Are you planning your wedding or civil partnership in winter and wondering how to dress for the occasion? Are you invited to a winter ceremony and looking for some trendy and chic outfit ideas suitable for the season, whether for yourself or your children?
You’re in the right place!
As a fashion enthusiast and wedding planning professional, I frequently receive inquiries about attire. Indeed, finding the perfect dress or suit is often a source of stress for brides and grooms, their attendants, and even their guests.
To help you out, today I’m sharing several practical and useful tips for choosing an elegant outfit that will highlight your features for this winter’s festivities.
Whether it’s for everyday wear or a special occasion, winter is the perfect season to embrace soft, warm materials like wool, cashmere, or velvet. Opt for solid, natural colors that are on the cooler side (such as white, blue, gray, etc.) to create a magical and elegant style. Don’t forget to add accessories to complement your winter holiday outfits and keep warm: gloves, scarves, capes… as well as sparkling or floral jewelry to give your look a festive touch!
Want to learn more? Keep reading to discover:
- What are the best colors and materials to choose for formal attire in winter?
- Examples of wedding dresses and suits that are perfect for this season.
- Inspiring ideas for bridesmaids, groomsmen, and guests.
- A selection of outfits specially designed for children and babies.
- Floral accessories to enhance your festive clothing!
Colors & Materials for a Winter Ceremony
Traditionally, weddings tend to take place in the summer, which is why one might be surprised to receive an invitation to a wedding or a civil partnership in the winter, or when someone suggests organizing their union during this time of year. However, there are many advantages to getting married or entering into a civil partnership in the winter: people are more available, and the possibility of a snowy backdrop can be magical… Then there’s the question of attire!
In the following lines, I will present a selection of important elements to know about winter wedding trends, so you can choose your festive outfit accordingly!
Opt for Cool Colors…
Since the ceremony takes place in winter, and to be in harmony with the colors of the season, the decor and outfits will be primarily selected in cool colors such as:
- The emerald green
- The light gray
- The dark blue or pastel
- The lavender
- The pale pink
The white, the color of snow and purity, is also an essential hue for a winter wedding!
🍂 If the festivities take place in autumn, the chosen colors are likely to be warm colors associated with this season, ranging from reds to browns, with oranges and earthy tones in between. If you receive an invitation, be sure to check if there is a dress code!
… And the soft, comfortable materials!
When winter arrives, we often enjoy pulling out warm and comfortable outfits from our closets. This also applies to festive clothing, which can be loose and cozy. You might aim to find an outfit that is soft and easy to wear, reminiscent of winter evenings spent by the fire.
The ideal subjects for this are:
- wool
- velvet
- silk
- cashmere
- viscose
A Small Selection of Winter Wedding Dresses
Even if the weather is a bit chilly, that shouldn’t stop you from wearing a princess dress for the occasion! As mentioned earlier, winter is perfect for a traditional white dress, which will reflect the colors of the season.
However, there are many ways to elevate it, including:
- silver jewelry or pieces featuring cool-toned gemstones
- materials like fur (which can certainly be synthetic!),
- leather pumps in a cool shade (such as fawn gray, for example)
- solid-colored opera gloves
- floral accessories, which I’ll discuss in more detail at the end of this article
👉 To keep warm, don’t hesitate to wear a shawl, a wide-brim hat, or a cape made of soft fabric. This will add a touch of style and enhance the magical atmosphere of your winter ceremony!
An Outfit That’s Just Right for Him!
Perfectly coordinated outfits help to create a sense of unity within a couple, making them an important romantic detail not to be overlooked. It is essential for the groom’s suit to complement the theme chosen for the celebration, as well as the bride’s dress and accessories.
To make this possible without revealing the dress to the groom, you just need to provide him with a few details to help him choose the right suit: fabric, colors to favor for a cohesive look…
A winter wedding is the perfect opportunity to wear a stylish suit. In fact, the vest under the jacket will keep the groom warm while adding a sophisticated touch to his outfit.
Some Inspiration for Bridesmaids & Groomsmen
Are you looking for outfits for your bridesmaids or groomsmen? Or are you going to take on one of these roles yourself and want to find the perfect attire for the occasion?
The main advice I can give you is to remember to remind the engaged couple about their wedding theme and decor.
Also consider creating a cohesive look with the other bridesmaids and groomsmen by sharing a detail: matching bow ties or ties, coordinating jewelry, or a common hairstyle, etc.
What to Wear for a Winter Ceremony if You’re Invited?
Are you attending as a guest? The following lines are just for you! Here are some tips that I hope will help you find the perfect outfit for that winter ceremony, whether it’s a wedding or a civil union ceremony.
