While summer might be the most popular time of year for weddings, there’s something magical about holding your nuptials in the winter. The season’s colder temperatures and festive spirit lend themselves to more intimate celebrations, and provide couples with plenty of opportunity to infuse their big day with warmth and enchantment. Think wooden lodge venues, rustic evergreen decor, warming winter cocktails, and cozy fireside receptions.
If you’re planning a winter wonderland wedding and are looking to get inspired, read on to discover seven of our favourite winter wedding ideas.
Wear long sleeves
While strapless gowns might be suitable in the heat of summer, winter weddings call for warmer outfit options. In most cases, this means opting for long-sleeved looks, like full-sleeve gowns, formal suits, or cover-ups.
If you’re still sold on a strapless dress, you can also opt for a bolero or a pair of removable sleeves, like Truvelle's lace mesh Simone Puff Sleeves. Not only will these help keep you warm during the wedding ceremony and any outdoor photo ops, they’ll provide you with a brand new look when the reception heats up.
Choose a wintry venue
While spring and summer provide the perfect weather for outdoor gatherings, winter temperatures require that you bring the celebration indoors. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get creative with your wedding venue.
Give your guests a cozy reprieve from the cold by hosting your big day at a cozy, rustic locale like a local farm, vineyard, or sugar shack. Want your wedding to be a winter wonderland? It doesn’t get any more magical than a ski lodge with sweeping views of snow-capped mountains.
Get cozy
Winter’s the season for cozying up, whether fireside or under a pile of blankets. But “cozy” isn’t just for your living room or the chalet. There are lots of ways to infuse your wedding with that warm, fuzzy feeling -- and help keep your guests warm and happy in the process.
For the ceremony, consider swapping out the typical altar or archway for a blazing fireplace. Deck the wedding aisle in rich wool carpets and opt for blanket-covered benches in lieu of standard seating.
Create a warm ambiance at your reception with lots of soft lighting, including plenty of candles and fairy lights. For extra warmth (with a Scandinavian twist), consider dressing each guest’s seat with a shearling pelt.
Go outside
Baby, it’s cold outside. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to brave the great, wintry outdoors for at least a moment during your wedding day.
Glistening, snow-covered landscapes make for beautiful wedding photo backdrops. If you’ve chosen a rustic venue, like a sugar shack or a ski lodge, consider taking a few photos on its wintry grounds.
If you love outdoor sports or just want to have a bit more fun with your wedding photos (and have a change of outfit!), consider renting a snowmobile, a horse-drawn carriage, or even staging a snowball fight.
Embrace the evergreen
‘Tis the season for evergreen. While summer weddings conjure images of colorful dahlias and ranunculus bouquets, winter weddings are all about simple, rustic bouquets and arrangements. These include pine needles and pine cones, and winterberry, or even the pale look of birch and aspen bark.
All of these make for beautiful, festive wedding decor, from hanging pine wreaths to birchwood placeholders. However, they can also be incorporated into your wedding look in small, creative ways, including pinecone boutonnieres and winterberry hair accessories.
Serve seasonal drinks…
Whereas summer weddings are all about fizzy, refreshing drinks, winter has guests craving cozy sips and festive flavors. Help you guests keep warm -- and embrace the holiday spirit -- with a bar menu to match the weather.
Classic Hot Toddies, mulled wine, and spiked hot chocolate are the drinks your guests need to beat the chill. Want to get festive? Consider decadent winter flavors like cranberry, peppermint, gingerbread, caramel, and cream.
…and bites
A late-night snack bar is always a good idea -- especially when the sun sets early and there’s a chill in the air. For your winter wedding, forgo the typical fare (hotdogs and tacos), for more season-appropriate bites. Think a s’mores station, a fondue set-up, mugs of soup, nutmeat spreads, grab-and-go pot pies, or even a maple syrup taffy trough.
