Key Takeaways
- Lean into winter textures + light: Velvet linens, faux-fur throws, candlelight, lanterns, and twinkle lights create instant warmth and glow.
- Pick a cohesive palette: Blue & silver, cranberry & gold, evergreen & ivory, or black & white with gold—carry it through attire, florals, tablescapes, and outdoor accents.
- Mix luxe + rustic décor: Birch and evergreen with white roses, hydrangea, eucalyptus, baby’s breath, mirrors, and crystals for snow-sparkle indoors.
- Stage magical photo spots: Snowy gazebo or lit arch, rustic fence walks, and a clear tent to capture winter scenery without the chill.
- Cozy guest experience: Provide blankets, soft lighting, and a fireplace zone; save logistics (heating, access, restrooms) for part two of the guide.
Yes, I know school is just back in session but do you know what’s just around the corner? No, not that, or that, either. I’m just the messenger, mind you, but before you know it winter will be here. Temperatures are falling like crunchy leaves, we’re trading shorts for sweaters and wrapping our hands around warm, cozy drinks and leaving summer’s icy treats behind.
And maybe you’re planning a winter wedding. The stuff dreams are made of. While you may dream of a romantic getaway and wedding on an actual glacier, you’ll actually be staying here in New England. I can’t say enough about the beauty of a snowy New England winter. Sparkling snow, cozy villages with warm lights glowing on the snowy sidewalk, the quiet bustle of small town life dulled by a blanket of fresh powder covering everything with a sparkling glow.
Plan Your Winter Wedding
What a time of year to take your vows, just when nature brings us this clean new pallet on which to build a future. Today, you may be sipping an iced coffee as a fan fills the room with the last warm air of summer. Maybe you’re planning your winter wedding while simultaneously trying to remember where you stored your collection of cozy fall socks. I know, it’s a lot. So let’s get back to this wedding, shall we?
You’ve been making your list, checking it twice, looking for a beautiful venue, pondering how you want the decorations to look both inside and out. Since we’re still here on the internet, there is no end to the themes and designs you could choose for this beautiful winter event.
The Winter Fairytale
Whether you’re tying the knot in a snow-covered gazebo strung with twinkling fairy lights or inviting your guests to a sporty yet romantic ski wedding, you’re in for a real visual treat. The aesthetics will be on point with that twinkle, perhaps rustic lanterns hanging around the site, perhaps even luminaries for your guests to carry as they gather around the happy couple.
Inside, you’ll feel truly in out of the cold with subtle warm lighting adding to the cozy ambience. A venue with a fireplace would be perfect for this.
Décor Details: Winter Luxe Meets Rustic Charm
White satin, rustic birch, rich green garlands with red berries. Dusty green eucalyptus sprays and delicately frosted branches will set the scene for your beautiful winter wedding.
Consider the textures we love during the winter months. Soft, luxurious velvets. Deep faux furs. Cozy wool throws to keep your guests warm during the ceremony.
Your centerpieces will be talked about for years when you arrange pine cones and boughs, delicate thin branches sparkling and white, or delicate baby’s breath florals hinting at the snow outside.
You may consider bunches of white roses or hydrangeas to echo the fresh snow that covers the ground and bring the sparkle indoors with strategic mirror tiles and faceted crystals that will catch the light and make your beautiful decor perfect.
The Color Palette of Winter Dreams
There are several different color themes that are almost tailor made for winter weddings.
A blue and silver theme is truly what fairytale weddings are made of. An ice blue wedding party behind your white gown evokes thoughts of wintry castles and sparkling snow.
Cranberry and gold decor will team up with the winter whites for a rich holiday-inspired mood. Really, all winter holiday color combinations are elevated when you’re planning a snowy wedding.
Evergreen and ivory? Yes please! Rich deep greens against the soft ivory is a timeless combination. Bring understated elegance into your event, as well as a bit of judicious pine scent too.
Perhaps you’d like to try a true classic: black and white – with sophisticated gold accents.
Whichever color scheme you choose, you can’t really go wrong with these stylish combinations. Extend your theme into your wedding party, table decorations and outdoor elements for the true wedding of your dreams.
Photo Backdrops & Magical Settings
For your wedding, there are so many opportunities to capture memorable, poignant moments against the chill backdrop of winter.
Decorate arches with twinkling string lights, pine and holly, perhaps willow branches or roses.
Stroll along a rustic wood fence for some country style photo opportunities.
A clear tent gives you the very best of both worlds and lets you bring the outdoors to your wedding even in cold winter temperatures. Some warm wool blankets and cushions offer a perfect indoor/outdoor photo option as well.
“It is the life of the crystal, the architect of the flake, the fire of the frost, the soul of the sunbeam. This crisp winter air is full of it.” —John Burroughs
Every element—from sparkling branches to the gentle outline of a rustic fence, from rich textures to the scent of pine, works together to turn your snowy New England venue into a living winter dream.
Winter, on the best of days, is downright enchanting. A crisp snow-filled day brings us back to our childhood. Light twinkling across a field of fresh snow evokes simpler, more innocent times. Snow is a clean fresh start, a blank sheet of paper that’s all yours to fill with colors, scents and memories.
Enjoy the dream. Choosing the perfect setting and decoration for your winter wedding is as pleasurable as it is enthralling. But to ensure the magic happens, you’ll want to make some practical decisions as well. Join me in part two as we examine some of the nuts and bolts of your winter wedding.
