Have you been invited to a winter wedding? It seems that cold-weather weddings are gaining more popularity, and rightfully so as there are many benefits to getting married during the chiller months. If you’re a guest, you may be wondering what to wear to a winter wedding. There are plenty of fun and stylish ways to dress seasonally appropriate for the next event on your schedule. From dark and rich hues to beautiful cover-ups to winter fabrics, consider these options when you’re getting ready for a winter wedding.

Things to Consider When Planning Your Attire

When you’re planning your winter wedding outfit, consider the setting for the event and whether you’ll need to be outside much. While the majority of the event will, of course, be indoors, be mindful of the amount you’ll need to walk outside, what the current weather conditions are, and whether or not you typically run cold. 

Bring along a stylish shawl or scarf if you want an option to cover up without putting on your jacket or a sweater. They are super easy to carry along with you and can be a huge help if you start to get chilly. Faux fur shawls are beautiful, warm, and can dress up any outfit!

Another thing you’ll need to decide is the shoes that you’ll be wearing. Closed-toe shoes will keep your feet a bit warmer. You may also want to opt for a chunkier heel that has more traction in case of snow or ice. If you’re dying to wear a pair of stilettos, you can always bring an extra pair of shoes along if you need to!

What to Wear to a Winter Wedding

OK, now that you’ve considered the conditions, you’ll have to decide what you’re going to wear. Winter is perfect for rich jewel tones like reds, emerald, plum, or even black. Think of that fabric you’ll be wearing as well. Winter is the perfect time to break out an elegant velvet or satin dress. 

You can also easily pair any color with glamorous textures. Gold, silver, and sequins are a playful addition to your attire, whether with a scarf, your shoes, or a purse. You can even wear a dress with metallics! 

Are you the kind of person who always runs cold? Consider getting a dress with mid-length or long sleeves. This is a great option especially if you don’t have a shawl or scarf to bring with you for the event.

Visit Historic Acres of Hershey

Located on beautiful rolling hills, Historic Acres of Hershey is a beautiful setting for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and other special events. Contact our team to learn more about our event spaces and available dates.

From the lush white coating of fresh snow to the romantic and cozy warmth of a fire, there are so many reasons to embrace the winter season for your wedding. Winter weddings may be overlooked by some couples due to the unpredictable weather, but it’s a great time of the year to get married. Discover a few of our favorite winter wedding decoration ideas for centerpieces and beyond.

3 Winter Wedding Decoration Ideas

Forage for wooded and natural decor

Go to the beautiful outdoors to gather pine cones, spruce branches that have fallen to the ground, pieces of wood, or even fallen leaves. These natural elements can be used in DIY projects for centerpieces or decor throughout the event. Be sure to go out with an idea of what you’re going to make and visit a place that will likely have what you’re looking for. When you’re foraging, make sure you’re not doing it in a state or national park, which are typically protected against visitors taking anything with them. 

Incorporate lots of candles and warm lighting

Candles can be inexpensive when purchased in bulk and can be used throughout the wedding decor, from centerpieces to the dessert table to the gift table. You can use a variety of candle heights to play with some texture and style, if you’d like. The warmth of the candles are perfect for a winter wedding because they simply feel cozier and seasonal.

Give the gift of cozy to your guests

Many couples decide to gift their guests with small mementos to take home, while showing appreciation for being there to celebrate the day. Consider gifting something they can enjoy during the winter season like local tea packets, gourmet hot chocolate, branded lip balm, or small tin candles. Feel free to think outside of the box when choosing guest gifts and have fun with it!

Plan Your Winter Wedding at Historic Acres

If you’re planning a winter wedding, Historic Acres offers a beautiful setting for a festive occasion. Give us a call or contact our team to learn more about our event space and available dates. 

A wedding budget is an important step to the planning process, and there are a lot of considerations to be made when creating one. From the vendors to attire to invitations, there is a laundry list of budgetary items to break down. One that may often be forgotten is the tips you’ll need on the day of your event. 

If you’re wondering how much do you tip wedding vendors, you’ll find there are some guidelines and some things to decide on a case-by-case basis.

Keep in mind that tips are not required, but appreciated! If you feel that vendors or staff went above and beyond to make your day special, here are a few guidelines to consider.

What Wedding Vendors Do I Tip?

Some wedding vendors will expect a tip and others will not. Most staff who work the wedding or deliver important items for the day will expect a tip. Others you’ll want to consider setting aside money for include your hair stylists and makeup artists, musicians or DJ, wedding planner, florist, officiant, photographer, and videographer. Be sure to check contracts, as some vendors may add a gratuity directly to your bill.

How Much Do You Tip Wedding Vendors?

The amount you tip each of your wedding vendors will depend on the cost of the service, but the rule of thumb is typically 10-20 percent if it’s a service being offered, such as the event staff, bartenders, driver or transportation company, hair and makeup, and your wedding planner. 

Other individuals you might tip, like the musicians, delivery staff, and florist, may be more like a per-head tip. If you are working with a company and the owner directly, you don’t need to tip them, but you should tip other staff they have with them. 

Plan Your Big Day at Historic Acres

Historic Acres of Hershey is a picturesque setting for any wedding. If you’re planning your big day, consider our space for your special day. Reach out to our team for more information or to inquire about our upcoming availability. 

Have you been asked to stand alongside a friend or family member to be their maid of honor? It’s a momentous occasion for everyone involved, and includes a few responsibilities. From being the second-hand to the bride to giving a speech at the big event, you have a few things to add to your to-do list before the wedding date. If you’re wondering how to write the best maid of honor speech you can, here are some tips. 

