The holiday season has a magic all its own, so it’s no surprise many couples find themselves beneath the mistletoe. Spending the holidays newly engaged makes visiting with family and friends especially special and sentimental. From engagement party ideas to planning a stunning winter wedding, we’ve compiled a list of ways to celebrate your merry season!

Balancing festive traditions with meaningful wedding details and navigating holiday schedules can be challenging, yet rewarding. With a winter wedding, there are a few aspects that may be out of your control, like weather and attendance. When choosing the perfect date, keep in mind how busy this season is for your guests. Consider booking hotel blocks early, sending your save the dates as soon as possible, and creating alternative plans in case inclement weather prevents travel.

Engagement

Planning an Engagement

Spending the holidays newly engaged brings a new charm, excitement, and sentiment to the season. Once the bliss of being a fiancée sets in, the holidays become the perfect backdrop to celebrate this new chapter. Whether you’re taking a cozy winter getaway, strolling hand-in-hand through festive markets, or simply soaking up quiet moments at home, the season adds a special charm to the earliest days of being engaged

Engagement Party

Traditionally, an engagement party is thrown by the bride’s parents quickly after the proposal, but the modern celebration can be as unique as the couple themselves. Some choose an intimate gathering with close family, while others prefer a festive holiday-themed event filled with friends, sparkling drinks, and plenty of cheer. No matter the size, the purpose remains the same: to share your joy, celebrate your commitment, and begin the wedding journey surrounded by the people who matter most. Incorporate evergreens, ribbons, and beautiful red or green elements to set the perfect stage for telling your proposal story.

Announcements

It is already a treat to see family during the holidays, but travelling home with life-changing news makes the visit even sweeter. With loved ones gathered in one place, the holidays become the perfect time to share your engagement story, show off your ring, and relive the moment you said “yes.” Whether you make a heartfelt announcement around the dinner table or reveal your exciting news through a holiday card, sharing your engagement during this sentimental season will create a memory to be cherished.

Christmastime Weddings

Winter

With thoughtful choices and a focus on the season’s inherent beauty, a winter wedding becomes less about decoration and more about tone: calm, refined, and quietly striking. Venues with architectural interest, set in a picturesque scene, or filled with natural light translate particularly well in winter. Large windows frame snow-covered scenery while historic buildings and lodges bring warmth. The venue for the ceremony and reception does not just hold the event, but rather shapes it, particularly when the weather prevents an outdoor element. Read more about how to create a true atmosphere with “Winter Wedding Tips & Trends.”

Winter wedding attire naturally invites more layers, structure, and texture. Brides may gravitate toward long sleeves, crepe gowns, or subtle beading that catches low seasonal light. Capes and tailored fur wraps offer warmth while maintaining the silhouette. For grooms and wedding party members, deeper hues like navy, charcoal, merlot, or forest create contrast against the soft cream and white. Velvet dresses or wool suiting will bring warmth and give an elevated appearance.

Winter nights are cold and long, so consider finding indoor reception venues with fireplaces or tall heaters. Add to the dreamy atmosphere with candles and ambient lighting.

As for florals, white roses, anemones, ranunculus, and orchids pair easily with winter greenery to make an impact, while maintaining the soft winter aesthetic. Small inclusions of soft mauve, blue, or deep berry tones will add depth without becoming holiday colors. A bridal bouquet of white monochromatic flowers matches the wedding palette seamlessly.

Subtle Christmas

Adding a subtle touch of the holidays to wedding details allows for the couple to embrace the season in a classy, refined way. This style of wedding doesn’t rely on bold seasonal colors or obvious decorations, rather it draws from the atmosphere of the season. Decor can lean towards elegant greenery, velvet ribbons, long-wick candles, and delicate glass fixtures. Including red and green details in moderation keeps the aesthetic without overpowering.

To reflect on the coziness of the wedding, consider lodges, churches, theatres, or chapels with beautiful architecture that complements the atmosphere. Spaces with existing character such as arched windows, long dining tables, and fireplaces enhance the sense of seasonal gathering. The idea is for the wedding to have a classy, sophisticated atmosphere, rather than feel like a holiday party. Read additional ways to plan a perfect winter wonderland wedding in our blog “Winter Wedding Tips.”

With the wedding attire, brides might choose gowns made of silk, satin, or crepe, with an added detail of gloves or a velvet wrap. Bridesmaids’ dresses are a stunning way to include texture and color that the bride or groom cannot, such as deep green, blue, charcoal grey, or burgundy. The addition of color adds subtlety to the ceremony, while remaining dignified and simple.

Florals take on a similar color palette. Winter whites remain central, but with touches of holiday-inspired color used with intention such as burgundy, cranberry, soft gold, or evergreen. The result is floral design that feels seasonal, but never crosses into an overtly holiday image.

Yule Tide

A wedding that embraces the Christmas spirit invites a sense of warmth, nostalgia, and richness that naturally aligns with the season. Rather than shying away from traditional holiday elements, the aesthetic leans into them thoughtfully. Warm red hues compliment dark green and gold accents, perfect to include with the beautiful whites and creams of the season!

Using depth, color, and texture creates an atmosphere that feels authentic yet curated. As for decor, include garlands layered with cedar or fir, tall candles, and red, green, or gold details. Venues will often decorate for Christmas, keeping the rental cost low for decorations. Decorate the space in the familiar comfort of the holidays without sacrificing sophistication.

Wedding attire within a Christmas aesthetic often reflects the richness of the red and green palette, displaying the warmth of the season. Brides may choose gowns with structured or billowy silhouettes, beaded details, or fur capes for warmth. For grooms and wedding parties, jewel tones like emerald, ruby, navy, or black create striking contrast.

For florals, red and burgundy roses, amaryllis, ranunculus, and deep-toned dahlias share space with winter greenery. Including textured elements like berries, pinecones, or magnolia leaves doesn’t merely decorate the space but creates a winter holiday atmosphere alongside wintry landscapes and candlelit spaces.

Honeymoon

For the Christmastime newlyweds, choosing your honeymoon destination is important! Want to indulge in a snowy lodge in a charming town? Prefer to spend it on an island or warm tropical place to get away from winter’s cold? However you decide to enjoy the start of your marriage, celebrate the holiday season, create some new traditions, and catch the New Years Eve fireworks!

In Conclusion

Whether you envision an extravagant affair or a charmingly cozy celebration, a holiday engagement or winter wedding is a chance to create an event that perfectly reflects you as a couple. However you draw from the season, let it reflect your story, your style, and the feeling you want your guests to remember long after the night ends. For more blogs about how to plan and style winter weddings, read “Preparing for the Perfect Winter Wedding,” “The Perfect Winter Wedding Dress,” and “Wedding Styles for Different Venues.”

Photos included are from Pinterest with the original post linked.

by Hannah Risker

By: Hannah Risker
Title: When the Holidays Meet “I Do”
Sourced From: www.weddingandpartynetwork.com/blog/wedding-traditions/when-the-holidays-meet-i-do/
Published Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2025 15:00:00 +0000

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