Your Winter Wedding Ideas Guide
Winter is a truly magical time of year. Christmas is in full swing, with a plethora of twinkling lights and seasonal cheer. In some areas, snow coats the ground, while others welcome the relief of cold air.
Winter is family and friends, cheer and new years, delicious treats, and celebration. And there’s no better celebration to behold than a wedding! While some parts of the country don’t have feasible weather for a winter wedding, most can rejoice in a cool and festive celebration.
Winter offers various unique wedding ideas, decorations, and menu options to choose from. If you’re not sure what you’re looking for just yet, continue on for a host of winter wedding ideas, themed menus, winter wedding dress inspiration, color palettes, winter wedding do’s and don’ts, and more.
Why Should You Choose a Winter Wedding?
Looking beyond the seasonal festivities, there’s several other reasons to choose a winter wedding over any other season, such as:
Cost Benefits - Winter is considered an “off-season” month. This is the portion of the year that contains less wedding demand. Different regions contain varied “wedding season” months, but a typical rule of thumb for off-season months are December - March. Since there’s less demand for services and locations, venues and vendors charge significantly less than “in-season” months. This seasonal change can boast significant wedding savings in the long run. If you’re on a budget or looking to get the most bang for your buck, a winter wedding is an ideal choice.
Less Competition - As mentioned above, winter is an off season month. Therefore, there isn’t as much competition for venues or vendors. This allows you a better chance of locking in high-demand vendors or having a wider variety of options to choose from.
The Magical Atmosphere - All the twinkling lights, the seasonal cheer, glittery decor, and snow-covered scenes create a magical and intimate atmosphere. This is perfect for those who want a low-key wedding or want to celebrate with a closeness in mind. The seasonal cheer also adds positive feelings to all your wedding celebrations. Winter wedding ideas usually involve magical atmospheres, twinkling lights, and tons of glitter.
Winter Wedding Theme Ideas
It’s crucial for wedding planning to have an overall wedding theme. There’s many reasons why you need a wedding theme and we outline how to choose one as well.
A Classic Winter Wonderland Theme
A winter wonderland wedding set up by PartySlate
Winter wonderland wedding reception by BravoBride
A winter wonderland-themed ceremony by Weddingomania
Inspired by the snow-fallen grounds and white trees, a winter wonderland theme is a classic way to create elegance and beauty during the winter months.
Winter wonderland is mainly comprised of elegant white decorations with small touches of greenery or light purple hues. To elevate your decor to create an even dreamier feeling, try adding touches of silver and gold throughout the room to break up colors even more beautifully.
This theme will have guests feeling other-worldly from the moment they walk through the door. This theme also fits nearly any indoor or outdoor venue.
2. A Rustic Winter Cabin Theme
A covered outdoor rustic winter wedding reception by Harpers Bazaar
A rustic outdoor winter wedding by PartySlate
A rustic winter cabin wedding by CheersMTWeddings on Pinterest
That cozy winter feeling we all love is usually tied to a warm, rustic cabin feel. Plaid pajamas, a cup of hot chocolate, a warm fire burning in the fireplace, and surroundings of forests and nature are enough to make any couple or guest snuggle up for the night.
If wood features, large fireplaces, and unrefined beauty are your style, consider a rustic winter cabin theme. You can use this theme at an actual winter cabin, an outdoor barn with exposed woodwork, or a timeless ski resort.
This theme is warm, cozy, and atypically beautiful; a perfect scene for the couple who wants a unique and intimate wedding experience without sacrificing location or epic backdrops.
This theme typically utilizes colors you would find in a rustic setting: various greens, browns, white, greys, and oranges.
Get more rustic wedding ideas to maximize your winter look.
3. A Christmas-Inspired Wedding Theme
A Christmas-themed wedding reception by Weddingomania
Christmas wedding reception decor by TLC
Festive holiday wedding by Junebug Weddings
For those Christmas-loving couples, a match made in heaven can be found here. There’s nothing more timeless than Christmas itself. Built on foundations of giving, cheer, family, love, and delicious food, Christmas symbolizes all the beautiful parts of the holidays and weddings alike.
A Christmas-themed wedding entails a ton of Christmas lights, holly’s, Christmas trees, ornaments and eye-catching decor, and elegant dinnerware. As a bonus, fake snow, nutcrackers, greenery garlands, and mini lanterns are all oh-so fitting decorations as well.
A Christmas wedding can be held nearly anywhere. From a cabin to an outdoor garden, almost every space can be transformed into a holiday wonderland with some themed decorations and a proper color palette.
