How to Plan the Perfect Christmas Wedding: 65 Festive Wedding Ideas
Plan the festive wedding of your dreams with our guide to the best Christmas wedding venues and ways to style them
If you’re on the hunt for wedding venues in the winter, you might be thinking about Christmas wedding ideas!
There are so many Christmas wedding ideas that can transform your day into a winter wonderland. We’ve come up with 70 fun ideas to add a festive twist to your day, from finding the perfect winter wedding venue to bringing festive wedding ideas into your decoration and catering.
Whatever your budget, we've got plenty of suggestions that'll add a joyful, Christmassy touch to your big day.
- Christmas Wedding Venues You'll Love
- Food & Entertainment for a Christmas Themed Wedding
- Winter Wedding Decor & Style Ideas
Christmas Wedding Venues You'll Love
First things first, you need to find a beautiful winter wedding venue. Some venues just lend themselves to winter weddings perfectly – look out for gorgeous venues with open fires and a cosy atmosphere. From stately homes to rustic barns, here are some of our favourite spots for a winter wedding in the UK.
1. The Hay Loft at Allerton Manor Golf Club - Liverpool
Tie the knot in a winter celebration at this stunning Grade II listed building, The Hay Loft at Allerton Manor Golf Club comes complete with original oak beams and a working fireplace ideal for festive wedding ideas. And just because you're planning a winter wedding doesn't mean you can't celebrate outdoors - thanks to the venue's heated terrace, you can party al fresco all year round.
- Pricing: Menus from £44
- Capacity: Up to 120
- Deals: Couples planning a winter wedding here are in luck! The Autumn/Winter Full Wedding Package costs £5,999 and includes everything from the venue hire to a three-course wedding breakfast, and so much more.
2. Abbey House Hotel and Gardens - Cumbria
Nestled in the rolling hills of Cumbria is Abbey House Hotel and Gardens, a luxury wedding venue situated in the heart of the stunning Lake District. Surrounded by 14 acres of beautiful grounds, it's perfect for an up-scale Christmas wedding.
With exquisite event rooms and 40 plush suites ready for your guests to enjoy, its cosy interiors look even more magnificent when lit up with candlelight during the winter.
- Pricing: Menus from £50
- Capacity: Up to 250
- Deals: Couples that book this venue through Hitched can enjoy an exclusive 5% saving! Alternatively, snap up some of their late availability dates for the reduced price of £4,495.
3. Colville Hall - Essex
Nothing inspires Christmas wedding ideas like a thatched barn, and Colville Hall has a group of them for you to choose from. Discover quaint gazebos, ancient monuments and even a Grade I archway during your special day, offering the most picture-perfect moments for your winter wedding.
The Orchard Barn makes for an incredibly cosy celebration during the colder months, while Mill Pond Barn is best suited for a large festivities - and can even house a full-sized Christmas tree!
- Pricing: Menus from £40
- Capacity: Up to 200
- Deals: Like what you see? Act fast, as this venue has some late availability dates on offer for a reduced price! Visit their listing for more details.
4. Davenport House - Shropshire
For candle-lit halls and manicured gardens, you can't go wrong with Davenport House. For a grand Christmas celebration, welcome your guests to the Great Hall for a night of dancing, before relaxing in The Saloon or cosying up in the twinkling Dining Room.
You can even accommodate up to 40 of your guests overnight, so why not arrange for a wedding Boxing Day the morning after your Christmas wedding?
- Pricing: From £4,500
- Capacity: Up to 250
5. Goodwood House - West Sussex
For a home away from home, Goodwood House is ready to make you feel welcome. Heralded as the picture of British elegance thanks to its polished wooden floors and grand portraits, the venue has been home to the Dukes of Richmond for over 300 years, and has hosted many weddings in that time.
Expect in-house butlers, skilled chefs, and doting wedding planners ready to make your winter wedding dreams come true. The venue prides itself on using locally-grown produce for all of its dining options, as well as extensive leisure activities including a motor circuit, golf and a spa so your guests will be spoilt for choice.
