Tips and ideas from our 7 experts for winter weddings

Winter is not only grey and dark, but also particularly cosy and romantic. So it's no wonder that weddings in winter are becoming more and more trendy. Since this is still a bit new territory and not the classic time, you asked experts what the winter wedding could look like. There is a wedding planner, a wedding photographer, hair & make-up experts, a fantastic location and our dream bridal label Kaviar Gauche. So have fun reading and get inspired!

The Winter Wedding: Ideas from Westwing

Oh, we imagine it all to be fantastic: A wintry wedding location in the snow, outside the reception with mulled wine. Wedding photos in nature, on a snow-covered meadow. Inside, everything is cosily designed with lots of wood, rustic and decorated with blankets, cushions and candles. Guests are guaranteed not to get cold here. Whether you choose a chalet in the mountains, a castle or a barn as your location: the celebration is guaranteed to be something special. Find out more from our experts below.

3 Winter Wedding Ideas and Tips from Wedding Planner Sarah Linow

Sarah is a wedding planner from Berlin. Since its launch in 2009, it has planned more than 250 weddings. You are actually a trained hotel manager and studied Wedding Styling & Design. Enough know-how to organize wedding fairs and train wedding planners. But the professional wedding planner has gone one better and written the book "Lisa and the most beautiful wedding of all times". This is a kind of guide for couples who want to plan their wedding themselves. In the "Wedding Podcast by Sarah & Hung" you
also give couples valuable tips on the subject of weddings. And you can share your 3 top tips especially for the winter wedding with us below:

1. Don't start planning too late

If you want to get married at the end of the year, many locations are already booked by companies for
Christmas parties, so you should make a reservation in good time.

2. Adapt the decoration to the season

In winter, fairy lights and lots of candles are particularly nice as decorations, as they come into their own in the
afternoon. Remember to plan light sources for smokers outdoors as well, so that they are not in the dark. Beautiful outdoor lighting of the location serves several purposes at once. For a wedding during the Christmas season, you should discuss with your location which Christmas decorations will be attached and in which color. This way you can decide whether this bothers you or you want to include the decoration.

3. Keep wedding guests warm at the winter wedding

In general, your guests should never be hungry or thirsty. Make sure they don't have to stand in the
cold for a long time. There should always be a plan B if you are planning outdoor activities.
How about a warm welcome drink instead of a champagne reception? And a pocket warmer as a
gift? Ladies are always happy about fleece blankets that can be matched in color to the
decoration.

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Armchair Sissi with upholstery

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Extendable dining table Filo with grooved structure, 120 - 160 x 75 cm

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Large decorative bowl Valerian made of earthenware

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Round viscose rug Jane, handwoven

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Chandler Oak Sideboard

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Round Wall Mirror Lacie

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Illustrated book Contemporary Houses

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Highly polished cutlery set Bernadotte, in different set sizes

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Handmade tableware set Pam with reactive glaze, 4 persons (12 pieces)

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Henning Koppel stainless steel jug, 750 ml

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Handmade water glasses Hobnail with relief, 6 pieces

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Wedding Photographer Anija Schlichenmaier: Your 5 Winter Wedding Ideas & Tips

Anija is a wedding photographer from Munich. Since you love to travel, you are also available throughout Germany and as a destination wedding photographer even abroad. For 8 years you have been capturing the most beautiful day in the lives of many people, the wedding day, forever in beautiful pictures.

For me, technology is actually just the means to an end. Because I am interested in people and this wonderful gift, our life. I see beauty in every little detail around me.

Anija Schlichenmaier

By the way, Anja has the offer OH! MU! GIRLS! –curious? Then just click in! But now to your 5 tips for the winter wedding:

1. Keep in mind that it gets dark early depending on the date!

This may sound very banal, but it happens again and again in preliminary discussions for winter weddings that this important point is not taken into account in the daily planning. Especially when it comes to scheduling the bridal couple portraits and group photos during the day, you should plan them as early as possible in the day in order to be able to use optimal lighting conditions. The perfect time for these pictures is about 1-1.5h before sunset.

