How to Plan an Outdoor Winter Wedding and Keep Your Guests Warm

Stay cozy while celebrating your nuptials.

By: Jen Glantz

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Host the Winter Wedding of Your Dreams

There’s something undoubtedly beautiful about an outdoor wedding in the wintertime. The season of joy shows up in the weather, nature and overall aesthetic when there’s a chill in the air. If you’re set on having your celebration underneath the stars, you’ll be in store for a memorable party and breathtaking photos. So, what’s the catch? Outdoor winter weddings call for a longer to-do list so that you can fully prepare the venue, your guests and the menu to make sure it’s filled with warmth.

Wondering how to start and what to think about? Here are all the tips, tricks and advice you need to keep your guests warm at your outdoor winter wedding.

Prepare for a Mix of Weather

Depending on what location your wedding is in, the type of winter weather you might be in store for will most likely be a bit chillier than usual. The temperature and conditions outside are hard to predict, even if you do study forecasts in your free time to try to guess what’ll happen on your wedding day. You might think it’ll likely snow only to have the warmest winter day of the year show up. Either way, after you’ve picked your venue and set your wedding date, prepare for a mix of different temperatures as well as the possibility of rain and snow. In wedding planning, always have a back-up plan and plan for the worst. So, say yes to considering having umbrellas, tents and space heaters, even if you’re not certain you’ll need them.

Have Scarves Available

Dressing for an outdoor wedding can be a bit tricky. In case guests need a bit more warmth and coverage, offer scarves. Purchase a bunch of scarves, like these neutral colored ones, so they can match with any outfit your guest wears. You can consider these party favors and embroider them with a wedding personalization (the date of the wedding or your initials). Offering these lets your guests grab one if the weather dips and it gets chillier than expected.

Say Yes to Warm Blankets

Similar to some restaurants with outdoor winter seating, having blankets available is another fun way to provide guests with an option of covering themselves if they find themselves cold throughout the wedding. Consider picking blankets that go with your wedding colors or mix and match with a selection of these blankets that come in many different colors.

Get Accessories for Your Outfits

Don’t forget to think about you and your fiancé’s outfits. The two of you will be outside more than anyone, for early morning photos or venue walk-throughs. Even though you might think you’ll be cozy in your dress (or in a tuxedo) always have an additional layer to put on, like these thermal tights, just in case you get cold.

Share Details with Guest

As you plan the wedding and communicate with guests, remember to be transparent about the venue and the possibility of what the weather could look like. The more information you share and the longer your guests have to plan around that, the more they’ll show up prepared and feel extra comfortable while they are there.

Rent Heaters & Heat Lamps

When you’re mapping out the layout of your outdoor wedding, determining where the dance floor and the table should go, add in spots for where you can strategically put heaters and heat lamps. Renting these items will let you surround the areas your guests will be spending the most time in with warmth. If you’re getting married in a backyard, you might even consider investing in some of these heat lamps to have for the celebration and future parties as well.

Offer Warm Beverages

As you plan your drink menu, consider in addition to a signature cocktail offering a selection of warm drinks, from hot toddies to mulled wine. You can even offer fun winter-themed drinks during dessert, like peppermint hot chocolate or warm apple cider. It’ll give your guests a chance to gulp down something to fight off any chilly weather that gets to them throughout the night.

Give Out Hand Warmers

When guests arrive, in addition to handing out programs for the ceremony and a glass of champagne, consider also having hand warmer packs that they can grab and keep on them throughout the night. It’s a simple way for people to have something close to them to provide them with heat in case the temperatures get a bit too cold throughout the night. Buying a few boxes of these hand and body warmers is always a nice addition to an outdoor celebration.

Consider a Clear Tent

Even though you’re fancied by the magic and charm of getting married in the great outdoors for your winter celebration, it’s always good to consider having a tent on standby, in case the conditions change at the last minute. You can even opt for a clear tent so that people can still see and enjoy the surroundings but with some added coverage and protection from the climate.

Have a Coat Check Station

When guests arrive with big and bulky coats, offer an option for them to check or store their coat for the night, especially if the evening becomes warmer than you expected. Make it easily accessible for them to access their coats in case they want to grab them throughout the night. Providing a service like this lets your guests feel even more comfortable at your celebration.

Go with Warm Meals

As you browse menu options, think about putting on at least one warm dish that your guests can enjoy while they are braving the temperatures. Consider a soup as an appetizer or a hot plated meal as the main course. Offering one warm item is a great way to make your guests feel cozy as they sit down at the reception table.

Do a Dessert Fire Pit

A great end-of-night treat could be having everyone gather around a fire pit. Chat with your venue to see if this is something that you can do. If it’s a go, consider doing a late-snack s'more snack. Either way, having a fire pit, even one you can bring and safely do yourself, adds to the outdoor vibe of any winter wedding.

How to Plan an Outdoor Winter Wedding and Keep Your Guests Warm

Related To:

Shop This Look

Host the Winter Wedding of Your Dreams

Prepare for a Mix of Weather

Have Scarves Available

Say Yes to Warm Blankets

Get Accessories for Your Outfits

Share Details with Guest

Rent Heaters & Heat Lamps

Offer Warm Beverages

Give Out Hand Warmers

Consider a Clear Tent

Have a Coat Check Station

Go with Warm Meals

Do a Dessert Fire Pit

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