Winter wedding ideas: colours, decor, dresses & more

We love a cosy winter wedding. With the twinkling lights, roaring fires, hearty food and romantic darker evenings, what’s not to like. And, if you’re planning a celebration for the colder months, you’ll love our round up of the best ideas for a magical winter wedding.

Key summary

• Colour palettes: monochrome, icy blues, jewel greens, and festive reds photograph well in low light.
• Décor on a budget: lean on venue fairy lights, candles and seasonal foliage for impact.
• Dress code: sparkle + texture shine at night; add sleeves, detachable pieces or faux fur to stay warm.
• Food & drink: hearty mains, warm cocktails and a hot-chocolate bar keep guests cosy.
• Timing: earlier ceremonies = daylight portraits; plan a sparkler send-off after dark.

Why you’ll love a UK winter wedding…

Alongside the twinkling lights and atmospheric evenings, the UK winter can be a great time to get married. It’s not peak wedding season, so it can be a more cost-effective time of year to book venues and suppliers. Also, many venues will already have stylish decorations in place, such as fairy lights, wreaths and more, which can save you money on your decor. Plus, it’s not peak holiday season either, so hopefully most of your guests will be available. Last of all, it’s the only time of year when you don’t have to worry about the weather, as it will be probably be cold!

Winter wedding colour schemes

Winter weddings lend themselves to a sophisticated colour palette of rich jewel tones, metallics, navy or black and white, as well as classic festive reds and greens.

Monochrome

A stylish black and white theme is the ultimate way to do winter chic. Think elegant black bridesmaids dresses, crisp white flowers and an abundance of ambient hurricane candles and lights. Samantha and Scott went monochrome for their intimate city wedding, followed by a festive walk through Edinburgh’s Christmas markets. "Edinburgh is a place we love to visit regularly," says Samantha. "So, we had a secret wedding with only 15 people attending at the city chambers and I loved everything about it. The city was the perfect backdrop.”

“I was very involved in the look for our monochrome wedding,” says Rebekah. “The only pop of colour we had was the bridesmaids' dresses in burgundy, everything else was black and white or evergreens. We chose this because it felt timeless and that was very important for me.”

Crisp blues

Alternatively, reflect the frosty blues and icy whites outside with a beautiful blue theme. 

“Our theme was a winter wonderland wedding, with silvers and blues as the main colours,” says Nicole. “We decorated with lanterns, pine cones, scented tea lights and snow-covered trees. As it got dark early evening the candles gave it such a cosy winter feel.”

Festive reds

Although, we love it when couples lean into the season with a warm Christmassy red like Kelly and Findlay. 

Jenna and Luke went further and combined burgundy colours with a Christmas movie theme. Their bridesmaids walked down the aisle to music from Harry Potter while the bride entered to Danny Elfman’s ‘Ice Dance’ from Edward Scissorhands. The newlyweds then left to Hans Zimmer’s ‘Maestro’ from The Holiday. “There were Christmas trees, garlands and twinkling lights everywhere, it just made it look so beautiful,” says Jenna.

Bold greens

However, for something little more unexpected why not consider a strong green? 

A bold emerald or olive green is perfectly in keeping with the season and looks stunning with copper and gold accents. Dark green bridesmaids dresses are also very sophisticated choice.

Winter wedding decor with wow factor

It’s all about the sparkle at this time of the year, whether you keep it understated or go for full-on Christmassy fun.

Sparkle and fairy lights everywhere

Winter is the time for liberal splashes of gold, silver and sparkle. Burnished gold or copper can also look amazing with strong accent colour. It will also get dark quickly, so go big on the fairy lights for an inexpensive but magical backdrop that will transform your space. Many venues will have lights up at this time of year, so check with your wedding planner before you buy your own.

Plenty of candlelight

We love candles for the same reason, plus they’re relatively inexpensive. There are few things more romantic or flattering than candlelight, so line your aisle with candles (real or electric) and then move them to your tables in time for the wedding breakfast. You could also include some cinnamon or pine scented candles too, to add to the atmosphere.

Winter wedding flowers

The most budget and eco-friendly way to do winter wedding flowers is to fill out your bouquets and displays with plenty of seasonal foliage. Pine cones, eucalyptus, winter berries, ivy and sweet-smelling rosemary are all plentiful and will add a lovely festive touch, alongside just a few rose stems or other cut flowers for a pop of colour. 

