Most brides favour the summer months for weddings. Granted you get long evenings, warm weather and the pick of the crop for honeymoons dedicated to sun-worshipping. But a summer wedding can also mean stifling hot weather, uncomfortable guests steadily cooking in their suits and serious cases of sunburnt shoulders.

Which is why canny couples are shunning the warmer months in favour of winter weddings, and that lovely feeling of hygge that these cooler months bring.

If you’re thinking of a winter wedding, how different does your planning need to be? One important aspect of any winter wedding is the venue, and one surprising option works particularly well at this time of year.

The obvious venue choice might seem to be a stately home or listed property, complete with oak panelling and roaring fires. However, as attractive as this options seem, they do have their limitations. Depending on the venue you might not be able to have candles or certain decorations for fear of damaging ancient interiors. You’re also limited to the on-site caterer with a fixed array of set menus from which to choose your wedding feast. Then there is the high cost of bar drinks wedding guests are often required to pay in some locations.

A clever alternative is to hire a marquee. First and foremost, get the idea out of your head that these are cold, draughty affairs. Modern marquees are capable of withstanding whatever the British weather throws at it, from freezing temperatures to gusting winds, driving rain and even snow. They can also be heated to ensure guests are warm and comfortable.

So a marquee is as good as a building right? Well no, a marquee can be so much better!

For a start, if you want to really push the boat out with your décor a marquee will allow you to do just that. A marquee interior is a fantastic blank canvas on to which you can project your wildest imaginings for a winter themed wedding.

At this time of year, looking to nature for inspiration works really well. Imagine a marquee decked out in tree branches and twigs festooned with lights and berries. Candles twinkling on the table and gold accents to create a warm luxurious feel. Add a bit more opulence with chandeliers hanging from a star spangled ceiling, and throws to add a splash of colour and add a little extra warmth for guests.

As for your wedding feast, you’ll find no set menus to choose from here. Instead you can take your pick from a wealth of fantastic caterers so your meals can reflect your individual style and taste. Whether you decide to go formal with a three course silver service meal, to a more casual help yourself buffet or bang on trend street food caterer, everything about your menu can be as unique as you desire.

Likewise when it comes to drinks you can carefully select your favourite wine to match your meal, choose soft drinks for children and designation drivers, and ensure there’s a well stocked bar to help your guests party into the evening.

Marquees and Pavilions are a supplier of high quality wedding marquees for hire. We have a vast amount of experience in creating beautiful bespoke venues to host remarkable weddings.

From start to finish we are with you every step of the way to ensure your day runs smoothly. We start by surveying your location, before designing a marquee layout that includes everything you and your guests will need (including heating, lighting, generators, catering and toilet facilities), through to installation and being on hand during the day itself to make sure everything runs without a hitch.