- Pricing: Menus from £130
- Capacity: Up to 250
6. Knowsley Hall - Prescot
Privately owned by the Earl and Countess of Derby, Knowsley Hall has welcomed many esteemed guests over the past five centuries. So, if you're searching for history and antiquity in your Christmas wedding venue, look no further.
The licensed hall boasts ornate gold detailing on the walls and furniture, magnificent artwork and grand fireplaces - everything you you wish for in a winter wedding venue.
- Pricing: From £5,000
- Capacity: Up to 132
- Deals: For a limited time only, couples can experience a luxurious wedding package for £9,995 which includes catering, drinks, use of the venue and even overnight accommodation for the couple and a number of guests.
7. Lillibrooke Manor and Barns - Berkshire
Celebrate your magical Christmas wedding at Lillibrooke Manor, a venue that takes the idea of a 'rustic barn wedding' to a whole new level.
With its twinkling fairy lights, cozy barn interiors, and roaring fireplaces, it’s the perfect setting for an intimate winter celebration. The venue's picturesque grounds, dusted with frost, create a stunning backdrop for your winter wonderland wedding photos.
- Pricing: From £1,300
- Capacity: Up to 170
- Deals: If you like the idea of a winter wedding at this stunning venue, act fast! Couples can now save up to £2,000 on remaining dates for 2024, and up to £1,500 on dates for 2025. Visit the venue's listing for all the details.
8. Long Furlong Barn - West Sussex
Dreaming of decking the halls and tying the knot? Long Furlong Barn is your winter wonderland!
With its rustic yet stylish barn setting, twinkling lights, and cozy atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to add a little Christmas magic to your big day. Think of festive wedding ideas for delicious feasts, mulled wine, and snow-dusted countryside views — it's the ultimate holiday celebration wrapped up in romance!
- Pricing: From £5,200
- Capacity: Up to 130
- Deals: Couples that book with Hitched can save 3% on this venue - lucky you!
9. Peterstone Court Hotel - Brecon
Say ‘I do’ in a venue that feels like it’s straight out of a Christmas fairytale.
Peterstone Court Hotel blends historic grandeur with a cozy, festive charm, perfect for your winter celebration. Imagine exchanging vows in front of crackling fireplaces, enjoying mulled wine with snow-kissed mountain views, and dancing the night away in a stunning country house. So, start thinking of those Christmas wedding ideas!
- Pricing: From £2,500
- Capacity: Up to 200
- Deals: Couples that book with Hitched can save 10% on the cost of this venue.
10. Plas Dinas Country House - Caernarfon
Why not celebrate your Christmas wedding in royal style at Plas Dinas Country House?
With its historic charm, cozy interiors, and beautifully decorated spaces, this venue sets the stage for a magical winter wonderland. Picture festive feasts by candlelight, mulled wine in the drawing room, and stunning mountain views of Snowdonia — it's a Christmas wedding fit for royalty!
- Pricing: Menus from £87.50
- Capacity: Up to 160
- Deals: Couples open to a romantic elopement or an intimate celebration can enjoy two wonderful packages at this festive venue. Check out its listing for all the details.
11. Priston Mill - Somerset
Transform Priston Mill into your own winter wonderland for a Christmas wedding full of rustic charm.
Whether you choose the historic Watermill or the light-filled Tythe Barn, both spaces offer cozy warmth and twinkling festive lights. With frosted fields and roaring fireplaces, it’s the perfect place to wrap up your special day in a festive celebration.
- Pricing: Menus from £55
- Capacity: Up to 150
- Deals: There are a number of wonderful deals available at this stunning venue, but our particular favourite is the Winter Wonderland package, which offers incredible savings to couples tying the knot during the colder months.
