When most couples envision winter weddings, they think of icy landscapes, big fluffy coats, and hot drinks by the fire. While those fairytale conditions make for perfect romantic wedding ceremonies, they’re not the only options available. Hosting a unique winter wedding is easier than it sounds with these ideas.
01. Change Up Venues For Indoor and Outdoor Moments
It won’t do you any good to confine your wedding guests to these stunning indoor or outdoor settings. Plan a mix of outdoor and indoor activities throughout the day to keep your guests engaged – and moving! We love the idea of hosting your cocktail party indoors as a warm welcome, then moving your ceremony outside before heading inside to dance and dine. Of course, different vendors had great tips on what to do and how to change locations.
Winter weddings are beautiful, but that doesn’t mean that time always cooperates. If the temperature drops, don’t be afraid to move the party indoors. You can still keep the outdoor vibe by surrounding your indoor venue with sheer white curtains, extensive greenery, and even candles or a covered brazier for extra warmth. —Nikk Nguyen.
Have a snowball fight on your wedding day! It’s fun, it takes the stress out of the day, and bonus, it’s a great way to decide who will get the wedding cake smashed in the face later in the evening. If you don’t like real snowballs, go for fake snowballs instead. – Adrian Steinbach Photography
Take Your Wedding Portraits Outdoors
Embrace the climate of the season for your wedding portraits. Find local-style spaces for your images and don’t be afraid to take out your snow boots or get a little wet! –Zac Wolf Photography
2. Decorate With Winter Elements
Winter weddings tend to have a specific look, and for good reason. It can be difficult to get flowers and other decorative items to grow in the warmer months. Instead of trying to fight for hard-to-get flowers, try using cotton, pine cones, dried flowers, and other winter-friendly options. If you don’t know how to decorate a winter wedding, look no further than our top wedding vendor’s tips.
Combine your place cards with pine cones. You can decorate them to match your wedding theme, add some sparkle, or leave them bare for a more natural look. –Nikk Nguyen
Lean Into Classy Christmas Trees
Even if you don’t want to set your wedding theme during the season, some seasonal elements can be beautiful and useful additions to your wedding budget. For example, fairy lights on a Christmas tree can be used in the most minimalist way to bring the outdoors in, or be completely glamorous and decorate it to the brim within your colour scheme. Christmas tree decorations are generally cheaper than a similarly sized flower arrangement. Or use one to view escort cards/place names as a feature. – Revelry events
3. Add Warm Drinks To Your Bar And Events
Always have hot drinks available for your unique winter wedding. If guests are cold, offering a hot chocolate or even a simple tea during the day will keep everyone warm and ready to hit the dance floor.
Add something to your drinks that will keep people warm when it comes to aperitif time. A hot cocktail, perhaps with some whiskey, and ask if you can add a tea and coffee service at the start of the day to warm people up before the ceremony or dinner. – Revelry events
Incorporating a hot chocolate bar with the addition of personalized marshmallows, peppermint sticks, and winter mugs bring many satisfied smiles. – Nick Nguyen
4. Decorate With Warmth In Mind
Speaking of keeping your guests warm, even though they will likely bring their own coats for winter wedding parties, make sure you have backup heat sources to keep everyone comfortable.
Buy some blankets in bulk and make them a small display stand so guests know they can grab one if they’re cold – this is especially useful for older guests. If you have booked your venue because of the beautiful gardens or outdoor elements, it would be a shame to keep people locked inside. Try them out with bowls and hot drinks in the belly. – Revelry events
5. Consider Unique Winter Wedding Destinations
The focus of a unique winter wedding can also depend on the location.
Amulet Weddings and Events offers bold and unforgettable activities
If you are looking for daring and unforgettable activities to create incredible memories with your loved ones at your wedding reception, Lapland, Iceland and Scandinavia have it all. Starting with the famous Northern Lights, followed by husky and reindeer sledging, wild horseback riding, ice cave treks, mountain treks and snowmobile expeditions through breathtaking landscapes.
There are also wildlife safari opportunities to encounter wild orcas, humpback whales and sperm whales. Or opt for a cruise with an aperitif on the Norwegian fjords. If you’re feeling more adventurous, take an expedition to Antarctica for a glacier wedding with penguin guests. – Weddings and amulet events
Everything you love about high-altitude destinations
A truly unique winter wedding can take place when you head to the heights for photography and skiing. Meet your guests for a weekend in a mountain destination. It also gives you the opportunity to have fresh snow and enjoy this dreamy landscape. – Everything you need on the wedding planner
Now that you have some unique winter wedding ideas ready, it’s time to start planning your unique wedding! We’ve got the ultimate guide to wedding planning to get you started.