To us, a winter wedding is as romantic as it gets. Maybe it's the rich colors, the cozy atmosphere, or the festive florals & food that add so much magic and enchantment to a celebration that is already brimming with romance and excitement. Planning for winter weddings can be a delightful and unique experience, but it may be difficult to keep your head in the game with all the summer activities you have coming up. We're here to offer you some key tips and trends for planning your winter weddings in 2024 and 2025.
Venue Selection
Choosing the perfect venue is crucial for a winter wedding, as it sets the tone and ambiance for the entire event. Consider venues with beautiful indoor spaces, like grand ballrooms, rustic barns, or historic mansions. Outdoor ceremony locations can add even more magic to your celebration. When researching your venues be sure to not only consider how they fit into your vision, but also convenience and accessibility for you and your guests. Luxury hotels, ski lodges, and bed & breakfasts can offer lodging accommodations in addition to spectacular ceremony and reception areas.
Here are some ideas for winter wedding venues that can offer both warmth and a touch of seasonal magic:
· The Biltmore Estate in North Carolina
· Mountain Lake Lodge in Virginia
· Renback barn in Virginia
· Castle Ladyhawke in North Carolina
· Sky Retreat in North Carolina
· White Oak Manor in Virginia
2. Theme and Decor
When most people think of winter weddings their minds go straight to winter wonderland or festive Christmas themes, but there are so many other possibilities. Your wedding should reflect who you are as a couple and the first step in doing that is deciding your theme and decor style. Which theme do you resonate with?
· Winter Wonderland: A winter wonderland theme may be a snow lovers dream. White, Icey blue, and silver are great color selections for a cooler wedding theme, pun totally intended. Choose décor items like snowflakes, frosted votives with tea lights, silver candlesticks, tinsel to bring your theme together.
· Rustic Elegance: We’re all familiar with the rustic wedding theme. Combined rustic elements like wooden accents and greenery with elegant touches such as chandeliers and luxurious fabrics. If a rustic theme is more your vibe try incorporating winter greenery with touches of florals. Plaid is also a great accent for a winter rustic wedding.
· Holiday Inspired: Tis the season, right? Incorporate holiday elements from some of your favorite traditions, such as Christmas trees, wreaths, and twinkling lights.
· Winter Glam: Achieve a luxurious and elegant winter feel with a simple black and white color scheme. Add a bit of seasonal warmth with gold accents such as candlesticks or tableware, and green and white florals.
3. Attire
Winter weddings provide a wonderful opportunity to embrace elegant and cozy attire that suits the season's unique charm. Consider some of these ideas for your winter wedding styling. Don’t be afraid to get creative and have fun!
· Floor length gowns with long sleeves for added warmth, Lace or embellished sleeves can add a touch of sophistication.
· Fabrics like satin, velvet, heavy lace, or wool
· Faux fur capes, knit shawls, and peacoats
· Gloves & stylish boots (If you’re into outdoor winter activities show off your hiking or ski boots for a photo-op)
· Darker seasonal colors for the suits and bridesmaid dresses
Invite your guests to dress to your theme by asking them to wear certain colors, fabrics, or accessories.
4. Flowers and Bouquets
Winter floral arrangements are some of our favorites to design. Peek our vision board for some of our favorite seasonal florals and greenery. Although we love the green and white color scheme; including reds or blues to your arrangement also corresponds with a winter theme. Add a little sparkle with some gold, silver, or frosted votives and candles for extra elegance.
· Seasonal Blooms: Use winter blooms like amaryllis, anemones, and roses. Incorporate pinecones, berries for a seasonal touch.
· Festive Greenery: Winter arrangements tend to have more greenery like cedar, Carolina sapphire, scotch pine, dusty miller, gunnie eucalyptus, and willow eucalyptus which makes for some bold and romantic color combinations.
· Colors: Deep reds, whites, and greens are classic choices. Metallic accents in gold or silver can add a festive feel.
5. Wedding Favors
Wedding favors are a wonderful way to express how much you appreciate your guests. Not only for joining you in celebration, but for the support and love they have shown you throughout your relationship. Here are some ideas for wedding favors that fit the season:
· Hot Chocolate Mugs: Premade hot chocolate mugs are a sweet way to show your thanks. You can add the ingredients into a mason jar with a handle for an easy cup of hot cocoa. Add a personal touch by engraving the cups with your names and wedding date or your favorite quote. This will remind your guests of your wedding even after the cocoa is gone.
· Mittens, Shawls, or Hats: Share the warmth and gift your guests with some warm attire for them to wear during your celebrations. This is a great idea for those of you that may be planning to have an outdoor ceremony. These will also make for some fun photos of your guests during your reception.
· Seasonal Décor: Your wedding theme does not need to be holiday related to gift your guests ornaments or seasonal décor as a wedding favor. Choose something that has some significance to you, like a snow globe, decorative bottle opener, or an ornament. You can engrave it or tie a cute tag to it so that your guests will always know where it came from.
