25 Winter Wonderland Wedding Ideas

Looking for winter wonderland wedding ideas? You’ve come to the right place! In this guide, we’ll give you some suggestions to help make your big day perfect — no matter how cold it may be!

Our Favorite Winter Wonderland Wedding Ideas

5 jaw-dropping wedding dresses to inspire your winter wonderland look

Dressing for your winter wonderland wedding is all about looking regal and elegant while still being comfortable (i.e. warm) even in chilly weather. We’ve compiled 5 ideas to help you attain the perfect winter wonderland look for your big day.

1. Unique sleeves

Sleeves come in all different styles from more traditional bridal lace to bohemian bell and romantic bishop sleeves. When you’re dress shopping, try on a variety of sleeves so you can best decide what fits your personal style. You may be surprised at what you choose! 

2. Bridal capes

Whether you prefer a sequin lace capelet or a dramatic floor length sheer cape, adding this piece to your wedding dress is a fabulous way to make a simple dress even more chic while keeping warm. Bonus: you can take the cape off for the reception and completely transform your look, giving you the feel of a second dress at no extra cost!

3. Faux fur shawls, wraps, and jackets

Another great option to add regality to your wedding look is with faux fur. Whether it be in the form of a shawl, wrap, or jacket worn for photos or for the whole ceremony and reception, faux fur creates an elegant winter wonderland look that elevates your wardrobe.

4. Regal ball gowns 

Nothing says winter wonderland wedding like the dramatic ball gown dress. Add a unique twist on this classic with layers of tulle patchwork or modernize the look with a two-piece design complete with an off-the-shoulder chiffon top and matching princess skirt with feathers. Whether it’s satin, lace or anything in between, ball gowns are the perfect dress to complete your winter wonderland wedding.

5. Sparkle

From pearls to sequins to beading, adding sparkle to your wedding dress will make your ensemble truly magical. If you’re looking for a simpler statement, try choosing a dress with embellishments on just the bodice or sleeves. For a more sophisticated look, try this form-fitting long sleeve gown with structured shoulders. For the edgy bride, this head-to-two sequin embellished high/low gown is complete perfection.

3 winter wonderland wedding ideas to help you choose the right invitations

1. Choosing your color palette

For a more holiday-specific invitation, use traditional red and green for Christmas or blue and white for Hannakuh. Another option for your winter wonderland palette is going with jewel tones like a deep burgandy, royal plum, and metallics like gold, silver and bronze. A third option is drawing color inspiration from nature. You can accomplish this by using a dark green from the evergreen true, browns from the earth, whites from snow to really channel the elements.

2. Utilizing texture

Texture is a fabulous way to add a seasonal feel to your invitations without being super on-the-nose. From velvet ribbons, to textured white snow-like patches, consider layering various finishes to add winter vibes to your paper suite.

3. Make sure your invites are aligned with your wedding day decor

Your wedding invitations should inform your guests what to expect in terms of the vibe of your big day. So if you use red and green on your invites, your wedding decor shouldn’t then be a palette of pastels. Make sure you decide what you want your wedding decor to be and then base your invitations around that.

10 winter wonderland wedding ideas to help you decorate your venue

1. Metallics

Adding metallics to your wedding decor, whether in the form of glitter sprayed on candles, pearls and rhinestones in your bouquet or gold-dipped table settings, is a fun way to create a wintery feel.

2. Evergreen and pine branches

Evergreen branches are one of our favorite decor items for weddings because not only do they instantly say winter in their appearance, they also say it with their wonderful fragrance. Try lining the aisle of you ceremony with green branches to create a more nature-filled space. Another great option is using bare tree branches as centerpieces. 

3. Candlelight

Nothing says winter like a warm fire. Recreate the feeling of snuggling up next to a fireplace by using candles at your wedding. Create a more dramatic look by using candles of all shapes and sizes placed into clear candle vases. 

4. Cozying up

Have warm, cozy blankets draped on chairs for guests to bundle up with throughout the course of your wedding. Or if you’d rather not have the blankets be a statement, create a few stations with baskets of blankets so guests can grab one if needed.

5. Nature-inspired centerpieces

Pinecones, holly, poinsettia, and evergreen branches are a few nature-inspired ideas for centerpieces. You can either have your florist create these works of art or DIY as a more budget-friendly alternative.

6. Twinkle lights

Adding twinkle lights to your venue is an easy and cost effective way to bedazzle the space and make it your own. Add them to your ceremony arch, to any trees that adorn your venue, to the dessert station and more. The only thing we advise is using white lights (rather than multi-colored) and be sure not to over do it. Even just using twinkle lights in one area is enough to elevate your winter wedding.

7. Chandeliers 

If you’re looking to add some glamour to your venue, chandeliers are the perfect way to do so. Whether it’s a rustic modern wedding with chandeliers hanging in trees or a more traditional wedding with chandeliers hanging above dining tables, there is no better way to add pizazz to your winter wedding than with chandeliers.

8. Mix textures

Mix textures throughout your venue to give a cozy, winter feel. Consider a centerpiece with elements of wood, florals, and textured fabrics. Or mix shapes like long and short wax candles with floral arrangements of varying heights. Having an array of shapes and textures will really amplify for the seasonal vibes.

9. Baby’s breath

Baby’s breath are fabulous for a winter wedding because not only do they fit your color scheme, but they are incredibly versatile. You can put them in tall vases, add candles and pearls to create a glamorous centerpiece, or create a baby’s breath cloud to hover over your dining tables. The possibilities are endless. 

10. Snow

Whether you choose a more direct use of snow with snowflake-shaped cupcakes or you decide to go for a more subtle option, like these fresh floral ice cubes, finding a way to incorporate snow and ice to your wedding will be the cherry on top of the perfect winter wonderland wedding.

4 gorgeous winter wonderland-inspired wedding cakes

1. Nature-inspired cake toppers

Utilize the winter elements by topping your tiered cake with pinecones, holly berries, and evergreen pieces for a rustic take on the season.

2. Metallic accents

Adding some shine to your cake really puts you in the holiday spirit. This white-iced cake with gold drips and a glitter deer feel like a true winter dessert.

3. Incorporating snowflakes

Make your cake stand out with delicate snowflakes adorning the layers. Check out this magnificent snowflake cake that is as delicious as it is beautiful.

4. “Naked” cakes

We love the feel of “naked” cakes for winter weddings because it gives off that rustic, cozy vibe. Add fresh berries and florals to decorate and you’ve got the perfect winter wonderland cake.

3 real winter wonderland weddings to give you a boost of inspiration

1. Traditional white winter wedding

This glamorous white winter wonderland wedding took place in Westlake Village, CA. The ceremony was outside adorned with cascading white flowers while the reception was inside a ballroom complete with gold and deep red accents. 

2. DIY winter wedding on a budget

From pine cones and candles lighting the aisle to a smores and hot chocolate bar at the reception, if you want to have a DIY winter wedding,  check out this super fun Oklahoma wedding.

3. Rustic greenhouse winter wedding

This Pennsylvania couple got married in a greenhouse that was adorned with evergreens, wreathes, candles, and plaid. Their ceremony back-drop was a freestanding live frame made from roses and evergreen amongst other greenery. The Christmas-themed wedding really hit the mark without going over-the-top with the theme.