Your Guide to a Winter Wonderland Wedding | Charlotte Wedding Photographers

Your Guide to a Winter Wonderland Wedding Featuring a Styled Wedding at Carolina Country Weddings, a rustic venue just outside Charlotte, NC

A Winter Wonderland Wedding at Carolina Country Weddings

Winter has become a very popular season for weddings, especially here in the South, so we have put together a guide to a Winter Wonderland Wedding. Winter weddings evoke a sense of magic and romance, transforming the serene beauty of the season into a celebration of love. As a wedding photographer, here’s your comprehensive guide to immortalizing the mesmerizing essence of a Winter Wonderland Wedding.

Setting the Scene: Winter Wonderland Wedding Venues

From glistening snowflakes to frosted landscapes, capture the allure of the season through elegant decor, breathtaking venues, and unique styling ideas. Showcase the cozy intimacy of snow-covered venues or the opulence of a ballroom adorned with wintry accents. You can always head to the mountains for those snowy landscapes but most venues can be transformed with just a few key elements, even in locations where snow may not always be around. 

What are some of our favorite North Carolina venues that bring that winter wonderland magic? If you are heading to the higher elevations, venues like the White Crow, Appalachian View, and the Twickenham House are all favorites and will typically see more snow fall. If you are looking for more rustic, cabin-like venues (think big fireplaces and cozy vibes) we recommend the Longhouse, Roost at Butler Farm, the Old Edwards Inn, and our featured venue, Carolina Country Weddings. Of course I can’t forget about the venues that bring the classy, jazzy, winter vibes like The Graylyn Estate, or The Millenium Center. 

As with any wedding, always have an inclement weather plan. Winter can come with its own challenges, especially if you are in a climate that does receive ice or snow. Have a plan in place for guest transportation, logistics for ceremony location, and especially for portrait locations. This is important to discuss with your venue before booking. 

Dressing for the Occasion: Winter Wedding Attire

Choosing attire that complements the theme by emphasizing intricate details that stand out. Long-sleeved dresses, luxurious faux fur wraps, and sophisticated accessories can make all the difference. For grooms, explore dapper options like velvet suits and hats. This is the season to take advantage of layering your attire. Choosing a color scheme will also help keep your look very cohesive. You can choose a frosty winter color palette like the one featured with ivory, blues and silver, or you can opt for richer gem tones; moody, soft pastels; or even a classic holiday color palette. 

Picture-Perfect Details: Décor and Styling Tips

Winter Wonderland Weddings are all about adding warmth. Lighting is going to be a key part to creating a cozy, winter atmosphere. Candles and twinkling lights are going to add to the ambiance. If your venue has a fireplace, the warm glow of the fire will draw you instantly into the season. Even if you are choosing a cooler color palette for your wedding, the bright warmth of lighting will help set the mood. 

Another key part of styling your winter wedding is your floral choice. Choosing your color palette will directly influence the floral choices for your overall design. For this particular shoot, lots of white florals and soft fluffy accents gave the illusion of snow (even when there was no snow to be found!) Richer color palettes with deep shades that reflect the colors of the season will  use different florals. 

Finally, texture will be very important to your overall design. Visions of winter bring thoughts of all sorts of different textiles to bring comfort and warmth. Feel free to experiment with the different textures of the season: cozy knits, luxurious velvets, tweed, and flannel. 

Seasonal Sensations: Capturing Culinary Delights

Highlight the magic of seasonal menus, warm beverages, and decadent desserts that enhance the winter wedding experience. Capture the beauty of steaming mugs of cocoa, sumptuous winter-themed delicacies, and the artistry behind enchanting dessert displays.

Frozen in Time: Weather-Proof Photography

Winter means an early sunset, but can create some of the most stunning golden hour and blue hour light of the year! Ensure your photographer is able to capture your portraits in a variety of lighting situations. It is not uncommon to be indoors for the entire duration of the wedding. 

If you can take portraits outdoors, be aware that the weather may not be ideal. There may be wind or precipitation, but it will most likely be cold. Work with your photographer and planner to create a timeline to break up portrait times so you aren’t outside for long periods of time. Advise your family and bridal party to be as cooperative as possible so your photographer can do their job quickly and efficiently to get back inside. 

Moments of Joy: Entertainment and Activities

There are many unique entertainment ideas that add a touch of whimsy to the celebration. From mesmerizing ice sculptures to interactive snow-themed photo booths, couples can curate memorable experiences that translate into captivating photographic moments. A new option I have seen this year is an inflatable snow globe that guests can take photos inside of.

If you are in a location that does not typically have snow, or if you just want to add a wintery touch to the day, rent a snow machine! For this particular shoot, the snow machine was used during the couple’s exit. 

Final Thoughts

Winter is becoming a more and more popular time for weddings, but it is still considered the “off” season for the wedding industry. This can be a benefit for couples looking to save some money for certain vendors, especially venues. With the exception of right around the holidays, travel can also be less expensive for guests, or even your honeymoon. If you have your heart set on a beautiful Winter Wonderland Wedding, go for it! They are some of the most beautiful events we have been blessed to photograph.

Want more seasonal photo inspiration? Check this beautiful Winter Wedding HERE !