Winter weddings are beautiful and striking. Think atmospheric candle lit ceremonies at romantic castles or elegant stately homes with open fires and snow-covered grounds. Themed with a vibrant festive feel or a more subtle snow queen style, here are my top tips for wonderful winter wedding themes, colours, dresses and decoration.
Image courtesy of Alexander House Hotel.
Winter wedding dresses and accessories
- Coloured wedding dresses in rich reds or purples will bring a vibrancy and depth to your wedding photos more than a white gown against a white backdrop ever could.
- For classic Christmas style, wear red and white and accessorise with a fake fur trimmed cape or coat.
- A red bridesmaid dress can be worn as a wedding dress, just make sure not to dress your bridesmaids in the same colour.
- For cool winter wedding style, wear crisp white and accessorise with light blue and silver for a ‘Snow Queen’ look.
- Add heavy duchess satin and rich velvet fabrics for texture and warmth.
- If you want to wear white with colour, add a contrasting sash or underskirt for a glimpse of crimson, silver or pink against an otherwise traditional wedding dress.
- Wear snowflake-inspired jewels and brooches to add sparkle in a winter style way.
- Vintage Alice bands and hair clips look stunning against glossy dark locks and add sparkle to golden tresses. A headdress of delicate green foliage with white flowers will perfectly set off red hair.
- Long or wrist-length white gloves or a fluffy muffler will keep hands warm in sophisticated style.
- Wear white, fake fur-lined leather boots or white wellies for a snowy or rainy day then change into your satin shoes indoors.
- I recommend not sitting bare-foot in deep snow with a summer dress on, however amazing it makes your wedding photos look. You want to enjoy your honeymoon without sneezing so wrap up warm in style.
Images courtesy of GreenWeddingShoes.com / Alfred Angelo / Vera Wang / BeforetheBigDay.co.uk
Christmas colours
- Red is the perfect colour for a classic Christmas wedding. Shades of scarlet, claret or burgundy give a warm, Christmassy feel to your wedding and will lift dull complexions on a cold, grey day.
- For traditional Christmas colours of red, green and white, add green foliage such as trailing ivy and white seasonal flowers such as dramatic calla lilies or beautifully scented freesias. If it looks like Santa’s Grotto you may have gone too far.
- For variations on the traditional look, mix shades of green with ivory and antique gold or claret with white and silver for a more subtle Christmas feel.
- Gold, antique gold and silver make the ideal accent colour for a Christmas wedding theme. Just remember: ‘less is more’.
Images from the Confetti Shop/ Joanna and Tristan’s Real Life Wedding
Winter wedding decor and styling
- A striking red and white theme with a gold accent will add warmth and colour to your winter wedding. Red floral table centrepieces will be set off beautifully by the surrounding glow of candle light. If you’re worried about naked flames be clever and go for flameless candle light.
- A pretty crisp white snowflake theme with pale blue and silver accessories is ideal for a winter wedding without saying Christmas. Tiny snowshakers for winter wedding favours look very cute and are a lovely keepsake for children.
- Add extra sparkle to your reception with carefully lit wintry-looking twig trees adorned with hanging crystals. Finish the look with scattered table confetti or sparkling gems.
All available now from the Confetti Shop
Lighting for winter weddings
- Create a cosy glow or a dramatic look simply with the right lighting.
- Hanging lanterns will light your reception and cast elegant shadows against swathes of marquee ceiling fabric for an exotic Moroccan feel.
- Uplighters will provide a softer light than ceiling spot lights which can be quite harsh so if you’re having photos taken at the reception venue this is something to consider.
- Scented candles add more than a glow: add Christmas scents such as spiced apple or cinnamon to great effect.
- Candelabra and floating candles in water add an elegance to your reception tables.
- Fairylights and coloured lighting will add a fun dimension to your celebration.
Images courtesy of Stirling Photography / Great Fosters / all others Confetti Shop.
Food and drink for winter weddings
- Festive mulled wine spiced with cinnamon and ginger is the obvious first drink to serve to guests as they come in from the cold. Serve hot in pewter goblets for old fashioned Christmas style.
- Gingerbread men favours, iced with the name of each of your guests are a lovely personalised favour and place card all in one.
- Offer mini star-topped mince pies finished off with edible glitter for a real Christmas shimmer.
- Serve mini iced Christmas cake desserts or Christmas pudding with brandy cream at your wedding breakfast.
- Christmas cake pops are great fun for children as are iced cupcakes for all your guests.
- Alcoholic Snowball ice cream shots from an ice cream trike are a fun and memorable way to celebrate your winter wedding.
Images courtesy of Stirling Photography / Ideas Box Ltd.
Top tips for winter weddings
- Marry early in the day to make the most of the best natural light for your photos then enjoy the setting sun with all your guests as you dance on into late evening by candle light.
- Look ahead to the weather forecast and invest in several white umbrellas for the bridal party in case of rain. You can always sell them on after the wedding and they will look amazing in your wedding photos.
- If it snows do allow extra travelling time to get to each venue, just in case roads become blocked or trains are delayed. Don’t panic; the best things in life are worth waiting for.
Snowflake theme available from the Confetti Shop.