12. Rise Hall - Yorkshire
Imagine your Christmas wedding at the grand Rise Hall, the perfect place to add a little bit of sparkle to your day.
With its stunning stately rooms, sweeping staircase, and twinkling lights, this venue transforms into a magical winter retreat. Celebrate your big day in front of the enchanting backdrop of frosted gardens - Rise Hall offers the perfect blend of luxury and holiday warmth for an unforgettable Christmas wedding.
- Pricing: From £8,100
- Capacity: Up to 180
- Deals: From midweek wedding deals to 25% off late availability dates, this venue has four incredible ways to save when couples book through Hitched.
13. Silchester Farm - Hampshire
Celebrate your Christmas wedding at Silchester Farm, where rustic charm meets modern luxury.
The stunning Old Dairy barn, with its floor-to-ceiling glass wall, offers breathtaking countryside views perfect for a festive celebration. Meanwhile, The Granary, with exposed beams and cozy nooks, is ideal for an intimate holiday gathering. With a venue like this, it's not hard to think of endless Christmas wedding ideas to make your day even more festive.
- Pricing: From £2,950
- Capacity: Up to 140
- Deals: Snap up the remaining dates available for 2024 at this gorgeous venue to enjoy an exclusive saving.
14. Stockton House - Shropshire
Celebrate your winter wedding in the stunning Georgian elegance of Stockton House, a quaint venue filled with festive warmth.
Boasting beautifully restored interiors, it's perfect for cozy, intimate celebrations. The grand dining room is ideal for a Christmas feast, while the wood-paneled drawing room, complete with a roaring fire, sets the perfect mood for a festive celebration. With frosted gardens and twinkling lights, Stockton House is a magical winter retreat for your special day.
- Pricing: From £5,000
- Capacity: Up to 100
- Deals: Enjoy exclusive savings on the final available dates in 2024 for a winter wedding.
15. The Oaks Barn - Staffordshire
Create your perfect Christmas wedding at The Oaks Barn. Set in picturesque countryside, the barn's high beams and warm lighting create a cozy, festive atmosphere ideal for a winter wedding.
The glass doors open up to stunning winter views, perfect for those frosty wedding photos. Add in some red and green decor and a seasonal menu, and you'll have a Christmas wedding to rival all others!
- Pricing: From £4,000
- Capacity: Up to 160
Food & Entertainment for a Christmas Themed Wedding
You can't think of Christmas wedding ideas without mulled wine and carol singing, and fortunately our talented suppliers have some tasty and fun ways for couples to bring the festive season into their celebrations. From festive songs to fireworks, here are some of our favourite ways to make your wedding more Christmassy.
16. Boozy Wedding Favours
Mini bottles of alcohol are a fun wedding favour and you can go wild with the traditional drinks we rarely have any time except Christmas - Amaretto, Bailey's, Advocaat, Eggnog, Spiced Rum, Winter Pimm's.
17. Serve Mince Pies
After the ceremony, serve mini mince pies and festive drinks instead of canapés and bubbly – your guests will love it and it could be more budget-friendly. A glass of mulled wine or cider is perfect.
18. Hire a Gospel Choir
Hire a gospel choir to sing Christmas songs during your reception drinks and as background to the wedding breakfast. We're talking Santa Baby, All I Want For Christmas Is You, and Santa Claus Is Coming To Town. (FYI, if you want singers at a registry office wedding, a gospel group doing modern Christmas songs instead of carols is ideal as you can't have any religious references).
We recommend Keynotes Gospel Choir to take care of all your festive musical needs - they're guaranteed to get the whole room dancing.
- Pricing: £1,250
- Capacity: Couples that book with Hitched can enjoy up to 3% off their booking.
19. Play Secret Santa
Play a game of Secret Santa (with a twist!) with your wedding favours. Everyone will get a different wrapped gift on their place setting and then you each draw a playing card from a shuffled pack. As you go around the cards in order, the guests can decide to keep their gift or steal someone else's. No one will know what they're going home with!
