While many people opt to get married in the summer months, more and more couples are deciding to tie the knot in the winter. Winter ceremonies can be just as beautiful as those in the summer, but the backdrop will be dramatically different. Instead of beaches or swatches of lush greenery, you get snow-capped mountains or icy expanses. If a colder weather wedding is something you’ve been thinking about we’re sharing our picks for some of the best winter wedding destinations to consider.
Vail, Colorado, United States
Vail is a four season wedding destination, but in particular makes for a spectacular winter wedding spot. Surrounded by 350,000 acres of national forest you can be sure that your backdrop of snow-covered trees will be nothing short of a wonderland. Not to mention, Vail is a paradise for skiers and snowboarders with more than 5,000 skiable acres and 3.5 meters of snow a year. In addition, the town of Vail is bursting with charm. The pedestrian-friendly town boasts heated streets, a wide array of restaurants, cafes, bars and shops, and the bus system is free making it a snap for wedding guests to get around and explore in between events.
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Niagara Falls in the winter is an inspiring sight to behold and definitely something worthy of a winter wonderland wedding. The falls themselves are fun to visit any time of year, but in the winter, with swirls of snow and mist, they take on even more of a uniquely beautiful quality. There are also many things for guests to do in the area and several reception venues that offer views of the falls. If you’re opting for an early winter wedding you can take advantage of the festival of lights that goes on between mid-November and mid-January.
Mont Tremblant, Quebec
Whether you enjoy winter activities or not, Mont Treblantin Quebec is an unforgettable place for a winter wedding. Two mountains and three villages make up the greater Mont Tremblant area and there are many options for lodging depending on the size of your wedding party and where you want to base yourself. During downtime there are a whole host of fun activities from skiing and snowboarding to snow-tubing, snowshoeing, dog sledding and spa treatments.
Sundance, Utah
Sundance Resort in Utah lies at the base of Mount Timpanogos and is located 45 minutes from Park City. In the winter it’s the perfect place to say a snowy “I do” since you’re right at the base of a mountain, surrounded by snow-covered pine trees. Numerous activities abound for guests, there’s a spa for pre or post-wedding pampering, and you can choose from an array of venues for ceremony and reception spaces.
Whistler, British Columbia
Immerse yourself in the winter wonderland that is Whistler for a picture-perfect wedding. Two snow-covered mountains – Whistler and Blackcomb – give you ample opportunity for a post-card worthy backdrop. With many accommodation choices from hotels to chalets to condos, it makes it easy to find space for guests to stay. Most venues offer fantastic through large windows, and there’s lots to do. Skiing, snowboarding, shopping in Whistler Village, sleigh rides, ice skating and more fun await.
Banff, Alberta
Alberta’s Banff National Park offers much in the way of stunning winter scenery, from mountains and valleys, to forests and lakes. The picturesque town of Banff is set against a backdrop of the Rocky Mountains making it the ideal spot for a winter-focused wedding. There’s also beautiful Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, which are just as beautiful in the winter as it is in the summer, albeit in an entirely different way. Venues of all sizes are available, and there are many lodging options to choose from. Pre or post-wedding winter activities abound, from skating and dog sledding to skiing, sleigh rides and cross country skiing.
Central Park, New York
New York is a romantic destination, and one of the most romantic spots in the city is Central Park. The vast green space takes on a whole new dimension when it’s covered in snow and makes for a magical wedding destination, or at the very least an unforgettable backdrop for photos. New York itself offers countless things to see and do, as well as accommodations at every price point and style.
Stowe, Vermont
Winter in Stowe, Vermont is pretty amazing in terms of scenery, which includes majestic Mount Mansfield and the ultra-charming Stowe Village. So whether you’re looking for snow-capped peaks, or snow-covered streets, Stowe offers much in the way of winter wonderland experiences. Accommodations are plentiful and varied, and there’s lots for everyone to do. Wedding guests have their pick of skiing (Stowe is known as the ski capital of the east), snowboarding, snowshoeing, dog sledding and taking a snowmobile tour.
Winter wedding tips and ideas
Having a winter wedding means factoring winter weather, which can be unpredictable so it’s best to keep a few things in mind when you’re planning. Here are a few ideas:
- If you can, hire transportation from the ceremony to the reception so guests aren’t required to drive in inclement weather.
- Opt for a warming welcome drink like mulled wine, hot apple cider or hot chocolate with baileys.
- Look for venues that have lots of windows so you can see the winter wonderland landscape.
- Consider placing blankets or pashminas around the venue or on the backs of chairs in case anyone gets chilly.
- Trade unseasonal blooms for bouquets made from seasonal items such as berries, pine cones and evergreen boughs.
- Venues with fireplaces offer a cozy and romantic ambiance.
- Consider having umbrellas on hand should you end up with rain or slushy snowfall on the big day.
Lead photo: Isabell Schulz used under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license
