A winter destination wedding is one romantic way to turn up the heat on your big day. Weddings in a cozy weather climate come with beautiful photo backdrops, fun twists on old menu favorites and festive fashion ideas to show off the snowy season. Here’s what our experts say is hot in the cold, inside and out! Read on for our winter wedding trends and tips.

Location, Location, Location 

What’s Hot: Look for accommodations that have everything, like The Westin Monache Resort, Mammoth with full kitchens/kitchenettes in every room, located in the heart of the action and at the base of a chairlift. Their ski concierge can even book group lessons and private snowmobile tours before and after the big day.

Tip: Easy access for your guests: Select a location like Mammoth Lakes, California where loved ones can fly right to the foot of the mountain or drive in from major cities across the state in just a few hours. Seek destinations that offer complimentary in-town transportation and don’t forget to give your group the true winter experience with a gondola ride up the slopes to a ceremony site at a high elevation. 

Fashion Statements 

What’s Hot: JLM Couture designer Allison Webb loves to layer! “Lace jackets are a great option for a more formal wedding and detachable skirts are another chic way to add drama to your look. If you’re doing outdoor photos, a beautiful, cropped coat always looks striking against a cold-weather background.”

Tip: Gift your maids and men boots and gloves to wear throughout the weekend. Gloves make a great formal winter fashion statement while keeping your crew cozy.

Big Day Design

What’s Hot: Sandra DiDomizio, owner of Green Fox Events & Guest Services, loves the look of a ceremony dressed up. “Provide shawls, blankets or wraps at the ceremony that can double as a favor.”

Tip: View your backup plan as your second first plan. Winter weddings can bring unpredictable weather, so design your indoor plan B in such a way that you’ll love it as much as your plan A if you have to say “I do” fireside instead.

What’s on the Menu

What’s Hot: “We love to add winter comfort food with a sophisticated and luxurious twist,” says Melina Glavas, Senior Event Sales Manager at The Little Nell in Aspen, Colorado. She suggests their mini Morbier grilled cheese with tomato jam or their famous hot chocolate and warm chocolate chip cookies as guests depart.

Tip: Glavas also loves a regional spin. “We encourage our couples to add Colorado touches to their cocktail hour menu, such as our bison tartar on grilled filoni. That way, guests can get a little taste of high alpine cuisine in small bites rather than committing to it as their entrée choice.”

This story is a preview of a larger feature in our Spring/Summer 2018 issue, which hits newsstands 2/7/18. Be sure to pick up a copy to read our Guest Book feature “Winter Style: Your Go-To Guide for a Winter Wedding” in its entirety.

Photos courtesy of (in order of appearance): James + Schulze, Jose Villa, Robin Proctor Photography,