Tips for Planning Your Winter Wedding

There is something magical and romantic about a winter wedding. A winter wonderland, romantic fireplaces and candlelight, and holiday décor are a few reasons why winter weddings are popular. While there may be some obstacles to overcome, the end result is worth it for most brides. Here at The Historic Pinecrest, we wanted to provide you with some tips to keep in mind if you’re planning a winter wedding.

You can save money

Winter months can mean it’s off season for most vendors. Some venues offer discounts in the offseason to bring in extra business. Photographers and DJs usually offer discounts during the offseason as well. However, one thing you won’t save money on is flowers.

Helpful hint: Some types of flowers are extremely hard to find in the winter months. Check ahead of time to see what flowers are in season and which ones will work for your wedding. This will help keep your floral budget from skyrocketing.

Prepare for potential weather

Being winter time, you could end up with some treacherous winter weather or hazardous conditions. While nothing is guaranteed, it’s best to be prepared for all types of weather. Check with the venue and see if they offer free rescheduling due to unforeseen weather conditions.

People may say no

While no one likes the hear the word, no, especially when it comes to your wedding, you may receive a few no’s from guests you have invited. It’s nothing personal, some people just don’t like to travel during winter months. This is something you should be aware of when planning a winter wedding.

Invest in winter accessories

Having winter accessories will make all the difference in keeping you warm on your special day. You don’t have to wear a scarf and gloves. A long sleeve wedding dress, a cape or veil, or a matching cardigan are all great options.

Stay on top of your beauty prep

Dry skin and chapped lips are very common in the colder winter months. As a bride, this is something you should prepare for ahead of time. Chapped lips and dry skin do not look great in wedding photos.

Extra travel time

Bad weather can cause a lot of traffic and it doesn’t matter how close or far you are from the venue. Traffic is still traffic and it can cause you unnecessary stress. Plan accordingly and make sure you give yourself and your guests plenty of extra travel time.

Have your ceremony and reception at the same venue

Keeping both the ceremony and reception at the same venue reduces the amount of travel that will take place. This will reduce the chance of people getting stuck in traffic or not be able to travel due to a change in weather.

Winter décor

Using candles can create a very romantic atmosphere. Just make sure that your venue allows you to use real candles. Glitter is also a very festive option. You don’t have to overload your wedding with glitter, but it does make a great accent. It’s also a great idea to check the décor of your venue. They might have holiday décor that does not match your wedding decorations.

Coat Check

This is a great option to have. Have a coat check set up and make sure the coats will be stored in a safe place. The last thing a guest wants to worry about is having to hold onto or watch their coat during the ceremony and reception.

If you have your heart set on a winter wonderland wedding, keep these tips in mind during the planning process to help ease the stress and avoid any disasters. The Historic Pinecrest would be a wonderful place to host a winter wedding in Colorado Springs. If you want to schedule a private tour of our venue, give us a call or text 719-357-8613 today!

A Beautiful Wedding Awaits...

106 Pinecrest Way

Palmer Lake, CO 80133

www.PinecrestEventCenter.com

Call or text for a private tour!

719-357-8613

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21 Unexpected Wedding Expenses - Part 2

There are so many details in a wedding, that it can be challenging for one woman to figure it all out. From decorations to the menu, you have enough on your mind - so we're here to help. The many facets of your budget can make it seem overwhelming, but there are a few items that brides tend to forget to add to their budget and then have to fork over the cash for later, so we're going to give you the scoop so you're not surprised later.

We recently covered Part 1 of Unexpected Wedding Expenses, and we discussed items like beauty treatments, wedding outfits, and even postage. Today we're going to continue the series and cover a few more items that you may have never thought of when putting your budget together.

Tips & Gratuities

Did you know that it's appropriate to tip your vendors? From the photographer to the floral designer, these tips can add up and can be a bit of a surprise if you weren't planning them into your overall cost.

Sales Tax & Service Charges

The same surprise can apply for sales tax and service charges. By figuring an extra 5-7%, you can most likely get the cost covered in your budget and maybe even have a little bit of a cushion.

