni William Penn hotel, says that weddings booked in January through March can cost $90 per person. The same offering in the spring and fall can be as high as $140 per head, she says.

"We're more apt to give them a deal in order to get them in," Peluso says. "You get a lot more for your money. You have a lot of negotiating power."

Winter's frigid temperatures also can be a blessing in disguise, Peluso says. "People don't like to get dressed up in the summer for formal affairs. It's actually a plus to have it cooler."

That motivated Shannon Jordan and Vernon Botts of Highland Park to set Feb. 20 as their wedding day.

"We sort of looked at the pros and cons," says Jordan, 25. "Neither of us like the heat. He doesn't want to be worried about sweating in his tux. You're already worked up anyway. The last thing you want to worry about is wiping sweat off."

She also chose that particular day because it was close to the anniversary of their first date.

Jordan says it will take a cold day indeed to dissuade her from having photos of the wedding party taken outside. She's ready to deploy black faux-fur wraps or coats to go with the bridesmaids' silver-and-raspberry dresses, and a white wrap for herself.

"I would say that probably 85 percent of people think it's a great idea," says Jordan of Highland Park. "A lot of people have never been to a winter wedding. They're excited because it's one less wedding they have to deal with in the spring and the summer."

They'll marry at Heinz Chapel on the University of Pittsburgh campus in Oakland. Their reception, whose theme is 1940s Hollywood, will take place at the Pittsburgh Athletic Association. It's across the street, which means guests won't have to drive in the event of inclement weather.

Wedding planner Katherine Shaw, who is organizing the couple's reception, relishes the creative potential of a winter wedding. Shaw, who owns Trends to Traditions in Cranberry, married husband Conan at a Christmas-themed wedding in St. Louis.

"February's always a good time especially because of Valentine's Day," she says. "It's a very romantic month."

Nuptial know-how

Planning a winter wedding, or just thinking about it? Consider these tips, from some winter brides and from Anja Winikka, editor of TheKnot.com:

• Taking photos outdoors doesn't mean turning into a Popsicle. Incorporate a shawl to go with your gown. (This could be your "Something blue," Winikka says). Other options include white gloves, extra-warm tights (under the wedding gown) or fuzzy white-winter earmuffs. The groom and his groomsmen can wear scarves that match the colors on their tuxes, and formal black winter coats.

• Have your wedding and reception as close together as possible so guests don't have to travel far in the case of inclement weather.

• Consider valet parking if guests have to drive to the reception, so they don't have too far to walk. Use a heavy, all-weather mat at the entrance so guests can wipe their feet.

• The reception area should not be near the door to the outside. Nobody wants a cold breeze blowing in whenever someone enters or exits.

• The menu at the reception can include white hot chocolate or eggnog served in punch glasses, Winikka says. "Play up the soup course instead of the salad course."

• Have the number of a car service handy in case bad weather hits, so your guests can be driven home safely.

• If you're getting married during the holiday season, don't overdo the red and green.

• Reflective colors and textures can be a plus since they'll add more light. Consider silver or gold metallics in your color palette. Bouquets can be wrapped in crystal-studded ribbons.

• For flowers, try red roses, calla lilies, amaryllis or white hydrangeas. White boutonnieres can be accented with greenery.

• Consider holding the ceremony earlier in the day to allow for sufficient daylight to take photos of the wedding party.

• Remember that a winter wedding means a winter anniversary. Laura Koveleskie of Greensburg married husband Robert in Steubenvlle, Ohio, on Jan. 20, 1998. That was also the day that a massive snowmelt caused rivers to overflow their banks, closing some bridges and making some roads impassable. "It was pretty scary seeing the river just feet from your car," Koveleskie says. "A lot of anniversaries we stay home because the weather's too bad to go out to dinner."

Planning tips for the Bride

1: Start early

Brides and vendors both suggest at least a year to plan a typical wedding.

