By Louise Baltruschat Hollis
Photos by Adrianna Piorun Photography
By Louise Baltruschat Hollis
Photos by Adrianna Piorun Photography
Congratulations on planning a Christmas wedding! Christmas has to be one of the most romantic times of the year, so what better time to get married?
However, I know what you are thinking. How can I plan a classy, chic festive style wedding without it becoming tacky and themed? Well, I am here to the rescue with my top Christmas wedding ideas to create a cosy and memory-filled festive day.
Plus I will share my top Christmas wedding planning tips to ensure it all goes without a hitch.
Start the day off with a bang. Tantalise your guests before the event gets underway with your Christmas wedding invitations!
But your wedding stationery doesn’t stop there. Consider your on-the-day stationery too to enhance all the festive feels.
Just because it’s Christmas, doesn’t mean you need to go for classic red and green. Soft neutrals can look really chis, especially with your pretty paper.
Photo: Megan Donati Photography via December Wedding Ideas
Calligraphy script edged with gold leaf for a luxe wedding place name look.
Photo: Barbara Markiewicz Photography via Christmas Tree Farm Wedding Ideas
Monochrome paper looks stylish, always. Especially teamed with metallics and tassels for Christmas.
Photo: Emily Tyler Photography via Upthorpe Wood Wedding
Christmas usually officially begins with the first advent calendar window is opened. So perhaps an advent calender wedding table plan is the best invention ever?!
Photo: Lola Rose Photography via Traditional Christmas Wedding
Emerald greens and gold teamed with stars is a beautifully Christmas style without the cheese.
Photo: Thyme Lane Photography via Rustic Christmas Wedding
Tartan is a fantastic print for Christmas, and used well can create a gorgeous festive style.
Photo: Lori Blythe Photography via Christmas Tree Farm Wedding Ideas
Sometimes you can add a little Christmas without going all in. This subtle night sky galaxy stationery is perfect for wintery weddings.
Photo: Christine Third Wheeling via Celestial Wedding Ideas
Use wreath hoops to craft a stylish DIY table plan that’s not over the top. For extra Christmas style, add more foliage!
Photo: Darina Stoda Photography via Stubton Hall Wedding
A simple flourish of holly and a dashing of festoon lights takes this invitation to a festive wonderland.
Photo: Jo Bradbury via Christmas Rich Tones Floral Classic Wedding
You don’t have to use decor alone to create a Christmas wedding. Choosing festive table names is a great way to inject your theme with festive fun. Here are some ideas:
Photo: You Them Us via Orange Tree House Wedding Winter
Photo: Jo Bradbury via Christmas Rich Tones Floral Classic Wedding
Be sure to think about your wedding readings and wedding music, not just your super cute ceremony booklets.
Here are some festive tunes for your ceremony right through to the last dance:
And some Christmas-feel ceremony readings:
Photo: Lola Rose Photography via Traditional Christmas Wedding
Chalkboards are always a wedding favourite and they suit a Christmas wedding beautifully especially draped in ivy.
Photo: Thyme Lane Photography via Clophill Eco Lodges Wedding
Treat and delight guests to special festive wedding favours! Stocking-fillers are perfect as favours, you don’t need to spend a fortune either.
A simple candy cane is not only the perfect sweet treat but is an understated Christmas treat.
Photo: You Them Us via Orange Tree House Wedding Winter
Make or build your own Christmas crackers! Not only will the gift inside go down a storm, but they are a really interactive table idea. With games inside, fun hats and a joke, it could just be the perfect wedding game idea.
Photo: Lola Rose Photography via Traditional Christmas Wedding
Spruce is traditional festive foliage that will certainly look the part on your place settings. Pair with wood for a chic Scandi style.
Photo: Thyme Lane Photography via Clophill Eco Lodges Wedding
Who doesn’t love a bauble? Create personalised baubles to use as favours and guests will remember your day every year when they decorate their tree.
Photo: Jennifer Jane Photography via Harefield Barn Wedding
Is it even Christmas without gingerbread?! Make mini gingerbread treats for guests to enjoy in the evening.