For this theme, deep greens, reds, gold, silver, and white are all optimum color palette choices. Some couples incorporate deep blues in as well. It all depends on your view of Christmas colors.
A Christmas-themed wedding is the perfect opportunity to include your wedding cheer amidst the ongoing holiday cheer. On your search for winter wedding ideas, be sure to add Christmas to your list.
4. A New Years Eve Celebration Wedding Theme
A bride and groom cutting their New Year’s Eve wedding cake by Every Last Detail
A bride and groom celebrating their New Year’s Eve wedding by One Fab Day
A New Year’s Eve wedding table setting by Jeri Solomon Floral Design
There’s no better way to end and begin the year than with a New Year’s Eve wedding celebration! This theme is full of party, elegance, modern, moody colors and fireworks.
This theme is perfect for the couple who wants a party vibe while still retaining an elegant and visually appealing scene. With a color palette of white, black, gold, and silver, this theme pops while still allowing each individual color to shine.
Couples who choose this theme usually incorporate New Year’s Eve items, such as masks, sparklers or small fireworks, clocks, confetti, balloons, and banners.
A New Year’s Eve wedding is most fitting at an indoor location where attire, decorations, and dinnerware suit a more ballroom style scene. That’s not to say this theme can’t be adapted to the outdoors, such as a high-end covered outdoor area or a large patio.
This theme will have guests ready to celebrate. Just be sure to bring plenty of champagne.
Winter Wedding Ideas for Venue Locations
A Barn
A winter barn wedding by Blue Locket Photography
A barn is a beautiful wedding venue location. It is so versatile while conforming to each couples wedding look desires. A barn is naturally more rustic, but with the right decorations, it can also be boho, winter, semi-formal, floral, intimate, and so many other things.
When it comes to a winter wedding, you can’t go wrong with a barn wedding venue. Whether you want to string up hundreds of Christmas lights in the rafters or add on to the rustic winter feel, you won’t be disappointed.
Barns usually have high ceilings, removing the stuffy, cramped feeling winter can cause at times. They also usually have several windows, allowing in much-needed light on dreary days to bring up the mood. Additionally, barns also have pretty well insulated structure, offering reprieve from the chilly winter air.
2. An Elegant Cabin
An elegant winter cabin wedding by Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery
There’s nothing that says winter quite like a beautiful snowy cabin. Enjoying the warmth of a fire while watching snowflakes fall to the ground outside. All of the exposed wood and stone creating complimentary textures throughout the space. A cabin meshes well with intimate, cozy events.
An everyday cabin is perfect for small, intimate weddings. If you plan on having a more extravagant affair, search for an elegant cabin with ample space. A cabin will also fit nearly any theme, but leans naturally towards rustic, semi-formal, Christmas themes, winter wonderlands, and chic styles.
Cabins have beautiful features, such as exposed beams, large windows, beautiful stonework, and wood features that add unique and elegant decorative elements for your ceremony. An elegant cabin is the ultimate winter wedding idea.
3. A Ski Resort
A ski resort wedding by MyWedding
For optimum snowy backdrops, a ski resort is your go-to. Full of snowy hills, dreamy backdrops, and picture-perfect indoor or outdoor reception areas, you can’t go wrong.
Ski resorts also have the benefit of being able to house you and your guests overnight, as well as serve as a ceremony and reception location all in one convenient place.
If you’re in search of an outdoor area, a ski resort will be one of your best bets. Since most of their offerings involve the outdoors, they usually have expansive and well-kept outdoor patios, lounge areas, dining halls, and more.
4. A Park or Botanical Garden
Christmas light displays in a park setting by OnlyInYourState
For a scenic outdoor winter wedding on a budget or to stay close to nature, turn to a local park or a botanical garden. Both of these venue types usually offer affordable rates and have capacity to accommodate a large amount of guests.
Both a park or a botanical garden are also the ultimate location for a Christmas-themed wedding. These locations usually partake in Christmas displays, saving you money on Christmas decorations while also offering a magical ceremony experience.
Nearly any theme can exist in an outdoor setting such as these, but these locations are naturally inclined to Christmas, boho, elegant, and simplistic wedding themes.
With all the greenery available in these outdoor areas, it’s fairly easy to add some pops of color to complete your wedding look.
5. A National Monument or Park
A bride and groom’s winter wedding ceremony in Yosemite by Heather Anderson Photography
To make a bold winter statement, turn to a national monument or park. These locations are naturally breathtaking and are bound to stun any guest. They also make fantastic photo backdrops, offering scenes one can only dream of.
These parks, such as Yosemite and the Grand Canyon, offer miles of snowy mountains, lakes, greenery, and open skies. National parks offer such scenic views that minimal decorations or additions are needed to create a dreamy wedding feel.