2. Choose the location according to the season!

Not every wedding location is suitable for a winter wedding. The enchanting greenhouse, for example, literally becomes a nail-biter in winter. Discuss all possibilities with the operators so that you can celebrate completely independent of the weather (and above all warm enough for you and all guests).

Underneath & Over.

In the meantime, there are great and really warm garments especially for weddings, which are either invisible (for underneath) or really chic (for over). The wedding industry has beautiful pieces to offer, some of which have been specially designed for winter weddings. Otherwise: Go with the flow. If you have a favorite denim or leather jacket that would keep you warm: wear what you feel comfortable in. This is another way to take beautiful pictures!

4. Prepare your skin!

Especially when it's really freezing cold, you should prepare your skin for the cold and take good care of it so that it doesn't get damaged, but also doesn't look very reddened in any outdoor pictures. Let your beautician or bridal stylist create a care plan for you and recommend suitable products that optimally prepare and care for your skin.

5. The most important tip: Do your thing!

Precisely because a winter wedding is not yet commonplace, it supposedly requires courage from you to follow through with exactly this desire for a cuddly, unique celebration full of candles and winter decorations. More couples should celebrate their day exactly THE way it suits them. And not as is expected of you. Do your thing and celebrate a very special day that will not be forgotten in a hurry.

Inspirations and ideas for the wedding in winter

Credits: Konzept & Floristik: Julia Wessendorf, Ivy & Olive// Schmuck: Anja Schubert, Frida Design// Location: Giuseppe e amici// Kleid: Elfenkleid// Brautstyling: Katharina Michel, Brautzauber// Headpieces: Belle Julie// Papeterie: Nicnillas Ink// Fotografie: Anija Schlichenmaier

Mini Interview zum perfekten Braut-Look im Winter – mit Kaviar Gauche, unserem liebsten Brautmoden Label

Kaviar Gauche is probably the dream of many brides. And since they are anything but conventional, they also have just the right styles for a winter wedding. You can find out more about it below:

Dear Kaviar Gauche team, thank you for letting us ask you about winter bridal styling. Material, color, length – what do you think the perfect winter wedding dress should look like?

The same credo applies to the "perfect winter wedding dress" as to any other wedding dress: There is no perfect gown, as every bride brings her own idea of perfection. For me personally, a winter wedding dress can be a little more playful and show texture. Long sleeves and heavy fabrics are also often an advantage when the temperatures drop. It is also great to completely break with the 'classic' idea of a wedding dress and, for example, combine a tulle skirt with a fine wool sweater or cape. The colour spectrum for winter weddings remains the same as in other seasons: white, ivory and a very delicate pink.

What else should be considered when styling or different from summer? What kind of coat would you recommend, for example?

When it comes to accessories, you can also really go further: statement jewellery and great shoes should correspond to the winter wedding and sparkle and glitter. Particularly popular in winter are glittering fabrics and ornaments that are reminiscent of ice crystals and pick up on the winter theme very nicely. Hairstyling can be essential, especially if you're wearing a veil or headpieces or even tiaras. Otherwise, there are no limits and everyone should wear what they feel most comfortable with. The bride must wear the wedding dress, not the other way around. To protect against the cold, we recommend capes or our cool blazers, which match the wedding dress and do not dominate the look, but underline it in a modern way.

Which look suits the registry office?

For winter registry office looks, we recommend suits, such as the Jagger Suite from the new 'IN FULL BLOOM' collection. Or blazer dresses that are elegant at the same time and yet do not look too exaggerated according to the occasion. A tip for sustainability: Casual outfits can still be worn in everyday life.

Feel free to tell us something about yourself and your collections, as well as where you can buy them.

Alexandra Roehler and Johanna Kühl founded Kaviar Gauche in 2004 and the brand has since developed into the leading German couture bridal fashion label. Each collection impresses with its simple elegance but also wearability. And above all, the new wedding collection 'In Full Bloom' combines the sensuality of women with strong masculine statement pieces.

Kaviar Gauche has a total of three stores for bridal couture, ready-to-marry pieces and eveningwear in the cities of Berlin, Munich and Düsseldorf, as well as a bridal budget boutique where discounted individual pieces and fitting models can be purchased.

