How to plan the ultimate winter wedding

Styled Shoot at The Retreat at Elcot Park, near Newbury

Winter weddings have a certain magic about them. Think twinkly lights, candlelight, rich festive tones and an atmosphere that feels intimate, cosy and romantic. This Christmas‑inspired styled shoot at The Retreat at Elcott Park, near Newbury, was created to show couples that even if the weather isn’t on your side, a winter wedding can still be incredibly beautiful.

With a moody aesthetic, warm festive styling and a huge red bow draped across the front of the house, we leaned fully into the season rather than trying to fight it. If you’re planning a winter wedding (or considering one), here are five top tips to help you create a day that looks stunning and feels relaxed.

1. Bring Your Ceremony Forward to Make the Most of Natural Light

One of the biggest differences with a winter wedding is how early the sun sets. In the depths of winter, daylight can disappear by mid‑afternoon. If you’re planning a traditional 1pm ceremony, that only leaves a small window for everything – your ceremony, couple portraits, family photos, confetti and cocktail hour.

That’s a lot to squeeze into just a couple of daylight hours, and it can quickly start to feel stressful.

Bringing your ceremony forward gives you breathing room. More daylight means more time for relaxed portraits, less rushing between moments, and a calmer timeline overall. It also allows you to enjoy the natural light while it’s available, rather than relying too heavily on artificial lighting later in the day.

2. Choose a Venue With a Strong Plan B

Winter weather is unpredictable, and rain is always a possibility. Choosing a venue with excellent indoor options is key. Ideally, look for a space that can comfortably host your ceremony, portraits and reception inside while still feeling light, spacious and beautiful.

Venues like The Retreat at Elcot Park work so well because they offer large, elegant interiors filled with natural light, allowing you to stay warm and dry without compromising on aesthetics. A good Plan B means you won’t need to panic if the weather turns you’ll already know your day will look incredible whatever happens outside.

3. Lean Into the Moodiness

Winter weddings shine when couples embrace the season rather than trying to recreate a summer feel. Moodiness is your friend.

Think cocktails by the fire, deep colour palettes, textured fabrics, and layers of warm light. Twinkly fairy lights, candles (or LED candles if required by the venue) and soft ambient lighting instantly create atmosphere and intimacy. These elements don’t just make your wedding feel cosy but they also photograph beautifully, adding depth and emotion to your images.

4. Don’t Be Afraid of Grain

Grain is very much on trend right now, especially as photography styles move towards more nostalgic, film‑inspired imagery. In lower light conditions, cameras naturally introduce grain because there’s less available light which also means images can feel softer and less sharp.

Rather than seeing this as a negative, think of grain as character. It adds texture, mood and a timeless quality to your photos. For winter weddings in particular, grain complements the atmosphere perfectly and enhances that cosy, romantic feeling.

5. Consider Shorter Photography Coverage

With winter weddings, there’s only so much you can do once it’s dark. Guests tend to sit down more, spend time chatting indoors, and there’s less milling about outside. If your photographer stays for many hours after sunset, that can mean lots of flash photography and lots of photos of guests seated at tables which isn’t everyone’s idea of fun.

Unless you love the idea of hours of flash photography, shorter coverage can be a great option. Flash light is harsher by nature, and being photographed constantly can start to feel overwhelming for guests.

I often suggest coverage from around 10am to 4pm for winter weddings. You still get plenty of storytelling, beautiful daylight portraits, and a touch of evening atmosphere and once the photographer leaves, you can relax, enjoy the night and even bring out the Polaroids for a more informal feel.

This styled shoot at The Retreat at Elcot Park was all about proving that winter weddings don’t need to be compromised by short days or unpredictable weather. With a bit of forward planning and by embracing the season, winter can be one of the most magical times of year to have your wedding.