Planning a Holiday Wedding? Ideas for Dresses, Decor & More 

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The weather is a little chillier and there’s so much joy surrounding this time, it’s understandable that many couples choose to throw a holiday wedding. It provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate during the merry season and to host the party of the year.

Lucky for you, winter weddings are one of our favorite seasonal themes. We put together all the best tips and ideas to create a chic and festive holiday themed wedding that will be unforgettable. 

Holiday Wedding Dress Ideas 

When it comes to your big day, finding the perfect holiday wedding dress may be near the top of the priority list. It’s important to find a gown that matches the festive season. Whether that means finding a design with a little sparkle, a gown with long sleeves, or a dress with a pop of color, there’s options to fit many different tastes. Explore some popular designs below for inspiration.

Style Libson 

A gown this luxurious and sparkly was made for winter. Style Lisbon is a crystal beaded lace wedding dress that is decorated with pearls, rhinestones, glass, and sequins, making you sparkle as bright as the holiday stars. This mermaid gown includes delicate lace appliques that resemble snowflake patterns placed throughout the design and along the long semi-cathedral train. 

Style Oralee 

If you’re looking for something with more of a fairytale look, then Style Oralee may make your holiday wish come true. This sparkly lace wedding gown is decorated with a bouquet shimmer tulle skirt and dainty lace appliques that replicate falling snowflakes. Perfect for a winter soiree, the A-line design includes crystals, rhinestones, and glass beading details that add a sparkling sensation to every twirl. 

Style Surfside  

For the bride searching for a gown with a romantic array of details, Style Surfside, a long sleeve wedding dress, could be the winner. Decorated with soft lace, the long illusion sleeves are both charming and perfect for the brisk weather. Stunning floral lace appliques give this gown ornate details that are eye-catching and match the season perfectly. 

Style Fantasia 

Considering something with a little more sparkle for the holidays? Style Fantasia is a form-fitting mermaid gown that glistens with sequins, beading, and bouquet shimmer net fabric. The addition of embroidered beaded lace appliques throughout the design and along the sweep train will have you sparkling from every angle. This wedding dress includes a deep v-neckline, an open back, and sultry lace straps. 

Holiday Wedding Decor 

If you’re planning an event during this time, it’s common to want to include a little holiday magic in your decorations. For many couples, it’s important to find the perfect balance of chic and festive. If you’re planning a wedding around Christmas, consider touches of red and green throughout instead of incorporating these colors into every decoration. We put together more tips and decor ideas below.

Color Palettes 

While we love the rich tones of red and green, choosing just the right hues for your wedding colors can give even more of an elegant feel. Choose a ruby red, everest green, glistening gold, or a sparkling white to make your wedding vibrant and romantic with bold hues. If you’re searching for something a little more formal, pick your favorite holiday hue and pair it with metallic or neutral accents to create a more balanced theme. 

Festive Decorations

Unwrap some of the season’s best holiday and winter decor and use it to add accents to your wedding day. Here are some of our favorite festive winter wedding ideas: 

• Garlands - For the perfect backdrop, place garlands of greenery around the wedding venue. If you want to take it a step further, add some ruby red bows or twinkling lights. For additional greenery, include some pine-cone accented wreaths as statement pieces, small touches of greenery at each place setting, or even a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. 

• Small Accent Decor  - Use candles, ribbons, roses and wreaths to create a winter wonderland party. Starting with the bridal party’s looks, individual winter greenery sprigs or bouquets can make the perfect accessory. Next, you can line your aisle walkway with candles, poinsettias and seasonal flowers to make a chic entrance. For the table settings, consider DIY ornaments for your table place cards. You can even add seasonal flowers to a plain wedding cake for some extra flair. If the venue is indoors, consider hanging mistletoe to set a romantic mood. 

• Twinkling Lights  - Create a cozy and intimate night by adding twinkling string lights to your reception area and centerpieces. Especially for the bride planning a backyard wedding, your guests will love how the lights replicate a romantic and starry night. 

• Make It Snow - If snowflakes or snow are not naturally occurring on your special day, have your guests throw white confetti instead. It’ll set the scene for a white Christmas that will be just the perfect touch.

• Winter Wordplay - Take your celebration to the next level and use winter word play on invitations, signage, cocktail names and more. Include cute slogans like “Tis The Season To be Married” or “Snow In Love”  to get your guests in a festive mood. 

Favors

A ceremony during this time of year offers a lot of options for holiday wedding favors that your guests are sure to love.

• Cozy Blankets - Whether you’re planning an outdoor or indoor ceremony, be sure to offer your guests a nice warm blanket to keep them comfortable during your vows. They can use these throughout the night and then take them home after! You can place these on each chair during your ceremony, that way your guests can stay warm and cozy. 

• Wedding Ornaments - Gift your guests something that can be shared in their home like a seasonal ornament. You can include your name, date and location of the wedding to add a personal touch. 

• Snowflake Maple Syrup - Simple wedding favors like maple syrup are especially special during the winter season. Guests can use this for a snow day breakfast or to help bake their favorite holiday treat. Not only is it delicious, but the snowflake is the perfect symbol for the winter. 

Food and Drink Ideas 

With colder weather comes the desire for comfort food. Create a festive and decadent menu that features holiday inspired appetizers, spirits, and more. 

Appetizers, Main Course and Dessert 

Starting with appetizers and finger foods, include classic holiday comfort food favorites like mini grilled cheese with tomato soup shooters, a spud potato bar food station, or an array of mini quiches. They’re the perfect starters for your guests to enjoy during cocktail hour. 

For the main dish, think of traditional meals your family may eat during the holidays - ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and roasted vegetables are some hearty food ideas that your guests can indulge in. 

For dessert, consider something a bit different like a hot chocolate station with delicious marshmallows, peppermint sticks and whipped cream to satisfy your guests’ sweet tooth. Include gingerbread spiced cakes, eggnog creme, and peppermint fudge to add in some decadent holiday favorites! 

Festive Signature Cocktails

As the night lingers on, let your guests enjoy some cocktails and signature wedding drinks! Delight them with an array of fun cocktail options such as peppermint-tinis, white Christmas margaritas, cranberry mimosas, snowflake martinis, mistletoe mules and more. Go the extra mile and make your wedding cocktail list exclusively festive drinks to really embrace the holiday spirit! 

With all these holiday wedding decorations and winter wedding dress inspirations, there is no doubt that your celebration will be the talk of the season! For more winter wedding inspiration, be sure to check out our Pinterest page and browse our selection of gorgeous bridal gowns with sleeves.