There’s something magical about a winter wedding! The glittering snow, cool air, and festive feeling make it a wedding season like no other. But oftentimes brides wonder what kind of wedding dress they should wear for a winter wedding. While the season presents a unique backdrop, it also presents a unique set of criteria for finding cold weather wedding dresses. If you’re a bride who is looking for the perfect winter wedding dress, keep reading as we’ll be sharing the best styles and silhouettes, and answering all your burning questions for unique winter wedding ideas for brides in 2024.

What Kind of Wedding Dress Should a Bride Wear for a Wedding in the Winter?

• Long Sleeve Wedding Dress
  • Besides being beautiful, long, lined sleeves are the ideal choice for keeping you warm while looking chic and timeless.
• Flounced Wedding Dress
  • Embrace the festive and whimsical feeling of the season with a flounced skirt. The layered tiers of tulle or organza create a delicate and beautiful effect made for twirling!
• Satin Wedding Dress
  • This fabric is ideal for a winter wedding with its heavy weight and opaque look. Satin gowns often have a luminous glow and are great for bold ball gowns or structured mermaid and fit and flare styles.

Unique Winter Wedding Dress Styles and Silhouettes

You want to stand out at your winter wedding with a dress that feels like one-of-a-kind. Whether you opt for simple elegance that takes inspiration from the blank nature of a snowy day or embrace the rustic and traditional vibe with a lace wedding dress, there are many unique winter wedding dress styles and silhouettes that can make you look and feel amazing! We love a classic ball gown for a winter wedding. The silhouette is grand and regal and a perfect fit for a winter wonderland wedding. If you’re going for a more casual wedding, think cozy cabin elopement, a casual crepe gown in a simple sheath silhouette can look effortless and elegant. Dazzle all your guests with a glittering gown reminiscent of falling snow. Go for crystal beaded details, sparkling sequins, and metallic embroidery to bring in the merry and bright feeling that winter provides. All of these wedding dresses for winter will let you shine on your big day!

Simple Winter Wedding Dress Ideas

We love the look of simple winter wedding gowns! Sleek and sophisticated, a wedding dress without all the sparkle and lace can have an understated and elegant effect that we think perfectly suits the season. A delicate white or ivory gown will look mesmerizing against a snowy white backdrop evoking a clean and fresh feeling, a blank canvas for you and your partner to begin your married life with. Our Nesta Wedding Dress is a gorgeous choice for a simple winter wedding dress! This soft fit and flare glides over the body in fluid silky satin. The bateau neckline has an effortless look, but the best part is the open back with its soft cowl detail and floral strap for some added drama. Another beautiful option is our Nastia Wedding Dress. The modest yet minimal gown hugs the body in simple crepe. The covered bateau neckline is paired with romantic Chantilly lace bishop sleeves with frosted Venice lace appliqués. Strategically placed seams help to contour the body with buttons down to the hemline for a classic touch. Nastia would also make a great winter wedding dress for older brides.

Casual Winter Wedding Dress Ideas

Some brides may think winter weddings have to be formal affairs, but you can have a casual winter wedding that still feels elevated. Picture a warm and cozy lodge, comfortable seating, and lounge areas with blankets and hot cocoa; a place for your friends and family to relax and celebrate. A casual winter wedding creates a unique and intimate atmosphere that will certainly be memorable. If this is the kind of wedding you want, then you need the perfect casual winter wedding dress to match! Our pick is our Noah Wedding Dress. This effortless A-line is elegant with a rustic flair. The crepe bodice has a high bateau neckline with sheer bishop sleeves, which keep you covered, balanced by the v-shaped back. Lovey lace decorates the open back and cuffs on the long sleeves with a chiffon skirt that floats around you. Another stunning option for a casual winter wedding look is our Norma Wedding Dress. This chic A-line embraces sculptural style with an artfully draped bodice featuring a soft scoop neckline and delicate cap sleeves. The soft satin fabric and a radiant look with a tie-back satin sash for a feminine touch to this classic gown.

