Piping Hot Drinks, Cool Styling, and Zero Cliches: How to Create an Iconic Winter Wedding
Winter weddings get so much shade. While spring and summer weddings are usually romanticized, weddings in the winter months often get downgraded to last choice. But there is such overlooked magic in winter; the season when nostalgia, whimsy, and wonder are already built in. If you want to tap into the Yuletide atmosphere without veering into a tacky Christmas party vibe, we’ve got you! From chic and cozy bridal styling to romantic and cool color palettes and how to take your spiked cocoa bar to the max, we’re here to help you plan a warm and original winter wedding that leaves you and your guests all toasty inside.
Keeping Warm While Staying Chic:
A major concern with winter weddings is how to dress the bride and bridal party in a way that keeps you warm without sacrificing style. While most of the event will likely take place inside, transitioning locations and taking outdoor photos without turning into a bride-sicle can be a challenge. That’s why we’re loving layered looks that keep you both toasty and on-trend. Faux fur wraps are a gorgeous way to go–whether you pick a wrap in a pop of color or stay strikingly all-white (and the bride in a white faux fur while the rest of the bridal party is all wrapped up in the wedding colors? Adorable!) Velvet capes are another option to embrace the whimsy of the season in a way that’s still upscale and lovely. For the groom and groomsmen? A sharply tailored peacoat will enhance their winter look in a sophisticated way. And give you the opportunity for a photo of the groom sweetly enveloping you in his coat out there in the snow. Cute, cute, cute!
Go For Broke with Cocoa:
Move over fruity, summer cocktails! Winter drink stations are seriously kicking it up a notch and we are obsessed! Probably the fastest way to set the mood for a cozy celebration is by getting a hot drink in everyone’s hands. And what drink options there are! Mulled wine, booze-infused ciders, hot buttered rum, a coffee-cocktail combo, and hot-toddies. Or! To get real wacky, consider an eggnog margarita! But the real show-stopper can be your hot cocoa bar. We’re not talking your mama’s hot cocoa bar with a bowl of marshmallows. We’re talking a hot cocoa bar that will enchant everyone. Create a candy-crazed kid station where they can add everything to their cocoa from peppermint sticks to chocolate truffles perfect for melting and a mountain of whipped cream. And for the adults? Supply all the mix-ins for a delicious spiked cocoa: Baileys Irish Cream, Kahlúa, RumChata for that dash of cinnamon and vanilla, and Godiva Chocolate Liqueur. Not only will these hot cocoas be wonderfully filling to keep your guests full and content, it will also provide a playful and enchanting element that will imbue the whole event with that homey, sentimental feeling we all get with our hands around a warm mug of hot chocolate. Cue the smiles!
Get Scandinavian with it!
If you want a wedding that’s the height of elegance while still feeling wintry, consider adopting a minimalist, Scandinavian Christmas aesthetic. Countries like Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Sweden are known for their minimalist yet cozy style of holiday decor. This comes from seamlessly fusing a base of neutral tones with natural elements in a style that’s simplistically elegant. As a theme for holiday decor, this streamlined style is meant to promote an uncluttered sophistication. As the theme for a winter wedding, it will curate an atmosphere of natural beauty and unhurried enjoyment. Master this look by beginning with a color palette of soft neutrals (white, eggshell, and cashmere creams), then layer very intentional decor pieces taken from nature (evergreen wreaths and table runners on raw wood tables, pine cone place settings and branches of muted berries). The more natural, the better. But keep it minimal for maximum impact. Then watch your guests curl up by the fire and never want to leave.
Embrace Moody Color Palettes:
A great thing about winter is the ability to go super moody and romantic with your color palette. Shade combinations that might feel heavy in warmer months translate as deep and wonderfully dramatic on the frosty side of the calendar. This doesn’t necessarily mean using dark colors only, but rather pairing a heavy hue with something more traditionally bridal. Consider a fathomless emerald coupled with wistful champagne. Or silver anchored by deepest navy. Are you a blush lover? Don’t ditch it just because it’s December! Just let it sidle up to a nice slate or charcoal. And never underestimate the transformative power of burgundy as a modern alternative to red. It gives you all the seasonal pop of red with a much moodier, intimate feel. You can never go wrong with the richly romantic duo of burgundy and plum—and all the delicious, edible centerpiece options that come with it!
Don’t Be Afraid to Elope!:
Winter is a vastly underrated season for an evergreen elopement. Usually when we hear the word “elope” we picture you and only your nearest and dearest on a cliff somewhere at sunset in the balmy summer breeze. And while that’s great, winter elopements can be downright stunning. Imagine standing with your husband-to-be on a mountainside, surrounded by a lush panorama of winter wonderland, with the snow gently falling on you as you say your vows. Swoon! If you’ve got your heart set on an intimate, elopement-style ceremony set in nature, don’t let the weather stop you! Will it be a cold ceremony? Yes. But if you plan for it, you can make it happen. Layer up with those warm add-on options we talked about. Prepare for your post-ceremony transition by arranging for blankets and hot drinks to be waiting for you back at the hotel. Or better yet! Pile faux furs in a horse-drawn carriage to escort you and your new husband from the mountainside back to the venue where your guests are waiting for your grand entrance with spiked cocoa in hand and a warm fire crackling. Now that’s an elopement so magical, no one will forget it!
CONCLUSION: Don’t let the winter season dampen your bid day dreams. You can have a gorgeous, timeless wedding in the winter months that will rival anything the spring or summer have to offer. The key is to lean into all the nostalgic vibes and natural beauty that make winter so enchanting. And hot chocolate. Chocolate is always the key!
