Cheap Winter Wedding Ideas 2024
If you are looking for creative winter wedding ideas on a budget, you have come to the right place.
Planning a winter wedding is fun.
It is that magical, almost otherworldly time of the year when the cold winds wrap you around, and the glistening white snow relaxes your mind and spirit.
For some couples, this is the perfect time to get married.
Winter and fall weddings are magical and highly romantic.
The winter months are just the perfect time to have your wedding if winter is your favourite time.
It is the most wonderful time of the year and makes for beautiful wedding photos.
Remember that if you are on a tight wedding budget, winter is the perfect time to host your wedding, as you can save thousands of dollars quickly.
Due to the simple fact that winter is an off-peak time for the wedding season, plenty of wedding vendors are typically looking to fill up these dates.
And they usually offer incredible incentives at discount rates for booking a winter wedding.
With little effort, you can pull off a budget-friendly winter wedding that is downright gorgeous.
Creating a wow factor while on a low-budget wedding timeline is possible.
Following these winter wedding tips will ensure you have the perfect day.
You are here because you are looking for:
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Simple & Inexpensive Winter Wedding Decor Ideas
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Winter Wedding Ideas That Cost less but are magical
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Romantic winter-themed wedding ideas that are chic
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Budget winter wedding ideas that will have the most impact
You are where you should be if you need cheap wedding ideas for winter.
Winter weddings have always had this magical and romantic appeal.
But although enchanting, winter weddings (like any other wedding) can also have their fair share of unexpected and last-minute problems.
But do not worry; these things can be prevented by creating a master wedding plan that is infallible.
And like any other wedding, savvy couples know that planning any low-cost winter wedding requires an operational budget.
A quick wedding budget checklist such as this one will help determine if you can afford a winter wedding on a budget, but at the end of the day, I recommend our Ultimate Wedding Budget bundle.
It’s designed to meet all your wedding planning needs and ensure you cover all your wedding expenses, leaving little to no surprises.
Making a budget for your winter wedding can also help you avoid spending more than you planned.
You need to keep reading this post to know more about how to have the perfect winter or Christmas wedding on a budget.
So what are the best winter wonderland wedding ideas on a budget?
Before we get started on our winter wedding ideas on a budget, we wanted you to take the time to like our Facebook Page here! We also use affiliate links in our blog posts, meaning we can make a commission if you use any of our affiliate links. Please visit our policy page here for details.
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Here are a few reasons why you should consider a winter wedding
Let me ease your mind if you are unsure whether you should consider planning a Christmas or winter wedding.
And for couples looking for cheap wedding ideas for winter, you will love all our tips.
Although summer weddings are popular and most people only consider this time to get married, a white wedding is not bad at all.
You should not let the cold weather prevent you from planning a magical winter wedding.
But remember that winter weddings can also be unpredictable as you never know how the weather might turn.
You might end up in the middle of a winter storm or have flurries on the day.
Prepare for this so that your wedding goes off without a hitch, no matter what Mother Nature brings your way.
All in all, wintertime is nothing short of magical.
Winter weddings are trending this year due to how affordable they can be.
With that in mind, here are a few reasons why you should consider a winter wonderland wedding this year:
- More choices are available for wedding venue dates
- Cheap travel rates – family members will appreciate this
- Accommodation costs significantly drop
- Gorgeous wedding photos – check out these winter wedding photos
- It’s not as hot, humid or sticky
- It is less stressful to plan a winter wedding
For more reasons and inspiration for planning a winter wonderland wedding, check out our winter wedding ideas below, including unique winter colour trends to follow and some affordable winter wedding tips!
We will share some of our best winter wedding ideas on a budget below.
Consider signing up on Amazon for your wedding registry today!
Winter Wedding Tips On A Budget:
Read the post below to find excellent, unique, affordable winter wedding ideas that will help you save money and give you a beautiful day.
After reading this, you will fall in love with winter weddings.
And if you already love winter as much as we do, you’ll want to showcase the particular time of year and your big day in several ways.
1. Winter Wedding Venue
Your wedding venue, especially the reception location, is where you will spend the majority of your time as well as a big chunk of your wedding budget.
Make sure you choose a great venue to compliment your wedding winter theme.
