24 Christmas wedding ideas for a festive celebration

The best Christmas wedding ideas combine a cosy venue with festive decor, seasonal food and drink, and thoughtful touches for guest comfort. Popular choices include decorating with real Christmas trees, fairy lights and winter greenery; serving a Christmas dinner and mulled wine; using baubles or crackers as wedding favours; and choosing winter attire like long-sleeved gowns or velvet suits. Below are 24 Christmas wedding ideas, grouped by venue, decor, food and drink, entertainment, and crucially, how to keep everyone (and yourself) warm.

Christmas is famously one of the most magical times of the year, so hosting your wedding over the festive period is a no-brainer. If you’re keen to make the most of the yuletide spirit, our guide is packed with Christmas wedding inspiration.

Summer weddings steal the limelight, but winter weddings have a charm all their own, especially if you like the idea of a cosy celebration. Choosing the right venue sets the scene: think roaring fireplaces (or fire pits), twinkling lanterns and frost-covered grounds.

The real magic lies in the finishing touches. We can’t guarantee snow, but our tips will help turn your venue into a winter grotto, from seasonal greenery and mistletoe to cranberry cocktails and mulled wine. So, if you’re ready to embrace the holiday spirit with a December wedding, keep on scrolling for more Christmas wedding ideas.

Christmas wedding venue and decoration ideas

How to choose the perfect wintry wedding venue, and seasonal decorations galore to really turn up the festivities on your big day.

1. Choose a cosy venue

A snowy scene at Gosfield Hall

There’s no point choosing a wedding venue with sprawling grounds or extensive flower gardens if you’re not able to use them properly! Instead, think about choosing a venue that really comes into its own in winter, whether that’s an atmospheric, historic property with wood-panelled walls, or somewhere that specialises in rib-sticking food. You can find plenty of inspiration in our guide to the best winter wedding venues across the UK, which is packed with magnificent castles and cosy country homes.

2. Arrive in style

It's not just the venue that needs a winter makeover. Arrive in style via a festive mode of transport, whether you simply tart up your car with furs, pine cones and berries as above, or you hire a vintage carriage to transport you to the ball. 

3. Put up Christmas trees

Real Christmas trees instantly make a venue feel festive. If you’re hiring a blank canvas venue, you’ll need to source and decorate your own, which can add to your budget. But chances are many venues will have Christmas trees on hand, or will already plan to decorate for the season. This is especially true for hotel and event venues, which often host Christmas parties for corporates too.

4. Fill it with fairy lights

Need some inspiration? Farnham Castle is nailing the brief

Fairy lights are a must for any wintry celebration. Especially as the days grow shorter (the shortest day is on 21 December), the lighting at your wedding is even more important. Hang strings of twinkling lights across the ceiling and walls for a starry night effect.

5. Opt for a Christmassy colour palette

A Christmassy reception room at 10-11 Carlton House Terrace

The obvious choice here is to opt for reds and greens for your wedding colour scheme, matching deep scarlets and rich burgundies with leafy florals. However, there are plenty of palettes you could go for to make your wedding feel festive. Why not opt for a white and silver scheme to give your nuptials a frosty feel? Or pair cosy navy with smatterings of gold to create a luxurious vibe.

6. Decorate with greenery (and other winter florals)

Decorative touches at Leeds Castle and Leez Priory

Your festive scene wouldn't be complete without lots of greenery, so adorn your space with leafy greens like soft firs and mistletoe. Then offset all those lush tones with a pop of colour. Red berries and holly are a natural choice, but any combination of winter florals would work well - you can ask your florist what's in season. The deep red petals of amaryllis flowers sit nicely alongside fir and eucalyptus, or frosted pine cones. Our tip? Consider using dried flowers for a rustic touch – check out our guide on how to incorporate dried flowers into your wedding.

7. Hang a wreath

Wreath making at Stem+Stem (left) and heart-shaped wreath decor at Bowerchalke Barn (right)

Nothing says Christmas like a wreath! Incorporate them throughout your space, perhaps by hanging one over the entrance to your venue, or using them as decorative place settings. You can buy them ready-decorated, but if you're keen to roll up your sleeves, purchase them unadorned and add your own festive finishing touches, like red ribbon, dried orange slices, baubles and even sweets.

Or make the wreaths together as a fun pre-wedding activity. Stem+Stem offers wreath-making workshops that are perfect for chilled hen parties.

8. Mistletoe is a must

Weddings are synonymous with romance, so what better occasion to whip out the mistletoe? Hang sprigs over doorways, or add them to your table settings for a flirty finish to your decor.

9. Perk up your table decor

Go all out with a brightly coloured floral theme, like this purple and red contrasting colour palette at L’oscar London

Whether it's a few sprigs of rosemary, cinnamon sticks, or dried oranges, there are plenty of ways to pep up your tablescape. Pine cones are synonymous with the colder months, and there are lots of ways you can incorporate them in your festive decor. Use them as place card holders on your tables, loop through some string for a wintry bauble, or add to festoons of greenery. Or, go bold with red accents, gold-sprayed arrangements and deep forest green hues.

10. Keep cosy with faux fur

Cosy faux furs have been used to decorate seating at The Roseate

Throwing faux fur rugs and blankets over the backs of chairs creates a cosy aesthetic that feels both comfortable and luxurious in equal measure. Guests will be itching to hunker down in their seats! There's something Narnia-esque about these fluffy throws that we're obsessed with. 

11. Let it snow!

No snow forecast? A bit of fake snow, like this at Silchester Farm, can still do the job for your wedding photos! 

