Wedding bells are ringing! Here comes the bride and the groom!
Maybe December isn’t the first month that comes to mind when contemplating what month to have a wedding. But we all know that December means holidays, celebrations, family time, great food. So why not make this month a lot more special with a Christmas wedding!
From less stress over the weather to better venue rates, here’s why you’ll be grateful to get married in December.
5 Reasons to Get Married on December
- More venue availability
- Less (or zero!) humidity
- Cheaper travel and accommodations
- Snowy wedding photos
- It’s the best time for a black tie
Pros and Cons of Christmas Wedding
There are many strong benefits to think about when considering a Christmas wedding. Some of these make wedding planning much easier. There are also some important downsides to consider before you commit to the idea.
Pros
Family Time
Friends and family are already planning on traveling and taking time off of work this time of year. You’ll know for sure that your friends and family won’t be inconvenienced in their life/work schedules and that they’ll be in the mood to celebrate.
Magical Honeymoons
It’s nice to get out of town any time of year. With the cold wind and snow in the forecast, a sandy beach is exponentially more attractive. This is the perfect time of year for honeymooners to soak up the sun.
Magical Theme and Amazing Decoration Ideas
Christmas offers a free pass from decorating stress with built-in themes and decor. Chances are that you already have most of the decorations in hand and will only require a minimal budget to transform it into something that’s uniquely your own.
Cons
Clichés, Maybe
Red and green color combos, Christmas carols, Santa, and reindeer decorations are all likely to compete with your Christmas wedding decoration ideas and vision.
Cold Weather
It’s cold outside, and in many parts of the country, you can count on snow. This makes driving to the venue difficult and outdoor venues impossible. Major storms could even force you to cancel the big event.
Expenses
Both you and your guests have broken the bank on Christmas presents and extravagant meals. Coming up with a wedding gift budget is more difficult than at other times of the year.
Still, we think you don’t have to deal with the heat of summer and people tend to be less stressed in winter especially during December weddings. To inspire you, we curated a list of Christmas wedding ideas that are creative, seasonally appropriate, and totally classy.
Festive Save-the-Dates
Send save-the-dates featuring silver foil-stamping on a red backdrop.
Christmas Wedding Invitations
Set the mood with stationery that borrows from a traditional holiday color palette, but is elegant enough to distinguish itself from a Christmas card.
A Warm Welcome Treat
Before the ceremony starts, greet guests with mugs of mulled wine and ginger cookies.
Create a Bouquet Full of Christmas Spirit
Design a bridal bouquet full of Yuletide elegance by incorporating an assortment of deep holiday hues. Mix in winter greenery and icy white accents for a bouquet full of Christmas spirit.
Red Bridesmaid Dresses
Red and green bridesmaid dresses are some of the most popular Christmas wedding ideas. Not only are these colors a natural fit for the season, but they're universally flattering and look gorgeous on all skin tones.
The Bridesmaids' Bouquet
Have each bridesmaid carry a petite bouquet of amaryllis flowers surrounded by pine branches, red berries, and silver leaves.
The Flower Girl Blooms
Arrange your flower girl's blooms in an ornamental cone, subtly accented with a red ribbon.
The Boutonnieres
Incorporate Yuletide hues in an understated manner. This elegant boutonniere for a Christmastime wedding comprised white freesia, green seeded eucalyptus, and red pepper berry.
Feel The Love with Mistletoe
Create a Christmas-inspired first kiss by handing mistletoe over your wedding alter. Or, feel the Christmas love for your guests with mistletoe magic at your reception.
First Look in the Snow
Snow makes a beautiful backdrop for wedding pictures. Consider having a first look with your soon-to-be-spouse surrounded by fresh powder.
The Programs
Borrow an idea from this Oregon celebration and festoon programs with cedar twigs—or boughs of holly—tied with brown taffeta ribbon.
Jingle Bell Exit "Toss"
As guests exit, the ceremony gives them bells to ring as the couple makes their way out.
Candy Cane Cocktail
For your signature cocktail, serve candy cane martinis made from strawberry vodka, crème de menthe, cranberry juice, and minty holiday candy.
White Christmas Mojito
If you need a signature cocktail for your reception, this pretty rum drink accented with coconut milk and topped with pomegranate arils is the answer.
DIY S'mores Favors
How cute is this for a rustic wedding favor your guests actually will use, er, devour! The DIY kit includes a tiny chocolate bar, graham crackers, and marshmallows. You even can personalize the candy bars with wraps in your wedding colors.
Floating Candles and Berries
Dress up the tables at your barn wedding with greenery interspersed with these adorable Mason jars filled with cranberries and floating candles. It's inexpensive yet totally rustic chic!
Christmas Ornament Chandelier
A whimsical ornament-covered chandelier looks like it came straight out of Santa's workshop. Ask your wedding venue for permission before hanging anything from existing chandeliers, or work with a local vintage wedding rental company to source and create your own.
Wedding Wreaths
Spruce up the ceilings and chandeliers of event space with eucalyptus wreaths, like these ones created by Branch Design Studio for a South Carolina soirée. Wreaths are not only a classic Christmas decoration, but also a symbol of everlasting love.
Red and White Wedding Cake
For a winter wedding cake that's chic and seasonal, use fresh cranberries, holly, or sugar flowers to jazz up a simple white fondant confection.
Christmas Wedding Cake
For a twist on a traditional wedding cake, try a version of millefoglie, which was given a festive touch with red fruit and greenery for a winter celebration in the Rocky Mountains.
A Late-Night Treat
Take a cue from this Chicago wedding and serve hot cocoa with peppermint stirrers for a perfect end-of-the-evening pick-me-up.
The Getaway Car Wreath
Decorate the front of a vintage getaway car with a wreath of evergreens, pinecones, and a big red bow.