If you’re searching for an affordable winter wedding option, National parks that allow wedding ceremonies also usually charge little to nothing for you to have your wedding there.
The beauty of the outdoors will fit nearly any wedding theme, but to achieve an elegant or modern theme, you may have to pull some extra strings to cement these themes into the ceremony.
Winter Wedding Ideas for Invitations
There’s no better way to solidify your wedding theme than themed invitations! Since winter is so versatile, there’s hundreds of different types to choose from. If you’re searching for custom, unique invitations like the two above, try businesses who make laser cut and custom invitations. Luckily, there are a few of these on Amazon already as well.
You’ll want to choose an invitation that fits your specific winter theme. For example, if you’re hosting a winter wonderland, you will want to choose an invitation with snow, barren trees, and minimal color variations to truly capture the atmosphere.
If you’re in search of some winter wedding ideas for invitations, try some with these elements:
Pinecones
Christmas trees or lights
Holly’s
Snow or snowflakes
Ice sculptures
Christmas plaid
Gingerbread
Cabins or other snowy buildings
Pine trees and other greenery
Mistletoe
Flowers in your theme’s color
Lanterns or candles
No object or invitation type is complete without color-matching. Make sure your invitations are also in the right color theme of your wedding.
For Christmas, you’ll want to stay in the realm of greens, reds, gold, silver, and white. For rustic winter, you’ll want to avoid the glittery colors in favor of oranges, greens, reds, greys, and browns.
Decoration Inspiration for a Winter Wedding
Decorations are the finishing touch to any wedding. Winter offers unique decorations owned by the season itself that you can use to your advantage, such as:
Pinecones
Pinecone wedding decor Via WeddingOMania
Pinecones can be utilized for winter or fall. They add a rustic, natural decor element to any wedding ceremony. Use them in your centerpieces, as name card placeholders, as hanging ceiling decor, or even incorporate them into a fireplace decoration.
2. Mistletoe
Mistletoe decor Via Ali Express
Mistletoe is a requirement at any Christmas or holiday-themed wedding. A symbol of new beginnings and romance, mistletoe is a thoughtful decoration touch. Hang them around the room from the ceiling and give your guests a reason to steal a kiss (or two.)
3. Christmas Lights and Christmas Trees
A Christmas wedding celebration Via TLC
If you’re planning a Christmas or festive wedding, Christmas trees and Christmas lights are a must. You don’t have to use multi-color lights and throw off your theme. You can utilize warm yellow or white lights and create an elegant atmosphere.
Decorated or plain Christmas trees are a beautiful addition of greenery while completing the look and theme of your wedding. Christmas lights can be run across the table, added to centerpieces, strung around fireplaces or windows, wrapped around arches, and of course, used on a Christmas tree.
Christmas trees can be utilized indoors or outdoors and you can use real or fake trees as well.
4. Holly
Holly and candle centerpiece Via White Flower Farm
Holly is a signature decoration amongst holiday-themed weddings and events. The bright red contrasts beautifully against lush greenery. Additionally, they are usually very small, making them easy to work into any decoration piece.
5. Snow and Snowflakes
A winter snowflake backdrop Via Kate Backdrop
Touching on the magic of winter, snow and snowflake decorations are the perfect fit for any winter theme. But, they do suit winter wonderlands and elegant ceremonies beautifully.
You can use real snow, artificial snow, confetti, snowflake-shaped decor, and paper balloons to utilize this decoration type. Coincidentally, most decor items usually come in a snowflake variation, so you’re sure to have a ton to choose from.
6. Candles and Lanterns
A candle centerpiece Via Fab Mood
Candles and lanterns create a romantic, intimate atmosphere at any event. They are dreamy, classy, and magical. Adding candles to your centerpieces or utilizing them on cake and food tables or across a fireplace would create the perfect winter atmosphere.
7. Artificial Trees
Artificial tree centerpieces Via Dessy Group
Artificial trees are the picture-perfect winter wedding idea you’ve been searching for. You can get them as barren, realistic winter trees or with greenery on them for a touch of color. Some can be utilized on tables as centerpieces while others can be placed around the room or along the aisles for your ceremony.
8. Fireplaces
Winter wedding fireplace design Via The Dancing Wick on Pinterest
Fireplaces are the missing winter wedding idea you didn’t know existed. More than just a place to keep us warm, they serve as eye-catching focal points and decoration havens.
Whether you choose to burn the fireplace and just decorate the mantle or keep it off and drape it in candles and greenery, a fireplace is a welcomed addition to any winter wedding.