Kaviar Gauche is sold internationally in Los Angeles through the 'Loho Bride' store and through Printemps in Paris. And via the online store, everyone worldwide has access to most of the collection pieces. Virtual appointments are also becoming increasingly popular.

5 Winter Wedding Tips and Ideas from Always & Forever – Perfect Hair & Make-up

Credit: Katharina Wergen

Always & Forever is a mobile bridal styling agency with hair and make-up stylists throughout North Rhine-Westphalia. Every stylist takes the time needed on your wedding day to make you shine on the most beautiful day of your life. On the trial date, a make-up and hairstling tailored to you will be created together with your bridal styling expert. The important thing is that you feel comfortable with the styling. To give you the most stress-free day possible, your desired stylist from Always & Forever will come to your home or hotel.

Winter is a very special time of year to get married. Fairy lights, burning candles, roasted almonds and a fireplace create a romantic atmosphere for the celebration with your loved ones. Winter weddings are becoming more and more popular.

Brides don't have to worry about bad weather in winter. Most couples plan the wedding ceremony in a beautiful location, where the celebration takes place afterwards.

Sabrina Knüver, Always & Forever

Sabrina Knüver, owner of the agency, is used to getting up early and is always prepared for your brides' wedding morning. So that you too can start the wedding day relaxed and don't forget anything when getting ready, Sabrina gives you a few tips and ideas that you should consider before the wedding morning.

1. Skin care: The face

Your skin needs a lot of moisture in advance so that your make-up looks even. Furthermore, you should exfoliate your face at least once a week to remove skin cells. Also, do not have your eyebrows plucked or waxed 2 days before your wedding date to avoid skin irritation and redness.

2. Tips for the hair

Refrain from oily care products and conditioners at least 7 days before the wedding so that your hairstyle has the necessary hold. For an updo you need a certain basic length. Therefore, only have the dry hair ends cut off by the hairdresser beforehand. Matching hair accessories are an additional eye-catcher and make your bridal look complete.

3. Ideas for hair & make-up for the wedding in winter

Credits: Irina & Chris and Karina Sowa

4. Tips for the wedding morning

Your bridal stylist needs a bright workspace to achieve the most beautiful result. A bright room also ensures good "Getting Ready" photos. Now sit back and relax and enjoy your styling. Your stylist will also be happy to help you put on the wedding dress. So all you have to do is look forward to the wedding ceremony full of joy and enjoy a glass of sparkling wine.

5. Pack the bridal bag correctly

Things you should pack in your wedding bag the night before:

• You can kiss the bride now! – Think of your lipstick and lip liner
• Powder to mattify and prevent shine
• Your wedding fragrance bottled in a small perfume atomizer
• A small deodorant for the necessary freshness at any time
• Hairpins in case a strand of hair comes loose when hugging
• Handkerchiefs for tears of joy
• Chewing gum or fresh candies
• Spare tights and/or colorless nail polish
• Blister plasters
• Dental floss
• A nail arrow

This is what it looks like: The perfect winter bridal make-up by Serena Goldenbaum

Winter brides have to struggle with dry heating air for their skin and hair. The hair is quickly electric and the skin and lips are usually very dry. In order to create a breathtaking glow and fresh make-up look, products with a lot of moisture and slight shimmer particles are very important. Serena's concrete procedure for this can be found below!

Serena's styling for beautiful skin for a winter wedding

 

After applying a moisturizing mask and eye pads, which first really fill up and moisturize the skin, I use a serum with shimmer particles. So you look healthy and radiant! Creme blush, highlighter + crème contouring not only give the bride an accentuated look, but also let you shine from within. I define your body with a shine powder and thus ensure that my winter bride not only feels beautiful herself, but will also be the most radiant person of the whole event.

Serena's make-up for beguiling eyes for the winter wedding

 

For the breathtaking look, I use soft pearl tones in "jewel colors" that are not too reddish, which otherwise makes the eyes look rather inflamed and irritated in winter. Waterproof products on the eyes, such as mascara, eye shadow or kohl, help against small tears of joy or watery eyes due to the heating air. With some brides I still glue on individual false eyelashes to open the eyes even more.

