Why Winter Weddings Are Magical - And How To Plan One!

If you're dreaming of a wedding that feels magical and intimate, winter might be your season.

As a wedding planning consultant and coordinator, I'm excited to dive into all things winter weddings in this post, along with how you can plan one without any stress. Personally, I'm a big fan of winter weddings. From soft candlelight, to seasonal decor, there is so much to love. Buckle in!

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Why Winter Weddings Are So Underrated

There are several elements in terms of both value and aesthetics that couples should consider, such as:

• Availability Perks - Popular venues and vendors tend to have more date options in the winter.

• Potential Cost Savings - While this isn't true 100% of the time, some venues and vendors do offer less expensive off-peak rates. I have also seen venues that are more willing to work with couples on things like minimum guest count or minimum food spend during the off-season. Additionally, you can save money by leaning into seasonal elements like evergreens and candles as opposed to lush flowers, which are expensive.

• Aesthetic Advantages - This is of course based on your own personal preference, but personally I love dramatic lighting and the classic, cozy luxurious vibes that fit so well with the winter season. You have the option to lean into the holiday season if you'd like, or you can go for winter elegance without any holiday theming at all.

• Positive Guest Experience - The holiday season certainly gets busy for many people, but if you plan a winter wedding for January or February, there tends to be less calendar fatigue as people have less events, less travel, and certainly less weddings on their calendars. A wedding during that time can be a welcome addition; a chance to dress up and socialize during a darker and quieter season. Additionally, a winter wedding will be a unique experience for guests that generally stands apart from the many spring or summer weddings they may have previously attended.

  
  

  

Weather Considerations for a Winter Wedding

Now, in terms of planning a winter wedding, I would be remiss not to discuss the unique weather considerations that come along with it. As a planning consultant, I want to offer you the following advice:

• Make sure you weather-proof your plan for the entire day. By that, I mean a few things. First, make sure that you have a backup indoor photo plan that you are happy with. If the temperatures are below freezing, you are not going to want to take photos outside for too long, no matter how pretty the scenery is. Additionally, think about your timing for transportation, and allow extra time to accommodate any curveballs. Schedule the shuttles a little earlier than you would think in case of weather delays, and be prepared to start your ceremony a few minutes late if guests are running behind due to winter weather. It's always important to think about safety first, and you don't want anyone to feel rushed driving through snowy or icy weather. Make sure to plan appropriate footwear and attire if you are going to be outside for any length of time, not only for you but your wedding party. If you want wedding party photos to be taken outside, purchase some nice faux fur wraps or shawls for your bridesmaids so it's not a miserable, cold experience. Finally, if you are going to ask guests to be outside at all, even just for a quick 10-minute ceremony, you should definitely give them a heads-up so they can plan accordingly and dress for the weather. Have a backup indoor option in case you need to move everyone inside due to weather, and consider offering accommodations for elderly guests such as an indoor viewing spot through a window.

• Plan an appropriate timeline. Daylight hours shift in the winter, and the sun sets earlier. Make sure to connect with your photographer to determine the best ceremony timing based on lighting, and what photos you want to capture both during and after the ceremony. An earlier ceremony is going to push your hair & makeup start-time earlier as well. So, just know that you'll likely be getting an earlier start to the day if you opt for a winter wedding.

• Communicate and coordinate with your vendors. As one example of a winter weather consideration for vendors: fresh florals cannot survive well for very long in super cold conditions. If you are bravely attempting an outdoor ceremony, or even just wanting to be outside for photos with your bouquet, communicate with your florist to explore options that may be more cold-resistant. In terms of catering choices, warm drinks and heartier food options are certainly a nice touch when the weather is colder. Finally, talk with your venue to ensure there is adequate heating, a coat check (trust me, coats strewn all over the reception chairs is not the prettiest look), and floor mats to ensure guests can wipe off their slushy shoes.

As a planning consultant, coordinator, and also as a winter bride myself, those are the key details that should not be overlooked when considering how to navigate winter weather to pull off a wedding during this lovely season. Michigan brides especially know that the weather can be unpredictable!

Design & Decor Ideas for a Winter Wedding

Now for the fun part! Let's talk about design & decor ideas that are perfect for a winter wedding.

• Color Palettes - A few of my favorites are:

  • Evergreen & ivory

  • Navy & gold

  • Burgundy & champagne

  • Black & white with silver elements (Black tie winter glam!)

  • Warm neutrals (lean into shades of brown, tan and beige to create a cozy, natural winter feel)

• Decor Ideas - First and foremost, winter weddings lend themselves well to a very candle-heavy ambiance. With an earlier sunset, the room will be glowing for most, if not all, of your reception if you incorporate a lot of candles. Velvet linens are a nice textural element, and you can utilize winter greenery installations as opposed to florals. Finally, snow or snowflake inspired elements are a fun touch. You can add them to your signage or any other decor, and I especially love snowflakes with a little sparkle.

• Guest Experiences - Guests will feel extra cozy if you incorporate a hot cocoa bar or other warm drinks, like mulled wine or spiced cider. Ask your bartender or caterer what may be possible. I love the idea of a hot chocolate bar alongside dessert! Another fun winter add-on is fuzzy blankets or shawls. This is definitely a thoughtful idea if you are asking guests to be outside, but baskets of blankets can also be a cute seasonal favor for guests to grab on their way out at the end of the evening. If there just so happens to be a fireplace at your venue, lean into it! Add lounge seating and some decor to the area to make for an ideal mingling space and nice a photo spot for both you and your guests.

Why You Need a Wedding Coordinator for a Winter Wedding

Wedding coordinators are valuable all year round, but I would argue that they are especially necessary for a winter wedding. Coordinators can help you seamlessly work through any day-of issues that arise, such as managing winter-weather backup plans.

If the weather is causing delays in guest arrivals, we can push back the ceremony time a bit and communicate that to guests onsite. We can even work with other vendors on special accommodations, such as perhaps opening the bar early and offering welcome drinks to guests who have arrived as they wait for the ceremony to begin. You shouldn't have to worry about handling that yourself on your big day!

We can also coordinate transportation and vendor arrival times, staying in touch with everyone involved to adjust for any delays.

Months in advance of the wedding, we will help you work out a smooth timeline that takes the sunset time into consideration.

Finally, we will box up and load your decor into cars at the end of the night. This is never a fun task to assign to your friends and family members, but especially in the winter! Let us handle it so your loved ones can stay out of the cold.

So, while good wedding coordinators are always indispensable, I hope this paints a picture of how we can be especially helpful for your winter wedding.

If after reading this, you're sold on a winter wedding - let's chat! I invite you to reach out on this page for a free consultation. Signed & Sealed is now booking through mid-2027, and I would absolutely love to assist in bringing your dream 2026-2027 winter wedding to life.

-Kelly