Although the vast majority of brides and their grooms appear to prefer the traditional June wedding, there are the select few who choose to buck the trend and swop their vows in the more chilly months of the year.

Both autumn and winter are characterised by heavy, warm, opulent colours, fabrics, tipple and fare - the complete foils of the icy outdoors – and the winter or fall wedding should incorporate all of these.

Choose a snug venue with open fire places

Instead of opting for an outdoor venue - the preferred choice for spring and summer ceremonies - select a snug manor house or castle with large, open fire places, heavy velvet curtains and finish it off by hiring furniture that’s sumptuous and comfy –plush velvet couches, ottomans and comfy two-seaters would add to the cosy atmosphere perfectly.

Colours should mirror the natural combinations found outdoors - burnt orange, gold, deep red, yellow and copper hues are most common of autumn, while burgundy, silver, midnight blue and other regal shades beautifully complement the whites and greys of a typical winter scene.

Sprinkles & scatterings for tables

Go for traditional linen hire: crisp, white tablecloths rounded off with a scattering of autumnal flowers and leaves for the traditional autumn wedding; perhaps with a regal centrepiece of conifers, seasonal berries and crab apples. To help cut costs, the trick is to be original with your centrepieces as traditional floral centrepieces can be somewhat pricey.

Winter wedding tables could be adorned with deep red velvet roses, white ostrich feathers, pearls or crystal beads and silver sparkles cut out in the shapes of snowflakes or romantic hearts. Organza ribbons in shades of gold, copper and bronze will offset the pure white linen and napkins brilliantly. Consider scattering mistletoe around to create that extra little bit of romance between guests!

The wedding fare should be robust and filling and served from outsized platters and deep soup tureens, and hire pure white china from a reputable catering hire company for the winter matrimony and white with a splash of gold or bronze for the autumn function.

Robust and filling wedding fare

Colourful, zesty soups should be accompanied by large joints of roasted meats, including traditional Christmas fare, turkey and gammon for winter nuptials. Seasonal vegetables, crispy roast potatoes and steaming hot desserts swimming in liquor should round off the perfect wedding victuals.

Supplement champagne with hot mulled wine, cider or sangria. To get the after party rocking, opt for whiskey or brandy-based cocktails – they’re guaranteed to warm the cockles of anyone’s heart!

Faux fur will not be out of place

Wedding outfits should feature brocades, sumptuous satins or versatile velvet. In the depths of winter, faux fur will certainly not be out of place, even as part of the bridal gown. Winter accessories should reflect the crystal glitz of the great, icy outdoors, where autumn trimmings are to be more understated in gold, copper or coloured glass.

The financial benefits

Apart from their enormous planning potential, winter and autumn weddings have another significant benefit: a markedly lower outlay. Virtually all commercial players in the wedding scene, from photographers to catering hire companies to hotels, will offer their services at discounted off-peak costs.