We’re delighted to hear that, for many wedding planning couples, winter weddings are no longer the reluctant back-up. They’re not the compromise you make because the summer dates were taken – they’re fast becoming the first (and only) choice, and when you take a closer look, it’s very easy to understand why.
From better availability to atmospheric styling, and from rich, seasonal menus to cinematic light, winter brings its own flavour of romance, especially when you’re somewhere as magical as Elmore Court – a 13th-century country house estate found just outside Gloucester that does cold-weather celebrations extraordinarily well.
“Winter weddings are no longer the back-up plan,” says Anselm Guise, owner of Elmore Court. “They’re becoming the first choice for so many couples who want to create something truly memorable. There’s a magic in a candlelit gathering that feels far more special than worrying about whether it’s going to be sunny.”
He’s not wrong, Elmore in winter really is something else. Flickering fires in the Hall welcome guests, ceremonies glow with candlelight, and as night falls, The Gillyflower – the venue’s contemporary party space – comes alive. And when the outside world looks like frost-tipped fields, still lakes and misty woodland, staying cosy and indulgent inside feels less like a plan B, and more like the ultimate dream.
So, why are more couples choosing winter? Elmore Court’s team has noticed a steady increase in bookings during the colder months – a trend echoed in search stats across Pinterest and other platforms. Here’s why:
- Atmosphere: Candlelight, roaring fires, and the luxury of hunkering down with your favourite people. Winter brings a kind of intimacy that’s really hard to match. The Hall at Elmore is filled with heritage charm, but it’s the warm glow and dreamy lighting that turn it into something utterly magical come winter.
- Style: Jewel tones, velvet textures, sculptural florals; the whole season leans into drama and richness. Seasonal foliage and dried florals feel right at home here, especially when paired with dramatic tablescapes, twinkling candlelight and deep, layered colour palettes.
- Fashion: Long sleeves, statement capes, gloves, sequins – winter style has serious potential. Plus, guests are far happier in black tie when it’s not 29 degrees outside. It’s a season where sartorial elegance thrives.
- Food & Drink: Think venison from the estate, spiced cocktails, roasted roots from the kitchen garden. Indulgence is encouraged. Elmore’s culinary team work closely with the seasons and their own land to bring a sense of place and pleasure to every dish.
- Affordability: Suppliers are more available, venues are often more flexible, and you can get more for your money. With lower rates and more choice in dates and logistics, winter weddings help take some of the pressure off peak-season planning.
- Sustainability: Choosing off-season helps spread demand more evenly across the year. And at Elmore, where sustainability is central to everything they do, that’s a big plus. From the treehouses to the estate-grown food, the eco credentials here are impressive and always very inspiring.
- Photography: Frost, early dusk, and atmospheric light can create incredible photos – and the house itself offers a backdrop that does half the work for you. Winter light is pretty, flattering, and dramatic. Plus, you’re more likely to get misty mornings, crisp skies or moody weather that adds real feeling to your frames. Just make sure you plan enough time for daylight photos.
- Availability: The flexibility that comes with winter weddings can be a genuine relief. You’re more likely to be granted early access to venue spaces and relaxed check-out times during winter, rather than during a packed summer schedule.
The real magic of Elmore in winter isn’t just in its capacity for cosy ceremonies or glittering feasts, it’s in the surrounding landscape too. The estate has undergone quite a transformation in recent years, pivoting towards rewilding and regenerative practices.
In 2020, Anselm Guise set aside 250 acres of land to let nature take the lead. Since then, that number has grown to 450 acres, and guests are now encouraged to explore these lands through ranger-led safaris, wild swimming and sauna sessions at the estate’s spring-fed lake, Madam’s Pond. In the winter months, these experiences take on a magic of their own: frosty dips, steamy saunas, and the hush of nature sleeping. And if you want to wake up in the middle of it all? Well, the estate’s newly opened treehouses offer an immersive overnight stay surrounded by nature, with floor-to-ceiling views, fire pits, and every eco-luxury accounted for. They’re especially popular in winter and make the perfect place to retreat to after the festivities.
Elmore has always done things a little differently. The Gillyflower, their purpose-built party space, isn’t your average function room. Made from earth and timber from the estate, it’s soundproofed, sustainably designed, and fitted with state-of-the-art tech that can transform the space with sound, light and atmosphere. It’s a venue that takes its cues from the natural world, while delivering high-impact drama wherever it counts.
And in winter, that design really shines. With sunset arriving early, the majority of the day gets to bask in the glow of golden candlelight and creative lighting. There’s no waiting around for golden hour or worrying about the midday sun. The mood is yours to create and curate from beginning to end.
When you book a winter wedding, you’re not having to rely on blue skies or an outdoor ceremony to do the heavy lifting on the big day. Instead, you have the freedom to create something atmospheric and layered with detail.
“Our couples are looking for experiences that feel truly personal,” says Sarah Evans, Elmore’s Head of Marketing. “Winter gives you that – it’s indulgent, it’s intimate, and it’s unforgettable.”
So if you’re newly engaged and feeling a little wary of planning for peak season, take it as your cue to look again. Winter might just give you more: more freedom, more flavour, more warmth (yes, really) and a lot more impact.
And if you’re looking for a place that brings all that together – from the roaring fires to the rewilded forests – Elmore Court might just be the perfect place to start.
Based on a weekday wedding in November. Includes accommodation.