If you’re thinking of throwing a winter holiday wedding, then you’re not alone. It’s becoming a growing trend, with couples opting for nuptials during the cooler months to avoid typical June dates—and the higher costs sometimes associated with them. The season offers many beautiful and exciting ideas to incorporate into your ceremony and reception. Additionally, it may be the best time for your family and friends to travel. However, there are some useful tips that will help you start your planning off right if you want to say “I do” in December or January.

Decide on Your Venues and Vendors Early

As you begin to plan, you’ll first need to set your budget and decide on vendors early—and the sooner, the better. Don’t allow yourselves to be rushed into decision-making or signing any contracts. But booking early does have its benefits: You’re more likely to get the vendors, items and styles you want. Furthermore, it’s also wise to inquire if your favorite bakeries, caterers, venues, photographers, formal wear retailers, florists or even officiants will provide services for a same-sex wedding. Even though same-sex marriage is now legal in the United States, some companies could still be unwilling to accept your business, so be prepared to move on if they say “no.”

Make Sure Venues Are Well Maintained in the Cold Season

You’ll probably have weather-related concerns, depending on the area in which you live. This may not be as much of a problem if you’re holding your ceremony or reception in a house of worship or restaurant. However, if you’re looking at places that mostly host events in the summer months—especially wedding chapels, clubs, inns, resorts or mansions — it’s wise to inquire about their off-season housekeeping and maintenance procedures just to be safe.

Send Out Save-the-Date Cards Well in Advance

For standard nuptials, most sources recommend sending out save-the-date cards around four to six months ahead of time. However, for a winter holiday event, consider doing so much earlier. In fact, popular wedding planning resource The Knot recommends shipping these out around eight months in advance. Whether you’re marrying in town or holding a destination wedding, mailing your cards sooner will give friends and relatives plenty of time to commit and make appropriate travel plans. And in some cases, it may also give them a little extra time to process the news of your upcoming nuptials, even if they’ve seemed accepting of your relationship in the past.

Use the Season as Your Thematic Inspiration 

Most may associate this time of year with Christmas, but the season offers so many other sources of inspiration for your theme and décor. If you do celebrate the Christmas holidays, you may opt to incorporate rich tones of burgundy, ruby, emerald, royal purple or forest green. Other seasonal inspirations include incorporating touches of midnight blue, silver, gold and of course, white. Bringing nature inside by adding holly, pine or poinsettias to the décor is a great idea. Furthermore, playing with luxurious textures and trimmings such as satin, lace, velvet, glitter or faux fur can provide just the right look and feel.

This Day Is About You and Your Beloved

No matter how you craft your ceremony and reception, it’s important to remember your focus—celebrating the love you and your future spouse have for each other. This is your special day, and with a few legally required exceptions, you can pretty much fashion it in the manner you desire. Start your planning early, be prepared to shop around, and make sure your venues will be comfortable enough in the cold-weather months. Also, drawing ideas from the season for your theme is a wonderful idea. All these hints should help you smoothly plan and craft your unique celebration of love.