With twinkling lights, cozy fireplaces, and the possibility of a white wedding, it’s no wonder that winter weddings are becoming increasingly popular. A beautiful winter wonderland can be such a dreamy backdrop for your special day! But with the cold weather and extra logistical considerations, planning a winter wedding definitely comes with its own set of challenges. But don’t you worry! We’re here to help you in your winter wedding planning journey! We are sharing 10 winter wedding ideas and planning tips that will help you nail your winter wedding decor, prepare ahead for colder temperatures, and create a more comfortable and enjoyable experience for yourself and your guests.
Whether you’re dreaming of a cozy indoor ceremony or a snowy outdoor affair, we’ve got you covered. So grab a warm cup of cocoa and get ready to learn how to create the winter wedding of your dreams.
one.
Keep Your Guests Warm
Credit List: Photography: Film & Forest // Venue: The Crossing at Ghost River // Florist: Amborella Floral // and more.
Click here to see more of this real wedding featured on the blog!
If you’re having an outdoor ceremony in winter, think about how you can keep your guests warm and comfortable. You can provide blankets, or serve hot chocolate or tea and coffee before the ceremony to warm everyone up! It’s also a good idea to opt for a shorter outdoor ceremony, just in case the temperatures end up dropping extra low.
two.
Fashionable but Functional attire
Credits: Photography: Malorie Reiter // Planning & Design: Rebekah Brontë Designs // Coordination: Fiore Fine Events // Venue: Silvertip Resort // Florals: Chickweed Florals // Rentals: Modern Rentals
Make sure you’re prepared for low temperatures with the proper attire. Wrap yourself in a beautiful fur, thrift a vintage jacket, or choose a long-sleeved wedding gown. Wear different shoes if you’ll be hiking (or walking outside at all) to get your portraits done. You can always change into heels or cute booties once you get to where you need to be!
Credit List: Styling & Design: Rebekah Bronte Designs // Photographer: Malorie Reiter // Florals: Hen and Chicks // Location: Stix Cabin // Hair & Makeup: Brenna Skjonsbergh MUA // Dress: Cameo and Cufflinks & Lis Simon Bridal // Jewelry: Joanna Bisley Designs // Suit: Jensens Menswear
three.
Accessorize!
Credit List: Photographer: Heidrich Photography // Florals: Fleurish Flower Shop // Hair & Makeup- Blush & Coco // Dress Boutique: Beckers Bridal // Wedding Dress Designer: Essence of Australia // Bridesmaids Dresses: Vera Wang // Venue: Silvertip Resort // and more
Click here to see more of this real Canmore wedding featured on the blog!
Don’t forget to bring mittens for you to wear for at least some of the time spent outdoors (at the very least, you can wear them in between photos or as you travel to your portrait location!) You can always buy matching sets for everyone in your bridal party to look coordinated and cohesive.
Four.
Lean Into Your Season
Credit List: Photographer // Madison Jamie Photography
Click here to see more of this outdoor winter engagement session on the blog!
To carry the wintery theme all the way through your event, you could start as early as your engagement session! Having a wintery engagement session pictured on your invitations & save the dates could help set the tone for your wedding!
Credit List: Photographer: Meg Seitz Photography
You can take a trip out to the mountains and opt for more rustic and adventurous portraits, or stay in the city for a more contemporary backdrop, like this couple did with their Stephen Ave engagement session.
five.
Limit Your Time In The Cold
Credit List: Photographer: Modern Nest Photography // Videography: Twisted Film Works // Venue: Venue 308 // Floral Design: Hen & Chicks // Bridal Gown Designer: Anais Anette // Groom’s Attire: Ed William Mens Wear // Hair & Makeup: Blush and Coco // and more
Click here to see more of this real wedding featured on the blog!
For colder temperatures, try to limit your time outdoors by being really intentional about scheduling your ceremony and portraits locations. Consider an indoor ceremony with outdoor portraits afterwards, or if you have a large family photo list, consider splitting your portraits and doing a mix of indoor and outdoor. If you are wanting an outdoor ceremony, it would be wise to talk to your officiant about having a shorter ceremony.
