A winter wedding - the advantages of an off-season reception

The budget breathes off-season

The biggest advantage of a winter wedding is the finances. Off-season it is easier to get more favourable rates for the menu, the hall and the service providers, and negotiations go more smoothly because the calendars are not full. The same quality costs less - and the difference can go to the honeymoon, better wines or extra attractions. For couples who do not want to overpay for the date alone, winter is the most sensible choice of the whole year.

A mood summer cannot give

The early dusk that can be a drawback in summer becomes an advantage in winter. Candles, garlands and warm light turn the hall into an atmospheric set as early as the evening, and a “blue hour” photo session looks spectacular. Winter weather favours an intimate, cosy feel - hot drinks, a warmer menu and flickering lights build an atmosphere impossible to recreate on a hot July evening.

Full availability of the best crews

At the height of the season the best photographers, bands and florists are booked well in advance. In winter availability is much greater - you have a real chance to assemble your dream crew without many months' lead time and without compromises. That is a huge advantage, especially if you have your heart set on specific performers who are unobtainable in season. Off-season you choose, instead of taking what is left.

Guests' comfort in winter

At a winter wedding, a well-heated hall, an efficient cloakroom for coats and on-site accommodation - so nobody drives back at night on slippery, dark roads - are crucial. A hotel with rooms above the hall solves this entirely: guests go from the dance floor straight to a warm room. It is also worth providing hot snacks and drinks, which taste exceptionally good on chilly evenings.

A winter menu full of seasonal flavours

Winter gives the kitchen ingredients summer lacks: game, goose, roasted roots, warming soups and heavier, filling dishes. A winter wedding menu can be a real feast, matched to the weather outside. Hot welcome drinks, mulled wine in the relaxation zone or seasonal desserts round it off. These are flavours that chime perfectly with the mood of the cold season and a long evening.

Who a winter wedding is for

A winter wedding is chosen by couples who value an intimate mood, want to avoid the crush and overpaying, and have their hearts set on specific, hard-to-get performers. It also works for weddings organised sooner than two years ahead - because the dates are available. If you are not set on an outdoor session amid full greenery and dream of an elegant, atmospheric evening, winter will be an excellent choice.

Ask about winter dates at Toscania - it is the fastest route to your dream hall without a two-year wait, at a friendlier price and in an atmospheric setting.