We are so excited for the magic that the winter season brings. There is something truly magical about the season. We don’t know whether it is the crisp weather, the occasional PNW snow fall, or maybe it’s all the Hallmark Christmas movies that we’ve been watching. But, winter has arrived and we look forward to seeing what the season, and our couples, have to offer! Winter is elegant and romantic all wrapped up in a cozy blanket. If you’re planning your winter wedding, or maybe you’ve got your upcoming winter nuptials, we’ve collected our top ten favorite wedding trends for the 2024 season.
And hey – if you’re a 2025/2026 bride or groom, we’re sure these trends will stay timeless for the following season. So, pour yourself a hot cocoa, wrap yourself in a cozy blanket, and let’s check out trends to look for this winter wedding season.
#01: Capes
This season we expect to see our brides wearing accessories that not only serve as a fashion statement piece, but are quite functional in the chilly weather. We have noticed brides are venturing into the world of capes! And we are not talking about Superman’s cape, but an elegant statement cape, whether made of velvet, shimmering organza with delicate crystal stars, or silk – we are HERE for the capes. If you’re still in the fitting stages, or are on the lookout for a dress, ask the bridal boutique or seamstress if they are able to customize a cape for your wedding dress. It not only is a statement piece, but gives an ode to timeless early 20th century fashion.
#02: Faux Fur
We’re sticking with the key word faux for this next wedding trend and furry accessory. Faux fur is perfect for the winter season. Much like the cape, it is practical for the winter temperature but adds a touch of glamour. We are expecting to see faux fur down the aisle with fur jackets, wraps, shawls, and even a cloak coat. Faux fur adds romance and we’re expecting many brides to opt for them for not just themselves, but for their wedding party.
#03: Bring on the Velvet
Can we just say that we love velvet – SO much. Velvet is a statement and can either be a statement piece or a subtle nod to the trend. Velvet bridesmaids dresses add romance and texture to your wedding attire. The dresses tend to stand out more and will pop in your photography sessions. Velvet has hit the wedding industry hard this year, and we forecast that it will not be going anywhere for the 2025 season. If you’re wanting to incorporate velvet in other ways, renting or creating your own velvet draping, tablecloths, or runners, are a beautiful way to incorporate this trend. Velvet can be bright or moody and is perfect for any theme!
#04: A Formal Attire
We’ve been seeing a rise in formal attire with not only the wedding party but with an overall formal theme. Formal dress is fun for the wedding party and for wedding guests. I don’t know about you but we sure love a reason to get dressed up in a formal gown. If you’re opting for formal attire, be sure to clearly address this on your wedding invite and share a link to your wedding website. On your wedding website you will want to ensure that you describe what formal attire looks like. Are you requiring suits? Or are you wanting to go for the classic black tie with tuxedos? For the ladies, ensure you dictate whether you want floor length or cocktail, and if you do plan on a formal affair, plan on your start time being in the evening. We suggest no earlier than 4:00PM with a formal affair. Black tie or any formal fashion is timeless and classic. This is truly something that will never go out of style.
#05: Moody Color Palettes
This winter season we are forecasting to see moody color schemes, such as emerald greens, navy blue, burgundy, and even burnt copper. The good news about selecting these hues, is that the colors will truly add depth and dimension to your overall wedding theme and photography. These colors tend to be more flattering, and honestly is a great selection for all skin tones. You can incorporate these colors from the wedding party attire to accent decor pieces throughout your event. You can even select florals in these hues! The moody hues will radiate warmth throughout your ceremony and reception. It is the perfect juxtaposition to the cool winter landscape.
#06: Warm Lighting You seriously cannot go wrong with candles and candlelight glow at your winter wedding. This truly creates a magical atmosphere and is budget friendly, as long as your venue allows open flame (be sure to check that contract!). Candlelight can vary from glass vases and pillar candles, to taper candles arranged on tablescapes. There are endless options in on types of candlelight, as well as the color selection of candles. We are big fans of the classic white or cream colors, but do love the idea of selecting colors that match your theme – I mean can you imagine burgundy or emerald candlesticks!? If you are choosing to go in the direction of ample candlelight, select candles with varying heights to create dimension.
#07: Bold Lips and Makeup
This past spring and summer season, we saw a lot of dewy makeup looks as well as subtle shades of pink. This winter season we are expecting to see dramatic looks such as dark, deep lips and bold eyes. We hope to see berry colors, rich plums, and deep reds. If you do want to dive into the bolder makeup look, ensure that you do several trials of different lip shades and eyeshadow bases to ensure that your makeup will last throughout the day! We highly suggest making them a part of your routine for a full day to ensure it lasts and doesn’t disappear post dinner etc.
#08: Quality Details
We expect to see couples choose quality over quantity. This includes selecting a menu specific to tastes and farm to table, rather than a large menu size. It also means that we are expecting to see smaller guest lists this winter, to create an intimate setting. Couples are starting to explore the idea of intimate weddings more, and we expect to see more of these kinds of experiences. This is an experience for couples and their guests and most are opting for quality events.
#09: Vintage Details
As the items at the top of our list feature vintage fashion, we expect to see winter couples opt for timeless, thrifted, or vintage decor and accents. We expect that couples have hit their local swap meet or favorite little thrift store and will include vintage picture frames, taper candle holders, a wide variety of crystals, and candelabras to create romantic tablescapes. Along with the capes and faux fur accessories, delicate fabrics will be selected which will create the perfect feeling of nostalgia.
#10: Dried Flowers
While many ouples select fresh blooms, we are expecting to see an increase of sustainable dried blooms. Dried flowers are a great option to add texture and add a vintage flair to your wedding day. And even if you’re not wanting full bouquets of centerpieces of dried florals, you can add dried florals to any arrangement. Some of our favorite preserved florals include: german statice, asparagus plumosus fern, weeping willow, coastal dune grass, thistles, heather, craspedia billy, and lavender!
We are so eager for the upcoming winter wedding seasons and we’ve already been crafting and planning with our winter couples. If you’re planning a late winter wedding, don’t worry - there is still time to add some of these winter trends to your big day! This season embrace the vintage details, with both decor and wedding day attire, explore warm candlelight and dried floral arrangements, and explore moody and rich color schemes. We can’t wait to finally jump into some winter weddings – are you?!
Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Tacoma Wedding Planner with over 19 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.