Michigan Winter Wedding
Even though this image is not from a Winter Wedding, actually it was a summer beach Wedding on Lake Michigan, it reminds me of the simplicity and pureness of a Winter Wedding.
I am fortunate to have a few winter Weddings this year, some years I have none. This nice blanket of snow on the ground in Michigan will make a perfect backdrop for the groomsmen, but a horrible contrast for the Wedding Dress.
This is the moment that shadows really help out a Wedding Photographer. When you have white on white it is difficult to differentiate but shadows are your best friend. Find the light and make side lighting a priority to get your best captures. I plan on doing just that in the coming weeks.
Why are brides and grooms so against winter Weddings? Winter is a great time for a party and even better for getting Married AND having a party! Have a nice warm reception with lots of warming foods and drinks and your friends and family will stay all night. Compare this to a summer Wedding which people just want to get out of the reception and do their own thing. With the right planning you can have an event that will be talked about forever.
A Winter Wedding that I would like to be part of is one that is set in the woods with bomb fires and warming lights or heaters with the Wedding Party sporting dress clothes with winter coats and hats and gloves. I would like to have the bride arrive on sleigh or being pulled by a sled dog team, that would be cool! Out under the stars in an evening ceremony with a huge fire and people all cozy up to the heat with the wedding party, perhaps, on the other side of the fire. Everyone could be offered a beverage or hot chocolate or coffee and some of the pouch hand warmers for their gloves. The officiant could be dressed in a large winter cloak with a hat. This would be really cool!
When I was in college we used to have hayrides all the time. We would take buses to a location, jump on a large carriage or sleigh pulled by horses and head back into the woods. We would have a very large fire built with a bar setup and music playing. Schnapps was always a hit. Everyone had a blast at these events and it was just some pure outdoor fun. I loved to attend these events and the images were warm from the fire and just fabulous. At the end of the night we would all head back and jump in the bus and ride back to college. I always hoped that I was not on the bus with the sickies.:-)
If you like black and white images then winter is the time for you to have your Wedding. If you like color, then add some beautiful umbrellas from a place like bella umbrellas and see your images pop. Summer Weddings are the norm but there are so many open ideas for unique Winter Weddings that I think brides and grooms should consider. The weather may be harsh, the daylight may be slim, and the roads may be icy, but the party will go on and people will love your for getting them out of their house and socializing in winter.
Otto Haring photographer miamiGreat picture! 🙂