9 Reasons We're Obsessed with Winter Weddings
Warm up to the idea of a winter wedding.
In our humble opinion, it's probably the most underrated wedding season. Sure there are inherent weather-related risks to consider, but there are also so many benefits—and workarounds!—that can all but alleviate those concerns. And things like cozy sweaters, warm bevvies, and glittering décor make a winter wonderland wedding almost impossible to resist.
Let's channel our inner Elsa, embrace the fact that "winter is coming", and talk about the 9 reasons we're obsessed with winter weddings!
1. Your wedding will be a special snowflake.
Winter is considered "off season" for weddings, which benefits you in the following ways:
- Off-season weddings are typically less expensive. If you're on a budget you'll get the most bang for your buck from December–February or even early March.
- You'll have a wider selection of available dates. Since winter isn't exactly wedding prime time, your venue and vendors should have more availability on their calendars. Which means you'll have a better chance of securing the date of your dreams with your favorite venue + vendor team.
- Your guests won't be slammed with wedding invites. Or travel plans! Which means more of them will be eager to attend your event. Just be aware that winter's got a lot of holidays, so plan your date accordingly.
Can we say triple benefit? The bottom line is, winter weddings are great for your bottom line! In the winter months your wedding budget can potentially stretch much further, you'll have a better chance of securing your most coveted venue and vendors, and your guests won't be suffering from wedding burnout—so they'll be ready to partayyy!
Black Forest by Wedgewood Weddings | Mallory Munson Photography
2. You can don glorious accessories.
A leather moto jacket that says BRIDE on the back? Um, sign us up! Winter weddings let you layer up in style, without the risk of overheating. So say yes to that gorgeous long-sleeved gown, a chic velvet shawl, a luxe designer scarf, or a faux-fur stole. And don't forget all the cozy flannel! Get cute button-down flannel shirts for getting ready with your bridesmaids. It's the cold-weather spin on the bridesmaid robe trend! You'll get a warm-and-fuzzy feeling every time you look at your photos.
C Lazy U Ranch | From The Hip Photo
3. The sun won't be in everyone's eyes.
Have you ever attended an outdoor summer wedding where the sun is beating down on you, everyone's sweating in their formalwear, you forgot your sunglasses, and you're getting an awkward sunburn on the tops of your shoulders? #weddingguestnightmare
Do your guests a favor and spare them the hot mess express: Hosting a winter wedding in a climate-controlled space ensures everyone will be comfortable and happy with no concerns about the elements. And as an added bonus, your hair and makeup will remain flawless.
Of course, if you do plan to hold an outdoor ceremony, have a contingency plan in place for inclement weather. In places like California and Florida, you can enjoy plenty of sunny and clear winter days where outdoor ceremonies may still go off without a weather-related hitch. Also, many venues are able to accommodate weather-proof tents for their outdoor spaces, so you can rest easy knowing you've got a rock-solid Plan B.
The Stanley Hotel | Kristopher Lindsay Photography | Best Day Floral Design
4. The sun won't be in *your* eyes.
Winter wedding photos are the dreamiest. Powdery white snow on the ground, glittering snowflakes in the trees, and even without snow you'll still get that soft overcast lighting that's pretty much Mother Nature's filter. Winter wedding photos can be downright majestic. Plus you won't be squinting in your photos, so there's that.
Since sunset happens much earlier in the winter months, you'll want to check with your photographer about timing for "golden hour" if you plan on taking outdoor photos. But the nice thing about the sun going down early? You can get the dance party started even sooner!
Telluride Ski Resort Venues | Abie Livesay Photography
5. Your guests can score better deals on travel.
Travel has a peak season, too. And besides the timeframe around major holidays like Christmas, it ain't winter! Many hotels are unable to fill every vacancy during the coldest months, so naturally the room rates will be lower. Supply? Meet demand. And since there's typically less demand for flights during the chilly post-holiday season, there's higher potential to find cheaper airfare—which makes things easier on your guests' wallets, too!
Of course, travel during winter can be dicey. Flight delays can be common, icy roads are hazardous, and no one wants to step outside in a blizzard. Just things to keep in mind if you're planning on inviting a lot of out-of-town guests.
