Spring weddings are lovely yet slightly uninspiring for some. If this thought has run through your mind more than once, you’re probably well on your way towards choosing a winter wedding. Just because the weather is cool doesn’t mean the wedding can’t be, right? So what’s to keep it from seeming a little drab? Choosing a solid theme for a winter wedding can make it much more magical (and unlock a few off-season discounts along the way).
1. Festive Wedding in Red and Gold
So many holiday movies feature romantic love affairs and magical weddings. If you want to get married in winter, now is the chance to make this Christmas-prince-filled fairytale a reality with a holiday-themed ceremony, horse-drawn sleigh and all.
For colors, go for burgundy or maroon and get some gold and silver accents. Poinsettias are ideal for bouquets and centerpieces with red roses to keep them from being too Christmassy. Hang up a few holly mistletoes to encourage romance among guests as well! You could even pair each burgundy bridesmaid dress with a faux fur shawl to take magical pictures outdoors. If you don’t live somewhere super cold, do not fear—fake snow is always an option.
If you’re not sure the heartwarming holiday theme will be enough to keep people cozy, you can get proactive. Have bridesmaids in burgundy dresses hand out blankets and hot cocoa during cocktail hour or put on some holiday crowd-pleasers. You can even get people building gingerbread houses to get in the festive spirit!
2. Contemporary Nordic Wedding
Scandinavia is known for its chilly, dark winters and enchanting history entwined with Norse mythology. To bring Nordic magic into your winter wedding, focus on incorporating natural textures and simple decor in muted colors like sage green, mist blue, and dusty pink.
You can also incorporate minimalist furniture and geometric elements that echo the design styles of modern Norway and Sweden. Use lots of white and light neutrals, and remember to take a less-is-more approach wherever possible.
Candlelight is vital to warming up a Nordic-inspired wedding. Use the Danish concept of hygge to guide you—anything that feels cozy and soft is a win. Choose delicate fabrics like lace and chiffon for the bridesmaid dresses, and try incorporating wildflowers into the bouquets. The idea is to package raw, untamed beauty in a rugged package, just like the coastlines of the Baltic Sea and Arctic Ocean.
3. Snowy Woodland Wedding
Getting married in a snowy pine forest is the stuff of wedding fairytales, especially when you scatter the scene with fairy lights. Find a densely wooded venue with a lake for extra points!
Consider a fantasy-inspired wedding or bridesmaid dress to make your wintry woodland wedding even more magical. Flowy floral skirts, floor-length capes, drapey sleeves, and ruffles are all a win. Unsurprisingly, the best accent color for this is hands-down forest green. This lush, natural hue does wonders to bring out the greenery around you, especially in velvet or satin.
You can make this theme slightly more whimsical by popping a few fantasy creatures into the background of your wedding pictures. Miniature gnomes and fairies will make charming centerpieces for your dinner tables and might even help shy guests strike up conversations with their neighbors!
4. Rustic Log Cabin Wedding
If all you want to do during winter is curl up with a good book, a rustic wedding could soothe your soul. Host the reception at a wintry mountain resort with log cabin accommodations and roaring fireplaces to make everyone feel cozy.
As for all rustic weddings, the winter version should be about keeping things simple. Use natural and minimally processed materials to make your decor more tactile and vibrant. Rich reds and greens are ideal for rustic winter weddings, but if you don’t want to create a jingle-bells look, you can go for beige, taupe, rust, or chocolate brown instead.
Warm natural hues give your wedding a cozy look and feel with rustic outdoorsy undertones. Throw in some red plaid to give off lumberjack chic, or add fluffy white furs to the mix if you prefer a little ski-resort luxury.
5. Witchy Wedding in Dark Colors
Winter is the best time for dark romance girlies who love a touch of gothic beauty. The pale skies and haunting landscapes make for breathtakingly witchy photographs that will give your wedding that mystical look and feel you’re after.
Choose deep colors like plum, magenta, navy blue, and black for your bridesmaid dresses and wedding decor, then throw in some delicate florals and fabrics. Lace is the material of choice for enchanted dark-themed weddings, and star-and-moon motifs are always welcome. Sparkle can be good when done right, so don’t be afraid of some glitter.
Choose classically romantic flowers with delicate silhouettes and strong scent profiles to give your winter wedding some life, and don’t forget to use lots (and lots) of candles!
6. Glamorous Vintage Wedding
In the old days, weddings were almost always indoors, so winter weather was never a problem. Throwing a glamorous vintage wedding reception is easy peasy when you have a fancy hotel hall on hand, complete with romantic velvet drapes and original hardwood flooring.
To ramp up the Hollywood glam, go for an all-out wedding dress with matching bridesmaid gowns in red, black, or champagne. Velvet is an excellent fabric choice here—it will keep the bridal party warm from ceremony to reception while giving off a definite air of luxury and romance. Get everyone in pin-up curls to complete the look.
For decor, gold and silver are a must. Use metallics to hint at the roaring ’20s, and make sure your florals are big and beautiful. Lacy table runners, long candlesticks, vintage champagne glasses, and antique chairs and tables will unite your theme nicely. Don’t forget—every man should be in a tux!
