With November fast approaching, the winter wedding season in Canada will soon begin! Many couples choose to stay local and get married during the "low season" between November to March to take advantage of the beauty of a winter wonderland wedding!
Weddings in nearby Canmore and Banff, in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, are lovely as the snowy mountain peaks make for great photos; plus it's ski season so guests coming near and far can enjoy the fresh mountain air and activities that Calgary and area have to offer! With the days getting shorter and the weather colder the warmth of candle light can be appreciated and venues with romantic fireplaces are perfect choices! There are fewer people who choose winter nuptials so it is usually easier to book the venue of your dreams or your favorite vendors (unless you plan your wedding around a busy holiday like Christmas, New Years Eve or Valentine's day).
From a florist's perspective, winter weddings are great for textured and local foliage! Some of my favorite foliages {Carolina Sapphire & blue berry cedar} are in ample supply and provide beautiful texture to winter bouquets, centerpieces and other statement floral arrangements. Other foliages available this time of year, especially plentiful in November and December, are cedar, gold tipped cedar, leyland cypress, Douglas fire, hemlock, silver fir, white pine, magnolia tips, holly, pepper berry and more! Why not opt for minimal flowers and carry a bouquet of mixed winter foliage and berries or have this same combination as a head table garland or centerpiece? Berries can look absolutely stunning mixed together with foliage and flowers; besides, winter berries are in abundance! For a listing of berry varieties and their availability read more here. Roses are also a classic choice as they are available year round. Looking for an in-season flower; the amaryllis is a show stopping bloom! Late fall to early spring is also the season for the beloved anemones and ranunculus and Star of Bethlehem is another lovely option. Besides winter foliages, berries and blooms; brides look so gorgeous in faux fur capes and shawls!
I can sum up my love for winter weddings in 10 thoughts:
1. Snowy winter wonderland for romantic outdoor photos
2. Ski season- great for guests traveling near and far as Calgary & area have lots of outdoor winter activities to participate in
3. Candle light- oh so gorgeous
4. Cozy fireplaces to say "I do" in front of
5. Fresh winter foliage- mmm love the smell of cedar!
6. Berries- which make for great texture and provide pops of colour amongst your wedding flowers
7. Ranunculus and anemones!
8. Cute faux fur and knit shawls, boleros and capes for brides
9. Low season rates for hotel bookings- great for years to come when celebrating anniversaries!
10. You have more options for choosing the vendors you love and them being available for your wedding date!
It's probably fairly obvious that I love winter weddings! Oscar and I renewed our vows last year for our 5th wedding anniversary at Spray Lakes near Canmore, Alberta a couple of weeks before our actual anniversary on December 4th (so yes we celebrate a winter wedding date too)!
May the winter wedding planning begin! Scroll down to see photos from previous winter weddings in Calgary, Canmore and Banff that our team at Flowers by Janie had the pleasure of flowering!
Oscar and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary last year by having a photoshoot and vow renewal at Spray Lakes. The mountains always look incredible but even a little more so with fresh snow! They make a lovely backdrop for wedding portraits in the winter and year round! Photo: Tara Whittaker Photography
A winter wedding at Azuridge amongst snow covered roads and vistas. Photo: Studio Lumen
An indoor ceremony in front of the grand fireplace at The Lake House, with fresh cedar lining the aisles and boughs of cedar tied with satin ribbon to the aisle chairs, makes for a quaint wedding day. Photo: Cedna Photography
Panda anemones are in season and oh so pretty! I love our bride's faux fur bolero too! Photo: Cassie's Camera
Loads of freshly scented cedar, Carolina sapphire and mixed eucalyptus in this head table floral arrangement for a wedding at Sunshine Village! Photo: Kim Payant Photography
Pretty blue privet berries cascade down from this winter bridal bouquet. Photo: Cedna Photography
Sweet white ranunculus tucked together with pinecones, red roses and eggplant mini calla lilies for a Canmore wedding at Silvertip. Photo: Anna Michalska
March weddings are a little more mild and you might even be able to take photos outside without freezing! This wedding took place at Pinebrook Golf & Country Club. Photo: Genevieve Renee
2 Comments
Oct 31, 2016, 2:43:05 PM
Janelle Gerestein - Winter weddings are quite magical right Tara Whittaker!
Oct 30, 2016, 9:52:12 PM
Tara Whittaker - Two thumbs up for a winter wedding!