For a Woman
Here are some outfit ideas for guests suited for celebrations taking place in winter:
- a flowy pair of pants, a blouse, and a ¾-length jacket
- a solid long skirt paired with a chic wool sweater
- a long dress worn with a fur hat
- a pastel long-sleeve dress accentuated by a matching wrap cardigan
Just like a summer wedding, the most stylish outfits are often solid colors or two-tone. Simplicity often signifies elegance and sophistication!
✨ Winter is the perfect time of year to dare to wear a sparkly outfit. To avoid looking like a “Christmas tree,” I recommend using it as an accent in your outfit (like a belt, clutch, or part of a garment) and steering clear of an all-over sparkly look.
👠 For women, high heels are a perfect choice. You can also wear sleek and elegant boots or ankle boots with heels. This will accentuate your silhouette!
👝 Don’t hesitate to accessorize your outfit with a stylish clutch, an elegant hairpin, or some gloves…
For a Man
As mentioned in the section dedicated to the groom, winter is the perfect time to wear a three-piece suit made from a warm fabric.
Also consider the accessories such as:
- scarves
- hats
- gloves
For these occasions, leather is a perfectly suitable material that pairs very well with a wool suit.
🤵 You can definitely go for a colorful suit, but it’s best to avoid bright colors or overly light shades that are more suitable for a summer wedding.
For Children
When looking for an outfit for a baby or child, it’s essential to consider the practical aspects: for such events, the child should be able to play freely, easily put on and take off layers, so they won’t be uncomfortable due to cold and temperature changes.
To help with that, here are some tips:
👧 For a little girl, consider wool tights and sandals to highlight a pretty warm dress. Since she is a child, you can absolutely choose a white dress. A little cape or a lovely coat, paired with a beret and warm gloves, will perfectly complete this outfit.
👦 Little boys will look adorable dressed like the adult men at the wedding. However, be sure to provide them with a warm coat and comfortable shoes so they can play afterward!
The Green Vests: A Natural and Majestic Choice
For those who love cool and soft colors, such as lavender, deep blue, emerald green, or even pastel shades, why not enhance your outfit with a piece that evokes the beauty of nature? Consider the idea of pairing a staple garment like a dress or a long skirt with a green cardigan.
Among the various options for a green vest, you will find them available in several styles, including:
- With a round neck
- In a crop top style
- Sleeveless
- With long sleeves
The choice is yours! And there’s nothing better than spicing up your style for a wedding or a civil partnership during the winter months! That’s why we also offer green vests adorned with details that will completely transform your dull and chilly look.
Indeed, you will find notably green vests equipped with:
- Printed patterns
- Logos
- Two-tone shades
Your options will be far from limited! As for various shades of green, you’ll undoubtedly find plenty of choices, including:
- Light green
- Dark green
- Kaki green
- Bright green
You will be completely immersed in the many possibilities and styles that can make your appearance much more attractive than you think. Don’t stay in doubt and hesitation any longer—take the plunge and explore all these alternatives, shapes, and shades that are at your fingertips.
Stand out during the wedding or civil partnership ceremony. The winter atmosphere definitely won’t hold you back from elevating your look. Whether you choose a fitted green vest or a loose one, all options are available to you!
To complete your outfit: consider floral accessories!
As we’ve seen, winter ceremony outfits are often solid and simple, featuring soft and comfortable materials like wool or cashmere.
Floral accessories are perfect for enhancing this type of outfit, as they add a colorful and delicate detail without creating an overwhelming pattern that doesn’t quite fit the season.
The possibilities are endless, but among them, the main ones are:
- Flower crowns and bracelets for the bride, bridesmaids, and little girls.
- Floral boutonnieres for the gentlemen.
👉 If you’re a guest, you can wear flowers in your hair, but I recommend opting for a hairpin instead, so you don’t take the spotlight away from the bride.
When it comes to flower crowns, opt for the more delicate ones that evoke winter.
Here is a small selection of wreaths perfect for this season, handpicked from our specialized online store:
- White crown with winter-inspired foliage
- White crown for a delicate face
- More prominent white crown
- Dark blue winter crown that is quite delicate
- Light blue winter crown
To explore many more designs, I invite you to visit the dedicated flower crowns page on our online store.
👩👧 We also offer elegant crowns for babies and children! To make your selection, just click here!
I hope this article has provided you with plenty of stylish and unique outfit ideas for a winter wedding or civil ceremony.
To discover more tips related to this topic, feel free to check out this blog post dedicated to selecting your jewelry for a wedding or any other event.