Photo: Mini and Me Photography via Christmas Wedding Ideas
Make stockings or Christmas sacks. If this is too much for your favours, they’d make great wrapping for gifts to your wedding party (or each other!).
Photo: Avalon Photography via Christmas Engagement
Treat the little ones at your wedding to Christmas chocolates and milk of course!
Photo: Lola Rose Photography via Traditional Christmas Wedding
Instead of a bauble, how about gifting guests a simple decoration to place in their home?
Photo: Lori Blythe Photography via Christmas Tree Farm Wedding Ideas
Hot chocolate jars are a great favour to DIY. Layer ingredients into glass jars for a visual and warming treat when they get home.
Photo: Alexa Frankovitch Photography via Pittsburgh Fall Wedding
So you now have your stationery, music, readings and favours sorted. But what about the all-important Christmas wedding decorations?
When it comes to decor, you can keep things incredibly simple and relaxed. Plus keeping decor low-key will keep costs down (don’t ever feel like you have to spend a fortune on your day!). But, you can also go all-out with your wedding decorations.
Elements such as paper, flowers, candles, fabrics, lighting and even wedding backdrops can make a real statement. Let’s check out the festive decor inspo shall we?
There’s something so Christmassy about stars. Foldable paper stars are a perfect hanging decoration and are inexpensive. Some allow lights to be placed inside for a glow come evening too.
Photo: Emily Tyler Photography via Upthorpe Wood Wedding
Host your wedding day at a Christmas Tree farm and let the pine trees do the talking. Add red and greens for a very traditional Christmas style.
Photo: Barbara Markiewicz Photography via Christmas Tree Farm Wedding Ideas
Greenery garlands make for the perfect Christmas table. Add natural elements such as pine cones and team with lit candles.
Photo: Mini and Me Photography via Christmas Wedding Ideas
Don’t stop at the tables, bring the greenery to the ceiling of your reception too.
Photo: Lee Allison Photography via South Farm Christmas Wedding
Micro fairy lights added to Christmas wedding centrepieces will look ethereal and pretty.
Photo: Thyme Lane Photography via Christmas Marquee Wedding
Your wedding venue may actually put up their own Christmas tree which will be an ideal addition to your decor. However, if not, you could create your own in your wedding theme or colour scheme.
Think about wrapping your wedding gifts to your wedding party beneath for an authentic look.
Photo: Pear & Bear Photography via Prestwold Hall Wedding
Add cute Christmas sayings and quotes to chalkboards and dot them around your venue.
Photo: Thyme Lane Photography via Clophill Eco Lodges Wedding
You can easily pick up dried clementine slices, or dry your own as a scented place setting addition.
Photo: Thyme Lane Photography via Christmas Marquee Wedding
Midnight blue and gold make for the perfect festive colours that don’t shout Christmas from the rooftops.
Photo: Christine Third Wheeling via Celestial Wedding Ideas
Add a wedding day scent with cinnamon sticks. Pop in flowers, in your stationery or on tables for a festive aroma.
Photo: Mini and Me Photography via Christmas Wedding Ideas
Bring the night sky in, with a clear span marquee reception. All the cosy feels whilst keeping toasty warm.
Photo: Thyme Lane Photography via Clophill Eco Lodges Wedding
Instead of flowers, seeing as it gets dark early in December. Why not make use of the low light by adding candles to your aisle?
Photo: Thyme Lane Photography via Rustic Christmas Wedding
Provide a cosy outdoor den for guests who want a touch of fresh air. Construct a naked tipi and adorn with fairy lights.
Photo: Emily Tyler Photography via Upthorpe Wood Wedding
Take inspiration from the Three Kings with rich, jewel colours on your wedding tables.
Photo: Dhw Photography via Rustic Christmas Wedding Ideas Moon Gate
Moss is a beautiful way to add vibrant green to your wedding decor. Be sure to source from a sustainable supplier though.
Photo: Gareth Newstead via Rustic Barn Red Gold Wedding
Add sparkle with sequins to your wedding. You could add a sequin jacket to your dress or a simple table runner in sequin fabric.