20. Watch Christmas Films
Have a Christmas movie chill-out room for guests who want to dodge the partying and organise for classic Christmas films to be shown. It’s ideal if you have younger guests too as the parents can have a little break while they watch Elf.
21. Play Christmas Music
Arrange for your DJ or band to have a wedding playlist full of Christmas classics. We don’t mean a whole five hours of them, but definitely a few classics dotted throughout.
22. Arrange a Firework Display
End the night with a wonderful fireworks display. Christmas weddings are full of joy and celebration and nothing says that like fireworks!
For a magnificent display, Fire Monkey Pyro can make your dream firework show come to life in a safe and professional manner.
- Pricing: From £500
- Deals: Couples that book with Hitched can enjoy up to 5% off their booking, plus free sparklers!
23. Serve Christmas Cocktails
Serve a signature cocktail to kick off proceedings. Champagne with a dash of pomegranate or cranberry syrup has a striking Christmassy look, especially with a sprig of rosemary.
24. Eat Christmas Food
Does this even need saying? Choose a Christmas dinner for your wedding breakfast! Serve turkey with all the trimmings.
25. Serve a Festive Dessert
Treat your guests to a festive dessert after dinner – they will love it. Instead of Christmas pudding (which is a love-or-hate thing), how about a yule log or “bauble” profiteroles?
26. Choose a Christmassy Wedding Cake
Choose a wedding cake with a Christmas feel, whether that’s with snowy decorations or a festive colour scheme. Metallics always look good in winter.
This two-tier white buttercream festive wedding cake from All Shapes & Slices Co. is one of our favourites, as the tree motifs and pinecone decorations make it so jolly and sweet.
- Pricing: From £350
27. Christmas Coffee
Serve festive coffees after dinner. Gingerbread or toffee nut syrup transforms classic coffee into a Christmassy treat, and little ones can have a warming hot chocolate.
28. Festive Drinks
For something stronger, try alcoholic eggnog or Baileys-spiked coffee for a perfect post-dinner drink.
29. Christmassy Cake Toppers
Give a plain wedding cake a wonderful festive feel by adding a cute Christmas-inspired cake topper.
30. Toast Marshmallows
There’s something so special about toasting marshmallows on an open flame – why not set up your own toasting station outside? Super easy if your venue has fire pits or outdoor lanterns.
Fortunately, JD Bars & Coffee Events is fully equipped to make your Christmassy catering dreams come true, with their full marshmallow toasting station and coffee-based cocktails for the grown-ups.
- Pricing: From £250
- Deals: Couples that book with Hitched will receive a 10% discount.
31. Serve Hot Drinks
Speaking of stations, a hot chocolate station, a mulled wine station or a hot toddy station will be a big hit with all your guests! Pile high with toppings like cinnamon sticks and marshmallows (where appropriate).
32. Feast on Cheese
Why not include cheese with your evening food? We think a wedding cake made of cheese would taste as good as it looks.
33. Eat Warm Snacks
Plan warming snacks for the evening buffet. We love American-style comfort foods here, like cheese toasties and tomato soup, sliders, and mac 'n' cheese.
34. Festive Photo Props
Festive photo props will be something fun that will most definitely give your wedding day a Christmassy feel. You can leave them on the tables as well as in your photobooth for guests to use in their candid pics, like this one from BoothFairy Photobooths.
Prepare to hashtag "weddings at xmas" all night long!
- Pricing: From £395
- Deals: Couples that book with Hitched will receive a 5% discount.
35. Host a Wedding Boxing Day
Carry on the party by hosting your very own ‘Boxing Day’ the day after the wedding – think Christmas films and plenty of food.
Winter Wedding Decor & Style Ideas
Any wedding venue can be a Christmas wedding venue with the right decorations! Take inspiration from some of our favourite Christmas decor idesa below, and prepare to deck the halls and bring out the holly for a truly festive celebration.
