11 Ways To Have Warm and Cozy Weddings in The Snow

Let’s be honest: every season can always be a wedding season. So when the temperatures start to drop, don’t think you have to postpone your nuptials because of the chill. While getting married in the summer, spring, and fall all have their benefits, you might be surprised what a winter wedding brings to the table. Below, we have some ideas for winter weddings that are perfect for your icy I-do’s.

Get Yourself Wedding Snow Boots

This one is a must for every winter outdoor wedding. Boots not only prevent potentially disastrous slipping when walking down the aisle, but they also help to avoid frozen toes on your big day. You could even plan the style of boots around your wedding dress or accessories to show off or hide them under your dress the whole time. We promise you’ll look stylish either way!

Wear a Shawl or Cape

Whether it’s faux fur chic or a gorgeous and cozy plaid, a shawl can keep you warm and add a touch of seasonal glamour to your look. And if you want to add some extra flair, don’t be afraid to go all out with a cape! You can use the hood like a veil or headpiece – capes are the perfect winter prop you can use on your special day. Plus, when else can you wear a cape? Do your thing, superhero!

Make the Snow Work for You

Winter outdoor weddings have a lot of aesthetic perks, and snow is definitely one of them. And since you’re going to be out in the elements, either for travel or for your actual ceremony, don’t be afraid to use it for your photos. Throw it, make snow angels, leave handprints, or even make a snowman officiant! There are a hundred ways to get creative. 

Burning Love

Outdoor winter wedding ideas that can create a warm and cozy vibe to any reception or ceremony usually involve a fire element. If you’re going to have your ceremony outside, why not have a campfire to cuddle around after your nuptials (S’mores bar anyone)?. If you’re inside, ask about a hearth or mantlepiece you could tie the knot in front of. Not only does a fireplace have a romantic aura, but it can also be used to keep you toasty in the chilly months. If there’s no fireplace or pit available, candles can help imitate the same look and feel.

Bring a Blanket

You and your new spouse cuddled up in a cozy blanket in the snow will not only make for an adorable photo opp but will also give you a moment to chase away the chill. This is a practical and easy-to-transport prop that you can use before, after, or even during your ceremony. Bonus points if you provide guests who came to attend your winter wedding ceremony with their own blankets!

Honeymoon Suggestion Box

Bring some warmth to your guests by having them envision sandy beaches and palm trees. Having a place where your loved ones can suggest where you could honeymoon is an easy way to get them involved in your ceremony. If you don’t want to bring guests along to your actual ceremony, and prefer to have a winter elopement instead, hold a poll on your social media or group chats!

Winter Wonderland

A winter wonderland is such a perfect theme for both an indoor and outdoor winter wedding – so perfect, in fact, that it almost plans itself. There are also a lot of ideas for a winter wedding that you can follow, such as utilizing blues, whites, deep greens, or burgundy in your decor and outfits to evoke a wintery nostalgia. Then, find some icy jewelry to accessorize your outfit with. Use white fairy lights to embrace cool seasonal tones or warm-toned fairy lights to make it soft and cozy.

‘Frosted’ Snow wedding ideas

Embrace frost not just with the venue or theme of your wedding but with your desserts too! Have glazed or powdered donuts to invoke ice and snow, or use a light dusting of powdered sugar on any confectionaries for the newly-fallen snow look.

Dusk or Sunset Ceremonies

With the shorter days, winter is the perfect season for dusk ceremonies – not to mention the breathtaking contrast of a setting sun in a snowy wonderland. There are a lot of outdoor winter wedding venues that can give you such a spectacular view. If you want to wait to wed ‘til sundown, just keep the lower evening temperatures in mind. Frostbite has no place in a winter wedding!

Utilize Winter Foliage

The winter season has some beautiful plant life that is so often overlooked because of its stunning spring cousins. Winter outdoor weddings are a perfect time to showcase some amazing wintertime foliage! Pine boughs and pine cones are excellent elements for themed decor. And bonus: you can pick them up around your venue for free! Other cold-weather plants include coneflowers, lily of the valley, coral bells, and pansies.

Warm Spirits

For weddings in the snow, why not skip the chilled champagne and serve warmed ciders, hot cocoa, mulled wine, or hot toddies? Not only will these fight the chill, but you can make an easy, delicious hot cider and mulled wine with any crockpot you may have. No bartender required!

Winter outdoor weddings have unique benefits that aren’t often around in warmer months. So if you dream of celebrating your love in the colder months, get creative, and capitalize on all these for a warm and cozy winter wedding.

Written by Tori Ward

Victoria Ward is a writer at Simply Eloped as well as a Keats Marginalia scholar and Storyfort finalist for her fiction and creative nonfiction. When she is not writing about elopements, she writes grants for her research and non-profit work.