I have plenty of wedding reception ideas on a budget on the blog, so be sure to read those.
It will help you develop excellent winter wonderland wedding ideas for your big day.
Before choosing your wedding venue or booking any wedding vendor, grab our vendor payment tracker today!
Planning a winter wedding on a budget will require you to stick to your wedding budget as much as possible, and tracking it will ensure you are not overspending.
A chic $10000 wedding budget can quickly disappear if you are not careful.
Before you book your wedding venue, I suggest visiting a few places to find the perfect scenic location.
To save money on your wedding venue, I recommend having only one venue booked if you are on a budget and are looking to save some money.
More often than not, wedding ceremonies and receptions are held separately.
So if you can, try to host your ceremony and reception venue in one place.
But keep in mind that winter seasons can be very unpredictable.
Unexpected and unforeseen lousy weather conditions can make transferring to another venue painful.
You are one step ahead of this circumstance by conducting the wedding ceremony and reception in one place.
Moreover, it would be more convenient for your guests who may have difficulty transferring locations, such as elderly people and persons with different abilities.
Another thing to consider when booking your wedding venue is to consider decorations.
You will spend less money on decorations if your venue is already winterized!
If you can find yourself a grand lodge or a rustic wedding venue, they typically make for suitable winter wedding venues.
Captured by Christie Graham Photography / Via Wedding Chicks
2. Winter wedding attire
Do not compromise comfort for fashion.
Sure!
Everybody wants to look their best on their wedding day.
But comfort should always be your priority.
This one should be taken seriously from all the winter wedding tips we share tonight.
Nothing will look more awkward than photos with a freezing bride and bridesmaids.
Wear sleeves with your wedding dress, or get a long-sleeved wedding dress.
It is an elegant style and, more importantly, will be a little warmer.
Get creative with some faux fur wraps for winter weddings and fancy footwear.
You do not need to sacrifice either fashion or comfort when choosing your wedding attire.
For brides, long wedding gowns are the go-to garb.
Not only because it is elegant but also because it is warm, especially during the cold wintry months.
If the temperature is colder, you can wear tights or leggings underneath the dress.
This goes for your maid of honour and bridesmaids if they also wear a long dress.
Your wedding party should also dress warmly to avoid getting sick.
You can find beautiful bridesmaid dresses perfect for winter over at Azazie.
Also, according to fashion authority Vogue, you can consider layering by donning second-skin jumpsuits, pants, and mini skirts worn underneath sheer lace, satin or tulle skirts to add a contemporary allure.
Now that that is out of the way, let’s talk money.
Just because it’s your special day doesn’t mean you must go broke looking fabulous.
According to The Knot, the average amount spent on a wedding gown is around $1,600, but more and more brides are searching for affordable wedding dresses for their walk down the aisle.
Where to find winter wedding gowns on a budget for colder months:
You can opt for off-the-rack wedding dresses at your local store or pre-owned ones!
Images by Alexandra Elise Photography / Via Magnolia Rouge
Photography: The Happy Bloom Via Hey Wedding Lady
3. RSVPs + Winter Wedding Invitations
It’s a good idea to notify your guests about your big day when you have your wedding date.
The holiday season is a hectic time of year for many people.
It will be best to let your guests know as early as possible about your plan to host a holiday wedding.
You can send save-the-date cards or your winter wedding invitations earlier than usual.
Although I recommend you have a smaller guest list to save money, you don’t want any guests not to RSVP to your big day.
The same goes for your wedding vendors that might already have holiday plans; you want to book early just in case.
Here is a vendor wedding timeline and checklist on when you should be booking vendors.
Follow this guide whether you want small winter wedding ideas or plan an extravagant winter affair.
As a wintertime bride, you’ll want wedding invitations that reflect the season and your big-day design.
You can find all the wintery wedding invite designs you could ever dream of on Minted.
When designing your invites for winter weddings, consider incorporating the seasonal colours of crimson or emerald.
Add metallic silver or gold for a dash of holiday glam.
Jewel tones are perfect for winter weddings.
Turn your invitations into a winter wonderland by opting for a snowy white and gray colour scheme, playing with various shades of blue, or incorporating delicate snowflake details.
