Everything You Need To Know About Getting Married On Prince Edward Island In Winter
Getting married on Prince Edward Island in winter is truly magical and delivers major Harry Potter vibes! The island itself is absolutely beautiful in the winter. It reminds you of every Christmas story you’ve ever read and every holiday movie you’ve ever watched. It looks and sounds and feels like every winter fairy tale you’ve ever read because it is, in fact, a wintry fairy tale.
Winter weddings in PEI are some of my absolute favorites. Sure, they may be a little trickier to navigate, depending on where you choose to create your winter wonderland – but the end results are like something out of a dream!
While there are plenty of places to choose for your dreamscape winter wedding, getting married on Prince Edward Island in winter is nothing short of spectacular. This is why I put together this comprehensive guide to winter weddings on PEI!
Winter Weddings In PEI
Despite the inherent beauty of the island, winter is considered the slow season for PEI, and the tourism trade begins to slow. The lack of people hustling and bustling their way through the area gives you the feeling as if you have the entire island to yourself! It allows you to get lost in the silence. To stare deeply into the icy cold sky full of stars and see them without the pollution of city lights.
Winter weddings in PEI can make you feel as if you’ve stepped out of reality, and into a snow globe! A picture-perfect paradise of glittering snowflakes gently falling upon your head.
Another reason I love the idea of a PEI winter wedding is that it somehow manages to strike a delicate balance between the traditional and non-traditional. The landscape itself looks like something off the front of a greeting card – but the season itself is nowhere near the norm for weddings.
In its own way, it subtly gives you the permission to get a little more audacious with your plans. To think a bit more outside the box. Dreams shouldn’t have boxes anyway. Unless they’re gift boxes!
Now that we’ve gone through a few of the reasons, let’s also talk about a few of the things you need to consider when it comes to planning your winter dream wedding.
Themes
A fun thing to think about when you’re planning your winter wedding is how to incorporate a different theme into it besides just … well … winter! There are plenty of holidays to play with, everything from Hanukkah to Christmas, New Year’s to Valentine’s Day if you decide to stretch your winter wedding that far into the season.
Themes allow you to add that big splash of color and life into the wintry white backdrop provided by mother nature! Thinking about the theme also allows us to step seamlessly into the next topic.
Clothes
The weather is definitely something to be prepared for when it comes to your winter wedding plans. With an indoor venue, you’ll have the freedom to wear what you want for the ceremony, the reception, and all the in-between places.
If your ideal winter wedding photography PEI package includes some candids while frolicking in the snow, then planning your wardrobe in advance is important – including warmer dresses for the bride and bridesmaids! When choosing suits, choose a fabric with a thicker weight to it (think wool vs linen). You can also order some very slim, easy-to-hide fleece underclothes that you can slip under a long dress.
This is also the perfect time to look for an over-the-top winter coat or shawl that not only highlights your dress but keeps you from freezing in it.
Photos
A winter wedding can deliver really dreamy photos, and I definitely have a few fun places we can try to explore!
My favorite space is Cape Tryon, especially because of the amazing views we can capture off the cliffs in the winter. At night, the stars seem to extend on forever. During the day, the skies are a crystalline blue filled with clouds made of fluffed silk.
Timing
Speaking of the skies, timing out the sunrises and sunsets is highly important, especially when it comes to winter wedding photography. The days literally fly by, as the sunlight grows shorter and the moonlight grows longer.
Depending on what time frame you choose to hold your PEI winter wedding, the sun sets somewhere between 3 to 5pm. The earlier in the day we can begin, the better it will be to capture those dreamy winter couples’ photos and the easier it will be for us to get as much out of the big day as we possibly can!
I’d recommend either you or your wedding planner break the day down into easily trackable increments, i.e. 20-30 minutes for the ceremony, 20-30 minutes for family photos, 20-30 minutes for wedding party photos, and 45 minutes-1 hour for couple photos. This way, if all goes as planned, you can capture stunning golden photos at sunset, and have your reception earlier in the evening and well into the night!
Those are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to why you should plan a winter wedding on Prince Edward Island! So let’s break this down, bit by bit, until you’re absolutely convinced that PEI is the place for your winter wedding (and of course, that I’m your PEI wedding photographer!)
How To Plan A Winter Wedding In PEI
A dream is a wish your heart makes, but a venue is a space that makes your heart’s dream come true! Especially when it comes to choosing the place to have your dream wedding.
Not only do you want a venue that acts as a beautiful backdrop, but you also want to find a venue that provides as much as possible in one place.
Here is an amazing list of the best winter wedding venues in PEI that can easily fit your dreams. Oh, and don’t worry! All of them are indoor wedding venues in PEI … for obvious reasons. LOL.
New London Carriage House
The New London Carriage House is an amazingly versatile, comfortable, and cozy venue. It provides a little bit of everything – places to get ready, to take pictures, to hold the ceremony and the reception all in one place. Cape Tyron is also only 15 minutes away, which is perfect for couples’ photos! This venue is the spot for your dreamy winter wedding venue!
Clinton Hills
Speaking of cozy, nothing feels cozier than a rustic cabin smack in the middle of the woods, which is exactly what Clinton Hills gives you. It just happens to be a huge cabin on a huge property. It is also an inclusive place and offers all the amenities you may need for your special day.
The Grand Victorian
What I love most about The Grand Victorian is how it strikes a beautiful balance between land and sea, giving you an idyllic backdrop for your winter wedding photography in PEI – including the cute, colorful fisherman building nearby!