"I would definitely say prepare well in advance so you're not overwhelmed on your wedding day," said Kari Polzin, a Victoria bride-to-be who is in her fifth month of planning. Brides and vendors suggest having a location booked at least a year ahead of time. A dress should be decided at about eight months out, at six months a photographer, at four months flowers and food. In the last couple of months, send out the invitations and make hair and nail appointments.

2: Location, location, location

Forget the chapels and churches, the trend nowadays is unique settings.

"I think nowadays, they're breaking traditions," said Lynette Migl, with Raisin L. Ranch, a Crossroads special events venue that is popular for weddings. "They're wanting to do more their own thing."

Picking a non-traditional setting offers more freedom for brides to choose a time of day and flexibility in the ceremony, said Jennifer Saenz, a Cuero bride-to-be.

Special event centers like Raisin L Ranch can also simplify the wedding planning process by offering a place for the ceremony, reception and pleasant grounds for guests to carouse.

3: Smell the flowers

Submerged floral arrangements that showcase flowers in tall containers filled with water are becoming more common, says Ginger Patterson, a designer with McAdams Floral in Victoria.

The arrangement is simple yet elegant and uses fewer flowers per piece so it can even be more affordable, she said. A typical floral budget can be anywhere from $200 to $5,000, she said.

Colors spring brides might consider are fuchsia, hot pink and gold.

4: Capture the moment

Wedding photojournalism is more of a trend for capturing the spirit of the big day, photographers say.

"Weddings tend to be kind of a blur for the bride and groom," said Danny Vivian, owner of Danny Vivian photography in Victoria. "So what we like to do is catch the moments they miss."

In addition to offering all of his wedding pictures on a CD, Vivian also offers a CD with pictures pre-sized for the Web, something he says many brides have found convenient when sharing photos on Facebook or through e-mail.

5: Have your cake

Rarely will you see a bride and groom atop a cake anymore, said Barabra Halepaska, owner of Halepaska's Bakery in Victoria.

"I think the Food Network has a lot to do with the trends," she said, referring to popular shows like "Ace of Cakes."

More and more couples are opting for a cake that showcases their wedding location or personality, she said. Cakes with seashells for a Rockport wedding or a waterfall for a Hawaiian-themed wedding are becoming more common. Typical three-tier cakes can serve 80-90 people and cost an average of $180.

Recycle Wedding? Wedding Tip/Article

Couple vows to fund wedding through recycling

It’s their can-do attitude that will pay for their wedding.

Andrea Parrish and Peter Geyer are vowing to fund their entire wedding by recycling aluminum cans.

Their goal: to collect 400,000 cans — approximately 5 tons worth — within 7 months in order to make their wedding budget of $4,000.

That’s right. That figure is not missing a zero.

“We don’t want anything huge or extravagant… really, we’re planning a potluck, DIY decorations, and getting the help from friends and family for flowers, pictures, the sword-fighting battle, home brew beer, even the cake,” writes Andrea and Peter in their blog documenting their undertaking.

And the Spokane, Washington couple is well on their way of hitting their goal. As of today, they have collected more than 328-thousand cans worth of donations, which is 82% of their target.

Andrea and Peter focused on cans because “Aluminum recycling is one of the most sustainable and useful forms of recycling.”

By recycling 5 tons of cans, the environmentally-focused couple will be saving the earth from 50 tons of carbon emissions, which they say is enough to offset 5 years of their own emissions plus the impact of their entire wedding.

The two got engaged last October at Andrea’s sister’s wedding. It happened when Peter caught the garter, and Andrea followed up by dropping to one knee and proposing to him with an opal earring.

They hatched their recycling idea last month and will be tying the knot on July 31st.

Andrea says they didn’t originally set out to have a green wedding specifically. “We wanted to just have a wedding that was a reflection of who we are and what our values are. We are an environmentally conscious couple in general - our front yard is an organic vegetable garden, we compost, and put on sweaters instead of turning up the heat. We just believe that it's our responsibility to take care of Mother Earth - she's the only one we've got, and we need to take care of her so she takes care of us.”