While we can’t guarantee real snow on your wedding day, it’s possible to recreate a snowy scene with confetti or some faux snow. Spray-on snow can be effective at adding a frosty effect to greenery, but if you really want to go all out, buy a proper snow machine for a showstopping finale to round off celebrations. 

12. Set up a festive photo backdrop

Short winter days mean less natural light for photos, so plan a backdrop that works after dark. A Christmas tree wrapped in fairy lights makes an easy setting for your couple portraits, or even a first look before the ceremony. For guests, turn a corner of the venue into a photo booth with a vintage sleigh, faux snow and a basket of festive props - think Santa hats, reindeer antlers and oversized baubles. Make sure you run the lighting past your photographer first.

Christmas wedding stationery and favour ideas

Set the tone with wintry invites, then send guests home with bauble place cards and crackers filled with favours.

13. Theme your invites

A few of our favourite festive designs by Papier

Choose a wintry colour scheme and design for your wedding invites to set the tone for what’s to come. This could mean employing a red and green palette, like this striking design by Papier, or embellishing your envelope with wax seals and ribbon. Prefer to go paperless? Check out these hassle-free digital invitation websites that make designing your own paperless invites a breeze. 

14. Use festive keepsakes for place cards

Place card holders like these baubles double up as festive wedding favours

Pretty, festive, and functional, marking each place with a festive keepsake creates a Christmassy feel with purpose. From personalised trinkets to baubles that simply hold the place card, there are plenty of options on the market. The best part? These can double up as wedding favours – just remind your guests to take them home!

15. Fill Christmas crackers with wedding favours

A beautiful festive tablescape at Brown’s Hotel

It might feel a little odd to have Christmas crackers on your wedding table, but they’re a nifty way to gift your guests with miniature wedding favours. Have everyone pull their crackers at the same time for a fun activity before you serve your meal, then watch everyone’s faces light up when they see what’s inside.

Christmas wedding food and drink ideas

Turkey with all the trimmings, a gingerbread-spiced cake and hot toddies instead of Spritzes? Sounds like a perfect winter wedding to us.

16. Serve a Christmas dinner

Obsessing with your wedding food? Go with a venue that has a great reputation, like Petersham Nurseries

This might not seem very original, but we reckon your guests will be more than happy to be served a classic turkey roast with all the trimmings. It makes for a fun sharing affair too, with sides served family-style on the table for everyone to tuck in. For a more relaxed vibe without a sit-down meal, you could serve festive canapés and drinks to start, with a hog roast to follow in the evening.

17. Order a festive wedding cake

We love these inspired gingerbread house wedding cakes (bonus points if they mirror your own home)

Wedding cakes and Christmas cakes used to have a lot in common, with both traditionally featuring a rich fruitcake, marzipan and royal icing. And while you don’t have to go full old-school, popular festive flavours like mixed spice, gingerbread, cinnamon and orange are sure to be a success. As for the design, keep it simple with holly leaf motifs, or go full Christmas – it’s up to you.

18. Sip on Christmas cocktails

Thames Luxury Charters certainly know how to mix up a festive cocktail! 

Swap Aperol Spritzes for warming drinks like mulled wine or cider, cranberry cocktails or hot toddies. Browse our full list of cocktail recipes for more drink ideas, or if you’re after a recommendation, then these Chocolate Orange Negronis and Rum Old Fashioneds are both excellent winter warmers.

19. Add a hot chocolate station

Swap the champagne tower for something warmer. A hot chocolate station gives guests a reason to gather between the speeches and the first dance, and it’s easy to dress up: line up jars of marshmallows, whipped cream, crushed candy canes and grated chocolate so everyone can build their own mug. For a grown-up twist, put a few bottles of Baileys or spiced rum on the side.

Christmas wedding entertainment and comfort

Getting the outfit right for your wedding is all important, but make sure you keep everyone else warm too! 

20. Make a playlist of Christmas classics

You can never go wrong with sparklers at a Christmas wedding, like these at Bingham Riverhouse

While there’s still a place for classic wedding songs at your celebration, it doesn’t hurt to throw a few classic Christmas tunes into the mix. Construct a Christmassy playlist filled with well-known festive songs that everyone can sing along to.

21. Book carol singers or a choir

A playlist will fill the dancefloor, but live music brings a seasonal touch to the quieter moments. Carol singers working the room during the drinks reception give guests something to gather round, while a harpist or string quartet playing festive arrangements makes a fitting soundtrack for your ceremony. Some local choirs and church groups take wedding bookings, so ask your venue for recommendations. Book early, too, as you’ll be competing with Christmas parties and carol services for the same performers.

22. Choose winter-appropriate attire

A bride wearing a fur bolero for her Christmassy wedding at South Lodge, Exclusive Collection

What to wear to a Christmas wedding? If you're someone who feels the cold, we recommend opting for a long-sleeved wedding dress for a gown that’s both chic and functional. Intricate lace and sparkly details will add an extra dash of festive flair, while a wrap or shawl might come in handy in the evening. Grooms can get involved too with a velvet suit, or opt for rich colours like burgundy, sage green and navy.

23. Set up a fire pit

A firepit or brazier, like this one at Wasing Park, is a great way to keep the wedding party warm and still make good use of outside space

While you probably won’t be utilising the outdoors much at your wedding venue, there are always a few people who like to take a breather from the party. Set up a fire pit outside to keep guests warm if they fancy venturing outside. You could even put out marshmallows and sticks so that people can toast their own late-night snacks!

24. Lay out blankets

Combat the cold by providing rugs and throws throughout the venue for people to snuggle up with later on. These are particularly necessary if you're using any outdoor areas at your wedding.

Love the idea of getting married in a cosy venue? Check out our round-up of the UK's best pub wedding venues for relaxed celebrations.