Notes on Winter Wedding Gowns

Unexpected Benefits of Winter Wedding

Winter weddings tend to be about half as frequesnt as summer weddings. However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't consider it. Quite the oposite..

• The main advantage of having your wedding in the wintertime is the reduced cost. If you are planning your wedding on a budget, winter may be the ideal season.
• Also, because the demand is lower, vendors usually charge much less for a winter wedding than for a spring or summer affair.
• Another plus is that wedding reception facilities don't book as far in advance. Therefore, you have a much better chance of securing the facility of your choice.

The fun part: Winter Wedding Fashion!

Once you have decided upon a winter wedding, one of the first things you'll want to plan is the attire for the bride, groom and the entire bridal party.

Alfred Angelo - Style 1646LS

Winter Bridal Gowns

Bridal gowns stay relatively the same all year round. You have your choice of ball gowns, A-line, mermaid, sheath and all the traditional bridal gown types. However, more often than not, winter brides choose gowns with sleeves over sleeveless.

Long sleeved gowns with high necklines are a popular choice in winter weddings. Bell sleeves that flare out over the wrists are another top option. If you aren't opposed to a used gown, look to rent or buy a vintage dress. Most vintage gowns have long sleeves and are perfect for the season.

When shopping for a bridal gown, don't limit yourself. If you find a gown you love, whether sleeved or sleeveless, long or short, you can make it work for your wedding. As long as your wedding is indoors, you won't have to worry about being cold on your wedding day. And even outdoors, you can always add a wrap, shawl or fur.

Bridesmaid Gowns

Probably the biggest change in wedding attire from summer to winter weddings is in the bridesmaid gowns. The pink, purple and other pastels of summertime are replaced with warm, rich colors of winter.

Alfred Angelo – Style 6545

Popular colors for winter bridesmaid dresses are burgundy, forest green, deep plum and chocolate brown. Don't overlook the metallics as well. Gold and silver both work well for winter if they are not overdone.

• When picking metallic dresses, stick to simple silhouettes with little or no beading or embellishments. The metallic fabrics will give you all the shine you need without any extras.
• If you miss the light and bright colors of summer, you can combine them with deeper colors for a very beautiful look. For example, chocolate brown bridesmaid dresses trimmed with pink or fuchsia are very striking. Another nice combination is navy with touches of light or turquoise blue.
• Black bridesmaid dresses are another hot choice for winter. They will look fantastic when paired with silver shoes. Groomsmen can wear black as well and just distinguish themselves from the groom with a different color tie or cummerbund.
• Instead of the chiffon, lace, silk and taffeta of traditional bridesmaid gowns, you can experiment with fabrics in the winter. Velvet is a fantastic choice, though it may take a lot more searching to find a selection of velvet gowns.
• Like with the bridal gowns, long sleeves are a nice choice. However, sleeveless or cap sleeves are fine. The maids can add a shawl when they go outdoors.

We used Alfred Angelo as an example, but there are many different options for winter wedding fashion. Some ready to wear and some custom, to suit your own ideas! Contact a bridal boutique near you, or a bridal fashion designer near you, for available styles in your area.

Outdoor Winter Weddings
Don't overlook the idea of an outdoor wedding even in the winter. As long as you take precautions, a snowy winter day can be the perfect backdrop for a wedding. Just make sure to have outdoor space heaters to keep your guests warm and plenty of warm drinks at the reception. You might consider an indoor-outdoor reception facility with tables set up in both areas, as some guests (particularly older folks or younger children) may prefer to spend most of their time indoors.

Story by Kori Ellis