1. Create atmosphere— There is nothing quite like a winter wedding :) They are cozy and heart warming. There is something about twinkle lights and candles and Christmas decorations that bring us back to our childhood. There is a sense of wonder and love that comes with it. It’s magic. I’ve never photographed a wedding and said “ there are just too many twinkle lights”. In my humble opinion, you can never have too many! Even if you don’t have a huge budget for decor, you can go a long way with using as many twinkle lights as possible. Also, make sure it smells delicious. Like cookies and comfort food and yummy stuff.

I love this recipe from William Sonoma- All you have to do is ask the venue for a small container of water with a heating light under it fill it with water, add a sliced lemon, the springs of rosemary and a tablespoon or two of vanilla extract. Place it somewhere near the main entrance so that it is immediately noticeable. Done.

2. Hot beverage station— I’ve seen this done quite a lot lately and it is always a hit. While you are getting ready to come down the aisle, allow your family and friends to mingle and get warm together while enjoying a warm tea, hot cocoa, coffee, cider, etc… You can get creative here and serve your favorite cold winter drink. It is a nice first impression that will leave a smile on everyone’s face. A nice hot drink in hand will be a sure way to make guests comfortable and able to focus on the two of you.

3. Blankets— Do not assume that your guests will know to come prepared for an outdoor ceremony. Especially here in Vermont, it is a lot colder than you and/or your guests anticipate it to be. Surprise your guests with warm blankets for them to huddle up in.

4. Long Sleeve Wedding Dresses— I think a lot of brides assume that a 15 min outside ceremony is not long enough for them to feel the cold. But— it is! And you will! That, I promise you. Vermont winters are no joke. Especially if you have a ceremony closer to sunset, which in winter time it’s around 4pm, the SUN goes down incredibly fast and the temperature changes by 15 degrees in a blink. A winter wedding is the perfect time to embrace the idea of a long sleeved dress. Also, your extremities get cold and red fast and that doesn’t really make for flattering pictures.

5. Bold colors— White winter weddings are the perfect backdrop for bold colors. Red never disappoints— it is the perfect winter wedding statement. Try a bold red lip or even bridesmaid dresses and/or florals and accents. They look so good in pictures!

6. Muted Pallets — Surprise! Surprise! Mutted colors also work like a charm! My favorites are dusty rose and sky blue…

7. Comfort Food! Think grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup, fries, fried chicken and waffles, pasta bars, pizza, cookies and milk. Let your guests be flooded with cozy childhood memories via food and smell.

8. Get creative with textures and florals— flowers are hard to come by in the NE during winter. Why not get creative and use out of the box materials— twigs, evergreen, feathers, etc… Also, incorporating a lot of velvet, fur (faux, please), cozy sweaters is always a great idea. Materials add interest and texture to a photograph and they always get me excited. The more texture you bring in, the more you will love your pictures— I promise.

9. Sleigh Rides— is there anything more romantic and exciting at the same time as the sound of jingle bells? Make an unforgettable entrance or exit with a horse drawn sleigh ride. It’s sure to be unforgettable.

10. Last but not least—Warm, comfortable shoes— Here is the thing: nobody will be able to really see your shoes. I know. I’m the photographer and most of the time I have to have the brides lift their dresses up for me to take a picture of the shoes…Also, it’s a winter wedding. Your guests are ok with you wearing comfortable, warm (dare I say it…?) boots or fuzzy warm slippers, or at least closed toe shoes. The last thing you want to think about during your vows are your toes and how long they will (or won’t) last… Save the fancy heels for the reception.

I can not repeat this enough… With winter weddings, your comfort and warmth are the most important things to be mindful of. Freezing during your ceremony is NOT FUN. Create the magical moment you desperately want by making sure your guests are comfortable and YOU are comfortable.

11. One last tip— I am feeling generous :)

Make the day sparkle! Twinkle lights, candles and sequins go soooo well together! Why not go all out and SHINE?! There is no better time than winter to make your day as glam as you want. And no matter what, embrace the snow!

Disclaimer: I just realized that all of these pictures were taken at Mountain Top Inn and Resort and that I might be up there way more often than I previously thought :) That being said, there is no other venue I would rather be at during winter. It is the perfect backdrop and they offer everything you could possibly want and more.

No, this is not a sponsored post.

Yes, I do love them THAT much <3