If you’re a winter bride, how are you staying warm?
Winter brides worry about keeping warm during an outdoor wedding or while taking photos outside. It can get brutally cold outdoors, especially in a strapless ballgown: photos can seemingly last forever. Baby, it’s cold outside!
But how can you show off your wedding dress in photos or in a winter ceremony without freezing off your tulle?
There are plenty of solutions and a bridal coat, faux fur wrap, and mittens are just the tip of the iceberg!
In this blog post, you’ll learn all the ways to stay warm at your winter wedding without wrecking your bridal look. And I should know: I got married in the winter in Michigan in December. So yeah, I get it. :)
How To Stay Warm at Your Wedding in the Winter
So, let’s break the ice: here’s what we’ll cover in this blog post.
How To Dress Warm for Your Wedding
• Bridal Faux Fur Wrap
• Wedding Cape
• Bridal Jackets: Fur, Denim, and Leather
• Bridal Sweater or Cardigan
• Fleece Leggings and Tights
• Sleeves on Your Wedding Gown + Removable / Detachable Sleeve Options
• Gloves
• Scarf or Pashmina Shawl
• Faux Fur Muff
• Bridal Mittens + Ear Muffs
• Winter Boots + Bridal Booties
• Hand Warmers and Foot Warmers
How to Keep Guests Warm at Your Wedding
+ BONUS CONTENT: Podcast Episode
First, let’s talk about why you want to stay warm for your wedding and what that entails. Then we’ll dive right into specific items you’ll need.
Tips for Keeping Warm at Your Winter Wedding
As the bride, you want to look stylish in your wedding dress without ruining the look with winter gear. The thing is, you can’t just toss on your favorite winter coat over your wedding dress. You’ve spent time and money on the bridal gown and you deserve to have it in the spotlight all day long.
On the other hand, you don’t want to be cold due to comfort, but also for your photos. Your photographs will reveal the absolute brutal cold weather if you don’t plan ahead: you’ll have a flushed face, your lips will be turning blue, and your hands will be pink. Let’s avoid that, k?
To do so, you don’t have to grab your go-to winter jacket or throw on a hat. Please don’t! Instead, select some bridal friendly winter wedding gear that will look beautiful and lovely, giving you the bridal look you deserve without freezing your you-know-what off.
We begin with a fur wrap. I can’t emphasize enough how much I absolutely LOVED mine. I wore a faux fur wrap to keep warm at my winter wedding, so I know it’s most effective. :)
1. Fur Wrap
A fur shawl or stole is a stylish solution to stay warm at a winter wedding because it’s such a classic! Pure white fur, like wintry snow, looks beautiful paired with your dress and will add to the wintry wonderland outdoors. It fits in perfectly and keeps you cozy while you’re outside taking pictures.
This gorgeous wrap is by Sissily Designs.
This fur wrap has fleece on the inside to keep you warm and covers your shoulders to keep them from getting chilly.
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Ooh, next up: a bridal cape. This look has a fairy-tale flair to it and reminds me of what Belle might wear in Beauty and the Beast.
2. Wedding Cape
A bridal cape that is lined with faux fur and a hood will make you feel like a wintry princess outdoors. This style is available by Sissily Designs.
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Let’s layer on the warmth even further with a cozy bridal jacket. Whether you like a faux fur jacket, denim, or leather, we’ve got you covered in this next section.
3. Bridal Jacket
First, let’s talk faux fur. It’s cozy, it’s cute, and it’s warm! It’s one of my favorite warmth solutions for the wedding day.
Fur
Put on a faux fur jacket to keep you snug and cozy all throughout your wedding day.
For winter weddings, choose any color that you like best. It can be a white jacket, pink, grey, or brown. Any of these options will help you stay warm in the cold wintry air. These jackets are made by Sissily Designs and have cozy fleece on the inside for an added layer of warmth.
If you prefer an elbow-length sleeve, here’s a stunning faux fur bridal jacket for the wintertime.
Next, let’s talk denim. It’s not as warm as fur, but it definitely has a style all its own.
Denim Jacket
A white personalized denim jacket with fringe, baby! That’ll keep you warm when you want a boho look. Get it at ModParty.
Want something blue? Opt for this custom Mrs jacket in blue denim for a classic look. By BridesmaidsHouse.
And lastly, leather. It’s a classic!
Leather Jacket
If you like leather, you can get a custom Mrs jacket in white like this one from SistersGShop.
Also available in black here:
Or this modern style jacket for the bride from TheBrodieBride.
Or this faux leather jacket in white with elegant custom embroidery on the back, also by SistersGShop.
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4. Bridal Cardigan or Sweater
To stay warm with classic and minimalist style, opt for a bridal sweater. These are handmade by SissilyDesigns in your choice of cozy mohair or a French style cardigan with buttons.
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How are you keeping warm under your dress? There is an added layer you can wear that many brides don’t even think about. Yep, fleece lined leggings and tights are a perfect way to bear the cold weather with a smile on your face! Here are some examples you’ll love to wear on your wedding day, indoors or outdoors.