This stunning venue has an indoor ceremony space that’s full of character, and interesting furniture, and adds a little something extra to your day!
The Centre Goeland
This space is surrounded by woods and forests and it feels like they go on forever. It’s like something out of a Harry Potter movie, the way the snow settles on the needles of the evergreens.
The venue itself is full of floor-to-ceiling windows and huge, stone-cast fireplaces. Winter dreams abound!
Mill River Resort
Horses. Golf. Indoor pool. Spa. So many good things rolled up into this beautiful modern venue package in PEI! The Mill River Resort offers you an all-inclusive space that will be fun for even the hardest-to-please friends and family – with all the winter feels!
The Rodd Brudenell
This resort and hotel are huge and accommodating and can make it work for you no matter the size of your party. Surrounded by mountains, close to the sea, and full of things to do, there’s a reason this is a personal favorite!
Harris Church Cottage
The name pretty much says it all. The Harris Church Cottage is a quaint space with a long and storied history in PEI. The land features a church built by William Critchlow Harris in 1887. It’s intimate, classic, and straight out of a fairytale – including a gorgeous, secluded area in the trees for couples’ photos!
Essential Wedding Vendors
Now that we’ve covered the major details around getting married on Prince Edward Island in winter, it’s the perfect time to look at the smaller details! The absolutely crucial minutiae that comes together to create that thematic dreamscape of your big day.
I’ve composed a list of everything from makeup artists, to florists, hair stylists, to wedding officiants – all of whom are amazing at what they do, the best of the best, experts in the PEI wedding scene – and who are excited to make your dreams a reality!
PEI Makeup Artists:
My comprehensive list of PEI makeup artists includes local experts for every look you’re envisioning – from ethereal to cinematic, from dramatic to barely there.
- Jacki // @jackipeters.MUA
- Kalyn Bernard // @Kalynbernardmua
- Emily Anne // @emily.maxfield
- Jenepher Reynolds // @aboutface.af
- Emma Mackionnon // @emmamack3
- Clancey // @makeupbyclancey
- Nula Casey // @nulacasey
- Monique Bisson-Gironi // @stylingyourbeauty
- Mary / @zoza.faces
- Jessica // @faces.by.jess
- Kaitlin // @makeupartistkaitlin
- Lauren // @islandendlessbeauty
- Jessica // @jessicagallantbeauty
- Maria // @mariakaysmakeup
- Cristy Acorn // @cristy.harrisacorn
- Marybeth Perry // @perry.mb
- Rachel // @rachnoonan1096
PEI Hair Stylists:
These PEI hair stylists are absolute magicians that can deliver every style – casual, elegant, dreamy, fresh or edgy.
- Jennie // @hair_by_jennie_elizabeth
- Spice Hair // @spicey518
- Monique // @stylingyourbeauty
- Brittany // @brittb.hair
- Bethany // @styles.by_bethany
- Falon // @falon.rodgerson
- Julia // @juliashair25297
PEI Florists:
Looking for something non-traditional? Earthy and lush? Nostalgic and simple? These three PEI florists are my absolute favorites for all types of weddings – you won’t be disappointed!
- Alisha // @sakurahsflowerstudio
- Hearts and Flowers // @heartsandflowerspei
- Vee // @wildandvow
PEI Wedding Planners:
From minimalist to polished perfection, to bold and energetic with pops of color – these PEI wedding planners will pull together your dreamy winter wedding effortlessly.
- Kara // @polishedweddingspei
- Kristina // @elysianwedvents
- Amy // @kissthebrideweddings
Cakes And Desserts:
This list of culinary artists caters to every style and taste – whimsical, playful, traditional, and non-traditional (donuts anyone?) …
- Ellies // @elliebakescakes.pei
- Whitney Smith // @whitsmith.baking
- Revilo Cakes // @revilocakes
- Get Caked Donuts // @getcakeddonuts
- Cindy // @cakes.by.cindy
- Dough // @for.realdough
- Kels // @kgjbakeshop
PEI Wedding Officiants:
- Marsha Weeks // @marshaweeksofficiant.pei
- J.J // @fiddlingfisherman
- Melissa // @withloveweddingspei
Where To Buy Wedding Dresses In PEI:
- Once Upon A Wedding // @ouawpei
- Caseley’s Bridal Boutique // @casleystent
- The Wedding Place // @weddingplacecanada
- Dream Bridal // @dream__bridal
- The Perfect Pear // @perfectpearbridal
PEI Tent Rentals:
- Caseley’s Bridal Boutique // @casleystent
Drinks:
- Sidecar Coffee // @sidecarcoffee
- Mariel // @tidal.taps
PEI Videographers:
- Shane // @powerbuttonmedia
- Alex // @alexcorbettphotography
PEI DJs:
No list is needed when it comes to the best DJs in PEI. Hands down, it’s going to be Dexter Shea aka Dekzmusic.
We have made it! We’ve gone page for page, thinking about all of the things that you need to think about to get your PEI winter wedding planning started.
As your future wedding photographer, I know there will still be many more things to think about as the days go on, and I want to be able to be there for you every step of the wintry way. Make sure to reach out to me so we can begin planning your PEI winter wedding photography and make your dreams come true!
Ready to get married? Need my help in finding the perfect wedding venue location for you? Need more clarification?
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