Overtime Costs

Sometimes your vendors may have to stay longer than you anticipated for your big day, and those costs can add up quickly. Whether it's your photographer, caterer, or even your wedding planner - you'll want to add estimates to cover unexpected costs.

Delivery, Setup, and Breakdown Fees

Who knew that some companies charged fees like this? Check with your vendors while you're getting a quote to make sure that you are aware of these charges and can plan accordingly.

Including Yourself in the Head Count

While you're a very important part of this event (obviously!) sometimes you can forget to add yourself to the headcount - which can adjust the totals on your meals and more.

The Marriage License

Did you even realize that your marriage license would cost money? Call your courthouse ahead of time to find out how much it costs to get, and also how much it will cost to get a certified copy after the wedding. You'll probably want it so you can get your name changed quickly. Also find out what types of payment they take, as some courthouses only take cash.

A Hotel Room (for the night before)

If you have any amount of travel between you and your wedding destination, you may want to have a hotel room for the night before so you're closer. This is generally something you don't think about until you need it, and then it's an unexpected purchase.

Breakfast & Lunch for the Wedding Day

Maybe you weren't thinking about being hungry on your wedding day, but surprisingly, you could be ravenous! Not to mention your bridesmaids, groomsmen, family and others who are around.

Gifts For Your Parents

While you may not think about it at the time, once you get on Pinterest, you'll see so many cute ideas you just won't be able to resist. Plan ahead and add this to your budget so there is no going over.

Unexpected & Uninvited Guests

Sometimes this just can't be helped. You may have specified that there were no plus one's at your wedding, and your cousin still brought his girlfriend anyway, or someone who RSVP'd that they couldn't make it ends up being able to come - plan a few extra settings because you just never know what could happen.

Completely Unpredictable Things

Finally, there are just so many unpredictable things that can come up that you can't even dream to be prepared for. Add some padding to your budget so you can cover those items, and if they don't come up -  you still win because you're under budget!

Planning a Dream Wedding in Colorado Springs

From beginning to end, the Pinecrest Event Center wants to help you achieve your biggest dreams in your wedding. By making your budget at the start, and including some padding for unexpected issues you can relieve a bit of stress off of the day. If you are still looking for the best wedding venue in Colorado Springs, be sure to visit our website to learn more about our beautiful venue, or give us a call at 719-357-8613 to schedule a tour!

A Beautiful Wedding Awaits...

106 Pinecrest Way

Palmer Lake, CO 80133

www.PinecrestEventCenter.com

Call or text for a private tour!

719-357-8613

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Deck the Halls with Historic Pinecrest!

It's time to deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la la! The winter season is a wonderful time to plan a wedding, and we're ready to get in the celebratory holiday spirit with you! Every season at the Historic Pinecrest is a beautiful one, so no matter what month you choose to get married, you are guaranteed a breathtaking wedding venue in Colorado Springs, but there is just something special about Christmas. Here are a few ways you can keep your winter wedding merry and bright, while still incorporating your personal touch.

Choose Festive Colors

While you may be thinking that you have to use red and green, you can actually choose a variety of colors for your winter wedding. Red and green are certainly good options, and they will give everyone the warm cozy feeling of Christmas, but if you want to choose something else - we have a few ideas.

• Rich Purple and Silver
• Shades of Red
• Pale Blue and White
• Navy and Gold
• Silver and Gold
• Dark Green & Warm Brown

All of these color schemes can remind your guests of the season, without being overly Christmassy. If you had a winter wedding and used a different color scheme, we would love to hear more about it in the comments section!

Give Good Gifts

Take this time to give the best gift of the season to your guests - it is the holidays after all! Choose fun wedding favors that your guests will be able to use either all year long or enjoy at your wedding. Think of pieces that mimic the cool weather, the flavors of Christmas, or even something to brag about your honeymoon in the Caribbean. Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

• Candles in Your Favorite Scent
• Hand Warmers or Campfire Starters
• Hot Chocolate Spoons Dipped In Chocolate
• Cookies shaped like the ocean (because that's where you'll be in the middle of winter)
• Spiced Apple Cider Packets

Deck the Halls

At the Historic Pinecrest, we can help you with decorations, in fact, we have pine trees in our event center that will go beautifully with your winter wedding! Of course, we also welcome your own decorations, and in fact, recommend it for a more personal feel. Don't just think that you have to use ornaments and reindeer, though, we love to see sparkles and snowflakes, pretty little birds, and glittery trees that remind us of a winter forest. We can't wait to see how you decorate for your wedding!

