Winter wedding bouquet by Poppies and Posies Ideas & Advice Winter wedding centerpiece by Poppies and Posies

eleGALA tip

Winter Wedding Venue Advice:
1) Unless your wedding is in a location with guaranteed winter-like ambiance, you may want to avoid a ballroom with a large picture window. Instead of overlooking serene banks of snow, you may wind up with a panoramic view of a dreary gray day.
2) Make sure your site will be adequately heated, some older buildings can be drafty.
3) Be sure to ask what seasonal decorations your venue may already use; you could save on décor costs if your venue is already suitably decorated for a holiday gala.

did you know?

You can view wedding pictures and get advice from successfully planned winter weddings in our Real Weddings guide:

Jill & Jace – New York, NY

Plan a Winter Wedding

Winter-themed weddings can be uber chic and ethereal – an absolute wonderland, if you will. Get inspired with a few of our seasonable wedding ideas.

Advice for Winter-Themed Weddings

Inclement Weather

Depending on your wedding location, winter weather can be particularly hairy. If so, don’t force your guests to walk too far or spend considerable time outside. Dress the wedding party (including yourself) in seasonably warm attire.

The Holidays

Remember that the action-packed holiday season and higher travel costs make it potentially inconvenient for guests to attend a December or early January wedding, but because many people are off between Christmas and New Year’s, a midweek wedding could work. Either way, book your date and spread the word early.

Winter Wedding Ideas & Details

Wedding Invitations & Stationery

  • Add a wintery motif – such as a snowflake, antlers, or pine tree silhouette – to your stationery suite.
  • Go white on white – dress your bridal party in ivory and creams to match the season. 
  • Add metallics – jazz things up with a hint of silver or gold.

Wedding Location

  • Think intimate and cozy – bed-and-breakfasts or inns complete with roaring fires and plush décor create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Bonus points if you can score a view overlooking a scenic winterscape.
  • Think elegant and grand – a formal hotel ballroom overlooking city lights will evoke a celebratory mood to match the holiday spirit.
  • Think seasonal activities – a ski lodge or mountain chalet guarantees a true winter experience and a nice getaway for your guests.

Winter Wedding Color palettes

  • New-fallen snow – use whites and creams accented with silver or gold. 
  • Winter wonderland – blue or navy accented with icy pinks can match the season.
  • Cranberry – Cranberry is a nice spin on traditional Christmas red and it looks fabulous when paired with gold and sage.
  • Black tie – black is especially suited for a winter wedding when paired with ivory, beige, and some sparkle.

Winter Wedding Décor elements

  • Go glam – deck your halls with crystal detailing for a sparkling winter effect, adorning linens and chair covers or sprinkled over table tops – the result is deliciously glam and oh so fab. 
  • Liberal use of candle light – the glow will add warmth and elegance. 
  • Holiday theme – decorate with potted evergreens, pine branches, wreathes, poinsettias, ornaments, bells, or twinkling white lights.

Winter Wedding Flowers

  • Seasonal blooms – white stephanotis, poinsettia, holly, amaryllis, camellias, and garden roses. Consult our complete list of winter wedding flowers.
  • Added interest and texture – incorporate holiday greenery, feathers, antlers, or tiny crystals into your arrangements.
  • Creative bouquets – consider incorporating antlers or pin boughs.
  • Tossing alternative

Winter Wedding Menu

  • Hearty dishes – serve heartier fare in sophisticated, creative ways, such as colorful butternut squash puree or warm pumpkin soup in ramekins or shot glasses.
  • Wintery beverages – warm guests with eggnog, hot toddies, spiced wine, or mixed coffee drinks. 

Winter Wedding Cake

  • White on white – adorn an all white cake with marzipan snowflakes or swiss dots, or top with fresh, seasonal flowers.
  • Get rich – serve a decadent chocolate cake or cheesecake with raspberry sauce/filling, and decorate with chocolate covered cherries or roasted chestnuts.
  • Top it off – use a decorative snow globe or snowflake as a seasonal topper.

Winter Wedding Attire

  • Rich fabrics – warm up to velvet, satin, brocade, and heavy silk
  • Add a layer – if your wedding dress is sleeveless or strapless, add a wrap, shrug, or cape in white or in one of your wedding colors.
  • Winter white– dress the wedding party, flower girl, and ring bearer in winter white for a chic, clean look.
  • Black tie – formal attire at an elegant winter wedding is always a classic.

Winter Wedding Favors

  • Sip it – give decorative tins or packets of hot cocoa mix.
  • Let it snow – inside mini–snow globes.
  • Celebrate – with splits of champagne.
  • Indulge a sweet tooth – chocolate-covered cranberries, roasted chestnuts, or a package of sugar cookies.

Winter Getaway

  • Horse-drawn sleigh – the quintessential wintertime mode of travel. For an added touch, give guests mini-bells to ring as you make your exit. 
  • A sled or skis – for the adventurous; be sure to dress appropriately.
  • A snowmobile – another rugged, winter possibility, again, for the adventurous.