Besides the recycling, Andrea and Peter are conscientiously incorporating a number of other green elements into their big celebration.

The entire weekend from the rehearsal to the ceremony and reception to the morning-after breakfast will be held in a vacation home in northern Idaho, reducing the amount of driving for guests. Peter’s sister is growing all the potted flowers for the wedding. The two will also be using compostable, rather than disposable, dishware and flatware throughout the weekend. In addtion, they are asking their attendants to choose dresses and suits that they will wear again, rather than “wear-once” clothes.

Making A Larger Impact

Andrea and Peter are ecstatic to see that they may be raising more than enough money well before their wedding. So they’ve decided to take their project a step further.

After they meet their wedding budget of $4,000, they are planning to continue to collect and redeem cans.

But, they won’t be using the additional funds to throw a bigger wedding. Instead, they want to make a bigger impact.

60% of the extra proceeds will be donated to two charities — Doctors Without Borders and The Rim Country Land Institute, a Montana non-profit that provides outdoor, place-based experiences for people to connect with their local landscape. The other 40% will go to their soon-to-be-planned honeymoon.

And the icing on the cake — the couple are also working on a “starter kit” that can be distributed to others who want to start their own recycling fundraiser.

Secret to a Green Wedding

Andrea’s advice to other couples wanting to have an environmentally conscience wedding mirrors that of this column. "Going green can feel so overwhelming at times — like there is so much to do that one person can't possibly make a difference,” says Andrea. “The secret is to do what you can, when you can - it's the little changes you can make everyday that make the biggest impact.”

How You Can Help

You can help Andrea and Peter by collecting cans in your kitchen, office or classroom, then turning them in at your local recycling center. They playfully say on their blog, “Take the cash, take yourself out for a coffee or draft beer, and perhaps kick a bit of what’s left over our way.” Donations can be made through weddingcans.com.

More Wedding Tips- Ten Budgeting strategies

1. Schedule your wedding “off-season.” Nearly 70% of all weddings take place May through October of each year. Even in matters of the heart, the laws of supply and demand apply. If there are lots of brides competing with you for locations, limousines, and florists, the price goes up. You will probably find yourself able to get better deals on virtually every wedding service if you schedule your wedding in one of the “off season” months. Also avoid late November through New Year’s, when hotels, caterers and bands are likely to be busy with holiday parties. Your best bet? Set the date for sometime in January, February (other than around Valentine’s Day, when the flower prices peak), or March.

2. Set the time for early in the day. If you’re the average couple, your biggest wedding cost will be for food and beverages at the reception. A beautiful morning brunch will set you back less than dinner fare. And unless you have really outrageous friends, there will be far less alcohol poured before lunchtime. Better to have a wonderful morning reception than be forced to pinch pennies for an evening event.

3. Find a low-cost location. If you’re flexible about the “where,” you can save a lot on your location. Don’t knock your childhood church or synagogue: if you or your parents are members, the location fee will probably be waived. A city-owned location, such as a public garden or historic building, may be available for a surprisingly low fee. And you might consider marrying at home (yours, or a rich friend’s!) if your guest list isn’t too large. But be careful: a home wedding won’t cut costs if you have to bring in additional restroom facilities, seating, lighting, etc.

4. Select a non-bridal bridal gown. Bridal gowns aren’t the only white dresses in the world. It may be that the perfect wedding dress for you is not found in a bridal salon, but among the women’s evening wear section of a department store. (Maybe even on the sale rack!) Especially during the last several seasons, while elegant, understated gowns have been in style, the line between bridalwear and formalwear has blurred. You might even find that the perfect gown for you is a more-affordable bridesmaids style, done in white or ivory.