9. Fake Furs
Fake fur decoration display Via Marry Me Tampa Bay
Fake furs are oftentimes underutilized for how uniquely textured and stunning they truly are. Fuzzy, dramatic, and perfectly contrasting, fake fur is your ultimate unique winter wedding decoration item.
You can utilize fake fur across seats and benches to provide texture and warmth or you can add them as table runners to guest or bride and groom tables. They also come in a variety of colors and sizes, so you can customize them any way you want.
10. Deer
A Christmas wedding table setting Via Wedding Ideas Magazine
To truly tie up Christmas inspiration, think about adding in some decorative deer. No, we don’t mean real ones. Deer are a classic Christmas piece and often come in flashy, bold designs and colors.
They can be a simply perfect addition to a centerpiece, cake toppers, or you can even get large versions to put near the altar or around the room during the reception.
Winter Wedding Color Palettes
Winter is so versatile based on the theme you choose, so winter wedding color palettes will vary from couple to couple. However, the general consensus for winter color shades are:
Greens - Juniper, Emerald, Pine, and Evergreen shades.
Reds - Red Wine, Plumberry, Raspberry, Burgundy, Maroon, and Cardinal shades.
Metallic Golds and Silvers
Browns - Pumice Stone, Chestnut, Ash, Taupe, Walnut, Saddle, Russett, Mocha, Sepia, Mahogany, and Cacao.
Oranges - Yam, Sandstone, Marmalade, Amber, and Squash.
Greys - Dove, Silver, French Grey, Pewter, Bone, and Silk.
If you still aren’t sure what colors to choose, learn some easy ways to choose a color palette.
Winter Wedding Ideas for Bridal Attire
A Full or 1/2 Sleeve Wedding Dress
A bride posing in a full-sleeve dress Via Pinterest
A woman in a 1/2 sleeve ball gown Via Pinterest
Winter is chilly no matter where you are. In order to enjoy your day and stay safe, you’ll need to stay warm. A full sleeve or half sleeve wedding dress is the perfect way to add some extra warmth without disrupting your bridal look with jackets and other bulky items.
Sleeves already built into your dress create a seamless look without too many additional accessories. For a more modest bride, this is also a great opportunity to blend beauty with good skin coverage.
You can find full and half sleeve styles across nearly any dress type, including mermaids, ball gowns, a-lines, and more.
2. Add a Wedding Shawl to Your Look
A bride with a wedding shawl on Via Sheena Shahangian Photography
If you already have a dress picked out or the sleeved look isn’t for you, consider adding a wedding shawl to finalize your look. Shawls and wraps come in various styles and colors, so you can customize yours to fit your wedding theme.
Shawls are intended to serve as warm clothing you can wrap around your arms or wear as a mini jacket to keep you warm, especially during the harshest months of the year. Some are fuzzy while others are knitted. The look is completely up to you.
These items add an extra spark to your look without being bulky, brightly colored, or awkward.
3. Warm Bridal Boots
Bridal boots Via Forever Soles
Let’s be real: no bride is hiking through the snow or freezing temperatures in slim heels. And as they should. In the winter months, you need proper protection on your feet. There’s no better way to achieve warm feet and cement your look than bridal boots.
Most bridal boots are ankle high and fabulously white. There’s many different designs and colors to be used if white shoes aren’t your jam. These boots will keep you warm, help you with stability while walking outside, and they’re actually comfortable.
Who said you have to sacrifice comfort for beauty?
4. Consider a Bridal Hat
A bride with a furry hat on Via La Jolie Bride
For the “extra” bride who loves a bold look, add a bridal hat to your wedding day attire. Not only will this keep your head warm in frigid temps, but it provides a stylish and assertive vibe.
The biggest statement would be a fur hat, but they also come in knitted options as well.
5. Bridal Gloves
Bridal Gloves Via ManiFashionBags on Etsy
No doubt, our hands are the first things to become cold when faced with chilly temperatures or wind. To protect your hands, grab a pair of bridal gloves. Many businesses make them with pearls, bows, gems, and other bride-worthy accessories.
Winter Food and Drink Menu Ideas
Winter offers delicious food and drink ideas. Here, you can find affordable or extravagant yummy ideas to serve your guests.