Photo: Lilly Red Photography via Lake Como Wedding Ideas
Create a twinkling ceiling with suspended tea lights. The effect is sure to wow guests.
Photo: Kerry Diamond Photography via Woodland Boho Wedding
Take inspiration from snowy weather with an icy blue and white scheme.
Photo: Ryann Lindsey Photography via Snowy Winter Wonderland Wedding
Cocoon your entire wedding venue with a fairy light canopy for a glowing effect.
Photo: Siobhan Beales Photography via Wick Farm Bath Wedding
To protect against the winter chill, give out cosy blankets to your loved ones.
Photo: Alex Tenters Photography via Farm Wedding
Bring all the magical vibes with fairy lights and candles.
Photo: The Gibsons via Magical Snowy Wedding
When it comes to winter wedding flowers for a Christmas do, options can be limited due to the season. However, if you are creative and flexible, there are plenty of options.
Work together with your florist or flower supplier to save on the cost of wedding flowers. As well as find alternatives to flowers that may not be available in the winter months.
Mistletoe may just be the most romantic and Christmassy wedding flower ever! Perfect for hanging at the top of the aisle and at your top table.
Photo: Thyme Lane Photography via Christmas Marquee Wedding
Add Christmas wreaths to your decor, such as on the back of your chairs or suspended on the wall. How about making a giant one for a wedding photobooth backdrop?
Photo: Dhw Photography via Rustic Christmas Wedding Ideas Moon Gate
Add ample foliage to your ceremony with a greenery hoop, pew ends and pedestal arrangements.
Photo: Danielle Smith Photography via Ruscus Wedding
Find natural-looking Christmas decorations and embellish with fresh flowers and foliage.
Photo: You Them Us via Orange Tree House Wedding Winter
Snowy white blooms look elegant and sophisticated at winter weddings.
Photo: Emily Tyler Photography via Upthorpe Wood Wedding
Rich red flowers look sumptuous and add a dash of glam to a wedding.
Photo: Lori Blythe Photography via Christmas Tree Farm Wedding Ideas
Your wedding flowers don’t have to be fresh. Dried flowers are hugely popular at weddings with fluffy pampas grass looking great all year round.
Photo: Mini and Me Photography via Christmas Wedding Ideas
Intersperse greenery with dusky pink tones for a warm bouquet style.
Photo: Winnington & Coe via Gloucestershire Barn Wedding
Pure white buttonhole flowers made from dried greenery, grass and seed heads look really elegant.
Photo: Christine Third Wheeling via Celestial Wedding Ideas
Add a touch of spruce to traditional wedding flowers for a festive feel.
Photo: Lee Allison Photography via South Farm Christmas Wedding
More is more, especially at Christmas, so why not go for an extra large bouquet?
Photo: Thyme Lane Photography via Christmas Marquee Wedding
A colour pop of red berries is just perfect for a Christmas floral arrangement.
Photo: Lola Rose Photography via Traditional Christmas Wedding
Tie up buttonholes and bouquets with festive ribbon.
Photo: Mini and Me Photography via Christmas Wedding Ideas
Now we’ve taken a look at wedding day style, let’s see how you can infuse all the fun at your festive wedding!
Provide sleigh rides for the ultimate wedding day fun. Or create a sleigh for photos!
Photo: Thyme Lane Photography via Christmas Marquee Wedding
Surprise children and adults alike with a visit from Santa! Get Father Christmas to give our wedding favours, have a Christmas sing-a-long or pose for wedding photos.
Hire a snow machine for a touch of magic on the dance floor or during wedding drinks.
Photo: Avalon Photography via Christmas Engagement
Ask guests to join in with a secret santa. Set a budget and a theme, then allow guests to swap presents on the day.
If there’s ever a time for glitter, it has to be at Christmas right?
Photo: Brightwing Photography via Barn Wedding Shropshire
Create an interactive experience for your guests by setting up an Elf On The Shelf challenge. Put an elf on each table and guests compete to create the most havoc.