36. Festive Invitations
Your wedding invitations will be the first hint of your theme that your guests get so add an icy or festive design - it'll get them so excited for your Christmas wedding. We have lots of Christmas and winter inspired invitation ideas you can browse.
37. Add a Snow Machine
Your guests will never see this coming. Arrange for a snow machine to blow fake snow over you both as you leave your ceremony or walk down the aisle. Think of it as Christmassy confetti!
38. Set a Sparkly Dress Code
Wondering what to wear to a Christmas wedding? Ask every guest to wear one thing that sparkles to your wedding to make sure that everyone is reflecting the festive atmosphere.
39. Christmas Stationery
Add some festive details to your wedding day stationery. Add a ribbon to your order of service or tie holly and mistletoe to your menus and place cards. These are really easy to DIY and make sure everything is infused with Christmas spirit from the start.
We think this table design from Dress For Dinner is a perfect example of a festive table that doesn't need to be decked out in bright red and green. Instead, you can achieve a natural, bohemian look whilst still capturing the spirit of the season through foliage, ribbons and gold details.
- Pricing: From £90
- Deals: Couples that book with Hitched will receive 5% off event styling services.
40. Christmas Wedding Bouquets
Go truly Christmassy by customising your wedding bouquet with seasonal foliage and flowers, such as holly, hypericum berries and pine cones. This one below even has frosted branches of fir and some succulents to add texture!
41. Simple White Flowers
Simple and elegant single coloured bouquets, like white calla lilies or red roses, look striking and dramatic for Christmas weddings. Here's what's in season in winter (which means they will be at their best): Amaryllis, Anemone, Camellias, Casablanca Lilies, Carnations, Forget-me-nots, Gardenias, Holly, Jasmine, Orchids, Narcissus Paperwhite, Poinsettias, Roses and Tulips.
42. Set a Winter Colour Palette
Wintry colour schemes works equally as well for Christmas weddings. Popular winter colour palettes include burgundy and blush, silver and sage, navy and gold, icy blue and cream, plum and emerald, bottle green and tweed brown. There's no reason you can't include pops of dramatic brights among more muted jewel tones.
43. Use Dried Flowers
Don't dismiss dried flowers for Christmas. Although they might not have the vibrancy of greens, reds and whites, a dried flower bouquet can still use warm colours and additions like feathers for a rustic and textural bouquet.
44. Foliage and Greenery
If you're looking to make a big impact at a slightly lower cost, greenery is the way to go. You only need to tuck a few of your wedding flowers in among boughs of foliage and set them around candles and lanterns for an eye-catching display.
They make wonderful bouquets and beautiful centrepieces for your tables. This arrangement from Kim-e-fleurs uses pine branches, tree decorations and artificial roses to create a frosted effect which is very Christmassy.
- Pricing: From £100
45. Add Metallics
Don't be afraid to go for complementary touches which you can only get away with at Christmas. We're talking metallic elements like silver-sprayed berries or gold leaves - they come into their own at this time of year.
46. Festive Buttonholes
Make sure the groom’s buttonhole is suitably Christmassy too! You could include a sprig of holly, mistletoe, a thistle, a red rose, or mini pine cone.
47. Decorate Your Aisle
Decorate the ends of your aisle with branches of pine, holly or fir topped with seasonal foliage like mistletoe. Tie a big ribbon around it all and have it hanging down to the ground. This looks even more special with lanterns underneath.
48. Hang Mistletoe
Hang mistletoe strategically around the room to add a bit of extra romance to your wedding day. Having a singles table? You know what to do.
49. Hang a Wreath
Hang a big wreath outside your venue which can act as both a prop for photos and a gorgeous focal point. You could even use it to hang a welcome sign in the middle, or wrap it around staircases and beams throughout the venue.
We love this arrangement from Louise's Flower Boutique, which combines pinecones, ribbons and fairylights.
