9 Tips For Planning the Perfect Winter Wedding 

With summer still the favourite time to get married, here’s why you should break with tradition and have a beautiful winter wedding.

Where should you have your dream winter wedding? There’s more to the perfect winter wedding than simply being indoors.

What types of venues are best suited for winter weddings?

A winter wedding venue needs to be easily and safely accessible in all weathers, and have indoor or (very) sheltered options for the ceremony and celebrations. Open fires, cosy reception rooms and good lighting elevate a winter wedding.

Indoor vs outdoor options

You can still get married outdoors in the winter: on a sunny day or a still night, this can be a simply beautiful option for your wedding day. As an example, take a look at our Bandstand in Clearwell Castle or the Tower at Leez Priory. However, make sure you have an indoor option in case the weather turns a little too wintry. By all means, plan an outdoor wedding, but an outdoor-only venue in the winter is a high-risk option.

There are so many décor options for winter weddings, from shimmering trees to cosy fires. Here are a few favourites.

What popular themes work well for winter weddings?

• Winter Wonderland, with sparkly trees and twinkly white lights
• Winter evergreens, with frosted foliage, ivy and berries
• Medieval or Tudor banquet
• Victorian Christmas
• Regency ball
• Outdoor celebrations, with fire pits, fireworks, mulled wine and a hog roast

Traditional winter colours

• Red (including very dark shades) and gold
• Green and gold/copper
• Red, green and gold (for Christmas weddings)
• White and silver
• Pale blue and silver

Unique winter colour combinations

• Dark red and rose
• Off-white/cream and gold/copper
• Rose and rose-gold/copper
• Dark blue/purple and metallics

Festive and seasonal décor

• Statement traditional Christmas tree in a classic setting (hallway, main reception room, half landing)
• Table-top Christmas trees
• Garlands and swags on beams and bannisters, woven with string lights
• Foliage and candles on mantle pieces and windowsills
• Torches and lanterns on the terraces, external stairs and along the driveway
• Warm white and gold lighting
• Mistletoe!

Elegant and simple winter décor

• Metallic and fairy-lit branches, twigs and trees
• Frosted neutral flowers and foliage
• Dried flowers in muted shades
• Pillar candles
• Dried herbs and foliage
• Clear white and silver-tone lighting

What do you wear at this time of year? Embrace luxe fabrics for cosy elegance.

What are the best fabrics for winter wedding attire?

Think rich and opulent – and also practical! When it comes to suiting, a heavier weight of cotton or wool will give you a touch more breathable warmth, and go for a denser cotton shirt. The traditional approach taken by most winter brides is to have a two-piece outfit, usually a detachable cape, bolero jacket or shrug worn over a wedding dress. Faux fur and velvet are lovely choices for this elegant extra layer.

The key to any successful winter dressing is layering, so choose outfits that can be adapted for the outdoor and indoor elements of the day. A cape or jacket and a smart coat (like a pea coat) are useful to have on hand, but you won’t want to be weighed down for the dancing later! 

Winter weddings are a wonderful opportunity to be lavish with colour, texture and sparkle. The richer and more luxe the better! Incorporate seasonal foliage like ivy and berries, along with pops of colour that complement the décor.

Bridesmaids and groomsmen attire

Again, make sure that the outfits are adaptable and suited to colder weather as well as fabulous! The bridesmaids’ outfits give you the opportunity to work with your chosen colour scheme, and what extra touches can you add to the groomsmen’s attire to create a more original look?

The perfect winter wedding accessories

We love faux fur for winter weddings, on capes, small bags and gloves. Sparkles are perfect for a winter wonderland theme, and if you’re going for this look, a tiara makes the perfect headdress. Add a dash of dapper luxe to the gentlemen’s outfits with velvet, satin or heavy silk waistcoats, bow ties and pocket squares.

Choose hearty seasonal foods – your guests will love you for it!

What types of food are ideal for a winter wedding reception?

Generally, hearty food works well at a winter wedding: think roasts, stews, and soups, along with proper puddings to warm your guests during the colder months. “Modern British” comes into its own on these occasions, with seasonal local meat, fish, game and produce on the menu.