Appetizer Ideas
Maple Bacon-Wrapped Carrots
Spiced Pomegranate and Pear Crostini
Brie and Cranberry Monkey Bread
Butternut Squash Hummus
Winter Fruit Salad
Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Main Course Ideas
Cranberry Rib Roast
Sage Lamb Shanks
Beef Wellington
Roasted Turkey
Pear Ham
Christmas Brunch Casserole
Butternut Squash Risotto
Winter Chili
Chicken and Winter Vegetables
Maple Glazed Salmon
Winter Wedding Side Dish Ideas
Roasted Root Vegetables
Fig Stuffing
Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Shooters
Rice
Green Bean Casserole
Mashed Potatoes
Cranberry Sauce
Plum and Cranberry Salad
Feta and Spinach Pasteries
Bacon and Chile Figs
A cup of hot chocolate with themed decorations
Winter Wedding Desserts
Winter Apple Crumble
Toffee Pudding
Gingerbread Cookies
Chestnut Cheesecake
Cranberry Cake
Peppermint White Chocolate Bars
Hot Chocolate Cookies
Christmas Rum Cake
Yule Log
Peppermint Meringues
Winter Wedding Drinks
Hot Chocolate Bar
Eggnog
Cranberry Champagne
Mulled Wine
S’mores Bailey’s Cocktail
Cranberry Orange Bourbon
Spiced Pear Vodka
Tequila Hot Chocolate
Cinnamon Apple Whiskey
Peppermint Tequila Cocktail
Chai Lattes or Tea
Cranberry Orange Wine
Hot Toddy
Peppermint Coffee Bar
Plum Champagne
Winter Wedding Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
Provide Plenty of Heaters and Warmth - Winter is among the harshest months you can come by. Most people are very sensitive to extreme temperatures. Since weather can become extreme any day, it’s best to rent or bring plenty of heaters for you and your guests. Even if the venue you rent has heating, there’s no guarantee the area is warm enough for everyone. If your wedding is outdoors, it is crucial to have heaters placed all around the perimeter of guest seating to keep them comfortable. It’s always a good idea to have some extra blankets on hand as well.
Set a Cold Weather Dress Code - Your guests may not be aware of the precise atmosphere of your wedding and underprepare for the weather. Be clear in your invitations that guests should bring or wear plenty of heavy-duty clothing in case of extreme temperatures or extended outdoor activities.
Embrace Your Chosen Season - If you’re committing to the season, commit all the way. Weave the winter season and atmosphere into your decor, your menus, your drinks, and even the wedding ceremony itself. It will provide a completed and enjoyable event for all.
Have a Backup Plan - Weather can cause travel delays, electrical insufficiencies, poor outdoor conditions, and more. Be prepared for the worst case scenario just in case. If your wedding is outdoors, make sure you have an indoor location you could use in place. If you’re having food and furnishings delivered, try to have them brought ahead of time in case of delays.
Don’ts
Choose a Late Ceremony Time - The sun sets the earliest of the year during the winter months. Therefore, you have fewer hours with light. If your ceremony is outdoors, it’s best to choose a time earlier in the day to allow for photos before and after the ceremony.
Choose a Location That’s Hard to Get to - Winter can be tricky to navigate on the roads. Slick roads, low visibility, and plenty of signs or markers covered in snow can sometimes make it nearly impossible to find an unfamiliar location. Choose a location that’s fairly easy to navigate to for everyone. Some guests may not be able to find the location and won’t attend. Additionally, you don’t want anyone getting lost or stranded.
Select a Wedding Date on a Holiday - Holidays are oftentimes the only occasions many people get to spend with friends and family. A large amount of people make holiday plans ahead of time, including travel, parties, or family events. While some guests may enjoy spending a holiday celebrating your wedding, most will be sacrificing something else to be there or choose not to come altogether.
Unique Focal Points for a Winter Wedding
Snowy Photobooth
A Christmas backdrop by Katebackdrop.com
To create a memorable winter wedding, think about adding a snowy photobooth or backdrop. It’s a unique location for guests to take photos and have fun amongst themselves, as well as rope the lucky couple in for some Instagram-worthy shots.
This backdrop or photobooth can be themed however you’d like it to be. Use a snowy Christmas theme or light up the night with a bright and fun New Year’s Eve themed booth.
2. Ice Sculptures
Snowflake ice sculpture Via The Country House at Bluestone on Pinterest
A true statement piece, ice sculptures always captivate guests at any event. Not only would these serve as a unique photo backdrop for the ceremony or reception, but it would also get guests talking and mingling amongst each other.
Luckily, since these would be used in the winter months, they won’t melt or lose their shape after a few hours either. An ice sculpture shaped in snowflakes, reindeer, or a Christmas tree would also add to your themed decor.
No matter what you choose, make your winter wedding ideas come to life. Select a theme and colors that feel right to you. Pick the venue you’ve always dreamed of.
There’s so many winter wedding ideas to choose from, so get creative!