What to Wear to a Winter Wedding - Historic Acres of Hershey (2024)

  • Nicole Adams
  • October 2, 2023
  • Weddings

Winter weddings are undeniably romantic, but it can be tough as a guest to know what to wear to such an event. Unlike spring and summer weddings where you can wear the bare minimum, winter weddings generally call for dresses and pantsuits that are made from thick fabrics like velvet and come with sleeves or high necklines. There are plenty of fun and stylish ways to dress seasonally appropriate from dark and rich hues to beautiful cover-ups and winter worthy fabrics, consider these options when you’re getting ready for a winter wedding.

Winter Wedding Attire Considerations

For weddings in general, it’s always important to figure out how formal the event is going to be. Is it black tie, co*cktail or more casual attire? Winter weddings often lean toward formal or semi-formal attire, so opting for a suit or a formal dress is a safe choice unless the invitation specifies otherwise. Check the wedding invitation for dress code instructions, theme, color scheme and whether any part of the gathering will take place outdoors. If you’re unsure, ask the bride or check the couple’s wedding website.

The next consideration is the venue and setting for the event. Will it be windy, snowy or sunny? Is it a city or country wedding? What’s the terrain like? Will you need to be outdoors at all? It’s good to have a gauge on the temps and conditions you may encounter so you can be prepared by bringing the proper outerwear, layers and shoes. Even if the majority of the celebration will be indoors, still consider the amount of time you’ll need to walk outdoors to get to the venue and remember if it’s snowy or wet, it’s completely fine to wear boots then change into heels.

Another thing to consider when choosing what to wear to a winter wedding is the color palette. Couples will often incorporate their color scheme into their wedding invitations so be sure to look closely for any clues as to what the dress code is as well as a possible color palette. Popular colors to wear to a winter wedding are deep or darker colors like navy, hunter green, plum, black, deep brown, maroon, etc. For a more formal event consider metallics like silver, gold and copper or a little sparkle.

What to Wear to a Winter Wedding

Once you’ve considered the formality and weather conditions, it’s time to decide what you’re going to wear. Are you the kind of person who always runs cold? Layering will be key to ensure you’re comfortable and still feel stylish. Opt for longer sleeves, a long dress, tights, a pant suit, faux fur jacket, scarf or shawl. Are you intent on wearing a shorter dress despite chilly temps? Use your layers, pair with closed toed shoes, and a long jacket. Are you dying to wear a pair of stilettos? Go for it, bring an extra pair of shoes along if you need to.

Winter is perfect for rich jewel tones and darker colors like deep blue, purple, or classic black and gray are excellent choices for winter weddings. They not only look elegant but also help to create a warm and sophisticated appearance. Choose heavier fabrics such as wool, velvet, or satin for your clothing to provide extra warmth. You’ll want to avoid lightweight summer fabrics like linen and cotton. You can also pair these color pallets with glamorous textures, gold, silver, or sequins, whether with a scarf, shoes, or purse.

Accessories like scarves, gloves, and hats can not only keep you warm but also add a touch of style to your outfit. Consider matching these accessories to your attire or using them to introduce a pop of color. Don’t forget a stylish overcoat or a warm winter coat to wear when you’re outside, make sure it compliments your outfit and is easy to remove once you’re indoors.

Remember the key to dressing for a winter wedding is to balance style with warmth. You can look elegant and feel comfortable even in cold weather simply by choosing the right fabrics, layering, and accessorizing appropriately.

Located on beautiful rolling hills, Historic Acres of Hershey is a beautiful setting for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and other special events any time of year with both indoor and outdoor event spaces. Give us a call at 717-298-6340 to learn more or contact us.

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What to Wear to a Winter Wedding - Historic Acres of Hershey (2024)

FAQs

What to Wear to a Winter Wedding - Historic Acres of Hershey? ›

Winter weddings allow for heavier fabrics and long sleeves, choose variations on classic holiday colors like red and green. Consider the location: When attending a destination wedding, wear colors that complement the venue and show respect for the couple.