Winter Wedding Dress with Fur

A popular style for winter wedding dresses is fur. The warm and cozy fabric adds a chic and seasonal touch that will both look fabulous and help keep you warm. If you’re looking for a winter wedding dress with fur, you’ll probably need to customize your dress. Most wedding gowns aren’t designed with fur accents, but if you’re looking to add the fuzzy embellishment we recommend reaching out to an experienced bridal seamstress. The seamstress can help you achieve your vision, whether that’s a fur accent on the neckline or cozy cap sleeves, their knowledge, and expertise, is the best option for creating your perfect winter wedding dress with fur. We think a dress like our Nori Wedding Dress would be a great winter wedding dress to customize with a fur accent! Imagine a feathered faux fur trim along the neckline. It would elevate the chic crepe wedding dress adding a more cozy and rustic feel. You could also add fur cuffs to the sheer bishop sleeves on our Nellie Wedding Dress for stunning, snow bunny style.

Winter Lace Wedding Dress

A lace wedding dress is a timeless look that perfectly suits winter! With so many different kinds of laces, you can have both a rustic winter lace wedding dress or go for something more sleek and elevated. This style also makes for lovely Christmas wedding dresses. Lace doesn’t always have to be traditional, though. Something like a black lace dress will add drama and mystery to your wedding day look. Our perfect picks for a winter lace wedding dress are our Prudence Wedding Dress and our Graciela Wedding Dress. Prudence embraces a more rustic vibe with frosted, three-dimensional lace decorating the stunning illusion bodice and sheer long sleeves. The charming lace creates a beautiful frame for the breathtaking illusion back on the curve hugging fit and flare silhouette. Graciela feels modest, yet opulent, in Chantilly lace with an abundance of frosted embroidered lace appliqués. The layered laces create beautiful texture and dimension, while the high neckline and long sleeves are great for a winter lace wedding dress.

Winter Wedding Dress with Sleeves

For a winter wedding, a dress with sleeves is ideal. We would most recommend long sleeves, as it will keep you warm during the cold season. From sleek and simple to long sleeve lace winter wedding dresses, having sleeves will enhance how you look and feel at your winter wedding. Our Margot Wedding Dress is here to serve drama at your winter wedding. The ravishing ball gown has a draped tulle corset bodice, ruched long sleeves, and an over-the-top ruffled skirt that make this dress a textural dream. If you prefer something a bit more modern and chic, we recommend our Molly Wedding Dress. This lustrous satin fit and flare has elegant details, like the subtle cowl effect on the straight neckline and gorgeous peek-a-boo pearl and crystal beaded. We love how the long off-the-shoulder sleeves have a delicate drape, emphasized by the cowl back. Our dream winter wedding dress with sleeves has to be our Penelope Wedding Dress. This traditional ball gown is full of romantic details, from the sheer bodice with it’s playful scalloped edges to the illusion back. Delicate Chantilly lace pops over shimmering sparkle organza fabric with off-the-shoulder long sleeves to complete the look.

Plus Size Winter Wedding Dress

Regardless of size, you can find your perfect plus size winter wedding dress. From decadent ball gowns to rustic fit and flares, these plus size wedding dress ideas for winter will have you looking and feeling amazing! Our Natalia Wedding Dress is a dreamy ball gown that we think perfectly suits a winter wedding. The illusion bodice, with its bateau neckline, offers you support while allowing for a plunging sweetheart neckline designed with frosted, three-dimensional floral embroidered. We love the open back and sheer detailing, while the sequin tulle skirt glitters like falling snow. For our minimalist brides, our top choice is our Nora Wedding Dress. This chic ball gown has a clean look, reminiscent of freshly fallen snow, with architectural details to make it modern. The strapless bodice has a sculptural sweetheart neckline with contoured seaming for a structured look. The full skirt has delicate pleats that add flow and movement to the dress, with buttons down to the hemline for a classic touch. And of course, we had to recommend a stunning lace option! Our Nimue Wedding Dress embodies the romance of the holiday season with it’s traditional ball gown silhouette in allover Chantilly lace over shimmering sparkle organza. The illusion neckline and long sleeves helps the delicate floral pattern to pop with a sheer back that takes our breath away, making this a dream plus size winter wedding dress.

Can I Turn My Summer Wedding Dress into a Winter Dress?