5. Fleece Leggings or Tights
When guests ask how you’re staying warm, they won’t know you’re wearing this secret weapon underneath: fleece lined leggings! These are high waisted with premium fleece on the inside for a snug fit to keep you from getting chilly. To make sure it doesn’t show underneath your gown, be sure to wear nude colored leggings. Leggings are best if you want coverage just to your ankles, as there’s no sock attached.
Thick velvet lined tights are another option. However, these are very thick and may add too much bulk, depending on your bridal gown style. If yours is sleek and minimalist, the leggings above may be your best bet. For a ballgown with many layers already, these velvet pants might work well.
If you want full coverage, opt for fleece lined tights, which include a cozy sock attached for the ultimate in winter bridal hosiery. Get a pair here.
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Whether you want to wear a bridal gown with sleeves or wish to add sleeves to your wedding dress, here are some options, some of which are completely detachable! How cool is that?
6. Sleeves
It is helpful to know your wedding date before you purchase your bridal gown. This ensures you buy the right fabric and style for the season.
Thicker fabrics for wintertime will add more warmth to your look, but don’t let that stop you from choosing the gown you want to wear.
For example, you don’t have to wear sleeves in the fall and wintertime, nor do you need to don a strapless gown for the warmer months. But if you want to, you can! Sleeves are an easy way to add a layer of warmth to your winter wedding gown. Here’s an example of a dress with sleeves and a high neckline by Barzelai.
What if you don’t want to wear sleeves? Perhaps you bought the most beautiful bridal gown of your dreams sans sleeves but you still want to keep warm. Here’s a solution: detachable sleeves!
You can add these sleeves to any bridal gown without a seamstress or tailor’s assistance. They go on and come right off when you want them to! By VeilsForBrides.
Here’s another option from YaroslavskaDresses.
When you want to keep warm at your wedding and add sparkle, slip on these removable sleeves with glittery accents. Gorgeous! I can imagine the wintry wonderland photos now. Also by YaroslavskaDresses.
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Sleeves not your thing? That’s OK: let’s talk gloves! They slip on and slip off, just as easily… but will keep your fingers and hands warm, too.
7. Gloves
Bridal gloves are an easy way to pull off the look of sleeves without altering your gown. These sleeves are removable, so you can wear them for the ceremony and photos and then take them off for dancing the night away at your reception. These bridal gloves look exquisite and will help you stay warm at your winter wedding. Love the pearls! By PolliAmore.
Here is a sleek pair of tulle gloves that feature your new name and the wedding date for a personalized touch. So sweet! By TheBrodieBride.
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Next, let’s talk scarves. A classic scarf or cozy pashmina makes a perfect winter wedding gift for your bridal party, too.
8. Scarf
A cozy pashmina or scarf is a must for keeping your arms and shoulder warm instantly, whether you keep it on or remove for the photos.
Pashminas for bridesmaids make great gifts, as well as for guests (like these blankets in bulk). Cozy for everyone, I say! These scarves will keep the winter chill at bay. By MiaKraftsShop.
If you want another option, try a faux fur scarf like this one by SissilyDesigns.
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Here’s another way to stay warm at your winter wedding: a faux fur muff. I bet you haven’t thought of one, and yet, here it is — and it’s such a smart solution to keep fingers cozy!
9. Faux Fur Muff
I love this secret tip to staying warm at your wedding: a winter faux fur muff! It will keep your fingers and hands warm with fuzzy fleece on the inside and a pocket to hold your phone! It’s a purse and hand warmer in one… and it’s stylish to boot!
For warmth in-between photos, grab these ultra-fuzzy mittens and ear muffs that won’t mess up your hairstyle. These cozy pairs of mittens will keep fingers ultra snug and cozy — and your ears will love the relief from the cold chilly air with these ear muffs.
10. Bridal Mittens + Ear Muffs
While these aren’t ideal for wedding photos, per se, you can slip these bridal mittens on and off when there are breaks in between photos or if you need to stand outside for a long period of time.
The ear muffs are a great idea, too, but I highly recommend using with caution so you don’t mess up your hair. :) Have your Maid of Honor or a bridesmaid assist you when putting on and removing the ear muffs so your hair doesn’t get snagged in the process. You can get this fuzzy pair here.
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Now, what about those feet? Don’t let them go cold, especially not on your wedding day; you need to keep ’em warm for the dance floor! Here are some tips on how to keep feet warm at your winter wedding.
11. Waterproof Winter Boots
While you’re outdoors at your winter wedding, stay warm with a pair of waterproof boots or bridal booties. This is ideal ONLY IF you have a bridal gown that covers your feet well, and no one will even know you’re wearing them. Plus, you can bring a pair of comfortable wedding shoes for indoors, if you prefer.
Try a pair of these short waterproof boots boots are a cute addition to your wedding day wardrobe. Or go tall with wintry boots you’ll love to wear on your big day and beyond. These are by DreamPairs.
Or opt for something more bridal like western boots or bridal booties. Here’s a pair you’ll love from ElegantPark.
These are adorable! By Ermonn.
