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 offers 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 2025.
What Kind of Wedding Dress Should a Bride Wear for a Wedding in the Winter?
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Long Sleeve Wedding Dress
- Besides being beautiful, long, lined sleeves are the ideal choice for keeping you warm while looking chic and timeless.
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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!
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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 Andromeda Wedding Dress is a gorgeous choice for a simple winter wedding dress! The effortless and elevated gown features a sweetheart neckline and draped bodice to sculpt the form, paired with detachable off-the-shoulder sleeves for versatile styling. The wrap-detail skirt flows in structured heavy organza, perfect for winter weather and creating a voluminous A-line silhouette that trails into a dramatic train. If you like something a bit more sleek and slinky, our Persah Wedding Dress serves understated allure with fluid movement. The sheath gown has a high halter neckline with a tie detail on draped bodice, meeting a softly sculpted satin skirt, complete with a subtle slit and sweeping train. Minimal yet striking, designed for effortless impact.
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 Alia Wedding Dress embodies that effortless and relaxed feel. Designed in soft satin, the fit and flare gown features a draped cowl neckline with a peek-a-boo beaded detail for some added sparkle. The detachable chiffon cape adds ethereal drama, and makes the perfect accessory for your winter wedding. If you're looking for a fuller silhouette, we love the angelic feel of our Ostara Wedding Dress. The gown features a notched scoop neckline and ruched cap sleeves that frame the bodice, accented by illusion side panels for a hint of allure. The net A-line skirt features a thigh-high slit, keeping the look both cool and casual, while a detachable watteau back creates a dramatic moment.
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 Zoe 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 with an unexpected seasonal touch. You could also add fur cuffs to the sheer bishop sleeves on our Rodyn 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 Cupid Wedding Dress and our Calista Wedding Dress. Cupid might just be our dream lace wedding dress. The strapless ball gown features a sculpted sweetheart neckline and a detachable high-neck lace inset with long sleeves, making it perfect for a winter wedding! Boning detail and a dropped waist flatter the silhouette, while scalloped Chantilly lace cascades into a full skirt and train. A keyhole back adds an unexpected edge to this romantic statement. For a more sultry style, Calista is a contemporary take on classic lace. This strapless scoop-neck mermaid gown is crafted in corded lace with sculpting princess seams and a soft scalloped hemline. Detachable off-the-shoulder sleeves offer styling versatility, while the sweeping train completes the silhouette with quiet drama.
Winter Wedding Dress with Sleeves
For a winter wedding, a dress with sleeves is ideal. We would 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 Delia Wedding Dress looks like modern romance. The high illusion neckline softens into a sweetheart bodice, framed by sheer long sleeves and a sculpted basque waist. Crafted in intricate peony lace, the voluminous ball gown silhouette balances delicacy with drama, finished with a sweeping train for a timeless statement. For our brides who love two-looks in one, meet our Virtue Wedding Dress. The satin mini dress features a clean scoop neckline and sleek long sleeves, offering a refined silhouette. A detachable two-pocket wrap overskirt transforms the look with dramatic volume, while a statement bow adds a sculptural finish—perfect for transitioning from ceremony to celebration.
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 Sola Wedding Dress is where classic meets contemporary style. The beautiful ball gown has a straight strapless neckline with breathtaking beaded, embroidered lace appliqués cascading down the Chantilly lace dress. The modified basque wait draws the eye in and down the soft A-line skirt, while voluminous bustles to create an hourglass silhouette. Detachable illusion long sleeves with matching appliqués perfectly suit a winter wedding and give you versatility in styling the gown. Our Junia Wedding Dress is for our winter brides who want it all. The fit and flare gown stuns with a modified sweetheart neckline and delicate tie shoulder straps. The corset back sculpts the bodice, while intricate floral appliqué cascades over the silhouette, bringing movement and texture. A sheer organza overskirt with hidden pockets adds volume and versatility for a transformative look.
