Why Winter Weddings Deserve More Love
Winter weddings tend to fly under the radar, overshadowed by the popularity of sunny spring and summer dates. Let me put it to you this way: winter offers a kind of charm, atmosphere, and practicality that other seasons just can’t match. If you’ve ever pictured candlelit spaces, elegant winter florals, or a cozy, intimate vibe, a winter celebration might be exactly right for you and despite the common beliefs, a lot of benefits come with it. In this post, I will explain why I think winter weddings are so underrated, what to expect, and how to plan the perfect one.
Winter Sets the Stage for Stunning, Built-In Atmosphere
I think it is safe to say that one of the best things about winter weddings is that they come with a naturally dramatic and romantic mood. To me the colder season rhymes with warm lighting, candles, fireplaces, rich fabrics, and deeper colour palettes. All of this creates an ambiance that feels intentional even before you add a single decoration.
If you’re lucky enough, snow or frost can turn even simple backdrops into something magical, soft, luminous, and unlike anything you’d get in peak wedding season. Winter décor often feel naturally more minimalistic (for example, using evergreens, berries, candlelight) and in my opinion, brings you closer to the wilderness. You’re kinda working with the season instead of forcing it to match a trend.
Better Availability, Lower Prices, and Less Guest Competition
In many regions, Winter is considered “off-peak”, which brings a long list of advantages. In Scotland, the wedding season is roughly from April to October. Outside of the wedding season, venues tend to have more dates available, vendors are less overwhelmed, and pricing can be significantly lower, sometimes by 10–30% depending on the area. As an example, we saved about £3,000 on our own wedding venue, by getting married outside of the wedding season. You’re also more likely to get the venue you want and the photographer, florist, and band you love, without the back-and-forth of high-season scheduling wars.
Guests benefit too. In summer, weekends are filled with a lot of events, multiple weddings, vacations, etc. In winter, your celebration stands out because it’s not competing with everything else happening and people are often more excited to attend. Also, if you have guests coming from abroad, flights tend to be cheaper than during the touristic season (except around Christmas).
The Seasonal Challenges Are Real — But Totally Manageable
Yes, winter has its complications: unpredictable weather, shorter daylight hours, and potential travel delays. But none of these issues need to derail your plans if you build around them intentionally. This is where I come in with my expertise to take all this into account, scheduling your day accordingly and preparing a plan A, B, C, D…
Bad weather is the biggest concern for winter weddings, especially here in Scotland, but having a backup indoor plan for your ceremony, photos and cocktails removes most of the stress. Shorter daylight is another challenge; it simply means your timeline needs to be adjusted. Many winter couples choose earlier ceremonies or opt for first-look photos so they can take advantage of soft natural light. And believe it or not, many photographers prefer to work with the winter soft light to the ever-changing, aggressive summer light!
And while travel can be trickier around the holidays, this is easily handled with clear communication, early save-the-dates, and possibly arranging transportation like shuttles for out-of-town guests. These challenges might feel intimidating at first, but with foresight, they become small, manageable details rather than dealbreakers. And again, with the help of a wedding planner, this is not something you will need to worry about.
Elevate Your Guest Comfort and Experience
If you’re worried about guests being cold or uncomfortable, the key is simple: embrace the season and plan accordingly. When you do, winter weddings actually feel cosier and more welcoming than summer ones.
You can make the difference by adding simple things such as warm drink stations, thoughtfully heated spaces, coat checks, blankets for any outdoor moments, warm lighting. You can also prepare your guest by communicating clearly on the weather to expect on your Save-The-Dates and invitations. Guests appreciate knowing what to expect, and they genuinely enjoy the novelty of a seasonally cosy celebration.
And in my opinion, you also have the added benefit of no sweltering heat, no melting makeup, no sweating through outfits (have a bit of sympathy for your wedding planner running around the whole day). Just a comfortably warm indoor celebration that feels intimate and inviting. With a little extra care, winter weddings can actually be more comfortable for guests than summer ones.
And if you’re still not convinced about how comforting it can be, I just have another two words to add:
Hot. Chocolate. ☕ 🍫 🤎
Winter Style, Décor, and Menus Have Their Own Special Magic
Winter gives you a chance to lean into a style that naturally feels luxurious and atmospheric. Typical winter wedding flowers include amaryllis, ranunculus, roses, anemones, and evergreens, for a rich, textural look — and they often hold up better in cooler temperatures. Décor can go minimal (evergreens, dried wood, candles, white flowers for a purer look) or bold (metallics, deep reds, berry tones, velvet accents for something a bit more festive) depending on your style.
I also love Winter weddings becomes of the different outfits: long sleeves, capes, faux fur, thick fabrics, and elegant layers that would be sweltering in any other season. I’ve recently seen some photos by @bdfk_photography about a couple getting married in a snow storm in Banff National Park and the bride’s cloak and long sleeves are just stunning.
And the menu? It’s an opportunity. Hearty dishes, cozy soups, rich desserts, mulled wine, hot toddies, hot chocolate bars — winter gives you permission to offer food and drinks that feel comforting, indulgent, and unforgettable. Guests almost always remember winter wedding menus because they’re different in the best possible way.
Smart, Season-Savvy Planning Makes Everything Run Smoothly
Just like any other wedding, what separates a stressful winter wedding from a smooth, magical one is planning, but not in a complicated way.
If you’re considering getting married in winter, my best tips are the following:
- Schedule your ceremony earlier in the day to ensure better lighting for photos and more daylight for the rest of your wedding.
- Create indoor alternatives for portraits to prevent last-minute panic if the weather turns.
- Send your save-the-dates early to help your guests prepare around the holidays.
- On your invitations, inform your guests about what to expect for the weather.
- Look for wedding venues with accommodation for all your guests, to keep everyone safe and on time, even in snow or icy conditions.
And if you’re heading on a honeymoon right after the wedding, adding a buffer day before flying can save you from winter weather delays. Little adjustments like these make a huge difference. The better you anticipate the season, the more relaxed and enjoyable the entire celebration becomes.
(P.S. you can also get the professional expertise of a wedding planner… that’s me 🙋♀️)
Conclusion
Winter weddings are romantic, cozy, and often far more practical than couples expect. In my opinion, they’re underrated simply because most people default to warm-season dates without realizing the charm and advantages winter has to offer. But with the right planning, a winter wedding can feel intimate, stylish, atmospheric, and entirely unique — the kind of celebration guests talk about long after it’s over.
If you’re looking to get married in winter but are still worried about the weather, read my post about how to Embrace the Scottish Weather on Your Wedding Day.
And if you would like me to help you plan your winter wedding and ensure everything goes smoothly, get in touch to book your free consultation here, I’d love to help!