With Minted, you can pick your invitations based on season, theme and colour.
I love this holiday-winter wedding invitation!
Classy winter wedding invitation from Minted!
4. Winter Wedding Decorations on a budget
Finding creative winter wedding ideas that won’t do a number on your wallets is what we strive to share with you.
It’s time to look at winter wedding decoration ideas on a budget that will make your dream wedding feel and look magical.
You can check out our DIY wedding decor from the dollar store right here to help you save more for your winter wedding.
You will be surprised at what you can make.
And for tips on setting up your tables, check out these elegant wedding tablescape ideas.
It will help get some ideas flowing for your day.
When looking at winter wonderland wedding reception ideas, keep your venue in mind, and see what is already provided.
Your job will be to enhance it and make it feel magical.
Pine cones, foliage, fake snow and logs are a great way to decorate the venue at a low cost for a winter look.
Your wedding venue may already be rocking some holiday or festive themes, primarily if they cater to small holiday events.
Use this to your advantage.
Choose warm and cozy wedding decorations to tie to your theme for your winter wedding.
Would it not be nice to have warm and cozy surroundings on the most important day of your life?
You can decorate your venue using tinsel and glitter.
Wedding event rentals offer a wide array of options depending on the theme you choose for the wedding ceremony.
Decorate your ceremony and reception venues with string lights for a wonderland theme.
Fairy lights are romantic and perfect for a romantic fairytale wedding.
You can find affordable string lights on Amazon for those on a tight budget.
The easiest way to decorate your reception tables is to use tablecloths that are rich or bold in colour.
Consider decorating with rich and warm red, burgundy, black, gold and brown tones.
To add oomph to the enchanting fairytale wedding romance, tea lights and candles are also all recommended as they offer that intimate ambiance.
Your festive place settings should consist of crystal garlands and wreaths and placing fairy lights over every available surface!
Sprinkle in a bit of fake snow, and your winter wonderland is almost complete.
Low-budget winter wedding decorations on a budget like these can save you thousands of dollars.
If you are adding floral arrangements, opt for flowers in season, such as holly, ivy, hypericum berries, and mistletoes.
Using seasonal flowers will save you money, as the florist won’t charge you for importing out-of-season flowers.
Don’t forget details such as place cards and unique winter gift favours such as cute cozy blankets, coffee grounds, custom mugs, wedding ornaments or seasonal lip balm.
As you can see, you can save money on your winter wedding decor by using things given to us by nature, such as pinecones and unusual twigs.
These can be placed in large vases and used for gorgeous table decorations.
This will make for a great winter wedding centrepiece, along with different-height candles.
For simple winter wedding ideas, stick to what is already available to work with.
5. Best Winter Wedding Theme
Those looking for creative winter wedding ideas on a budget should consider working with themes that match the season, so you do not need to splurge on extra decor.
Choosing the perfect wedding theme before any wedding planning can take place will help guide and inspire you from the start!
For a magical feel, having a corrosive winter theme can set the tone for the day and your wedding budget.
Your theme will provide guidance when it comes to choosing your decor and layout.
We will now share a few cheap winter wonderland wedding themes perfect for couples not looking to hire a decorator or stylist.
If you are getting married around Christmas, embracing a red-and-green colour palette makes a lot of sense.
Consider cool greys, ivories and charcoal for your wedding colours and palettes for winter weddings.
Midnight blue and ice blue are also famous for their wintery frost theme.
When planning a romantic winter wonderland wedding, you might want to consider blush, spruce and ice blue.
You can never go wrong with a winter wonderland theme!
The possibilities are endless when it comes to decorating.
There are various romantic winter wedding colour ideas that you can use and truly make your own.
Here are a few winter wedding theme colours I love:
- Silver and Gray
- Light Rose and Pale Blush
- Moody Dark Navy and Forest Green
- Forest Green, Black and White
- Champagne and Burgundy
- Rose Gold and Dark Wine
- Dusty Blue and Blush
Ideas for your winter wedding decorations on a budget could be anything you want, from illuminating the trees outside your wedding venue with white lighting to decorating your wedding aisle with pillar candles!