If you bought your wedding dress with a summer wedding in mind but had to change to a winter wedding you might be wondering “Can I wear my summer wedding in the winter?” The answer is yes! There are many ways to convert a dress to make it more cold weather appropriate. One choice would be to pair your dress with a jacket or detachable bodice. Styles like our Chantilly Lace Button Back Jacket or the Crystal Beaded Net Sleeves are great for switching up a strapless summer gown into a winter wedding dress. Wearing these with your dress gives you the look of long sleeves. Another option is adding on an overskirt or underskirt. You might have picked a slimmer silhouette for your summer wedding, but are looking for a fuller silhouette for the winter. The easiest way to achieve this is by wearing an overskirt. The detachable option makes it incredibly easy to alter the silhouette and gives you two looks in one. A style like our Satin Tie Front Overskirt can make a big impact in changing the silhouette and adding drama, converting your summer gown into the perfect winter wedding dress!

Can I Wear a Sleeveless Wedding Dress in the Winter?

While long sleeve wedding dresses are more traditional for a winter wedding, you can absolutely wear a strapless or sleeveless wedding dress in the winter. If you’re opting for an outdoor wedding, we would recommend pairing your sleeveless winter wedding dress with a jacket to keep you warm. You’ll be kept toasty in the heat if you’re having an indoor wedding, so you’re free to flaunt your arms in a sleeveless gown. We love our Nuala Wedding Dress for a glam winter wedding. This stunning fit and flare features frosted, embroidered floral appliqués over Chantilly lace for a luxe layered look. The sheer bodice has a plunging sweetheart neckline with unique sheer paneling and boning for added structure. We love how the lace creates a delicately scalloped edge on both the neckline and hemline for a romantic and glamorous look. Our Patricia Wedding Dress is a great option if you like a more understated gown. The elegant A-line has a regal feel in lustrous satin with delicately beaded floral lace appliqués that cascade down the dress. The strapless bodice has boning for added structure with classic buttons leading down to the lace trimmed chapel length train.

Picking the Right Fabric for a Winter Bride

If you’re worried about picking the right fabric for your winter wedding we’re here to help. The cold weather calls for specific fabric that will help keep you cozy and comfortable despite the chill in the air. Satin is an already popular bridal fabric, but also ideal for a winter bride. It’s a durable fabric suitable for all seasons, with a Duchess satin being the best for the cooler months. A sleek and stylish Duchess satin gown would be our Psyche Wedding Dress. This timeless fit and flare is simple in luminous Duchess satin. The sculptural neckline has delicate draping leading to off-the-shoulder cap sleeves and a banded waist to define your figure. The minimalist gown is elevated by the classic touch of buttons cascading down to the hemline. Our other top fabric pick for a winter bride is brocade. This unique fabric is seeing a total comeback in bridal fashion loved for it’s jacquard, or raised pattern, that is woven into the design. This stiffer fabric has a heavier weight, making it ideal for a winter wedding dress and is great for more structured designs. Our Petra Wedding Dress is the perfect example. The chic fit and flare has a boned bodice with a soft scoop neckline and delicately draped detailing. Defined seams give the gown a structured look, but the best part is the brocade fabric, giving the gown an allover floral pattern and holding up the curve hugging silhouette.

Selecting the Perfect Neckline for a Winter Wedding Dress

When selecting the perfect neckline for your winter wedding dress, we say the higher the better! Neckline styles like mock necks or delicate bateaus are a great choice to keep you covered and comfortable while still looking totally chic. High neck wedding dresses have been trending from Paris Hilton to Lady Kitty Spencer, and we’re not surprised. The style feels timeless and regal, especially paired with a ball gown silhouette. Our pick for a high neck winter wedding dress is Grazia, style 1088. This eye-catching ball gown embodies grace and beauty with oversized floral lace cascading down the sheer, high neck bodice. The full tulle skirt is what bridal dreams are made of, and guests will be wowed by the illusion back. Another option is our Nigella Wedding Dress. This vintage-inspired fit and flare has a fluid quality, dripping down the body like water. The high neckline has ruched detailing and we love the touch of cuffs on the bishop sleeves for a look that feels both modest and high fashion. a mock neck dress feels too suffocating for you, try a bateau neckline. This neckline has a wide shape following the curve of your collarbones. This style almost has a vintage quality to it that feels totally appropriate for a winter wedding. If you’re interested in a bateau wedding dress check out our Nichelle Wedding Dress. The gown is an enchanting A-line with whimsical details. Delicately beaded botanical embroidered appliqués line the high bateau neckline and cascade down to the hemline. Short sleeves will keep you covered and the airy tulle skirt will billow around you for an effortless look.

