21 Romantic Ways to Decorate for Your Winter Wedding

'Tis the season for wedding wreaths and reindeer cake toppers.
Emily Platt - The Knot Senior Manager, Commerce Content Strategy
by
Emily Platt
Emily Platt - The Knot Senior Manager, Commerce Content Strategy
Emily Platt
Senior Manager, Commerce Content Strategy
  • Emily is a strategist and editor who specializes in shopping content
  • Before joining The Knot Worldwide, Emily wrote for Martha Stewart Weddings
  • Emily has a bachelor's degree from Vassar College
Updated Nov 23, 2020
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Cozying up by a fire, ice skating and intimate walks after the first snow—winter is filled with memorable moments, and a winter wonderland wedding is the perfect excuse to add a few dreamy, romantic touches to your ceremony and reception décor. Incorporate evergreen branches and pine cones into your centerpieces and place settings for a rustic affair, or opt for elegant chandeliers and candles for an inviting glow. Here are a few of our favorite winter wedding decorations for a celebration during the chilly months.

1. Illuminated Limbs

Romantic wedding string lights wrapped around tree
Emily Wren Photography

String market lights around low, twisting limbs to add a wintery twinkle to nature.

From: A Christmas-Themed Wedding at Aldie Mansion in Doylestown, Pennsylvania

2. Room With a View

Elegant wedding reception décor with blue string lights outside
Erin Nicastro Photography

Your winter wedding decorations don't have to stay indoors. Provide your guests with a view of a winter wonderland with illuminated trees outside your reception windows.

From: A Winter Ballroom Wedding at the Estate at Florentine Gardens in River Vale, New Jersey

3. Snowy Gazebo

A rustic gazebo for winter wedding
Emily Joanne Wedding Films and Photography

Rich green garlands and lots of twinkle lights will add color and warmth to your winter wonderland wedding.

From: A Rustic New Year's Eve Wedding at Sanctuary on the River in Ruidoso, New Mexico

4. Candlelit Ceremony

Romantic ceremony candles for rustic wedding
Kate Preftakes Photography

Scattered candles (like these simple floating ones) will give your ceremony space a romantic feel without looking too over-the-top.

From:A Rustic, Chic Winter Wedding at High Mowing School in Wilton, New Hampshire

5. Wedding Wreaths

Elegant wedding wreath with wisteria
Sarah Pudlo & Co. Photography

Decorate your ceremony and reception space with lush wreaths made of cascading vines and cream-colored wisteria for a whimsical touch to your winter affair.

From: A DIY Vintage Wedding at Providence Public Library in Providence, Rhode Island

6. Seasonal Toppers

Gold deer cake toppers for winter wedding
Steve Stanton Photography

A pair of gold reindeer and carefully placed petals are a sweet, wintery addition to a white buttercream cake. Serve it on top of a woodcut charger cake stand to complete the setup.

From: A Gold Winter Wedding at Trappers Cabin in Beaver Creek, Colorado

7. Peppermint Twist

Elegant table setting with candy cane and pine needles
Emily Wren Photography

No winter wedding is complete without a peppermint treat. Place candy canes on top of your napkin settings and wrap them in pine garlands for a holiday-themed surprise.

From: A Christmas-Themed Wedding at Aldie Mansion in Doylestown, Pennsylvania

8. Aisle of Candles

Elegant pillar candles for wedding ceremony
Brinton Studios

Instead of lining your aisle with flowers, try pillar candles to offer a warm and inviting setting at your winter wedding ceremony.

From: A Romantic, Winter-Inspired Wedding at Devil's Thumb Ranch in Tabernash, Colorado

9. Elegance in the Rafters

Elegant chandeliers for a rustic winter wedding
Brinton Studios

If you're saying your "I dos" in a rustic venue like a barn or cabin, highlight the raw space with elegant chandeliers. The contrasting elements will add an eclectic, romantic feel to the setting.

