Winter celebrations require a little extra thought, so we assembled a team of experts to help you think yours through. This month, we'll be sharing winter wedding tips and ideas from local vendors in a series of weekly blog posts. Whether you're in the midst of planning a snowy soiree, or you're recently engaged and thinking of getting hitched next winter, read on for our experts' helpful, fun, and informative suggestions.

1. Weather the Storm

Salt Lake City and Park City wedding planner Jacque Riehl of Riehl Events shares the following tips to keep your event running smoothly come hail or high wind:

• When setting the date, avoid all major holidays and the week of Park City's Sundance Film Festival in mid to late January (this year's festival kicks off next Thursday). During these times, prices for venues, services, and lodging greatly increase. Look at dates in early November, early January, or February.
• If conditions on your wedding day are snowy and icy, make sure your venue will shovel and salt all walkways and parking lots. Consider hiring a local valet service like VPS--your guests will thank you.
• About fifteen minutes before your guests arrive, turn your venue's heat down or off. Once people are packed into your reception space, it will warm up fast.
• Provide a coat check and a boot check so ladies can change out of their winter footwear and into their dancing shoes--a fun new idea we love!

2. Toast To This

Holly Booth, a bartender at High West Distillery and Saloon in Park City, suggests setting a welcome tone and warming up your guests by handing them a Western Apple cocktail when they walk in the door. The drink is made with High West Double Rye whiskey, Calvados, hot cider, honey syrup, lemon juice, and cinnamon, served in a mug, and garnished with a cinnamon stick.

3. Get Glowing

Do your face a favor and book an Intraceuticals' Oxygen Infusion Facial at St. Regis Deer Valley's Remede Spa. The treatment involves a thin silver wand--similar to an airbrush makeup wand--that gently sprays a cocktail of pure oxygen and Intraceuticals' vitamin-, antioxidant-, moisture-rich serum over the face. The gentle stream of oxygen pushes the serum deep into your pores, leaving the skin brighter, smoother, and plumper. The facial works wonders at combating jet-lag--we're talking to you, destination brides!

Next week, in part two of our "Cold Hands, Warm Hearts" series, we'll be sharing tips and ideas about cozy winter venues (a fireplace is a must!) and seasonal eats and treats, from soup shooters to s'mores. Stay tuned!

{Images: 1 & 2 Rebekah Westover Photography; 2 High West; 3 St. Regis Deer Valley}