What to wear as a guest to a winter wedding? ›

For the most formal winter weddings, like a black tie or black tie-optional affair, consider a maxi- or co*cktail dress, bold, solid colors, or rich patterns like floral jacquard, heels, and sparkly jewelry. Metallic colors like gold, sequin, copper, or silver are also great for holiday-centered winter weddings.

What to wear to an outdoor wedding in cold weather? ›

Outdoor Winter Wedding Attire

Think high necklines, long sleeves and hems, and thicker fabrics like velvet and wool to keep you toasty. Dark colors, jewel tones and sequins are a go too. And you'll definitely want to dress in layers. For formal gowns, a dress coat is a stylish choice that's weather-appropriate too.

How can I look stylish in winter wedding? ›

Winter is the season of cosy fabrics, so why not incorporate that into your ethnic ensemble? Velvet, brocade and silk are not only regal but also excellent insulators against the chill. A velvet blouse paired with a silk sari or a brocade lehenga can effortlessly elevate your winter wedding look.

What do you wear to a barn wedding in the winter? ›

Other factors like the event's time of day or season can help you determine what to wear to a barn wedding. A barn wedding in the summer might see linen suits and midi dresses; a nice coat and a shawl are warm and more appropriate for cooler fall and winter celebrations.

Can a woman wear pants to a winter wedding? ›

It may not seem traditional, but pants can actually be an elegant option for a winter wedding.

Do you have to wear a long dress to a winter wedding? ›

Since a winter wedding is in the winter when it's, well, cold out, you may want to choose a long sleeve dress. You could go short (I love this one and it's on sale) or a full length gown too. A midi length is also great.

What are the colors for winter wedding guests? ›

Accordingly, if you're a wedding guest at a winter wedding, you need to follow a certain dress code. Most men wear a tuxedo or full suit (jacket and dress pants) in darker colors, such as black, navy blue, and brown, whereas ladies don maxi dresses made of velvet or other opulent fabrics.

How do I look classy and elegant in winter? ›

Mix neutrals for elegance – Neutral beige, gray, and black colors are vital in winter fashion. You can layer them in shades to create a refined and elegant look. For instance, a charcoal gray coat over a light gray sweater creates a subtle, stylish contrast.

Can I wear black to a winter wedding? ›

"I have beautiful brides wearing black wedding dresses," said Anastasia Stevenson, a destination wedding planner with Coastal Creative Weddings in Tybee Island, GA. "It is perfectly acceptable and chic to wear black to evening, black tie, and winter weddings."

What not to wear to a winter wedding? ›

But, I would also recommend staying away from anything that could be construed as white. This includes very light pastels and even white dresses with floral prints. Some argue that you should not wear black to a wedding.

Can you wear bare legs to a winter wedding? ›

Thicker fabrics, billowing sleeves and higher necklines will all balance out bare legs, and there are always good old tights should you need more layering.

What does a woman wear to a barn wedding? ›

Midi dresses are ideal. You can do a simple sheath if you want to look chic or go for a breezy A-line silhouette if you want a softer feel. And even if the wedding is casual, you can still wear a maxi dress. There's no need for a sexy mermaid gown with a train that's going to drag across the barn floor all night.

What Colour should you wear to a winter wedding? ›

Winter wedding colours

We're talking shades of midnight blue, deep green or berry red—so get stuck in and embrace that warm festive feeling. Jewel tones are not only incredibly pretty, but as the traditional colours associated with winter, these tones make for a great winter wedding outfit.

Is it OK to wear black to a winter wedding? ›

The color black isn't limited to a certain time of the year, but it usually makes more sense to sport the shade at a fall or winter wedding since it matches the dark, moody weather.

What is not appropriate to wear as a wedding guest? ›

It doesn't matter if the dress code requests "casual" attire, jeans, T-shirts, shorts, flip-flops, and sneakers are never appropriate to wear as a wedding guest. Show respect for the bride and groom by dressing formally. Sabatino suggests that men show up in a jacket and tie, even when the invitation says casual.

What is appropriate to wear to a wedding as a guest? ›

Semi-Formal: For daytime weddings, women can wear a knee-length or midi dress, while men can wear a lighter-colored suit. For evening events, opt for darker colors and more formal attire. Dressy Casual: Women can wear a casual dress or separates, while men should wear dress pants with a collared shirt and blazer.

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