Tips from Serena Goldenbaum for feminine lips for winter weddings

 

For your lips I like to use a rosewood tone, matte or glossy. Depending on the styling and hair color of the bride, not only nude or rosé lips look great in winter, but also matt red signature lips.

3 reasons for the winter wedding of Bootshaus Tegernsee: Get married in front of a dream backdrop with a view of the mountains and lake

Credits: Florian Bachmaier and Alex Mayer Fotografie

While the snowflakes dance outside and fire bowls bathe the jetty in a warm light, you can celebrate your wedding inside in a unique boathouse ambience. The Bootshaus Tegernsee is the event location for extraordinary celebrations. As soon as you take the first step into this special location, you will feel its very own charm.

Rustic on the outside, it unfolds its full potential inside, especially at weddings. Festively decorated and with large bright panoramic windows overlooking the lake, the location creates the perfect setting for dream weddings. During the photo shoot on the jetty, enchanting moments are captured that keep beautiful memories of this day alive - not only in summer.

And now imagine this magic: shiny white landscapes, plus the lake, the fresh, clear winter air, warming fire bowls on the jetty and flickering candles on the tables. Winter weddings can be incredibly romantic. Why you should seriously think about getting married away from the traditional wedding season, Mrs. Bogner from the Bootshaus will tell you.

The bridal couples always have the highest expectations of the weather in summer. The sun should shine, everything must be able to take place outside. There is hardly any greater tension. This is completely eliminated in winter. As a result, the bride and groom are much more relaxed.

Mrs. Bogner, Bootshaus Tegernsee

Summer or winter wedding?

The camps are usually clearly divided: As in many places, significantly more couples decide to get married in the warm season at Bootshaus Tegernsee. In summer between May and September, the sun is shining, a gentle wind is blowing, the bride and groom drive to the location in a convertible and the guests come in light suits and summer dresses. In the boathouse you can crown your wedding with a free wedding ceremony on the lawn with a view of the lake and the mountain scenery, sailboats bob in the wind.

In winter, on the other hand, it is cold, wet and dark and somehow not so pleasant that you would think of getting married. You can see at first glance that these two sides are very black and white. It is also a fact that it rains most often in June and it is not so pleasant to sweat in a wedding dress at 35 degrees.

Credit: Andy Paulik

Reason 1: Winter weddings are cheaper, more relaxed and slow down

When you start planning your wedding, you realize pretty quickly that getting married can be quite expensive. In general, locations – including the boathouse – and service providers are not as much in demand in the cold season as they are in summer. You have more capacity free and are therefore cheaper. This leads to the positive side effect that planning is much more relaxed and stress-free. To find locations for a winter wedding, you usually don't have to inquire two years in advance. The popular wedding band is also most likely less fully booked at a wedding in January or February than in July or August.

It also becomes cosier in the evening itself in winter: because when it gets cold outside, we move closer together inside. The wedding party also stays together more. At winter weddings in the boathouse, it is always nice to experience how a particularly warm and intimate atmosphere spreads in the wedding party. From the very first second, a completely different bond is created, a special magic.

Credits: Andy Paulik and Alex Mayer Photography

Reason 2: Winter weddings are fairytale

Not only the enchanting white blanket of snow, which carefully covers trees and meadows, is reminiscent of old fairy tales. A wedding dress in winter, whether with a warming jacket or fine embroidery, looks all the more festive and majestic simply because of the contrasting roughness, coolness, originality of the season. The landscape, covered with snow and ice crystals, breathes an incomparable magic into the whole day, with the wintry mountains in the
background. Nowhere does a horse-drawn carriage look more fairytale than in a winter landscape. If
you then go through the snow-covered landscape to the picturesque Tegernsee, happiness is perfect. The boathouse not only plans your carriage ride, but also organizes the warming reception with mulled wine and a small refreshment. And when the sun comes out on top of that, there is nothing more beautiful.

Reason 3: Winter weddings are remembered

If you decide to have a winter wedding, you will definitely fall out of the mainstream. The vast majority of celebrations take place between spring and autumn and only a few plan a wedding in December, January or February. But that's exactly what gives your wedding uniqueness and that special touch.