5. Decorate strategically. Spend your money on the things people will see the most throughout the event -- not things they’ll only glimpse momentarily. Your guests may not notice the flowers that decorate the end of each pew as they take their seat -- but they will notice the bouquets and boutonnieres on the wedding party during the ceremony and reception. They’ll spend a few moments before your ceremony starts perusing your program, so make sure it makes a good impression. Less important are extra flowers to adorn your wedding cake table; the cake itself will capture their attention. You could spend money to decorate the back of each guest’s chair -- but will they see it other than when they enter the reception room? Consider putting those dollars instead into your table centerpieces, which they’ll gaze at repeatedly during the event. Candles -- at your ceremony or your reception -- add drama and style with little cost, especially compared to floral arrangements. Another budget-friendly decorating touch: tiny, white twinkle lights, swathed in tulle. The most strategic way to decorate? Pick a location that needs little or no embellishment -- a garden in bloom, a scenic beach, a fully-restored historic building, or a spectacular cathedral.

6. Select flowers that are in season and locally available. If you do, you’ll probably find you can save considerably on cost -- especially if you make it clear with your florist that cutting cost is a high priority. Availability and price vary from city to city, and region to region, but you’ll probably find that Gerbera daisies, traditional daisies, carnations, chrysanthemums, statice, Queen Anne’s Lace, freesia, baby’s breath and gladiolus are your best priced flowers. Irises are an economical choice for Spring, which is also the best season for violets, daffodils and tulips. Various kinds of lilies are most plentiful (and best priced) in the summer months; sunflowers and orange blossoms are most abundant in the Fall. Avoid roses and orchids -- they’re widely available but pricey. And stay away from white blossoms. They bruise easily, so florists must go through larger quantities to find good ones, and to match the shade, thus the cost is higher.

7. Theme the event to hide what’s not included. Picking a theme for your reception celebration can be a great way to cut costs. You don’t have to be of Mexican descent to turn your reception into a fiesta -- and a spectacular banquet of traditional Mexican food will probably cost less than prime rib and asparagus. Continue your theme (and budget-management) by limiting the bar to imported Mexican beers and margueritas. Your guests won’t miss the martinis while dining on machaca. Another possibility: serve a family-style southern Italian banquet and limit the bar choices to red and white wines with dinner, limoncelo and espresso with dessert. Or follow your barefoot, beach wedding with bonfire-grilled chicken and corn, vegetable kabobs, buckets of beer on ice and a fruity sangria.

8. Harness the talents of family and friends. Don’t be afraid to let those close to you know that you’re looking for ways to keep your wedding budget under control. They may offer their own skills to help you save money, or they may know how to help you find a great deal. Your uncle with the classic car may be willing to play chauffeur for the day, and your cousin the computer graphics wiz might be able to create spectacular wedding programs on her computer; all you’ll have to do is pay for the paper.

9. Cut your guest list. It may be painful, but the simple truth is that there is no quicker, easier way to control your budget than by limiting the size of the event. Again, your single biggest cost will be reception food and alcohol, so you can reduce that expenditure by paring down the number of mouths. Remember: single guests who aren’t in a serious relationship can be invited solo; you may invite parents only; and you need not invite anyone who you haven’t spent time with in the last five years -- even if they invited you to their wedding.

10. Use the free tool and resources available to you online in WeddingChannel.com. Wedding planning experts say that the single most important thing you can do to control costs is to get organized. Timely planning saves late fees and expensive compromises. The planning tools available to you here in WeddingChannel.com will help you create your planning timetable, and send you email reminders of every appointment and deadline. You can even manage your guest list, RSVPs, and thank you notes. Access to your bridal registry here online means you don’t even have to drive to the mall to find out if someone’s gotten you that espresso machine yet. Through your Couple’s Profile, Wedding Logistics and Out-Of-Town Guest Information pages, you can get the word out to family, friends and guests -- without costly mailings or long distance phone calls. And best of all: the tools, information, and advice in the site are totally free for you to use. So you can spend your time, energy, and hard-earned dollars on the things that matter most to you on your wedding day. Now that’s a bargain any bride will love.