Here’s an article on winter wedding tips from Martha Stewart Weddings.
Winter is arguably the most underrated season for weddings. Most brides flock to times of the year with warmer temps, to plan garden- or beach-inspired affairs. A smaller handful, however, know the true warmth of a cold-weather wedding. There’s nothing quite like a snowy backdrop or the rich, gem-inspired colors so often associated with the season.
If you want to bring wintry touches into your own celebration, but aren’t sure where to start, let the following real winter weddings be your guide. With Christmas-tree studded lounges, plaid chair adornments, and snowy outdoor (yep!) reception setups, these winter-inspired fêtes took the best elements of the season and reinterpreted them into fresh, inspired décor. Want to hold your early-winter wedding outdoors but fear your guests will catch a chill? Set up a blanket station at the head of the aisle so guests can stay warm. Choosing a ceremony venue with a functioning fireplace, so you can exchange vows with crackling firewood in the background, is another way to up the cozy factor.Of course, there are more ways to winterize your wedding than through décor. On the food front, opt for the classics. One couple kept guests happy and warm with a hot cocoa station, complete with white and dark chocolate options, and a toppings bar. And when it comes to dessert, a macaron tower, drizzled with chocolate, is the way to go. Ready to see even more ideas that are perfect for a winter wedding? They just might inspire you to plan your nuptials during the last quarter of the year.
Dinner with a Mountain View
Complete with hanging vine lamps, cowhide chairs, and a magnificent view of snow-dotted mountains, this reception table stunned on an unseasonably warm winter day.
Emerald Lounge
This wedding’s luxe lounge proved that winter green looks just as pretty without its red counterpart. With an onyx coffee table, faux-fur pillows, candle-studded garland and lit-up Christmas tree, this side room was perfect for cocktail hour.
Cloche Place-Setting
A mini Christmas tree, protected by a calligraphed glass cloche, marked the bride’s spot at the head table.
Plaid Chair Décor
Personalized plaid blankets helped the bride and grooms’ place settings stand out at this snowy tableau.
Egg Nog
For this couple’s end-of-the-year celebration, toasting with a frothy egg nog cocktail was an absolute must.
Marble Wedding Cake
This bride opted for a three-tiered marbleized wedding cake, embellished with gold foil—a perfect interpretation of winter’s favorite silver-and-gold color combination.
Snowy Mantel
For a snowy outdoor ceremony, a mantel—which served as the altarpiece—was dressed up with a pretty spray of blooms, accented with pine. Vintage brass vessels, farm quilts, antique baskets, and taper candles completed the look.
Hot Cocoa Cart
In addition to providing two hot chocolate flavors (white and dark), this couple also stocked this cart with flavored syrups and lots and lots of toppings.
Cozy Reception Table
A fireplace backdrop, candlelit tablescape, lantern accents, and jade-colored rug made this reception’s tables as cozy as possible.
Floral Invitations
This couple proved that, even in the dead of February, floral invitations can still feel appropriate—the muted black-and-white tones kept the lily designs from looking too springy.
Stairway to Heaven
The stairs that led this bride to the aisle were carpeted with white fabric and lined with votive candles, creating the effect of glowing snow.
Inside Out
Pretty indoor elements, like an antique serving table and rose gold chandeliers, were brought outside for this snowy ceremony, designed by Alexan Events.
Copper Cake
This copper color-blocked wedding cake popped against crisp white snow.
Winter Mix Bouquet
Shades of red, green, and white—winter’s signature color palette—made it into this leafy bouquet.
Blanket Station
At this cold-weather wedding, a basket of fleece blankets was marked with a cute sign that invited guests to snuggle up.
Touches of Black
Juxtaposed against dusty rose goblets, black taper and pillar candles and geode table markers felt moody and seasonal—not gothic.
Pine Boutonnieres
For this couple’s winter wedding, one of the grooms made his and his fiancé’s boutonnieres himself, using locally-sourced fern, hemlock, holly, boxwood, and berries.
Two-Horse Open Sleigh
The couple left their chilly ceremony in an open horse and carriage, and went on a ride through the snow before the reception began.
Tartan Napkins
A classic tartan pattern effortlessly winterized this wedding’s table linens.
Glass Ceremony Program
A translucent program sign, which relayed information about the couple’s wedding party, allowed the snowy tree bark setting to show through.
Ponchos
Faux-fur ponchos, in a cool gray hue, protected these bridesmaids against the chill.
Macaron Tower
These puffy, cream-filled treats looked even better in a Christmas tree shape.
Sweet Treats
Servers distributed s’more kits on the slopes at this couple’s Colorado wedding.
Warm Feet
At her Vermont wedding, this bride wore toasty shearling wedges with pink laces for outdoor photos.
Wintry Wedding Gown
To prepare for portraits out in the Colorado cold, this bride had sleeves added to her Vera Wang wedding dress. “I wanted to look seasonally appropriate but not bundled up,” she said.
Bride with Her Skis
Bundled up in a Jin Wang gown and a friend’s faux-fur shrug, this bride struck a pretty pose on skis.
A Late-Night Treat
At a wintry Whistler, British Columbia, wedding, donuts and spiked coffee provided a sugary, caffeinated boost for the “last dance” set.
Hot Toddy Station
To warm up guests after a chilly outdoor walk from the ceremony to the reception site, this couple served a classic steamy cocktail. The self-serve station came complete with napkins printed with instructions on how to create the cocktail.
Snowproof Boots
A bride tackled the snow in silver Hunter boots that stayed (mostly) hidden under her wedding dress.
Winter Wedding Invitations
These woodsy save-the-date cards, perfect for a celebration in snowy mountains, were designed by Yellow Owl Workshop.
Seasonal Place Setting
Napkins tied with a mini spray of local greenery topped letterpressed menus at this rustic reception.
Winter-White Bouquet
This bride’s wintry white bouquet was a collection of ivory ranunculus, parrot tulips, and anemones, with accents of lamb’s ear, blooming cotton sprigs, and tiny tallow-berry branches.
Faux-Bois Cake Design
A birch-inspired wedding cake, decorated with pinecones and cotton bolls (to mimic the snow), reminded the couple of fresh-cut firewood.
Ski Decorations
At the welcome party the night before the ceremony, guests were asked to write well-wishes on the skis. The couple then hung the skis above their escort-card table, to display the love.
Woodsy Escort Cards
A birch branch made a simple escort-card holder, echoing the natural vibe of the winter season.
Firewood Escort Card Display
Escort cards bearing the couple’s crest were nailed to a stack of firewood at this Colorado winter wedding.
