Hot chocolate with marshmallows, piping hot soups, full-bodied red wines – what’s not to love about winter? While not the first season to spring to mind when planning your special day, there are plenty of reasons why couples should opt for a winter wedding. This magical time of the year is ripe with cosy, intimate ideas for a memorable event. And when you think about it, winters in South Africa, especially along the coast of KZN, aren’t cold at all, but rather mild, moderate and humidity-free. The afternoons, in particular, are pleasantly warm, providing a comfortable temperature for your big day. Here are our top four reasons to consider tying the knot in winter:

1. The romantic ambience

Is there anything more romantic than cuddling on a chilly day? A winter wedding lends itself to an intimate atmosphere, dripping with romance. Think fairy lights everywhere, an abundance of candles and open fires to congregate around. You could even provide cosy blankets for your guests to huddle under later in the evening when it’s a bit cooler. When it comes to colour palettes and warm, little touches, you can really ramp up the romance for a winter wedding. It will be a whimsical affair from the moment the sun starts to set.

2. Comfort food

Ask anyone who’s ever attended a wedding what they remember most. The food. It’s usually (always) the food. Luckily, when it comes to a winter wedding menu, the doorways wide open for hearty, crowd-pleasing comfort foods. Soups, fall-off-the-bone roasts, mashed potatoes, warm puddings – the opportunities are endless. (At Collisheen, we can tailor-make your perfect winter menu.)

3. The best photo opportunities

It’s no secret – winter has the most amazing lighting. The sun is further away, offering soft, warm rays and a gorgeous orange glow in the afternoons. It’s the perfect time of the year for a magical creative shoot with romantic natural lighting. The afternoon lighting at Collisheen will be sure to leave you with wedding photographs you’ll cherish for years.

4. It’s a perfect time for black tie

Suit up! If you’ve set your heart on an elegant wedding with a formal dress code, winter is the time to host it. The chilly season is by far more fitting for black tie attire. It’s also the ideal occasion for a sophisticated long-sleeve dress and full, floor-length bridesmaid’s gowns.

The Collisheen Winter Wedding experience…

There’s no better place than KZN’s dolphin coast for those planning a winter wedding. After all, Durban is the warmest place to be in South Africa during the chilly season, and Collisheen Estate epitomises warmth. Once winter sets in, the weather settles, offering pleasant sunny days and cool (but not freezing) evenings. While winter is the ideal time to create the perfect indoor wedding, our picturesque gardens remain attractively green for those with a vision of saying their “I do’s” out in the open. And there’s no doubt you’ll have the best photo opportunities, especially with the golden afternoon glow through the sugar cane fields. With two gorgeous venues to choose from, our outstanding kitchen feeding your guests and the option to adorn the trees (and everything else) with twinkling fairy lights, your Collisheen winter wedding will be nothing short of spectacular.

Are you ready to book your winter wedding? Give us a call to schedule a viewing of our venues. And in the meantime, while you’re waiting to come and visit us, take a peek at our wedding packages.

Our 4 favourite winter wedding colours

Cranberry, caramel and sage

When it comes to winter wedding colours, we love distinct combinations. Cranberry and sage green, with touches of caramel, is a palette that is both tasteful and arresting. The muted green and caramel shades provide a soft, tranquil backdrop, allowing the invigorating cranberry to pop. It’s the perfect twist on the traditional red and green combo and adapts easily to any theme. Elegant winter affair, effortless vintage, cute and quirky – there are no limits. And don’t get us started on the florals! Striking cranberry nestled in shades of sage – beautiful. 

Ivory and burgundy

Burgundy is one of those popular winter wedding colours – usually paired with navy. Don’t get us wrong, when a colour combo works, it works, and we are partial to a sophisticated navy and burgundy event. But, for the couple looking to put their own spin on an old favourite, burgundy and ivory is the way to go. An organic ivory nuance does wonders lifting and modernising the deep burgundy, allowing the darker shade to shine. Exuding refined charm, this stylish palette whispers romance. Add extra little touches such as fairy lights (we can include string lights in your wedding package) and cascading eucalyptus and you have a winning winter theme. 

Cream, green and copper

If understated elegance sounds like your wedding style, you can’t go wrong with a chic mix of cream, copper and green. This gorgeous blend of winter wedding colours accentuates that wintry atmosphere without feeling too stark or cold. The soft, simple cream shades paired with an abundance of sophisticated greenery balances the modern copper accents. This is an ideal palette for the romantic boho bride, offering ample opportunity to include natural elements from evergreen foliage to fragrant herbs. 

Shades of purple

Deep mulberry, shades of plum, muted mauves – if there was ever a time to let your love of purple shine, it’s for your winter wedding. Purple tones prove to be a versatile range of winter wedding colours, from dark moody tones to lighter lavender. Paired with gold, a dark, rich purple oozes plush opulence for the couple wanting a glamorous celebration. While dusky mauves matched with grey offers a refined gracefulness every guest will love. To take your purple palette to the next level, add pops of yellow and peach, which works particularly well in floral arrangements. 

No matter what winter wedding colours you choose for your special day, they will look breathtaking in either of our beautiful venues – The Boma or Orchid House. Get in touch with one of our coordinators to arrange a viewing of our venue.