How to Write the Best Maid of Honor Speech

1. Write it down

It’s helpful to have your speech written down before the big day, but don’t feel the need to write down every word. Consider writing down bullet points or highlights. That way, you can speak more organically and in the moment rather than following a script.

2. Share your relationship to the couple 

Start by simply introducing yourself. A lot of people might know who you are and your relationship to the couple. But, it’s best not to assume that everyone is aware. Give a bit of a background on your relationship and how you got to stand by the side of the bride.

4. Keep it simple and lighthearted

Don’t overthink it. It’s easy to get caught up in the stress of speaking in front of a large group of people, but try to keep it lighthearted and breezy. You may want to consider the bride’s personality and the couple’s relationship when writing your speech so you can tailor it to something that they will love.

5. Tell a personal story

It’s always fun to share a personal anecdote about you and the bride, or even the couple if you have a close relationship with both people. While it might be tempting to go off the rails and tell a scandalous story, be sure to keep 

6. Talk about the bride and groom separately, and as a couple.

Speaking of telling stories, talk about the newly married couple separately and as a new pair. It’s nice to share a bit about each individual, and what makes them special and unique. Then, tie in how those traits make them a great couple. 

Historic Acres is a Perfect Setting for a Wedding in Pennsylvania

Historic Acres offers a beautiful landscape for weddings of all sizes. If you or someone you know is getting married, contact our team to learn more about our venue spaces and available dates. We’d love to help!

No matter what time of the year, barn wedding venues in PA offer a romantic setting for your big day. Whether you’re looking for a rustic space for a small event or a modern and spacious venue for a big gathering, barn venues tick so many boxes for engaged couples. 

At Historic Acres of Hershey, our property sits along several acres of rolling hills in the countryside. With multiple venue spaces to choose from, couples will find the property to accommodate groups of all sizes. Whether you’re looking for a casual and comfortable setting for your wedding or a space for an elegant affair, you’ll find it here. 

When it comes to decorating a barn or farmhouse venue, you have options. Consider these styles and ideas to plan your aesthetic.

4 Ways to Decorate Barn Wedding Venues

Embrace the Rustic Ambiance

Barn wedding venues are naturally rustic and beautiful, so you can easily embrace the aesthetic with open arms. If you’re going with a rustic feel, consider decorating with reclaimed wood for centerpieces or signs, mason jar candles, wood pallets, and natural elements.

Strike the Perfect Balance of Rustic and Modern

If your style leans more toward modern, barn venues offer the ability to neutralize and modernize. The modern rustic wedding utilizes earthy tones, floral arrangements full of greenery, and a blend of textures. For this aesthetic, couples can think neutral tones or go with a more bold color palette of reds, oranges, and golds.

Play with Farmhouse Chic Details

Barn wedding venues are the perfect backdrop to a farmhouse chic wedding. For a farmhouse chic wedding style, consider neutral tones that are earthy and soft. And depending on the time of the year, you can incorporate seasonal elements as well. For floral arrangements, big and bold arrangements with neutral tones and wildflowers are great! 

Keep it Simple

When you’re having a barn wedding, the space and natural setting is beautiful enough to not need many decorations. Keep it simple and embrace the scenery of the interior and exterior of the space. Think modest floral arrangements, candles, and natural wood elements. 

At Historic Acres of Hershey, couples can customize their special event with our rentals, which include unique bars, farm tables, bistro lights, faux greenery wall and more. 

Get Married in One of The Finest Barn Wedding Venues in PA

Ready to plan your wedding day at Historic Acres of Hershey? Contact our team today to learn about our venue spaces, schedule availability, and more. We’re happy to help plan your big day!

Wedding photos are the perfect way to capture your special day for lifelong memories of the event and those who shared in the celebration. During the planning phase of your wedding, you’ll have some time to think about how you want to capture the occasion. If you’re looking for a little inspiration or a few tips, consider our wedding photo ideas to get the wheels turning.

Wedding Photo Ideas

Collect Your Wedding Photo Ideas Prior to the Event

Before your big day, you’ll likely connect with your photographer to share ideas for photos, specific locations throughout the property, and any must-have photos with specific individuals. Create a list where you can compile all of your ideas based on any inspiration you find. 

Consider taking photos in a few different locations, including where you and your soon-to-be-spouse are getting ready before the event, any destinations where you’d like to take photos, and any sites on the property. Also, you’ll want to include the people who should be in each photo. 

Getting Ready

Be sure to capture the moments where you both are getting ready for the big day. From hair and makeup to any pre-event festivities, this is a great way to savor the memories with your closest friends and family before the hustle of the day gets started. 

Accessories and Clothing

With so many intricate details, it’s important you don’t forget to capture them on your big day. Your photographer will likely already know to snap photos of your rings, wedding dress, and shoes. However, if there are any special pieces of jewelry or accessories, be sure that you call them out to your photographer. 

Venue and Decor

The venue and decor of your wedding can be incredibly meaningful, so it’s important to capture those details to remember your day’s setting forever. From the exterior of the venue to the table settings, ensure your photographer captures any of your favorite details of the venue and decorations.

Reception Moments

Your first dance, speeches, entrances, cake cutting, and any other special reception moments should be captured. These are great moments to capture because they are typically candid and show the true joy of the day. 

Group Photos

Consider photos of close friends, family members, parents, grandparents, nieces and nephews, extended family, and beyond. Make sure to let your photographer know what kinds of photos you’d like, as well as those you’d like to be included in your photos!

Plan Your Wedding at Historic Acres of Hershey

Boasting multiple venue spaces, Historic Acres of Hershey is a beautiful setting tucked in the rolling countryside of Pennsylvania. Give our team a call to learn more about our availability and to schedule a tour of our property.