These geometric gold candle holders would look gorgeous on champagne tablecloths or rose gold cloths for centrepieces.
You can also have several gold mercury glass votives on your tables with these lanterns as the primary focus.
Don’t forget to add greenery, such as a green garland table runner and sprinkle with light snow to give it a winter feel.
As you can see, our winter wedding ideas on a budget require just a little thinking outside the box.
Photo credit: Ryan Ray Photography / Designer: Elise Events
6. Wedding Flowers Ideas & Arrangements
Winter wedding ideas on a budget can be simplified if you stick to things available during winter.
Sticking to flowers and plants in the season is best to maximize your wedding savings.
Flowers such as lisianthus, veronica, alstroemeria and gypsophila have a year-round presence, which makes them a budget-friendly option for your elegant winter wonderland extravaganza event.
Other winter wedding flower ideas include traditional roses, hellebores, tulips, and anemones.
Don’t forget to use berries, dusty miller, and sturdy sprigs of leaves as fillers to complete the look.
If you are planning a winter wedding, trust me when I say your blooms will look amazing.
Your winter wedding bouquets will be to die for.
And the more greenery you can add to your bouquets, centrepieces and floral arrangements, the more money you can save.
This will also give the added complete look you might need.
For winter brides, please don’t shy away from also using winter greens, pines and cones to give it the needed texture and a winter vibe.
A wedding bouquet is a must-have, no matter what year.
Don’t avoid using pines and cones to give texture where needed.
Check out this great list of winter wedding bouquets with pine cones!
Photo by Jessie Casey Via Emma Loves Weddings
7. Affordable Winter-themed Wedding Food Ideas
Because you are planning a winter wedding on a budget, you must devise a menu you can afford while keeping guests in mind.
Warm drinks and food are always rewarding as guests enter your reception hall to warm up.
Serve your guests some hot canapés as they arrive indoors to warm up.
Hors d’oeuvres help get your wedding guest talking, so do not skimp on these.
They are a great idea as your guests start to mix and mingle while sipping cocktails and sampling a wide variety of foods.
So what are some examples of hot hors d’oeuvres?
Examples of cheap hot wedding canapes include saucy mini meatballs on skewers, tomato soup shooters topped with a wedge of grilled cheese, mini sliders, seared sea scallops and mozzarella/tomato bites.
You can also choose a charcuterie bar with assorted cheeses and fruits.
Honestly, as long as they are at least warm and filling, your wedding guests will love these tasty treats.
Then you can have your main dishes, desserts and late-night snacks.
Read this next post if you want cheap wedding reception food ideas and this one for affordable wedding reception buffet menu ideas.
It’s packed with many excellent tips for your winter wedding ideas on a budget.
8. Winter Wedding Cake Flavor
There is nothing yummier than serving great cake at your wedding.
Typically I wouldn’t say I like cake, but everything is different in winter.
We have you covered if you want unique cake flavours for winter weddings.
The options can seem almost endless when choosing your winter wedding cake flavours.
There are a variety of seasonal cake flavours that are perfect for any winter wedding.
I suggest trying to stick to these flavours if you want to stay on theme with winter weddings:
- Gingerbread, pear
- Vanilla with coconut
- Eggnog
- Chai spice
- Chocolate or hazelnut
- Cinnamon
- Peppermint
- Spiced carrot
- Salted Caramel Banana
- Coffee Buttercream
- Maple Buttercream
These are all delicious and different options for cake flavours for a winter wedding.
As I mentioned, stick to what is in season for those looking for winter wedding ideas on a budget.
Check out these classy Halloween-themed wedding cakes!
Or these elegant black wedding cakes for ideas and inspiration.
Cake artist: biscuitico
9. Hot Beverage Bar
Simple winter wedding ideas on a budget like this could save you big money.
A great way to keep your guests warm and comfortable is by serving them delicious hot beverages to help them fight the cold.
Your elegant winter wonderland would not be complete without hot cocoa or a s’mores bar.
Consider having hot cocoa, coffee or a tea bar featured at your winter wonderland wedding.
This is a must, especially for an outdoor winter wedding ceremony.
It will keep your guest warm and could save you money!
Hot drinks or an alcoholic cocktail hour is a great winter wedding idea.