Which Sleeve Style is Best for a Winter Bride?

While we love a strapless style, it’s easy to see why it might not be the most suitable for a winter bride. Cold temperatures require more coverage, especially when it comes to sleeve styles for a winter wedding dress, so long sleeves or three-quarter sleeves are ideal choices. Lined long sleeves will provide the most warmth, but there’s something magical about illusion long sleeves as well. If you fall in love with a sleeveless dress, you can always add on stoles, detachable sleeves, or jackets to adds both sleeves and warmth to your winter wedding dress.

Pairing the Perfect Accessory with Your Winter Wedding Dress

Once you’ve found the gown, you need the perfect accessory to add the finishing touches to your winter wedding dress. No wedding look is complete without a veil, and we have so many gorgeous veils to choose from. If you want drama, then check out our Cathedral Length Veil with Pearls an ethereal cathedral-length veil accented with iridescent pearls. This veil was designed to match our Jacqueline dress but can be paired with any winter wedding gown. If you’ve opted for a simple winter wedding dress, your veil is a great chance to introduce some color into your look! Something like our Frosted Embroidery on Tulle Veil with its delicate floral appliqués that offer a subtle splash of color. Veils aren’t the only way to accessorize your winter wedding dress, gloves are all the rage right now and we can see why. From classic opera-length gloves to more trendy styles, gloves are a fun way to add something extra to your gown. Something like our Crystal Beaded Net Gloves are a great option for adding some winter wonderland sparkle and elevating your look

Winter Wedding Dresses for Mother of the Bride

The mother of the bride should both look and feel amazing at her daughter’s wedding. Finding the right winter mother of the bride dress lies mostly in the mom’s personal style, but we can give some tips that will help mom also find “the one.” Jewel tones are a great option for winter weddings. These richly saturated hues, named after gems, add depth to a look and can help to elevate your dress. Our Beaded Embroidered Long Sleeve Wedding Gown with Chiffon Skirt is a top choice. This sophisticated evening gown has a sparkling bodice with a classic v-neckline, illusion long sleeves, and sheer back featuring stunning beaded embroidery. The faux-wrap chiffon skirt beautifully falls off the body with a skirt slit for added movement. Picking the right fabrics isn’t just something the bride should keep in mind, but mom as well. Our Two-Tone Floral Brocade Evening Gown will keep you warm while looking incredibly chic. The mermaid evening gown has a striking look in textured brocade featuring a two-tone floral pattern. The empire bodice has textured draping with a crisscrossing effect highlighting the off-the-shoulder neckline.

Winter Wedding Dresses for Mother of the Groom

The rules for a mother of the groom dress are much the same as a mother of the bride dress. Things like pulling tones from the couple’s color palette or getting inspired by the location of the venue can offer you cues to find your ideal winter mother of the groom dress. If your son plans on having a winter wonderland wedding, then you should be ready to sparkle. Our Metallic Jacquard Evening Gown with Crystal Broach is the perfect choice! The iridescent evening gown glows in metallic jacquard featuring an intricate pattern that has an embossed look. The surplice bodice has a lovely off-the-shoulder neckline and gorgeous crystal brooch leading to a fabulous skirt ruffle enhancing the fit and flare silhouette.

Winter Wedding Dresses for Bridesmaids

Your bridesmaids should be winter wedding ready, just like you! Keep their needs in mind when it comes to selecting the best dresses for them, like sleeves and fabric. Our favorite fabric for winter bridesmaids dresses is velvet. The heavy fabric is both luxe and warm, making it ideal for the cold weather, and with different finishes, your girls can find a style that suits them. Our Off-The-Shoulder Lustrous Velvet Bridesmaid Dress is a great choice! The stunning gown features a classic straight, off-the-shoulder neckline with lovely long sleeves on a slim A-line silhouette. If you’re looking for your bridesmaids to sparkle, then we highly recommend our Pleated Shimmer Bridesmaid Dress with Ruching. The sparkling bridesmaid dress in our pleated shimmer fabric has an open v-neckline that highlight the decolletage and a square back. The ruched waist helps to create a flattering shape on the A-line silhouette and front skirt slit adds more movement

If you’re looking for your dream winter wedding dress, visit one of our incredible retailers!