From: A Romantic, Winter-Inspired Wedding at Devil's Thumb Ranch in Tabernash, Colorado

10. Statement Florals

Elegant tall centerpieces for winter wedding
Ellen Kohn

Winter weddings always feel a little more formal. Want your centerpieces to turn heads? Go all out and place dome-shaped bouquets in towering vases on your reception tables.

Flowers: Hydrangeas, roses and greenery

From: A Formal, Winter Wedding at Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, DC

11. Hot Chocolate Bar

Hot chocolate bar for winter wedding
Brinton Studios

Forget the ice cream bar (or add to it!)—your guests will love a warm pick-me-up after dinner. Set up a hot chocolate bar with marshmallows, candy cane spoons and extra chocolate toppings that'll keep your guests cozy all night.

From: A Rustic, Whimsical Wedding at Devil's Thumb Ranch Tabernash, Colorado

12. Dipped in Gold

Gold mismatched vases for wedding reception table
Onelove Photography

Gold bud vases are an elegant addition to your greenery floral arrangements and satin linens.

From: A Glam, Whimsical Wedding at Union Hill Inn in Sonora, California

13. Evergreen Elegance

Elegant place setting with evergreen branches
Steve Stanton Photography

Incorporate fresh evergreen sprigs into your place settings for a little seasonal texture and a subtle whiff of everybody's favorite crisp, pine scent.

From: A Gold Winter Wedding at Trappers Cabin in Beaver Creek, Colorado

14. Pine Cones and Berries

Low, rustic centerpieces with pine cones
Visual Poetry

Add pine cones and an assortment of berries to bring your low centerpieces to life—even in the depths of winter.

Flowers: Roses, pinecones, mums, silver brunia and evergreen

From: A Winter Mountain Wedding at Wild Basin Lodge in Allenspark, Colorado

15. Mixed Textures

Rustic floral wedding centerpieces
Jennifer Lindberg Weddings

Offer a mixture of shapes and textures in your centerpieces. If you're working with long, banquet tables, incorporate different blooms (like roses and tulips) that vary in style but still complement each other.

From: A Rustic Garden Wedding at The Argyle in San Antonio, Texas

16. Dessert With a Bow

A winter holiday-themed wedding cake
Emily Wren Photography

Top off your white wedding cake with a big green bow for the ultimate holiday gift-themed confection.

From: A Christmas-Themed Wedding at Aldie Mansion in Doylestown, Pennsylvania

17. Cozy Ceremony

Rustic winter wedding ceremony chairs with blankets
Mary Dougherty

Throws are a practical way to keep winter wedding guests warm, but they can also be just for show. Knit blankets draped over wooden seating will upgrade any rustic ceremony.

From: A Rustic Winter Wedding at Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid, New York

18. Festive Aisle

Outdoor winter wedding ceremony with garland aisle decor
Sunglow Photography

Festive garlands are an easy way to decorate your ceremony aisle, whether you lay them on the ground or elevate them using shepherd hooks.

From: An Elegant, Holiday-Themed Wedding at Black Dolphin Inn in New Smyrna Beach, Florida

19. Thematic Escort Cards

Pine cone escort cards for winter wedding
Person + Killian Photography

Let your seating display serve double duty by ensuring it's pretty (and seasonal) enough to double as décor. We love the look of wintery escort cards attached to pine cones.

From: A Vintage Winter Wedding at the Four Seasons Hotel in Boston, Massachusett

20. Snowflake Accents

Winter wedding cake with snowflake cake topper
Cindy Lee Photography

There are plenty of classy ways to incorporate snowflake motifs into your winter wedding, but a stylish cake topper is always a safe bet.

From: A Glamorous Winter Wedding at Knights of Columbus Hall in House Springs, Missouri

21. Bare Branches

Elegant winter wedding centerpiece with branches and crystals
Jordan Brian Photography

Who says bare branches aren't beautiful? Nod to the winter landscape with elegant tree centerpieces strung with thematic adornments like tinsel or hanging crystals.

From: An Art-Deco-Inspired Winter Wedding at the Stone Terrace by John Henry's in Hamilton, New Jersey

Parker Butler contributed to the reporting of this article.

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