A hot apple cider punch is also an excellent item to serve at your winter wedding reception.
If you are feeling a little extra, you can up your hot cocoa game by adding extra booze for that added warmth.
A winter wedding extravaganza is a beautiful blend of great style, personal touches and contemporary festive styling.
And I truly believe having a hot cocoa station or a hot chocolate bar is a personal touch that will make your guests happy and warm before they hit the dance floor.
Read this for a list of flavourful winter wedding signature drinks perfect for the holidays.
Event and Floral Design by A Good Affair Wedding & Event Production, Photography by Isaiah & Taylor Photography, Venue at Serendipity Garden Weddings
10. Keeping Your Guests Warm
Getting married in the winter months is magical!
We have already determined that.
It can be cold or manageable, depending on when you are hosting your wedding.
But it is essential that your guest feel warm and comfortable on your big day.
You are responsible for them and don’t want anyone with frostbite.
As much as they can dress warmly, ensuring your guests feel warm is vital.
We have already provided warm food and drinks (cocoa bar), but what else can you do to ensure your wedding guests stay warm on your big day?
There are plenty of ways to keep your guests warm and comfortable during your big day so they focus on celebrating the happy couple!
- Use space heaters
- Provide wedding blankets
- Have warm drinks passed
- Have warming stations -fire pits
Photography – We are Matt and Jess via JuneBugs
11. Winter Wedding Favour Ideas
You will find plenty of romantic winter wonderland wedding ideas on a budget on Pinterest and just by looking them up on Google.
A lot of it can feel overwhelming, so we wanted to say if you are on a budget, you can skip out on having wedding favours.
Wedding favours are small gifts given as a gesture of appreciation or gratitude to guests from the bride and groom during the wedding ceremony or reception.
For simple wedding ideas for winter, skip this section if your budget is tight.
This wedding tradition is not dying anytime soon, so if you do decide it fits into your wedding budget, then here are a few winter wedding favours that might work:
- Coffee beans
- Personalize hot chocolate favour
- Cute socks with personalized tags
- Snowflake coasters
- Wedding Tea favours
- Personalized winter can cooler
- Warm wedding blankets
12. To Tent or Not To Tent
Winter could look very different for you, depending on your location.
You could live in an area prone to significant snow storms like where I am, or your temperature might drop a few notches.
If you are hosting an outdoor winter wedding, get a tent.
It is cold outside during the winter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have your wedding reception outdoors.
With a tent, you can keep everyone nice and toasty inside and the cold, icy weather outside.
Your guests must be kept warm and comfortable for your wedding.
You are responsible for their well-being.
I suggest renting a tent and a couple of heat warmers to ensure everyone is warm and having fun.
Photo by Katherine Rose Photography
Photo by Grant Daniels Photography; Planning & Design by Diamond Affairs Weddings & Special Events; Floral Design by Bella Flora of Dallas
13. Winter Wedding Date Tips For Budget Brides
I often get asked this question:
“What is the best month for a winter wedding?”
As well as what day of the week is best for saving money.
Knowing the cheapest months to get married is essential if you want to have a cheap wedding to save.
If you plan a winter wonderland wedding on a budget, your wedding date or month could impact how much you can save.
Winter weddings are usually cheaper, but specific dates and months could save you even more money.
November and January tend to be dead wedding-wise.
The first two weeks of December are a great month to get married but are busy for most people as they wrap up last-minute work commitments, Christmas shopping and preparations.
A lot of heads-up is required.
December 28th and 29th seem like amazing dates, but December 30th & 31st are busy, especially leading up to New Year.
New Year’s Eve is expensive, and you could be charged premium pricing.
January is great, but this might not work if you want a festive theme!
February and March could also work.
The best way to cut costs for your winter wedding is to consider having your wedding on a Friday.
If you could save a few thousand dollars here and there with your wedding vendors by having your wedding on a Friday or any time of the week, then you should do it.
I know couples that have saved over $4000 just for having a weekday wedding.
It might not be convenient, but with proper planning and enough notice to your guest, you can have a beautiful wedding without spending so much money.
Honestly, I wouldn’t feel bad about having a weekday wedding.
Just think about all the money you could save.
