First of all, we want to point out that a winter wedding, though unorthodox, can be a beautiful and memorable experience for you and loved ones attending!

The important thing is making it comfortable for you and your guests.

So let’s talk about some things you would need to know when considering whether to do a winter wedding or waiting until peak season when it’s warm (but we both know you aren’t mainstream 😉 ).

Number 1: WARMTH. This one is huge! Let’s say you’re doing an outside ceremony, you’ll want to make sure that guest and wedding party dress warmly. You could have blankets or cloaks to offer them as they enter, and also make sure to serve warm drinks going to and from the ceremony. One amazing way to do this would be hiring a coffee cart like Relation Coffee Co. based out of Grand Rapids. You could do the full espresso bar or just offer tea and coffee to keep it simple.

Heaters- lots and lots of heaters. You’ll want to make sure your guests not only have their own warm clothing but in case temperatures are colder than you expect at a certain time of year, you’re going to want to have outdoor heaters. These can be rented, borrowed, or bought and are a MUST at a winter wedding.

Number 2: LOCATION. You need to make sure that no matter what happens with the weather, a perfect slow snowfall or winter blizzard that you’re going to have a place for your ceremony and reception. If you are set on having an outdoor ceremony for your stunning winter wedding, you will want to make sure you choose somewhere that has a backup in case you need to move indoors last minute. Make sure to choose higher ground (if planned at a an outdoor location aside from a venue- i.e. Friend’s backyard) in case it’s warmer than expected and things start to get soggy. Nobody wants to be standing in puddles in a wedding dress or tux.

Number 3: DECOR. Snow obviously. Whether you choose to do an indoor or outdoor ceremony you can let the beauty of winter do much of your decorating. If all goes well, you’ll have a puffy white dusting of decoration all over to set the theme of your wedding. Imagine it, new fallen snow on some dark pine behind your emerald green or ruby color scheme. We’re getting chills already at the thought of those wedding pics!!
White icicle lights, wood slab table toppers with silver fir branches and tea lights- no one can tell you your venue’s under-dressed with natural winter beauty.

Number 4: THE OUTFITS. A snow queen style wedding gown, your ladies in long sleeve dresses with a cape cloak. Gentlemen in their matching tuxes, pea coats, and black leather gloves. You can go classy or magical with this winter theme and it will be gorgeous.
For the bride, we have seen some amazing capes and white faux fur wraps to keep brides warm outside at these winter weddings. These types of covers also give you more freedom with gown style if you have your heart set on sleeveless.
For the ladies, consider floor length gowns that cover their feet with some fleece lined tights or leggings so they can wear footwear that keeps their feet warm and dry.
For the men, you will want to recommend a boot style that will also keep their feet from freezing that doesn’t look like a work boot (unless you are going with the lumber jack theme- no judgement here!).

Hopefully these tips give you the courage to go ahead with that dream winter wedding theme and we also hope you post lots of pictures so we can swoon!

What questions do you still need answered about winter weddings?