“We went with a lot of winter florals and greenery for our theme,” says Lauren. “I love green, so my bridesmaids wore beautiful dark green dresses and our invites had eucalyptus detailing on them.”

Or, you might consider using dried flowers instead of fresh, which will mean your bouquet and centrepieces will be a lasting souvenir of the day. 

Festive stationery

Cute Christmassy motifs like these handmade Rudolph place settings will always go down well. But, if you’d prefer just a subtle nod to the season, consider snowflakes, icy blue Highland scenes, eucalyptus-style foliage elements or a crisp formal feel for a black tie event.

Dresses and accessories for a winter wedding 

Capture the mood of the season with a dress and details that sparkle from every angle.

Glitter and lace wedding dresses

You can’t overdo it at a winter wedding, and a big skirt with plenty of glittering embellishment and layers of lace is the perfect choice. Alternatively, if volume isn’t your thing, go for evening glamour with something slinky and sparkly instead. We also love the idea of an adaptable design too, like this one, which transforms from a romantic fairytale gown to a chic mini dress in an instant. 

Cold-weather cover ups

Do you have to wear long sleeves to a winter wedding? Of course not! Wear exactly what you want. However, if you want to plan for a chilly day, simply add a stylish lace jacket or go glam in faux fur. You can also add detachable sleeves to your dress then remove them to create a second evening look. 

And don’t be afraid to adapt your footwear to suit the weather, either. We love this bride’s chunky winter boots!

Winter wedding food and drink ideas

Warm your guests up with the perfect mix of tasty treats and warming drinks.

Hearty winter food and cosy cocktails

Winter weddings call for filling warming food, like a hog roast or hearty pies. If you go for a roast you can even deliver a full joint to each table and nominate a guest to carve for a touch more excitement. Nearer to Christmas a full turkey diner with all the trimmings is also a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

For canapés, consider seasonal delights like mini Yorkshires or brie and cranberry bites. And, for the drinks, warming cocktails, mulled wines or ciders and a make-your-own hot chocolate station will keep every age group happy! 

Winter wedding cakes and favours

Rich festive flavours, like fruit cake or gooey chocolate, are great choices for winter, and you could even add a tower of mince pies, too. 

Decorations can range from iced holly and berries to gently frosted stars or snowflakes or splashes of contemporary metallics. Gingerbread biscuits also make great favours and can be iced as place settings, while marshmallows or smores are perfect for toasting over your venue’s fire pit.

Lastly, a sparkling way to end the night

One of the best things about the nights drawing in is that you can treat yourself to a sparkler send off. It’s a magical way to end the night and will give you one of your favourite photos, we promise!

Top tips for a winter wedding

• Send out Save The Dates early before people make their festive holiday plans.
• Plan for the shorter days with an early ceremony, so you can have some photos in daylight. 
• Check the colour of your wedding venue’s festive decor, so anything you buy will match.
• Have some cold-weather items available for guests, such as blankets,  slippers, umbrellas and more.

Discover more real life winter wedding brides in our Real Weddings

FAQs: Winter weddings

Is it good to get married in winter?

Yes. Venues and suppliers are often more available, and many spaces already have fairy lights or seasonal décor in place. Just plan for cold weather and shorter daylight for photos.

What are the best colours for a winter wedding?

Monochrome, icy blues, jewel greens and deep reds look beautiful in low light and pair perfectly with candlelit settings and metallic accents.

Do I need long sleeves for a winter wedding dress?

Not necessarily. Choose the silhouette you love and add warmth with detachable sleeves, a lace jacket or faux fur for outdoor moments.

What time should a winter ceremony start?

Earlier than summer. Aim to finish portraits before sunset, then plan a sparkler exit after dark for a magical photo moment.

How can we keep guests warm?

Offer blankets and heaters, serve mulled drinks or hot chocolate, and have an indoor–outdoor back-up for photos if it’s extra chilly.

Ready to plan your perfect winter wedding?

Then come and see us today and let us know all about it. Our instore experts will walk you through all the options, from the sparkliest dresses and most stylish bridesmaids’ colours to clever ways to beat the chill. You’ll be leaving with your dream winter wedding dress before you know it!

Click here to check out all our winter wedding dresses, then try on your favourites at your nearest wed2b store. Here’s what to expect when you visit, too. Lastly, for more inspiration, check out our Instagram, Facebook or TikTok accounts.