More of a country-lovin’ bride? Wear a pair of tall western boots like these beauts by DreamPairs. They have exceptional ratings and, since these boots are extra-high, they’ll keep ice and wintry snow at bay.
If you are not going the boot route, whether with waterproof winter boots or bridal booties, I highly recommend wearing bridal block heels of some kind. The thicker heel will give you added surface area on snow, ice, and dirt. I also recommend adding these to the bottoms of the soles for added traction. Here’s a pair that won’t leave you out in the cold by London Fog.
(BONUS TIP: While not stylish in the least, these traction cleat spikes will keep you from slipping on ice and snow. They are very helpful to have for wintery woodland photos, especially in areas with high snowfall.)
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I’m feeling warmer already! Let’s keep heating up this list with an item you can buy in bulk: yep, it’s hand warmer time!
12. Hand Warmers or Foot Warmers
For added warmth, add a hand warmer to the inside of them so they’re a treat to slip onto chilly fingers. I have this rechargeable hand warmer which works great for long Michigan winters and they’re rechargeable.
For a cheaper option, get these single-use hand warmers and place them inside your mittens or gloves with ease. You can even stick foot warmers like these inside your boots for chilly toes and feet. They work great!
Here are the foot warmers. What a great idea!
Buy hand warmers in bulk cheap here and pass them out to your wedding party attendants. Bridesmaids and groomsmen will be wondering how to keep warm at a winter wedding and this will surely come in handy!
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Now that you know how to stay warm yourself, let’s talk about keeping guests from freezing at your wedding. It’s a nice gesture. :)
How To Keep Guests Warm at Weddings
Here are some helpful tips to keep guests warm at a winter wedding.
Add Lots of Lighting
Candles at wedding tables and extra lighting provide added warmth and coziness to your space. As one example, a lighted wall will make your reception instantly warmer, just by providing a romantic ambiance and glow. You can get this curtain wall from ColourfulNeon.
Plenty of candlelight, especially flameless candles since they won’t burn out. Plus, you won’t have to worry about anything catching on fire. Besides, most venues now prohibit real flames, so you’ll want to get LED anyway. I especially like the tall taper candles.
Grab Umbrellas for Rain
See the selection of umbrellas here for you; get umbrellas in bulk for guests at your ceremony (cheap!)
Use All Walls/Enclosures of Your Reception Tent
Get a tent that is fully enclosed to keep the heat in and the dampness or cold air out. You can buy additional side walls to keep chilly air and rain out.
Provide Cozy Bulk Blankets for Guests
Give guests a basket of blankets or give individual blanket favors to take home. You can buy blankets to keep your guests warm: they make perfect favors, too! As one suggestion, you can get these Turkish towels which make amazing blankets and can be purchased in bulk from KalkedonTowels
Another suggestion is to get various plaid blankets from WhereToGet in bulk. They’re bulk-priced so if you want to buy many of them to have on-hand for guests, it won’t cost you a ton of money.
Rent Tent Heaters
Always rent heaters for your tent if possible, especially if your weather is projected to be 50 degrees or less (or your wedding forecast calls for rain). Ask your tent vendor how many heaters they recommend and placement options.
Use an Outdoor Fireplace or Plan a Bonfire
If your venue has an outdoor fireplace, embrace it! You can have a cozy blanket basket nearby for guests to snuggle up and enjoy the space. A bonfire is a nice touch, although it’s not the easiest to plan for winter weddings or even fall, but if you can do it, I highly encourage a s’mores station and sticks for marshmallow toasting.
Guests will love it!
Provide Warm-Up Drinks
A coffee bar, tea bar, or hot cider bar will keep guests warm and also bring in additional cheer for the season! Having a hot cup of coffee or tea is a nice touch and will instantly warm up your space.
If planning a wintry wedding, your coffee bar can have thematic flavors like pumpkin spice or peppermint mocha cream; add whipped cream and nutmeg topping for added flavor.
A spiced cider bar can be a fun touch for the fall; tea works anytime!
Fun Idea for the Groom + Groomsmen
And lastly, make sure no one has cold feet! ;) You won’t have any cold feet thanks to these socks which will keep toes warm and, as a bonus, will keep any nervousness at bay. ;) These are available at GroomSocks.
Finally, you’ll definitely want to heed Andrew’s advice that he had from the throwback podcast on this topic. He mentioned how it is a great idea to give your groomsmen plenty of these hand warmers to keep with them when you’re taking photos outdoors, waiting for the ceremony to begin, or other situations where it’s extremely cold. It’ll keep their hands warm during the long wintry photo shoots, too. :)
PODCAST: In one of my favorite throwback wedding planning podcast episodes, we cover everything you need to know about how to stay warm at a wedding, how to keep guests warm, and how to make sure your bridal party is cozy for photos and your wedding day. You can listen here.
And there you have it: the best tips + ways to keep warm at a wedding! Whether you’re the bride, the groom, wedding party attendants, or guests, you’re sure to stay warm at the winter wedding with these helpful tips.
ON TO YOU: Do you have any to put on the list? If so, add your tips in the comment box below!
