What to Wear to a Winter Wedding: A Guest's Guide
Winter weddings are magical: candlelight, rich colours and cosy venues. But dressing for them can be tricky. Here's how to look elegant and stay warm.
Dressing for the season
What should I wear to a winter wedding?
Choose rich fabrics, deeper colours and a sleeve. Velvet, brocade, satin and luxurious prints all feel seasonal and keep you warm. A midi, ballerina or maxi length is more practical than a short dress in the cold.
My Suzannah in Green Peacock is a wonderful winter wedding dress: a rich jewel-toned print, an elegant sleeve and a full-length skirt that looks beautiful in every photograph.
Rich and warm
What fabrics are best for a winter wedding?
- Velvet is the ultimate winter wedding fabric: rich, warm and beautiful in candlelight. Try the Stevie in Wine Velvet or the Claridges velvet dress.
- Brocade has a gentle metallic sheen that feels festive. See the Confident Swing in gold brocade.
- Stretch satin is polished and elegant, like the Grace in plum satin.
- Ponte Roma jersey is warm, comfortable and doesn't crease.
Jewel tones and tartan
What colours should I wear to a winter wedding?
Jewel tones are perfect: emerald, sapphire, plum, wine, ruby and deep forest green. Tartan is a lovely, festive choice for a Scottish or country wedding, and my Black Watch tartan Zip Pocket is a favourite. Avoid white, ivory and anything that could be mistaken for bridal.
Evening glamour
Can I wear black to a winter wedding?
Yes, especially for an evening wedding. Add colour with a bright coat, jewellery or a statement shoe so you don't look as though you're heading to a funeral.
Keeping cosy
How do I stay warm at a winter wedding?
- Choose a dress with sleeves.
- Wear a beautiful coat that you're happy to be photographed in. My Cliveden swing coat, in wool and cashmere, is designed to go over occasion dresses.
- Wear opaque or sheer tights, or thermal layers under a longer skirt.
- Choose a block heel or boots for icy paths.
For the mothers
What should the mother of the bride wear to a winter wedding?
A rich velvet or brocade in a jewel colour, with a coordinating coat, looks wonderful. I've written a full guide to mother of the bride and mother of the groom outfits, and another on who chooses their colour first.
Trousers please
Is a jumpsuit OK for a winter wedding?
Yes. A velvet or sequin jumpsuit is glamorous and practical. See the Hampstead velvet jumpsuit or the green sequin jumpsuit.
Find your winter wedding outfit
Come and try on dresses in my London showroom, or browse the collection online.
Book a visitBrowse dressesLove, Katya x
Katya Wildman is a London fashion designer and former costume designer and stylist for television and the red carpet. For more than 20 years she has designed flattering occasion dresses for real women, made in London, and she welcomes customers to her showroom in Tottenham Hale to try on dresses in person.
