Winter Elopement Ideas: How to Create Your Perfect Winter Wedding Experience
If you’re choosing to get married in the winter, congrats—you’re making a bold and inspiring decision! And guess what? You’re not alone. Winter elopements stand out with their cozy, serene vibe that feels worlds away from the craziness of peak wedding season. According to The Knot, about one in ten couples choose to tie the knot during the winter months. While sure, this might seem small, but the actual number of you who embrace winter elopement ideas is still quite high, and you’re joining a unique and adventurous group.
Maybe you’re picturing snow-covered trees, frozen waterfalls with rushing currents beneath, and a cozy fire crackling indoors. Whatever may be, winter elopement ideas offer a kind of magic that’s simply unique to the cold—a blend of intimacy, stillness, and breathtaking natural beauty.
And let’s talk perks. Winter elopements often come with better flexibility and savings. Venues and vendors have more availability, and booking winter elopements or wedding packages are easier on the wallet.
This guide isn’t as much about giving you a list of winter elopement ideas as it is about helping you discover your perfect spot from figuring out what feels meaningful to you as a couple. We’ll walk you through the steps to create a winter wedding experience that’s uniquely yours.
Choosing the Right Winter Elopement Location
The location you choose is key. Winter’s cold and gives you limited daylight, and unpredictable conditions mean the venue you choose should provide both atmosphere and comfort.
You may want to opt for a private Airbnb, a boutique hotels, or a private cabin to have both your ceremony and unforgettable romantic getaway. So look for a space that offers not just shelter, but a stunning backdrop that enhances the intimate atmosphere you want. With breathtaking mountain vistas or unobstructed, unpopulated ocean views, the venue should offer peace, privacy, and a place to relax before and after the ceremony.
Choosing a location with both indoor and outdoor options is ideal, especially in winter. Having the flexibility for an outdoor ceremony, followed by a warm indoor festivities, ensures your elopement can go smoothly no matter the weather. A cozy fireplace or a patio with snow-covered views can offer the perfect finish to your day. Maybe a hot tub? In these types of venues you escape the crowds and distractions and enjoy a peaceful winter elopement.
Comparing the Best Location: Beaches, Mountains, and Cities
Winter elopement ideas for beaches, mountains, and cities each offer unique advantages. Let’s take a look at why they all make for an ideal winter elopement destination:
Beaches: Beaches are usually one of primary go-to considerations for the warmer months, but those who know will tell you winter by the beach is special; they’re peaceful and serene and are empty. So as far as winter elopement ideas are concerned, a more private, intimate ceremony by the ocean with crisp, cool air with the sounds of crashing waves makes for a dramatic yet peaceful backdrop.
Advantages:
- Seclusion and serenity is ideal for intimate ceremonies.
- Unique, awe-inspiring photos by the ocean in ostensibly cold weather makes your wedding album unique.
- The calm and reflective nature of the winter ocean adds a sense of quiet beauty to your ceremony.
Ideas: If cold isn’t your thing, then how about these?
- Santa Barbara, California, Butterfly Beach offers calm waters and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, perfect for an intimate winter elopement. For more seclusion, Leadbetter Beach provides a quieter, private atmosphere.
- Malibu, California, El Matador Beach is known for its dramatic rock formations and secluded cove, and is perfect for those wanting privacy and a stunning ocean as a backdrop.
Mountains: The mountains offer dramatic, awe-inspiring backdrops for winter elopements. When there are no leaves in the canopy to block your lines of sight, views can be endless, especially in the crisp mountain air. It’s truly one of the primary benefits of winter in the mountains! An outdoor ceremony surrounded by snow (or even one indoors by a cozy fire with a window nearby) spells intimacy.
Advantages:
- Stunning natural beauty to the horizon.
- A quiet, intimate atmosphere away from the crowds for both privacy and seclusion.
- Warm cozy indoor spaces are perfect for keeping you close.
Ideas:
- Great Smokies or the Blue Ridge, TN/NC – Beautiful, peaceful locations with snow-capped peaks and quiet trails.
- Rocky Mountain National Park, CO – Rugged mountain landscapes and snow-covered forests.
Cities: Can’t go wrong with a romantic city for elegant, cozy charm. In winter, cities take on a festive, magical vibe with twinkling lights, snow-covered streets, and a quieter atmosphere. Opt for boutique hotels and small, intimate lodging for your ceremony.
Advantages:
- Access to unique venues that provide indoor comfort during winter.
- Choose a city with a festive winter atmosphere.
- Plenty of vendor options and city-specific ideas to enhance your experience. i.e. take a carriage ride in NYC through central park.
Example:
- Central Park, NYC – A quiet, snow-dusted spot under the arching street lamps in the park offers a peaceful winter elopement setting, or a picturesque ceremony near the iconic Bow Bridge with the city skyline in the background.
- Savannah, GA – A charming, historic square with moss-draped oaks offers a serene winter elopement spot, or a romantic ceremony along the scenic riverfront with views of the Savannah River and city skyline.
Conclusion
No matter which location you choose—beach, mountains, or city—each offers something unique for your list of winter elopement ideas. Each location can provide a wonderfully romantic backdrop for your winter wedding. So consider the kind of atmosphere you want to create in the cozy months and let that guide you in choosing the ideal venue for your dream winter elopement.
If you’re looking for a cozy, romantic mountain retreat near Asheville and Hot Springs, NC, with stunning waterfalls and a hot tub overlooking the water,
feel free to explore our own glorious destination elopement venue, Weddings Over Waterfalls, here.