Alternatively, create your own elf scenes and ask guests to find them throughout the day.
Swap your colourful wedding confetti for white petals or paper, for a snowfall-inspired confetti throw.
Photo: Wyldbee Photography via Homemade Wedding
Other Christmas wedding game ideas that could prove fun:
Photo: Kate Gray Photography via Four Seasons Hampshire Wedding
Sparklers are always fun and make for a fantastic photo opportunity.
Photo: Neil Thomas Douglas via Comrie Croft Wedding
Put together a fantastically festive photo booth for guests to take snaps.
Photo: Avalon Photography via Christmas Engagement
What better way to end the night than with majestic fireworks? Set to Christmas music for the ultimate night’s end.
Photo: Flawless Photography via Chateau Lagorce Wedding
Give the chance for guests to dress up with a festive dress code. How about:
Incorporate festive jingle bells with a fun ring for a kiss game. Each time someone rings the bell, the couple has to kiss!
Photo: Eleanor Jane via Tythe Barn Priston Mill Wedding
We all know Christmas is almost all about food and drink. It goes without saying that festive cuisine is a must-have for a Christmas wedding.
Comforting cookies in glass jars! Be sure to serve with warm milk.
Photo: Heather Jackson Photography via Botanical Barn Wedding
Instead of jars, present cookies on a wall!
Photo: The Light Painters via Hazel Gap Barn Wedding
If your wedding isn’t too close to Christmas day itself. Think about having Christmas turkey and all the trimmings!
Indulge in a chocolate fountain for the evening party.
Photo: Thyme Lane Photography via Cooling Castle Barn Wedding
Give out chocolate sitters to add pizazz to hot drinks after dinner.
Photo: Michelle Huggleston Photography via Movie Wedding Ideas
Give our s’mores for marshmallow toasting around the fire after dark.
Photo: Oobaloos Photography via Kingscote Barn Wedding
Ferrero Rocher, After Eights or perhaps Terry’s Chocolate Orange, are the classic Christmas choccie treat.
Photo: Kerry Ann Duffy via Champagne Luxe Wedding
Heat up your drinks reception with mulled wine.
Photo: Cotton Candy Photography via Sparkly Christmas Barn Wedding
Desserts are made to be indulgent and profiteroles may just be the ticket!
Photo: Emily and Steve Photography via Hampshire Woodland Wedding
Sweet or savoury pies are a great food option. Dish out minis for a cute Christmas canape.
Photo: Lori Blythe Photography via Christmas Tree Farm Wedding Ideas
Set up a hot chocolate bar for a warming treat post ceremony.
Photo: Avalon Photography via Christmas Engagement
Following your wedding breakfast treats guest to a flaming Christmas pudding.
Photo: Dhw Photography via Rustic Christmas Wedding Ideas Moon Gate
Can’t choose one pudding? Then give lots of treat options at your wedding.
Photo: Chloe Lee Photography via Snow White Wedding Ideas
Zhuzh up wine bottles with sweet Christmas hats.
Photo: Lola Rose Photography via Traditional Christmas Wedding
Love a cheese board? Why not make a cheese wedding cake as a wedding cake alternative?
Photo: Lola Rose Photography via Traditional Christmas Wedding
Look for some Christmas cocktails for special drinks. Here are some ideas:
Photo: Lori Blythe Photography via Christmas Tree Farm Wedding Ideas
Serve warm mince pies with ice cream for the perfect wedding day dessert.
Photo: Leah Lombardi Weddings via Inn On The Lake Wedding
Gingerbread houses evoke the perfect Christmas nostalgia, look great and taste amazing.
Photo: Beans On Toast For Two via Afternoon Tea Wedding
Wedding cakes often make up the centrepiece of a wedding. They can be a real talking point, both for visuals and flavour. So of course, its a key part of a Christmas wedding day style!
First up, let’s take a look at Christmas wedding cake flavour ideas:
White and gold make for a stunning cake decoration combination.
Photo: Emily Tyler Photography via Upthorpe Wood Wedding
Decorate a simple cake with spruce for instant Christmas vibes.
