In Minnesota, we are no strangers to a long winter season. The colder months seem to linger for almost half of the year. Most hearty Minnesotans have learned to embrace the winters, seizing the snowy activities, holiday cheer, and the indoor lifestyle. It makes the warmer months that much sweeter for being outdoors.

The spring, summer, and fall dominate the wedding industry in the midwest, but with months under snowy skies, the midwest also provides beauty and benefits for winter weddings in their own right. Read up on these 9 benefits of winter weddings in Minnesota (or the midwest at large):

Lower Rates - Winter weddings typically equate to cost savings compared with weddings in the spring, summer, and fall. In Minnesota, venues often charge peak-season rates May through October and winter-season rates November-April. There is typically a 20-30% cost savings for winter season rates. For instance, at The Charleston Event Center a wedding booked on a Saturday in November - April offers a $1300 savings (approximately 20%) versus a wedding booked on a Saturday in May - October. Besides venues, vendors like your photographer, DJ, or planner may offer lower rates for winter-season events as well. Don’t be afraid to ask a vendor what they may be willing to offer for a winter-season discount. Imagine compounding savings with each vendor!

More Availability - Due to less weddings taking place overall in the winter, there is typically less competition for dates among venues and vendors. This means more availability for finding your favorite places and professionals. This could also make it easier to plan a small wedding and/or a wedding in a short timeframe if desired.

Plan A is a Go! - A common fret for weddings in the spring, summer, and fall is inclement weather and a last-minute Plan B set up. In the winter, we already plan around the weather from the start, so your Plan A option will be a go! No need to stress there.

Winter Warmth - While the outdoors may be frigid and require some bundling up, midwesterners know how to create warm vibes in the winter like no other season has to offer. Think twinkle lights, evergreens, glowing candles, comfort food, fireplaces, classic movies, cozy blankets, cocoa and cider, and bonding over your favorite teams. If these are your vibes, perhaps a winter wedding is the season for you! At The Charleston our veranda is always shoveled, string lights brighten up the outdoor space, and the fireplace can be lit for warmth if guests would like to venture outside.

Festive Spirits - The holiday spirit lingers throughout the season and can lend a joyous spirit to your celebration. In the winter there is always something to look forward to from Thanksgiving to Christmas to New Years to the Super Bowl to Valentine’s Day to March Madness. Winter has its various moments of uniting people. Add your wedding to that list for your friends and family next year.

RSVPs - Summer weekends see frequent weddings and your guests may be receiving multiple invitations to fill their summer Saturdays, but summer is also the time of year that midwesterners most enjoy spending their weekends relaxing at the cabin, getting out on the lake, or barbecuing in the backyard. Your guests may appreciate keeping their summer Saturdays and be more eager to attend your winter wedding, thanking you for giving them a good reason to shake off some cabin fever.

Wedding White - What better way to illuminate a classy white wedding than with a pure, snowy backdrop. It also photographs like magic! If you are lucky, your day may give you some delicate snowflakes.

Honeymoon & Anniversaries - Minnesotans know that they best time of year to escape somewhere warm is during a winter lull. If your anniversary date is in the winter, you will have an excuse to get away and gain a sunny travel refresh for years to come.

Winter Attire - Elegant long sleeve dresses, cozy furs, capes, hats and ear muffs, ice skates, white boots, and all of the other winter accessories can come out to play.

We love winter weddings at The Charleston Event Center. They are easily accommodated with ceremonies and receptions in our lower level ballroom and a quick “flip” of the space while guests enjoy socializing on our first floor parlor. Winter weddings at The Charleston best accommodate group sizes of 25-175.

CONTACT US for more information and ask about our Winter Special Rates!