20 Best Ideas for a Festive Winter Wedding

Here are some of the best beautiful ideas for your winter wonderland wedding!

What is a Winter Wedding?

Winter weddings are magical and festive as can be. From holiday tunes to snowy backdrops, the ideas for winter weddings are endless. Transport your guests into a winter wonderland at your wedding by using creative decor, and many other ideas.

Winter weddings are popular among those who love the holiday season and cold weather. While some want warm weather and spring florals at their wedding, others dream of a winter wonderland wedding with snow, holiday music, and winter florals.

When is the Winter Wedding Season?

Winter wedding season is anytime during the months of December, January, and February. These months are not normal wedding season, so some venues may offer discounts.

For your December wedding, the month is perfect for the bride that wants to have a holiday themed wedding. With Christmas, Hanukkah, and holidays during December, this month is perfect for a big party!

For a January wedding, ring in the new year by getting married. This month is perfect for the bride who wants a winter wonderland theme and to check “get married” off of their new year’s resolutions list.

In February, celebrate the month of love by getting married. A Valentine’s wedding is beautiful and there is no better way to celebrate the special day than by getting married!

What are the Benefits of a Winter Wedding?

A lower price on winter wedding venues is not the only positive part of getting married during the winter. Oftentimes your wedding guests will also get cheaper accommodations to stay for your wedding due to the off-season.

Winter is also the ideal time for a black-tie affair, as it will not be as hot and humid. Guests will be able to wear their finest suits and ball gowns, as it will be cold and the perfect time of year to wear them.

Another positive is that holiday decor can double as decorations for your wedding. With many venues decorating for Christmas starting in mid-November, your wedding will have lots of holiday flair to add to the romance.

20 Winter Wonderland Wedding Ideas

Here is our list of the best winter wedding ideas for every bride!

1. Cozy Winter Wedding Photos

One perfect way to get some winter wedding photos is to take pictures of you and your partner cuddled up under a blanket in the snow. Not only will it capture the magic of your winter wedding, it will also be an adorable, cozy picture from your wedding that you will have forever.

2. Fir Decorations

Decorate for your winter wedding with fir needles artistically will add a little bit of winter woods into your indoor venue. You can place the sprigs in napkins, use them for your bouquet, or even use garland to decorate.

3. Fur Decorations

Alternatively, use fur to warm up your venue by placing fur pelts over the backs of the chairs at your ceremony or reception. Use fur rugs in your wedding or wear a fur jacket on your wedding day. This will go perfect with your magical, but also cold, winter wedding.

4. Seasonal Table Display

Use holiday decorations to create the ultimate holiday tablescape. Use pine needles, pinecones, candles, and Christmas lights to create a cute festive look. You can also decorate your tables based on a specific season, such as Christmas or Hanukkah.

5. Pinecones and Twine

If you are looking for cute, wintery decorations for your wedding, use pinecones! These cute decorations are perfect for accessorizing your winter centerpieces, putting in your bouquet, or using them for place settings. Another idea for place settings is to use twine to tie the pinecone to the napkins, making a cute winter decoration.

6. Let it Glow

One perfect decoration for winter weddings are candles. Candles create a luminescent and romantic glow for your wedding. Decorate your centerpieces and reception area with lots of candles for a beautiful candlelit dinner at your reception.

7. Hot Cocoa and Coffee

Serve hot cocoa and coffee at your wedding. Set up a hot chocolate bar with marshmallows and different flavored hot chocolates to choose from at your dessert table. Also offer coffee with a variety of sweeteners and milks for coffee drinkers to enjoy.

8. Getaway Car

A fun getaway car, or other type of vehicle can make the end of your wedding night a special memory. For a winter wedding, let your imagination take over and make your getaway memorable. Don’t think that you need an extravagant luxury car… make your wedding unique and getaway on a horse drawn carriage, or even a snowmobile!

9. Holiday Joy

Go all out on a holiday theme and devote your wedding to Christmas, Hanukkah, or another winter holiday. For example, transport your guests to the north pole for a Christmas themed wedding.

Add Christmas trees with gifts under them, or even hang stockings over a fireplace at your venue to add a holiday flair. A holiday theme will make your guests feel like they are celebrating at your wedding!

10. Cookies Instead of Cake

Try having cookies instead of a wedding cake at your wedding. Not only will your guests love a selection of holiday cookies, it will also save money on buying an overpriced cake. A cookie bar with hundreds of decorated cookies will wow your guests and they will be able to take something home with them from your wedding.

11. Mittens and Hat Party Favors

Hand out mitten and hats at your wedding reception if you are having an outdoor ceremony. This will not only keep your guests warm, it will also be adorable to see all the knit mittens and hats on your guests during your nuptials.

12. Signature Red Cocktail

Consider having a signature winter cocktail at your reception. Use winter berries as a garnish or serve mulled wine as a way to warm your guests up. Give the drink a unique name that is connected to your theme. Some examples include “the blushing bride,” or “berry happy together.”

13. Red, Green, or Blue Bridesmaid Dresses

Choose an unconventional bridesmaid dress color for your winter wedding to match your theme. Red, green, or even blue bridesmaid dresses work if you are doing a specific theme where these colors would work. Another idea is for your bridesmaids to all wear different dresses, for a unique look.

14. Velvet Bouquet

Add some velvet roses into your bouquet for a wintery touch. Wrap velvet ribbon around the bouquet, and add wintery greens to make your winter wedding bouquet fit the season.

15. Winter Centerpieces

Use winter berries, pine sprigs, and even artificial snow to create dreamy winter centerpieces for your reception. You can even use Christmas or themed decorations if that is a part of your theme. Make sure your centerpieces wow your guests with your creative ideas.

16. Ski Theme

Want a unique theme for your wedding? Choose to have your wedding at a ski lodge and decorate accordingly. To decorate, use skis to create signs for your wedding. Find a venue that works for you, and if the location includes skiing, have some of your close friends and family join you for a ski trip.

17. Ice Castle Venue

Ice castles are the ultimate location for a winter wedding. There are only a few venues that are legitimate ice castles in the United States, so you may need to recreate the idea of an ice castle through your decor. Use fake snow, snowflake accessories, and a white color scheme to achieve this theme.

18. Sparkly Accessories

Add a little bit of winter magic to your wedding by using sparkly accessories. Whether it’s sparkly heels, a handbag, or even jewelry, sparkles will remind everyone of the magic of wintertime.

19. Artificial Snow

If it isn’t a snowy day like you were hoping for on your wedding day, use artificial snow to recreate the cozy feeling. At your reception, you can even see if the venue will allow you to use fake snow as confetti on your dance floor at the reception. This would be the ultimate surprise for your guests when it starts to snow inside!

20. Plaid Pajamas

Wear cute plaid pajamas the morning of your wedding with your bridesmaids to get a cute pre-wedding photo and so you can lounge around before putting on your dress. These warm, comfy pajamas will be a cute touch to your wedding day, and they make great bridesmaids proposal gifts!