How to Pull Off a Wedding During the Holiday Season

You've always dreamed of tying the knot during the most wonderful time of the year. But how do you pull off a holiday wedding?  With all of the good cheer and festive feelings that come with the holidays, it's not hard to understand why you'd be drawn to this special season. But there will be other parties, vacations, and family time to compete with, so you'll need to think through the logistics early on. Hotels will book up early, flights will sell out quickly, and your nearest and dearest will make their own plans. Here are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind to have a very merry matrimony.

Remember to send out your save-the-dates as soon as possible. Your guests probably won't make their holiday plans until a few months out, but you want to make sure they factor your wedding into their travel arrangements and their family traditions. So give them a heads up as soon as possible so they can shift their plans accordingly.

If you're planning a wedding during the busiest travel season of the year, you're likely going to run into some snags in the hotel department. Once you get your nuptials on your guests' calendar and have picked a venue, start talking to local hotels to reserve blocks of rooms. After you get that squared away, set up your wedding website and share the hotel information. Remind guests to book their flights well in advance and urge them to reserve a room as soon as possible. The last thing you need is Aunt Betsy looking to crash in the bridal suite! 

While your wedding doesn't necessarily have to be holiday-themed, it's not a bad idea to incorporate some little touches of the season into your big day. Set your ceremony stage with candles and holly, line the dance floor with poinsettias or decorate with twinkle lights. Those small details will add a touch of coziness and nostalgia to your wedding. 'Tis the season, after all!

While the thought of saying "I do" in a winter wonderland may sound dreamy, inclement weather can greatly impact the success of your nuptials. Guests may have trouble getting to their final destination, the roads may be slippery, and the temperatures might be frigid (you might need to grab a cozy cover-up!). Keep track of the weather starting about ten days out so that you can make any last-minute changes to the plan. Thinking things through in advance will guarantee you get hitched without a hitch. 

The holidays are full of festive gatherings, office parties, and family traditions to honor, so appreciate that your guests might feel a little overwhlemed (and overtired) during this time of year. Help make their experience at your wedding a relaxing one by giving out welcome bags, taking care of transportation, and any other little details that will make the weekend flow smoothly. Also be prepared for the fact that you may get more declined invitations than you originally expected. Don't let a smaller guest list negatively impact your dream wedding. Remember that if anyone can't make it, they will be there with you in (the holiday) spirit.