Planning the colour schemes, decorations and outfits for a summer wedding can be difficult enough but for a wedding taking place during the dull weather and biting cold of the winter months, advanced and detailed preparation is absolutely essential if you want your wedding to go off without a hitch.

Firstly, consider where your wedding is being held. Ideally, the the ceremony will take place indoors, to avoid any harsh, wintry conditions. Old country houses and more traditional venues with large open fires and majestic furniture look exceptional at this time of year, and can add some pomp and ceremony to your big day.

If you simply have to hold an outdoor wedding, be sure to hire a marquee with adequate heating and space for guests. You may also need to consider having two separate areas in a marquee for pre-dinner drinks and then for the wedding breakfast itself. This is obviously not a requirement for a summer wedding where the surrounding gardens would be sufficient for drinks in warmer weather. Any plans for high heeled shoes may have to go out the window too, as soft ground is nigh-on impossible to navigate in stilettos.

With colder weather comes the need for warm clothing. But a carefully selected outfit can actually add to the elegance of the bride. Specially chosen (faux) furs, cloaks and long fitted coats can look beautiful over a wedding dress, and can add to the anticipation of the groom finally seeing the dress at the altar.

If you long for an unconventional colour scheme for your dress (i.e anything other than white, cream or champagne), the seasonal hues of winter lend themselves perfectly to a range of warm, rich colours. Reds, purples and even yellows look fantastic against a wintry backdrop. However, the biting cold will not lend itself to a minimal dress design. Unless of course, you fancy being your own something blue.

The decorations must be chosen to suit the seasonal theme. Once again, rich colours work best in a wintry environment. Bolstering bouquets with traditional winter fruits, such as cranberries can look stunning and white and red also complement each other perfectly at this time of year. Intricate lighting details can instantly warm up a room, adding a magical ambiance to any setting. If you are on a budget then consider holding a December wedding and you may not need to pay for many decorations as the venue itself could already be decked out in Christmas finery.

Winter is an unconventional time of year for a wedding. But winter weddings can be the ideal occasion to impress your friends and family by doing something slightly unorthodox, but creating a real romantic spectacle at the same time.