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 High Neck Chantilly Lace Jacket or the Hand Cut Floral Tulle T-Shirt 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 Organza Overskirt with Pockets 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 Aelina Wedding Dress for a glam winter wedding, featuring a modified sweetheart strapless gown that exudes contemporary romance with its intricate floral embroidery on luxe mikado fabric. The fit and flare silhouette elegantly sculpts the figure, enhanced by detachable floral appliqué taffeta puff sleeves that add a whimsical, couture-inspired touch. Completing the look is a detachable floral appliqué tulle and taffeta Watteau train, creating a breathtaking sense of movement and grandeur. Our Lyra Wedding Dress serves regal beauty, featuring a scoop neckline accented by pearl draping and 3D floral appliqués, while a corseted bodice and basque waist sculpt the frame. The satin ball gown skirt features crisp box pleats and a sweeping train for a gown that's structured, romantic, and strikingly modern.
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 Arete Wedding Dress. The duchess satin ball gown redefines modern romance with its sculptural draped cat eye neckline and elegantly off-the-shoulder draped sleeves. Princess seams contour the silhouette with precision, while covered buttons add a timeless couture touch. A detachable satin bow introduces versatile sophistication, creating a grand statement. 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 Dalia Wedding Dress offers understated grandeur featuring a structured square neckline and delicate straps framing the bodice of the floral brocade ball gown. The full skirt sweeps into a voluminous train, while a detachable bow at the back offers a refined, sculptural finish creating a classic form, reimagined.
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, 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. If you’re interested in a bateau wedding dress, our our Antheia Wedding Dress balances architectural sophistication with soft, ethereal beauty. The ball gown combines a plunging cat eye illusion neckline with a sculpted mikado bodice, seamlessly blending modern edge with timeless elegance. The dropped waist cascades into a voluminous tulle skirt, adorned with delicate 3D floral appliqués that add depth and romantic texture.
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 styles like our Scallop Edge Lace Mantilla Cathedral Veil, a match to our Delia gown, or our 3D Organza and Floral Petals Embroidered Tulle Cathedral Veil, matching our Antheia dress. 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 Wrist Length Tulle Gloves with Bows is an easy way to add in a vintage flair, something both trendy and timeless, that we think perfectly suits a winter wedding.
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 Jewel Neck Asymmetric Drape Jersey Evening Gown is a top choice. An asymmetrical drape defines this emerald jersey sheath evening gown, softened by a beaded jewel neckline and intricately beaded long sleeve cuffs. The result is a silhouette that balances modern sophistication with radiant detail, perfect for your winter wedding. Picking the right fabrics isn't just something the bride should keep in mind, but mom as well. Our Metallic Brocade Fit and Flare Evening Gown with Ruffle Draped Back will keep you warm while looking incredibly chic. The off-shoulder silhouette meets rich metallic brocade in this fit and flare evening gown, elevated by a cascading ruffle drape at the back, creating a striking balance of structure and softness.
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 Strapless Beaded Fringe Fit and Flare Evening Gown is the perfect choice! Movement meets elegant detail as mini beaded fringe cascades over this strapless fit and flare evening gown, infusing it with dynamic texture and shine. The detachable satin bow at the back offers a polished contrast and customizable style.
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 Slim A-line Stretch Velvet Bridesmaid Dress looks luxe with its lustrous sheen. The surplice bodice has a v-neckline leading to fun and flirty split flutter sleeves, while the slim A-line skirt loosely skims the body featuring a front slit for added movement. If you're looking for something ultra-chic, then you might like our Draped Sweetheart Luxe Satin Bridesmaid Dress with Detachable Long Sleeve. Designed in glowing luxe satin, this bridesmaid dress features a sculpted sweetheart neckline and elegantly draped off-the-shoulder sleeves for a look that’s equal parts soft and striking. Detachable long sleeves offer styling versatility in a timeless sheath silhouette with modern adaptability.