All-round carefree package: With more than 40 weddings per year, the experienced Bootshaus team around Ms. Bogner will be happy to take care of the organization of your unique winter wedding and support bridal couples from the very beginning. This is how the most beautiful day is guaranteed: In addition to cooperations with photographers, stylists and DJs, couples benefit from the in-house confectioner and florist. And best of all, there is no long drive home after the celebration, because the bride and groom and guests can spend the night comfortably in the adjacent Hotel Terrassenhof. Don't compromise on the most beautiful day of your life, but treat yourself to an unforgettably beautiful celebration that you will remember fondly for the rest of your life. The Bootshaus Tegernsee is looking forward to seeing you!

4 Winter Wedding Ideas and Tips from the marry me – Wedding Agency

Credit: Matthias Endlich

Melanie Goldberg founded her marry me wedding agency back in 2003 and was one of the first wedding planners in Hamburg. Since then, she and her team have organized around 1000 weddings in Hamburg, northern Germany and at selected wedding venues worldwide. Melanie Goldberg always caters to the individual wishes of her bridal couples, whether it's an intimate wedding for two or a party on a grand scale until the early hours of the morning. Her motto is: "Nothing is impossible", and so she fulfils even the most unusual wishes of her couples. Discover Melanie Goldberg's tips for a winter wedding below.

Credit: Roland Michels

The first argument that many bridal couples use when it comes to choosing a wedding date is the weather. Sure, it's nice to plan an outdoor wedding and feel the sun not only in your heart, but also on your skin. But with this expectation comes immense pressure: what if it rains? Where do we do the wedding ceremony, where the reception? Does the desired indoor location even offer enough space to host the ceremony and subsequent dinner there? The chances of good weather in Germany are 50 percent. Melanie Goldberg has already had a few wedding celebrations in midsummer, which took place at 13 degrees and continuous rain. Fortunately, it never harmed the mood. But why not assume cold, uncomfortable weather and make the best of it?

Tip number 1: If it's wet and cold outside, it's all the more cosy inside!

If you plan your wedding in winter, you automatically plan for indoors and therefore also choose a location that is perfectly designed for this: with enough space for a free wedding ceremony, the subsequent reception and dinner with all guests. Perhaps with a cozy lounge by the fireplace, atmospheric lighting and decoration options. What would be a plan B in summer automatically becomes a plan A, which you don't want to move away from. It also keeps your company together – and at best on the dance floor, while your
guests prefer to stay outside at a wedding in the hot summer and often find it too warm to dance.

Tip number 2: The sun can shine even in winter!

If the weather is really nice and sunny, your joy is all the greater than if you build on nice weather for a year or more and end up being disappointed. A crisp cold winter's day with blue skies and sunshine, fire baskets in front of the location, perhaps an outdoor fireplace and mulled wine instead of sparkling wine for the reception. You can only say "yes", right?

Tip number 3: With a wedding in the off-season, you run out of competition

Plan your wedding between November and March, and you will have the (almost) free choice of locations and service providers. In the last quarter of the year, many Christmas parties take place, as well as larger New Year's receptions at the beginning of each year. However, experience has shown that these business events are planned on weekdays and are rarely held on weekends, when weddings are traditionally celebrated. At the same time, you are not "competing" with other weddings in your circle of friends and acquaintances to which you are invited yourself or who could "snatch" your date away from you. And: You will probably get almost no rejections from the guests, because hardly anyone will be invited to another party or on vacation. And what else is exciting going on in November or January? Your guests will be doubly happy about the invitation.

Tip number 4: Winter weddings are also possible spontaneously!

Engagement on Valentine's Day and a big wedding celebration with all the trimmings in the same year? Everything is possible for those bridal couples who get married in winter. Of course, anticipation is the greatest joy, and many bridal couples celebrate the average twelve to 18 months of planning time from proposal to wedding. But it is just as nice to say "I do" as soon as possible after the proposal and not to let the mood of the engagement become everyday life in the first place. As you can see, getting married in winter has many advantages!

We thank our experts for the tips and ideas and hope we were able to inspire you! Your Westwing team!

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Reading tip: You can find breathtaking wedding locations in our article!

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