IF you’ve recently become engaged and simply can’t wait to tie the knot – why not have a winter wedding?

With a few fairy lights and simple, seasonal decorations, a wedding in the depths of winter can be quite magical  – and cheaper too!

Many venues in the county still have availability through to March, with lots of special offers, packages and incentives available.

DRESS: Go for the ‘snow queen’ look with an ice or diamond white dress embellished with twinkles that will look magical against the winter light.

Worried you’ll get cold? Buy a sumptuous velvet cape or faux fur shrug to fend off the chills.

VENUE: For a winter wedding it simply has to be either a historic mansion decked out with lots of handsome wood, or a licensed country inn with roaring fireplaces. Before dishing out for decorations, check with the venue as they may already have suitable festive decorations up.

And, when choosing your venue, think about how easy it will be for your guests to get there in bad weather.

CATERING: When the weather’s cold, the menu has to be hot, hot, hot. Start off with a spiced pumpkin soup, some smoked salmon or oozing whole baked cheeses such as Camembert of Vacherin Mont D’Or served with wedges of rustic bread.

Follow this up with a warming casserole or curry, or perhaps even good old bangers and mash.

Finish off with a scrummy hot pud such as bread and butter pudding, sticky toffee sponge, a seasonal crumble or hot chocolate fondants.

To drink, how about eggnog or hot chocolate – with a hint of booze for the adults? Or serve mulled wine, with mulled apple juice for the drivers and youngsters.

CAKE: Go pure white with edible sparkles and lustre, perhaps topped with a beautiful snowglobe.

FLOWERS: Get seasonal with a bunch of stunning bright red poinsettia. Other stems in season include baby blue eucalyptis, white roses, crocus, lilies, ornamental berries and gypsophilia (baby’s breath).

Experiment with miniature trees and bay trees too, hanging them with coloured fairylights.

DÉCOR: Evoke the magic of Christmas with lots of fairy lights and lanterns. Floating candles to match your colour scheme look great on tables, as do glass bowls filled with cranberries, whole nuts and greenery.

Looking for a different kind of centrepiece? Invest in a gingerbread house for each table, or make your own. They look fantastic and your guests can eat them too.

FAVOURS: Gingerbread biscuits, chocolates, sachets of spiced hot chocolate, seasonal cookie cutters, candy canes.

Winter availability

The following venues have winter availability, so you just might be able to make your wedding dreams come true.

The West Wing, Ickworth

This venue is offering a midweek package with a minimum of 80 guests at £77 per person including VAT.

The Brook Hotel, Felixstowe

The hotel is offering 10% off selected wedding dates.

Elms Barn

The venue is offering a 50% reduction on barn rental on selected Saturdays in January and March 2011.

Otley Hall

The hall is offering heavily discounted rages for weekends from October 22 2011 to March 31 2012.

Butley Priory

There’s a winter wedding sale at the priory. A package from Monday to Thursday until March 2011 is priced at £4,900. This includes overnight accommodation for nine people for one night, exclusive use of the venue, a ceremony in the drawing room for 50 guests, a three course meal for 50, half a bottle of wine per guest, 30 extra guest for the evening and the services of the wedding planner.

Woodhall Manor

Beat the VAT with special prices on weddings booked for selected dates up to April 2011. A wedding Monday to Thursday is £4,500 plus VAT, Fridays and Sundays are £5,500 plus VAT and Saturdays are £6,500 plus VAT. The price includes venue and ceremony hire, full planning services, the Greenhouse Suite for the ceremony, a three course meal and half a bottle of wine per person for 60 guests, sparkling wine for the toasts and an evening buffet for 100 guests.

Ravenwood Hall

Book a wedding for January, February, March or November 2011 and get a drinks package worth a minimum of £1,150 free. Book on Friday or Sunday in 2011 and get the Edwardian Pavilion and a stay in the bridal suite for free. Both apply where there is a minimum of 50 adults with a three course wedding breakfast and drinks.

Hintlesham Hall

This distinctive venue is offering deals on all inclusive weddings in January, February or March 2011 subject to availability.

This includes exclusive use from 3pm, hire of the civil ceremony room, a three course wedding breakfast with coffee and chocolates for 64 guests, accommodation for 64 guests and a full English breakfast for 64 at £10,250 plus VAT.