A Christmas wedding comes with a ready-made atmosphere: twinkling lights, everyone in a celebratory mood and a reason to serve mulled wine. The challenge is keeping it elegant. Here are twelve ideas that get the balance right.
Before you start: book early
December is a busy month for venues, with Christmas parties competing for the same dates as weddings, and the days around Christmas and New Year are popular. If you are set on a December 2027 or 2028 wedding, start venue hunting now and secure your key suppliers as soon as the date is fixed. Couples typically book their photo booth 12 to 24 months ahead, and festive dates are no exception.
Styling
1. Choose a grown-up festive palette
Classic red and green can tip into high-street Christmas very quickly. Deeper shades feel more like a wedding: forest green with gold, burgundy with blush, or a winter white scheme with silver and plenty of greenery.
2. Let the venue’s own decorations do the work
Many venues put up their own trees and garlands for December. Ask what they will have in place on your date, and when it goes up. You might find half your styling is already done, and you can put the budget elsewhere.
3. Fairy lights everywhere
Warm white lights in trees, garlands and jars make any room glow, especially once it is dark by mid-afternoon. Avoid coloured or flashing lights if you want the look to stay elegant.
4. Seasonal flowers and foliage
Amaryllis, ranunculus, hellebores, berries, pine and eucalyptus all feel festive without shouting about it.
Food and drink
5. A festive welcome drink
Mulled wine, spiced cider or a winter cocktail during the drinks reception is a warming welcome, especially if guests have walked from a cold church.
6. A Christmas twist on the menu
You do not need a full turkey dinner. A seasonal starter, a nod to Christmas pudding in the dessert, or mince pies and cheese in the evening buffet does the job.
7. Hot chocolate for the evening
A hot chocolate station with marshmallows and toppings goes down well with every age group, and gives evening guests something cosy to come in to.
Music
8. Ration the Christmas songs
Christmas songs are brilliant in small doses. A burst of them in the evening will fill the dance floor, but a full night of them will wear thin. Talk to your DJ about when to drop them in. Our sister company EventsDJ can help you plan that balance.
9. A festive moment
Carols during the drinks reception, a choir during the signing of the register, or a sax player in the evening all add a seasonal touch. EventsDJ can add a sax player to your booking, priced on enquiry.
The photo booth
10. Match the backdrop to the season
The backdrop sets the tone for every photo. With the Vintage Booth and the Party Pod, you have a choice of backdrops, so pick one that works with your festive colours. The Glam Booth uses a clean white backdrop and black and white photography. It is timeless, and it sidesteps any risk of the photos looking dated by next Christmas.
11. Festive print colours
Your personalised print border is where you can add the seasonal touch. Deep green and gold, burgundy and blush, or a frosted silver all look lovely, with your names and wedding date. A small sprig of holly or a snowflake in the design is plenty. Guests get prints every time, so the border is something everyone takes home.
12. Time the booth around the party
The standard three hours works for most weddings. At Christmas, when evening parties tend to start early, think about whether you want extra time so the booth is still running when the dance floor is at its busiest.
A practical note on guests
The festive season is busy for everyone, so send save-the-dates early. Some guests will be juggling family plans and work parties, and the earlier they know, the more likely they are to be there.
Make the most of the festive season
A Christmas wedding gives your guests a reason to make a weekend of it. Many couples plan a relaxed gathering the evening before or a festive brunch the morning after, which spreads the celebrations and gives you more time with the people you love. If your venue has rooms, ask about a group rate for guests who’d like to stay.
Think about your guests’ diaries, too. December is busy, with work parties and family plans, so send your save the dates early and give people plenty of notice. A clear timeline on the invitation, including when the evening finishes, helps guests plan around everything else they have on.
Keep the evening feeling festive
The evening is where a Christmas wedding really comes alive. A few touches help it feel special without tipping into a Christmas party:
- Ask your DJ to save the festive favourites for one big moment rather than playing them all night
- Use warm uplighting and plenty of candles to make the room glow
- Choose a deep green, burgundy or gold backdrop for the photo booth
- Serve a festive late-night snack, such as mini mince pies or hot chocolate
- Give guests a print from the booth as a keepsake of a Christmas they’ll remember
For more seasonal inspiration, see our winter wedding ideas and New Year’s Eve wedding ideas.
FAQs
Is a Christmas wedding more expensive?
It depends on the venue and the date. Some price December differently, especially around Christmas and New Year, so ask for exact prices.
Do we need to pay a booking fee to secure a December date?
With us, a booking fee secures your date, and the balance is due 14 days before your wedding. Popular dates go first, so it pays to book early.
Which photo booth suits a Christmas wedding?
All of them can work. The Glam Booth is the most timeless; the Vintage Booth suits a cosy, traditional feel.
For more seasonal inspiration, read our winter wedding ideas in Yorkshire. When you are ready, request a quote using the form below.