6. Seasonal Cocktails
Specialty cocktails have become a trend in the wedding industry over the last few years. They are a fun way to include your theme in your beverages while also allowing you to have spirits without a fully stocked bar, which saves you a bit on liquor and mixers. Signature cocktails can be as simple as a designated mixed drink with a cute name, or you can dress them up in fancy glasses with garnishes to really give them some flair. See our list of suggested seasonal beverages for your drink menu.
· Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour: Here’s one for the Whiskey lovers. This cocktail tastes like cool nights by the campfire and has a delightful combination of bourbon, citrus, sweetness, and a hint of spice.
· Toasted Marshmallow Espresso Martini: For all you coffee lovers out there, this is a twist on a classic cocktail. Add a little bit of marshmallow syrup, substitute in some marshmallow vodka and then garnish with a toasted marshmallow skewer and optional chocolate rim.
· Ombre Sparkler: Keep things simple and elegant with this simple cocktail. All you need is champagne, water, sugar, fresh fruit of your choice (we recommend either blackberry, cranberry, or pomegranate), and a sprig of rosemary.
7. Invitations and Stationery
Your stationery should reflect your wedding theme. Can’t find something within your budget that tickles your fancy? Look into creating something through Canva or a similar site, or work with a stationary designer to create something truly unique to you. Here are some ideas to consider for your winter wedding stationery:
· Glam: Use 2 colors from your color scheme, a touch of script font, a simple boarder, and not much else.
· Woodland & Nature theme: Choose a stationery that has naked branch trees, evergreen trees, or just a few sprigs of the greenery you plan to use in your arrangements.
· Seasonal & Holiday: Holly, poinsettias, and mistletoe are great to incorporate into your invitations for seasonal and holiday themes. You can even include some plaid for a more casual and rustic feel.
8. Decorations
The decorations you use will really bring your theme to fruition. Do your research, get input from friends and family, and take your time. And when we say take your time, we really mean give yourself enough time to truly consider the choices you are making. Rushed purchases often lead to doubt and regret. Make sure the items you are choosing make you feel what you are wanting to achieve.
· Candles: If you are going for a warm and cozy ambiance we suggest using candles in your decorating. You can place them in groups along the isle, along a mantel or hearth, or in your centerpieces. Be mindful if you are using the battery operated candles that they have a natural looking glow.
· Arches: Natural archways are great additions to any ceremony. For your winter wedding consider lining your isle with tall naked tree branches and string lights or a fluffy alter arch made with natural evergreen branches. The best part is that if you have the time and the help these are items you can make yourself and save a little on your décor.
· Christmas Trees: Your theme does not need to be Christmas or Holiday related to use Christmas trees in your wedding décor. Turn your inside venue space into an enchanting forest by lining the walls with Christmas trees and other greenery. Tip: use trees of various heights for a more natural look.
· Gift boxes: For holiday themes you may want to add a touch of seasonal giving by including gift boxes in your décor. Add some suspense and surprise to your favors by having them hidden in festive wrapping, use gift boxes as a center piece with festive florals, instead of place cards use adorable tiny gift boxes with your guest’s name on the tag. Empty boxes work just fine for some of these decorations. Save however many boxes your think you will need and wrap them yourselves for a fun wedding DIY project.
9. Unique Winter Wedding Ideas
· Snow Machine: Snow makes a winter wedding even more magical. Don’t just hope for snow, make it happen and rent a snow machine. You could have snowy outdoor ceremony photos, send off photos, or just have the snow blowing outside the windows during your dinner reception for an added touch of winter magic.
· Bold Accessories: If you’re looking for a stunning way to add some more color to your attire, consider colored shoes to contrast with your white gown. Green velvet or red tartan plaid heels are a few options to consider.
· Photobooth Wall: Add a luxurious feel to your photobooth by using a velvet backdrop, or if your theme is more winter wonderland use a combination of snow garland, silver streamers, and string lights with a cool blue background.
By focusing on these elements, you can create a stunning and memorable winter wedding that your guests will cherish.
10. Planning Tips
Weddings are not without their hiccups, so be sure to consider all the conditions that come with having a winter wedding. Talk with your vendors; they’ll address any concerns that you may not have thought of, and will offer their insight and advice on how to plan around and potential issues.
· Weather Considerations: Have a backup plan for inclement weather. Ensure guest accommodations and transportation are reliable despite potential snow or ice.
· Timing: Winter days are shorter, so plan your ceremony and photos to maximize natural light. Evening receptions can be cozy and elegant with the right lighting.
· Space Heaters: Everyone needs a break for fresh air every now and then. Ask your venue if they have outdoor space heaters that you can run during your ceremony to ensure that your guests stay warm and in a celebrating mood.
If you’re excited for chiller weather then this article has done its job and you are ready to plan your winter wedding. Do your research, consider your options, and HAVE FUN. When it’s all said and done the real take away is your experience and your guests experience. So, don’t stress too much on planning the perfect wedding. But, if that didn’t convince you and your still stressing out about finding vendors and planning every little detail, then reach out to us. We would love to hear from you and help you plan a celebration that you and your guests will be talking about for years to come.
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