Nicole Nero Studio | Flower Scout
6. You can do all the cute winter wedding things.
There are soooo many adorable winter-inspired elements to incorporate in your cold-weather celebration! Here are just a few ideas:
- Give guests "To have and to hold in case you get cold" blanket or pashmina favors.
- Set up a hot drink station like a hot chocolate bar, or sip on cozy signature cocktails like spiked cider and hot toddies!
- Offer up tomato soup shooters with grilled cheese croutons as your tray-passed hors d'oeuvres.
- DIY wedding favors like hot cocoa cones, candy canes, or mulling spices. Or just give everyone mini bottles of Fireball to warm them up from the inside out.
We also love the idea of incorporating a cozy fire into your venue. There are many beautiful wedding venues with grand fireplaces in their main ballroom, an outdoor fire pit for sitting around and roasting marshmallows, or toasty outdoor heat lamps.
Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina
Not to mention wintery pre- or post-wedding activities! If you're hosting a multi-day event or have lots of traveling guests, suggest fun things for them to do near your venue like skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, or even just a cute mountain lodge where they can sip hot beverages.
Andrew Paul Photography | Stein Erikson Lodge Deer Valley | Hoopes Events
7. No one's worried about their summer bodies...
Which means comfort food galore! It really is the best way to keep your guests warm and cozy. The seasonal produce is full of starchy goodness including sweet potatoes, parsnips, and all manner of squash. Hearty, healthy fare like roasted root vegetables, steaming bowls of soup, and mashed potatoes will no doubt make everyone happy.
You can also set up a cozy food station! How about a hot grits bar with all the fixings, a pasta station with different noodles and sauces, or a make-your-own s'mores station? And just because it's cold doesn't mean you need to avoid lighter foods like salads! Seasonal fruits and veggies such as apples, cranberries, and turnips pair perfectly with heavier comfort foods.
Pure Joy Catering | Leigh Miller Photography
8. Holiday décor can do double-duty.
You can potentially save some money on décor if your venue is already decorated for the holidays. Ask your venue coordinator what the holiday décor plan is for the event space. You may be able to use their string lights, greenery, or other holiday-inspired accents for your wedding. You'll also want to keep the existing décor in mind when planning your own decorations so that they won't clash!
But even if there's no holiday décor already at your venue, you can still be inspired by the season. Luxe velvet tablecloths, glimmering metallic candelabras, hypericum berries, and flickering votives are just a few examples of the rich textures and accents that make winter weddings so gorgeous.
Hawkesdene | Edwards Photography
9. You can honeymoon somewhere warm.
The best beach vacations happen when you can leave the chilly weather in favor of somewhere hot and tropical! Book a honeymoon in Turks and Caicos in December and make all your friends jealous with your Instagram posts. #paradise
The best part? You have the opportunity to repeat this tropical-vacay-in-December pattern on as many anniversaries as possible! Winter weddings, ftw.
Dreaming of a Winter Wedding (that's easy on the wallet)?
Wedgewood Weddings = Wedded Bliss—with benefits!
With nearly 50 spectacular wedding locations across the U.S., Wedgewood Weddings offers customizable, all-inclusive packages that stretch your wedding budget—especially during the "off season"!
But it gets better…Introducing Bliss Benefits™:
- A program of perks exclusively for Wedgewood Weddings couples.
- Save on everything from honeymoons to glam attire—even practical stuff like wedding insurance!
- Browse the dreamy venues near you…
…then contact a Wedgewood Wedding expert for the deets (AND your Benefits™!).
Venues pictured: Stonebridge Manor by Wedgewood Weddings | The Tapestry House by Wedgewood Weddings | Boulder Creek by Wedgewood Weddings
Find even more wintery wedding inspo...
Are we friends yet? Join MyGuide for more goodness!
Some clients may have paid to be placed in our editorial and some of these links may be affiliate; however, we never include a venue, vendor, or product unless they have a proper place here. This is part of our Core Values. We create our website first and foremost to be good for the couples using it to plan their Big Day. We won't stray from that for a few advertising dollars. #scoutshonor