Seasonal food options

What foods are at their best in the winter? Beef and pork are good year-round options, or choose a traditional British winter favourite such as duck, goose or game birds. If you prefer seafood, lemon sole, place and mackerel are all good winter catches, or try mussels or lobster. It’s a good time of year for green leafy veg – and of course, the much-loved potato in its many forms.

Warm and comforting drinks

Keep everyone’s cockles warm by offering mulled wine or luxury hot chocolate at the reception. Spicy cocktails or a winter version of Pimms are other popular choices, and make sure that tea and coffee are available throughout the day.

Don’t let the weather or darker evenings stop play! Here are a few ideas for winter wedding fun.

What fun activities can guests enjoy at a winter wedding?

• Organise a wine or whisky tasting for your guests
• Book a magic show or close-up magician
• There’s no reason why you can’t have a (sheltered) bar and hog roast outdoors, at any time of year
• Make the most of those darker evenings with a fireworks display
• Traditional outdoor games like giant chess or Jenga are always fun (just have a wet weather venue option)
• Photo booths, artists and caricaturists are a lively way to capture the day
• Keep everyone entertained at the tables with a quiz for them to complete

Music and performances

• A live band or disco will warm everyone up on the dance floor!
• Swing and jazz bands are great ways to get those feet tapping
• A string quartet, classical guitarist or harpist elevates ambient music during the service or daytime events
• If you’re having a Christmas wedding, perhaps Father Christmas could be persuaded to visit the younger guests…?
• A choir singing carols and traditional festive music is another lovely idea for Christmas wedding entertainment

With a bit of forethought and planning, you can guard against most seasonal hiccups.

What weather-related challenges should you prepare for?

It’s a British winter, so rain, wind, ice and snow are all possibilities. To make sure you’re prepared, discuss the following with your venue:

• Driveway gritting plan when conditions are icy
• What are the roads like to the property in icy or wet conditions?
• What is the terrain of the car park?
• If you arrange an outdoor ceremony or party, what are the indoor alternatives?
• How quickly can Plan B be put into action?
• What’s the refund policy for guests who can’t make it because of the weather?
• Has your venue ever been snowed (or iced) in?
• Also, check with vendors how their transport and logistics plans can be adapted in poor weather

The best backup plans for winter weddings?

An all-inclusive venue, like our country houses, is the best option for a winter wedding, because everything happens on one site. You won’t be fighting the elements to get between the church, the reception and your hotel accommodation. Booking accommodation for the night before and after the wedding can help mitigate travel disruption, as it gives you more time.

What special little extras can delight your guests at your winter wedding?

What are some thoughtful winter-themed favour ideas?

• Home-made cakes and biscuits served in bespoke boxes
• Quality chocolates, again beautifully presented in a hand-crafted box
• Traditional sugared almonds presented in gauze tied with ribbons
• If it’s Christmas, candy canes and crackers at the table make excellent wedding favours
• A bespoke bauble from the wedding venue (Country House Wedding venues can offer these)
• Or, a bespoke mug for a warm and welcoming cuppa (you could add a luxury hot chocolate kit to the mug)

Weddings can pass in a blur – make sure you have a photographer who can capture all those magical moments for you.

Snowy or frosty landscapes

The low winter light and starry nights give your photographer plenty of scope for stunning outdoor photography. Make sure you have plenty of images of the venue as well as the guests, giving you a memento of this special place.

Creative indoor photography ideas

There may need to be more indoor photography at a winter wedding. Choose a photographer who will make the most of the venue’s indoor spaces and architecture: windows, staircases, doorways, fireplaces, niches… Make a shortlist of photographers and take a look at their portfolios. Whose creative vision most closely matches yours?

Cosy and romantic lighting

Candles, lanterns and firelight give your photos a warm and intimate feel, while Christmas tree lights and string lights bring a celebratory sparkle. Choose a photographer with experience in capturing low-lit events.

Dramatic winter lighting effects

From flaming torches to fireworks, there are lots of ways to add dramatic touches to winter wedding photographs. Floodlit historic buildings make perfect romantic backdrops for evening photography.