Appeal to the Season

While you don't have deck your wedding out in Christmas decorations, it's still a good (and easy) plan to decorate based on the season. You can use inspiration from outside your window to show you what you can do inside. Do you love the fun winter creatures that putter around in the snow? You can incorporate those into your wedding theme. Do you want to incorporate an old tradition from your family's heritage that surrounds Christmas, you can! There are so many wonderful ideas that surround the winter season.

Reward the Senses

Finally, appeal to the senses. There are so many delicious fragrances, fabrics, and flavors that you can use during the holidays that will give your guests the warm fuzzies. From hot chocolate to a turkey dinner, this is a great time of year to appeal to nostalgia and bring a cozy feeling to your wedding and reception. Here are a few ideas for food that you may like for your winter wedding!

• Hot Chocolate/Coffee Bar with all of the fixings
• Christmas Cookie Buffet
• Christmas food traditions from each side of the family
• Hot Apple Cider

Create a Winter Wonderland with The Historic Pinecrest

Our facility is like a blank winter canvas just waiting for you to work wonderland magic on it! From the beautiful Colorado Springs mountain chapel to our spacious event center with a large fireplace - it doesn't get much better than this for a winter wedding. If you're still looking for a beautiful wedding venue in Colorado Springs - visit our website! We would love to tell you more, and schedule a private tour with you: www.PinecrestEventCenter.com.

A Beautiful Wedding Awaits...

106 Pinecrest Way

Palmer Lake, CO 80133

www.PinecrestEventCenter.com

Call or text for a private tour!

719-357-8613

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Beautiful Bridal Styles for Cool Weathered Weddings

When you get married in Colorado Springs, you can be pretty certain that a winter wedding will be a bit chilly. Of course, there are plenty of ways that you can stay toasty warm even on your wedding day! At the Historic Pinecrest, we want to help you make this celebration of your love even more special by helping you find a dress that will not only enhance your stunning beauty, but also match the environment.

Here are a few things to look for while you're hunting for the best wedding dress for your Colorado Springs wedding!

Choose Cozy Textiles

There's nothing that says cozy winter wear more than feathers, fur, and satin materials. By choosing specific fabrics and textures, you can not only stay warm, but also reflect the winter wonderland outside. Do you like large satin skirts with beautiful pleats and winter white shades? What about a flamboyant skirt with feathery fabrics to reflect the wispy snowflakes that will flutter from the sky. What about glittery bodices? This can look stunning up against a glittery, snowy backdrop.

Cool Weathered Accessories

The best things about winter weddings in Colorado Springs is that you can play with romantic accessories! Warm fur muffs give a romantic winter feel, and warm, cozy blankets are perfect for a cozy feel in your wedding photos. Let's not forget snowy, white mittens wrapped around your bouquet! Have you ever wanted to wear a cape? This is the perfect time to bring out your inner princess with a warm bright cape to not only keep warm, but make a statement.

Snow-Worthy Sleeves

A bride can choose whatever sleeves she would like, and make a statement in them all! Whether you want to go with a sleeveless top or long lace sleeves, there are no limits when planning a winter wedding. You can accessorize any way you please, so that staying warm won't be a problem. Off the shoulder styles are also a  beautiful, romantic choice when walking down the aisle.

Wedding Dress Styles For Winter Weddings

No matter what season you choose to say your vows, the Historic Pinecrest is a beautiful option for your Colorado Springs wedding. Our mountain chapel in Colorado is breathtaking in the spring, summer, fall, and winter, while our event center is ideal for the best party you can throw. If you're ready to book your dream wedding, or you want to come take a look - we welcome you to visit our amazing wedding venue. Visit our website to learn more about our facility and packages - www.PinecrestEventCenter.com.

A Beautiful Wedding Awaits...

106 Pinecrest Way

Palmer Lake, CO 80133

www.PinecrestEventCenter.com

Call or text for a private tour!

719-357-8613

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