Six.
Make It Cozy
Credits: Photography: Malorie Reiter // Planning & Design: Rebekah Brontë Designs // Coordination: Fiore Fine Events // Venue: Silvertip Resort // Florals: Chickweed Florals // Rentals: Modern Rentals
For a reception design that feels more warm and cozy, utilize candles to give your reception a soft glow, and use warm wood tones and rich colours in your palette to add warmth to the space. Plus we love seeing a soft seating area with blankets for guests to lounge after dinner!
Seven.
Consider Seasonal Decor
Having a wedding close to the holidays? Why not opt for holiday-themed decor with winter greens, pinecones and Christmas crackers on each place setting!
Credit List: Photographer: Heidrich Photography // Florals: Fleurish Flower Shop // Venue: Silvertip Resort // and more
Click here to see more of this real Canmore wedding featured on the blog!
Or maybe you’re planning a New Year’s Eve Wedding! Why not wear some star-inspired hair accessories, or take photos of you and your bridal party lighting sparklers to celebrate the new year?
Credit List: Photographer: Gingersnap Photography // Venues: Saskatoon Farm and Teatro Group Weddings // Bridal Gown: Pronovias from The Bridal Boutique // Hair: It’s a Bob Eat Bob World // Makeup: Something Borrowed Beauty // Florist: Fall for Florals // Planner: A Little Beauty // and more
Click here to see more of this New Year’s Eve Wedding on the blog!
Eight.
Help Your Florals Look Their Best
Credit List: Styling & Design: Rebekah Bronte Designs // Photographer: Malorie Reiter // Florals: Hen and Chicks // Location: Stix Cabin // Hair & Makeup: Brenna Skjonsbergh MUA // Dress: Cameo and Cufflinks & Lis Simon Bridal // Jewelry: Joanna Bisley Designs // Suit: Jensens Menswear // Workshop: Rose by True to Hue // Instructor: Kadie Hummel Photography // and more.
Ask your florist to choose floral varieties that are hardier and can more easily withstand the cold. (Some florals do better in colder temperatures than others!) If you’re planning on doing both outdoor and indoor portraits, schedule your indoor ones first – you don’t want your bouquet to freeze outside and then thaw once inside – the flowers will start to wilt and they won’t look good in photos (or in person either!).
Nine.
Make the most of your surroundings
Credit List: Photography: Corrina Walker Photography // Venue: Emerald Lake Lodge // Hair and Makeup: Simply Me Canmore // Flowers: Alpine Blooms // Bride’s Dress: Lovenote Bride // and more.
Click here to see more of this real wedding at Emerald Lake Lodge!
Take photos beside the rustic cabin you’re staying at, or out on the snowy lake! Plan for all types of weather, and try your best to embrace whatever weather the day throws at you!
Want to make sure you look your best for wedding portraits? Check out these 5 tips!
Ten.
Be Prepared
Credit List: Photographer: Love and be Loved Photo + Film // Wedding Design & Planning: Rebekah Brontë Designs // Florals: Petal & Stem // Venue: Countryside Barn // Hair: Hair By Melissa // Makeup: Bilana Beauty // Dress: Cameo & Cufflinks // Vintage attire: Alice & Irene // Earrings: Joanna Bisley Designs // and more.
Click here to see more of this Country Chic Wedding Inspiration at Countryside Barn
Plan ahead to consider the different temperature and weather possibilities – and once the day comes, try your best to embrace whatever the weather ends up being! Consider the accessibility of your venue location (for example: required roads, distance of ceremony location, travel time). More remote locations might need additional buffer time between guest arrival and ceremony start time if there is an expected snowfall and/or the road conditions are icy. Advise guests to bring a second pair of shoes, that they can change into once they arrive inside (so that you’re not tracking snow and ice throughout the venue).
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