Q&A: Working With Unpredictable Winter Weather

Question: We're planning a winter wedding - I love the cooler weather and longer nights that winter brings. But what about inclement weather which may interfere with our plans? How do I make plans which will accommodate variable weather?"

Answer: Many parts of the country experience weather changes in winter which make life somewhat less predictable than in the other seasons. In some places dramatic changes in weather bring snow, wind storms, hurricanes, blizzards and ice. Travel can be, at worst impossible or at best, restricted. So how do you plan for all eventualities in a winter setting? Is it even possible? Probably not!

What is possible, though, is to put in place a delightful event taking into consideration all but the most extreme conditions!. I know this is possible because on the day of my son's wedding in early December, we had a huge blizzard which raged from late morning into the night! All the distant travellers had arrived in the city. Some who lived in outlying areas didn't make it in for the wedding. The florist got stuck in a snow drift - fortunately right outside the church - and yet it was a beautiful and memorable occasion. Here are some reasons for that:

1. Out-of-town guests flew into the city at least a day early to ensure travel success.
2. All the flowers were dried roses, twigs and berries which looked fabulous but were unaffected by cold air.
3. The soft lighting in the church created a sense of shelter and safety from the nasty weather outside and the contrast drew people together as hardy survivors of the elements!
4. The bride was determined to enjoy the day and she sailed through all the weather-related craziness in complete serenity, knowing that she could do absolutely nothing about it.

Perhaps the most valuable component of any important occasion is to maintain a sense of humour and the refusal to let weather spoil anything. If you get wet or cold or windblown, accept it as part of the whole event. It makes a great story and reminds you that real life is not always exactly as you plan it but that the interruptions and challenges can be the very things that make life meaningful, especially married life where you have someone with whom to share the challenges.

Written by Mary Reimer, co-founder of Botanical PaperWorks