By Christina Friedrichsen
Author of Intimate Weddings:
Planning a Small Wedding that Fits Your Budget and Style
www.intimate-weddings.com

Did you know that one in four couples ties the knot during the winter? Many couples love the romance of the season – and they love the cost savings. Couples can shave big-time bucks off their wedding costs by having it off-season. Venues are generally less expensive and vendors sometimes offer off-season rates.

Here are some great ideas and tips for winter “I do’s”:

• If guests are arriving from out of town, have them arrive a couple of days early just in case of inclement weather.

• Consider having a winter-wonderland themed wedding, using snowflakes as your motif. Silver and pale blue make a lovely color combination. Use pine boughs and evergreens as decorations. Serve comfort foods such as soups, prime rib and decadent chocolate desserts.

• If you are a winter sports enthusiast, combine your favorite sport with your nuptials. Have a skating party the night before the wedding. Have a destination wedding at a ski chalet. Get married at a cozy lodge and include dog sledding as one of your guest activities the day before the wedding.

• Dress Warm. Choose a long sleeved gown, instead of spaghetti straps.

• Serve hot beverages such as cocoa and cider at the reception to keep guests toasty.

• Find a venue that has a fireplace. It will really make things cozy!

• Depart in a horse drawn sleigh.

• Snuggle up. It’s not like the two of you will need an excuse to get close after the party’s over, but a chill in the air might make you hold on just a little tighter!

Christina Friedrichsen is the author of Intimate Weddings: Planning a Small Wedding that Fits Your Budget and Style, the only book available on the topic of small weddings. Her website is www.intimate-weddings.com. Read Christina's Intimate Blog.