Choosing to have a Sunday morning brunch wedding and a weeknight evening wedding during winter could help you save a considerable amount of money.
There is nothing wrong with daytime winter weddings if you will save plenty of money.
14. Consider An Intimate Wedding Guest List
We have many fantastic winter wedding ideas that can help you save money.
For budget winter wedding ideas, you will need to be creative.
But the best way to save on a winter wedding or any wedding is to trim your guest list.
Doing this will have the most significant impact on your wedding budget.
Cutting down your wedding list and hosting an intimate wedding will save you the most money in the long run.
You will have fewer mouths to feed, fewer tables (so fewer decorations), and less of everything.
Keeping the guest list small is the best and fastest way to minimize your wedding cost.
The more people you have attending your special day, the more stressed you will be before and during your wedding.
Spending thousands of dollars to be stressed out is honestly not worth it.
I love the idea of keeping weddings in a more intimate setting, hence the popularity of micro weddings.
You can find many unique small intimate winter wedding ideas online to help you plan your perfect day.
Just like this cozy at-home winter wedding with only 17 guests.
Image by: James x Schulze
15. Cozy Winter Wedding Photos
Be sure to schedule your winter wedding photoshoot in the morning if possible.
This could mean that you end up doing a first look.
While winter daylights tend to be soft and perfect for outdoor shoots, the days are shorter.
Apogee Photo Magazine echoes this statement: “an obvious issue with weddings in winter is fewer hours of daylight compared to those warmer months, reducing the amount of time available for outdoor shots.”
To address this problem, schedule your winter wedding photoshoots in the morning so you will have more time to catch the natural sunlight for that wedding day glow.
Take pictures in front of a Christmas tree if your wedding venue has it set up or outside, where you might find bare branches covered in snow.
They make for beautiful winter wedding photos.
Use your reception space to take more romantic photos if it is too cold outside.
Also, enjoy playing and running in the snow to capture beautiful photos for your dream wedding.
Read this to find creative wedding photo ideas.
Photo by Belinda Guizar
Romantic winter wedding ideas and pictures
If you want more wedding ideas for winter on a budget, the pictures below should help more.
It features cozy winter wedding inspiration for bold brides and grooms who don’t let cold weather get in the way of celebrating their love!
Via Mariage
Photography: Dawn Derbyshire Photography Via Burgh Brides
Photography: Athena and Camron
Via Rustic Rose Barn
Image Source: Photo by Heather Burris Photography
Are Winter Weddings Cheap?
Planning a winter wedding can save you a lot of money.
Winter weddings are generally cheaper than planning during peak season.
Peak wedding season, including summer weddings, usually runs from late May to early fall.
Winter can bring down the cost of your wedding as vendors typically drop their prices to help incentivize brides to book them during that time.
If you love a particular wedding vendor, don’t hesitate to negotiate further and get a better price for your winter wedding.
This alone is an excellent reason to plan a wedding in winter.
As you can see from all the winter wedding ideas and pictures shared today, you can easily plan a small, intimate wedding and save a ton of money.
If you do not have a wedding planner to help negotiate wedding vendor rates, I suggest grabbing this wedding planner printable to simplify your wedding plans.
It will save you a lot of headaches in the long run.
We all know how stressful wedding planning can get.
If you want more wedding day tips and tricks, check out other posts on the blog.
Which of these winter wedding tips do you resonate with the most?
If you have any other winter wedding tips you would like to follow, please share them below.
Don’t forget to grab our free 12-month wedding planning checklist printable!
This simple wedding planning checklist will save your sanity and money while planning your winter wedding on a budget this year.
It is the best 12-month wedding checklist pdf, perfect for busy brides or those that want to be more organized.
Grab your copy right here.
And there you go, the best winter wedding ideas on a budget!
I hope you loved our tips and will try some to save some money.
Lets us know if you are looking for more winter wedding tips.
Related:
- Romantic Christmas Wedding Songs
- Romantic Winter Proposal Ideas
- Simple Fall Wedding Signature drinks
- Winter Wedding Nail Ideas For Brides
- Biggest Wedding Trends For Brides
- Tips For Planning An Anniversary Party
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Winter weddings are so beautiful.
Yes they are!