Photo: Thyme Lane Photography via Clophill Eco Lodges Wedding
Create an ice effect with a glitter finish.
Photo: Christine Third Wheeling via Celestial Wedding Ideas
Cotton adds a touch of softness to a cake design.
Photo: Barbara Markiewicz Photography via Christmas Tree Farm Wedding Ideas
For a natural Christmas style, have a cake that looks like a tree stump.
Photo: Mini and Me Photography via Christmas Wedding Ideas
Have mini Christmas puddings made and pop them on a cupcake tower.
Photo: Lola Rose Photography via Traditional Christmas Wedding
Roughly iced cakes look amazing decorated with simple flowers.
Photo: Lori Blythe Photography via Christmas Tree Farm Wedding Ideas
Pine cones and berries are the perfect accompaniment for a Christmas cake.
Photo: Victoria Phipps via Rustic Christmas Wedding Inspiration
For a softer style, watercolour effects can look magical.
Photo: Jessica Raphael Photography via Decadent Christmas Wedding
Feathers are a fabulous way to decorate a wedding cake.
Photo: Dhw Photography via Rustic Christmas Wedding Ideas Moon Gate
Pop your cake on a log slice for a festive wedding cake stand idea.
Photo: Tiree Dawson via Alpine Christmas Wedding
Perhaps the best Christmas colour palette? Red, gold and gold look amazing.
Photo: Sam Bennett via Autumnal Tipi Wedding Ideas
Add a cute festive message on your cake with a chalkboard effect.
Photo: Becky Ryan Photography via Fairytale Disney Wedding Ideas
This geode effect cake looks perfectly festive.
Photo: Ryann Lindsey Photography via Snowy Winter Wonderland Wedding
We’re going to turn our thoughts to outfits now! Christmas wedding dresses and suits to be precise, with a little accessorising to boot.
Choose a wedding dress embroidered with stars.
Photo: Barbara Markiewicz Photography via Christmas Tree Farm Wedding Ideas
Beaded gowns will add a touch of glam.
Photo: Jessica Raphael Photography via Decadent Christmas Wedding
Not only is velvet warm and tactile but it looks so luxe!
Photo: Jessica Raphael Photography via Decadent Christmas Wedding
Embellished wedding dresses look so sparkly and pretty.
Photo: You Them Us via Orange Tree House Wedding Winter
Glitter fabric and veils make for the best festive outfits.
Photo: Christine Third Wheeling via Celestial Wedding Ideas
Use tartan for accessories or suits for a warm and cosy look.
Photo: Dhw Photography via Rustic Christmas Wedding Ideas Moon Gate
Classic lace dresses with long sleeves are a timeless dress choice for brides.
Photo: Winnington & Coe via Gloucestershire Barn Wedding
Swap wedding shoes for long boots, ideal for cold weather!
Photo: Pierra G Photography via France Elopement Ideas
Faux fur accessories are not only going to keep you warm but will look so elegant.
Photo: The Gibsons via Magical Snowy Wedding
Keep warm and make a statement with beautiful tights.
Photo: Jacqui McSweeny Photography via The Royal Pavillion Wedding
Cosy coordinating socks make for a perfect gift to keep feet warm.
Photo: Albatross and Mariner via Stylish Festival Rainy Wedding
And so there we have it! You now have all the ideas you’ll ever need for your dream Christmas wedding. From food and drink to decor, favours, attire, cakes and games I have you covered!
Now its time to make note of your favourite ideas to incorporate into your theme! Hooray.
Photo: Lola Rose Photography via Traditional Christmas Wedding
Catch up on all the latest this month. Including Supplier Love news, my fave weddings and an update from me!
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Fran
What a beautiful feature, so rustic and lovely colours!
Lewis Fackrell Photography
Ahhh this wedding is gorgeous! Super personal and detailed.
Alexander Lewis
Incredible photos! Some inspiring shots that I really want to attempt myself.
Oliver
Brilliant work and something different, I really enjoyed reading this publication.