- Pricing: From £500
50. Go Minimal
Although Christmas is often associated with abundance, don't be afraid to go minimalist. Big jars of eucalyptus branches, white candles and geometric shapes looks contemporary and cool with modern white arrangements.
51. Match Your Centrepieces
Matching floral centrepieces to your napkins is a great way of creating consistency and flow across your flowers and décor. Pull out either the main colour or a smaller complementary colour and let that influence your tablescape.
52. Hang Stockings
If your venue has a fireplace, hang stockings across it in your wedding colours. We love having personalised ones for each of your wedding party hung up, it'll look really sweet and make a great spot to pose for pictures together. If stockings aren't your thing, light the fire and have a floral display along the mantlepiece.
53. Add Christmas Trees
Got a big budget? You could literally fill your venue with Christmas trees! Either decorate them with lights and baubles or leave them simple and frosted. Check whether your venue has their own tree and how it'll be decorated, then you can hire or buy more if you'd like to go for this winter wonderland style.
Once your trees are decorated, they make the most incredible backdrop for wedding photographs, like this one from Paul Aston Photography.
- Pricing: £1,750
- Deals: Couples that book with Hitched will receive a 10% discount
54. Bring Gifts
Swap wedding favours for mini wrapped Christmas gifts. We'd encourage you to go sustainable with your choice of wrapping: brown Kraft paper that can be recycled is a great option, as are small organza bags which guests can use time and again. If there's a Christmas tree at your venue, put your wedding favours under it like mini presents and encourage guests to go and pick one out!
55. Make a Festive Seating Plan
Use your Christmas tree as your seating plan too! How cute are these tags on the tree with names and table numbers on.
56. Come Up With Christmas Table Names
Get creative with your wedding table names and use words associated with Christmas or the names of your favourite festive films. How about these ideas?
57. Design a Festive Sign
Set up a welcome scene with a chalkboard sign or rustic wooden pallet with all sorts of your favourite cosy or Christmassy things: cushions, vintage luggage, lanterns, boots, blankets, jars of cookies, a sledge, wreaths - anything you want. It'll be the perfect warm welcome.
58. Build a Firepit
Set up a fire pit outside your venue. This will keep guests who want to pop outside warm and also offers a great place to toast marshmallows.
59. Design a Festive Scent
Create a full immersive experience with a festive scent. Light cinnamon scented candles or opt for diffusers if your venue has a ‘no naked flames’ policy. Yankee Candles have a whole range of winter scents from red apple wreath and Christmas cookie to Holiday Hearth - the warming, smoky scent of the fireplace.
60. Sparkler Arch
Sparklers! Finish your night by forming a sparkler arch for the happy couple to walk through as they leave. If you're using a firework supplier or a wedding planner, often they'll be able to arrange this for you, so be sure to speak to them.
We love this sparkler arch arranged by Ann Nicholas Wedding Planning as it captures exactly how a couple should feel at the end of their celebrations!
- Pricing: £2,500
61. Add Logs and Candles
Outdoor areas look fantastic with rustic logs and candles in hurricane lamps. They provide a soft, romantic glow and are great for creating a path that guides guests into your reception.
62. Christmas Crackers
Christmas crackers can double up as wedding favours as well as place cards – naturally, wearing the paper hat is compulsory and will leave you with some fun wedding photos.
63. Add a Wedding Postbox
If you’re having a wedding postbox, dress it up as a mailbox for Santa, complete with fake snow.
64. String Fairylights
Lighting can transform a venue so when it comes to fairylights, think more is more. They add a magical feeling and heaps to romance to any venue. It’s ideal if you have an outside area or your venue doesn’t allow candle.
65. Frost Your Windows
You can find snow spray in most supermarkets at Christmas, so with the venue owner's permission you could spray all of your windows to make them look extra frosty.
If you’re planning a winter wedding but you don't want to make it too Christmassy, make sure you also explore even more of our winter wedding ideas.
