We’ve all seen the beautiful beach wedding photos, the destination wedding social media reels, and the vibrant bridal bouquets that are hallmarks of a sunny, spring wedding. And don’t get us wrong, warm weather weddings are the most popular for a reason. Who doesn’t love an excuse for a long weekend getaway at a beachy locale?
But hear us out for a second when we say this: What about a snowy, winter wonderland wedding? The kind of beautiful, swoon-worthy wedding that Phoebe and Mike had in Friends (IYKYK).
Winter weddings (unfairly, in our humble opinion) get a bad rap for many reasons. But here’s what nobody tells you: winter actually gives you opportunities that don’t exist in other seasons. The light is uniquely different in a way that’s hard to describe, but will instantly make your wedding photos stand out. The way people gather just feels different; more intimate and cozier. Your venue transforms into something magical that you wouldn’t even recognize come summertime. The trick isn’t fighting against winter or pretending it’s not happening. You gotta just dive right in head first, lean into the chilly temperature, and figure out how to use your space in ways that make winter work for you to create something memorable for everyone.
Here are 10 tips for making the most of your space to bring your winter wedding venue to life.
1. Light It Up
As we mentioned above, there’s just something about that soft, ethereal winter lighting. And because the winter days are significantly shorter than summer ones, replicating that soft twinkly light in your winter wedding venue is a great way to bring a little bit of the outdoors inside with you. Consider using only warm-toned bulbs, dimmable lights that allow you to adjust your lighting throughout the evening, and really lean into the cozy vibe with candles, luminaries, or lanterns in strategic areas of the venue. And if you really want to take the soft winter lighting to the next level, consider warm-toned string lights. If you’re getting married in a more rustic venue like our barn at Montgomery Creek Ranch, which has beautiful exposed beams crossing the ceiling, strong lighting would be an exceptional touch for an intimate feel.
2. Heat Check
Have we mentioned yet how fun it is to go full “cozy” with your winter wedding? We have? Oh, well…it’s worth mentioning again, because it’s such a sweet benefit of cold-weather weddings that no one really talks about. Create different warming zones at your venue for guests who are particularly feeling the chill of the winter air. Consider adding heated tents for cocktail hour, or have plenty of heat lamps situated on the patio. Take it a step further and set up couple of fire pits outside where your guests can sidle up to warm their hands or enjoy a drink and some conversation with people they might not have crossed paths with throughout the night otherwise. Have a blanket station where guests can grab a blanket to wrap themselves up in as they enjoy their after-dessert coffee or take a break from the dance floor. Our rustic barn venue has climate-controlled heating to ensure you and your guests are perfectly comfortable all night, but our 160-acre venue means that you can get really creative when it comes to adding outdoor heating stations for guests to enjoy being outside comfortably.
3. Plan Smarter, Not Harder
When you have to fit more people inside than you would need to for a warm-weather wedding, optimizing your space is critical. For example, how can you create multifunctional spaces that can serve many purposes throughout the night? Like a ceremony space that turns into the dance floor after the vows have been said and it’s time to party. Or an area to sign your guest book as guests enter the ceremony, which then becomes a hot cocoa/hot toddy station after dinner when the temperatures have dropped considerably and people might need some additional ways to stay warm. And don’t forget to utilize vertical spaces for things like decorations and lighting! In larger spaces with higher ceilings, like our 6,000 sq ft barn, you can really go big with some dramatic vertically-aligned elements that make for unique uses of your venue space. And don’t forget to allow some extra space throughout the venue for guests to store bulky winter layers!
4. Snow-Covered Photos
Embrace the beauty of the season in the middle of winter in the same way you would in summer! Yes, it might take a little more creativity, but don’t let anyone tell you it isn’t possible. Use the starker backdrop in your favor to contrast your white dress with the dark evergreen trees, or the bright white snow contrasted against the sienna-colored brick, for example. Either scout locations yourself beforehand or talk to the wedding venue, because if they’re anything like us they have a whole list of frame-worthy spots on the venue property for every time of year. Evergreens, architectural elements, and water features will always shine. But don’t rule out indoor photos either. A fireplace in a cozy lodge space is always a winning combo for a stunning photo.
5. Lean Into the Cozy
We believe the key to a winter wedding, if it’s not clear yet, is that you have to really lean into the cozy season. The worst winter weddings feel like you’re just standing in a big, cold room. The best ones, on the other hand, have multiple spots that naturally cause people to want to gather.
Think about where guests congregate anyway. Near the bar. Close to fireplaces or heaters. Anywhere with actual seating beyond dining chairs. Make those spots comfortable with couches, armchairs, area rugs, throws, and pillows in your wedding colors. Lower the lighting so they feel intimate. These varied spaces are especially necessary for winter weddings where some lower-key spaces offer options for guests who want conversation instead of dancing.
At Montgomery Creek Ranch, the lodge’s larger size is a good tone-setter, allowing multiple cozy zones without feeling divided. Without fail, the fireplace areas become automatic gathering points every single time. One thing to consider as you plan your venue layout: don’t hide these spaces in awkward corners. Lounge areas should be visible and accessible, close enough to the action that people still feel part of the celebration.
Conclusion
Winter weddings aren’t harder to plan than summer ones. They’re just different, and that’s okay! Once you stop trying to recreate what works about weddings in June and start thinking about what makes the most sense in January, everything becomes easier. Whether you’re getting married in a rustic barn like ours or an event space in a city, your venue has potential you haven’t even considered yet. These ten ideas are a starting point, but we know you’ll come up with some other creative ones that fit your space, vibe, and vision.
If you’re planning a winter wedding at Montgomery Creek Ranch, we’ve done this enough times to know what works and what doesn’t. Let’s figure out how to make your venue work exactly the way you need it to! Give us a call at (317) 498-6064 or email denise@mcr.events.
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