Winter ceremony can cool an overheating wedding budget Avoiding the peak summer dates can mean big savings, says Jane Bradley The number of brides choosing winter weddings has almost doubled in the past year as couples try to save cash amid fears of a second recession. Department stores and wedding planners have revealed that winter events are becoming almost as popular as summer nuptials in an effort to cut costs. Retailer Debenhams said the number of couples registering gift lists for weddings in January this year soared by 89 per cent on last year, while overall registrations for weddings between October and March were also up. Traditionally, June and July are the sought-after months for wedding bookings as couples hope for warm, sunny weather for their nuptials. But winter weddings are an estimated 20 per cent cheaper, due to hotels offering hefty discounts on food and venue hire during the off-peak months. "We are seeing more and more couples tie the knot in the winter months, with a particular focus on December and January," said Debenhams spokeswoman Michelle Dowdall, adding that for the two-week period covering Christmas and New Year, more brides had registered than during a typical week in July. She said: "Notable festive holiday dates such as Boxing Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are becoming as sought-after for weddings as any Saturday in June for brides looking to save money, as many venues charge discounted rates in a season they consider to be off-peak." The average cost of a wedding in the winter season is just £19,445, against £24,030 in the sought-after summer months. While some costs remain the same, such as wedding dresses, cakes and rings, major savings can be found on items such as the venue and a hotel stay on the wedding night. The average venue costs £1,500 less to hire in winter, according to research carried out by Debenhams, while out-of-season catering costs are three-quarters of what they would be in the peak period. Ms Dowdall added: "The growing trend of winter weddings is also reflected in the items featuring on wedding lists. Couples are asking guests for blankets, throws, heavy-tog duvets and his and hers dressing gowns. We are also seeing customers who are tying the knot in December buy Christmas trees and decorations to dress their venues. Wedding planner Cheryl Dowie, of Inverness-based Premier Wedding Planners Scotland, said the credit crunch had driven more brides to opt for a dark, often Scottish-themed wedding rather than take a gamble on the unpredictable summer weather. She said: "It is because of the cost a lot of the time - hotels are willing to give you 20 per cent off if you book in November to February, compared to what you pay in the summer. But it actually works quite well in Scotland. If people want to go for a traditional theme, the idea of a Scottish fireside, winter weddings are ideal. You can decide from the beginning to have it all inside, perhaps a candlelit ceremony. Sometimes people hold out for a summer wedding and the weather doesn't work out for them. Juliet Wilson, a celebrant of the Humanist Society of Scotland, said the winter months were becoming even busier than summer for weddings. She said: "Since I started as a celebrant six years ago, winter weddings have definitely risen in popularity. A lot of the venues offer good deals outside of the summer months.