This week marks 32 years since the ultimate wedding movie, Father of the Bride, came out on screens. Almost three decades later, the Steve Martin classic remains one of the best films out there to portray the insanity of the planning process—the guest list cutting scene rings especially true for anyone who has ever had to do the same. But aside from its realistic and hilarious portrayal of event planning, Father of the Bride is also unforgettable because it features one of the most beautiful winter weddings of all time. Remember her long sleeved lace dress? Or the swans waddling around the snow covered tulip border? And the heaters that had to be brought in at the last minute?
In honor of the hit movie’s anniversary, and because it is the season, after all, we’re looking back at some of our favorite winter weddings. Below, enjoy some of the snowiest, coziest, and most magical ceremonies and receptions.
Savannah Miller and James Whewell’s December Wedding Inspired by Arthurian Legend
Savannah and James selected a December date for their wedding because of their deep adoration for Christmastime. Plus, they knew they could sing carols all day long. The bride’s sister, Sienna Miller, entered the church in a wintry blue velvet dress with a warm oversized jacket and platform heels. She, like all of the other guests, embraced the opportunity to wear festive attire. The bride remembers, “It was just incredible to see all of our loved ones gathered together, singing their hearts out all dressed to the nines for a glamorous Christmas party.”
Camille Charriere and Francois Larpin’s “Roaring 2020s” Wedding Celebration in Paris
December has always been Camille’s favorite time of year in Paris. “We knew COVID might come knocking, but at least keeping it to the town where my family lives meant that worst case it would be just a very small family gathering, and if we got lucky, we could have a big party with all our loved ones,” she tells Vogue. After the private civil ceremony, everyone changed for celebratory cocktails at Maxim’s followed by a seated dinner for 180 guests.
Samantha Grecco and Raúl Hernández’s Manhattan Wedding in the Midst of a Winter Cyclone
Ahead of their January wedding in New York City, the bride and groom wished for a light dusting of snow. Instead, they got a snow bomb cyclone. Miraculously, though, the weather only added to the romantic and brooding aesthetic they wanted and even brought the finishing touch to their outdoor décor: icicles. The Tavern on the Green staff took turns shoveling the courtyard for the bride and groom’s magical wedding photos.
On February 26, 2022, Bailey walked down the aisle where just above, 1,000 hand-folded paper cranes dangled from the ceiling. She met her groom at the altar, underneath an antique archway covered in baby’s breath.
Cora Thomas and Henry Guest’s Winter White Wedding in New York
“We also got the first snowfall of the year that day, which made it even more magical,” the bride says of her wedding. After the reception wrapped up, the newlyweds and their friends headed to the penthouse at the London Hotel and had a “crazy little after party.” “At around 2:00 a.m., two of my closest friends performed a scene from White Christmas called ‘Sisters, Sisters,’” Cora remembers. “Big blue caribou fans emerged along with spot on choreography. If you know the movie, you will understand—it was amazing and hilarious!”
A Candlelit Ceremony at The Redmond Treehouse in Washington
Once engaged Adrienne and Erin started planning a New Year’s Eve wedding. To say, “I do,” Adrienne wanted something short, since they would be outside and she had her heart set on a ’60s wedding dress. But when she found a gown on Etsy with a stunning train, her sense of practicality went out the window. They didn’t think long and hard about their outerwear, but on the day-of, they just so happened to have a leather jacket and cropped white coat to keep them warm. On the day-of, the couple exchanged heartfelt words wed surrounded by stars and candlelight and nestled between trees.
Molly Whitehall and Toby Wilkinson’s Winter English Wedding in Wiltshire
The born and bred Londoners always knew they wanted a winter English wedding. “If you get married in winter in England, you just plan for the weather to be miserable, and nothing relies on it, so then you don’t feel disappointed or have plans scuppered when it’s bad, you just embrace it!” Molly says.
Elisabeth Mersier and Karim Kamareddine’s Intimate Wedding in Manhattan
“Since I was getting married in the winter, [Meredith Stoecklein of Lein] showed me a sample of a short dress with covered buttons and three-quarter sleeves and offered to make it custom with a heavier, more wintery, fabric,” Elisabeth tells. For a “something blue,” they embroidered the wedding date in light blue thread inside the dress with a custom veiled headband by Jane Taylor London.
Walk And Talk Charleston Founder Tyler Wright’s Wedding Dress Code Was “Black Tie, Bring It”
“To winterize the design, we went with velvet tablecloths,” the bride says of her aesthetic. “I knew I was going to wear a pink dress, so we leaned into the pink, and then the cream and greenery were an obvious choice. For the February wedding weekend, Tyler didn’t wear one white dress. Instead, the bride wore pink, pink, and more pink.
The Couple’s Family Heirlooms Were Displayed at Their Reception at the George Peabody Library
As Evie and Arthur began planning the wedding, it was never a question of where. “Since many of our friends came from out of town, we wanted to showcase how beautiful and elegant Baltimore can be,” Evie says of her hometown. Every venue for the weekend was warm, friendly, and joyous. She adds, “We thought a winter wedding would be cozy with family and friends from near and far, so we picked a January date.”
Claire Blackburn and Kyle Drexler’s Winter Nantucket Island Wedding
This couple, who grew up summering in Nantucket, loved the idea of taking over the island over the holiday weekend. “It was like our own Christmas Stroll!” the bride explains. For the reception, they picked The Nantucket Hotel, and the wedding party and the couple’s families essentially had the run of the place all weekend.
Jocie Oppenheim and Graham Dickson’s Outdoor Maine Wedding on New Year’s Eve
The day of the wedding, Jocie and Graham tied the knot outdoors, while it was windy and snowing no less, with her brother officiating the ceremony. “He did an incredible job of keeping it quick. (It was cold!)” During the cocktail hour, guests enjoyed fondue and hot spiked cider to bring back the warmth.
Jill Lukeman and Douglas Brody’s New Years Eve Wedding in Utah
“When we got engaged we decided to plan a ski winter wedding to share our favorite place with the people we love most,” Jill says. After trying on what seemed like 100 dresses, she finally settled on Monique Lhuillier’s Sistine gown and paired it with Giuseppe Zanotti white fur snow boots. “They were insanely comfortable and kept my feet super warm in the cold weather,” she says. She also rented a white fox fur shawl (her something borrowed).
Net-A-Porter Power Buyer Olivia von Christierson’s Christmas Wedding in The Cotswolds
Olivia and Anthony love winter weddings, so it was an easy decision to pick a date right before Christmas to ensure everything was in full festive swing. The ceremony took place in Buford Church, and the reception was hosted in Anthony’s family’s home in the Cotswolds. On the day-of, everyone congregated in the church, which dates back to the 12th century, and were surrounded by candles and Christmas trees.
Lucy Straker and Anthony Harrigan IV’s English Wedding Weathered a Winter Storm
Once engaged, Lucy knew she wanted to get married at a venue by a lake just off Hadrian’s Wall. “It’s where I grew up in Northumberland, and so the location was extremely special to me,” she says. “Furthermore it was George R. R. Martin’s inspiration for the Ice Wall in Game of Thrones. My sister also got married here, so I knew it was possible; although, she went for a summer wedding, which was slightly more sensible!” As for florals in winter, Flowers Unlimited, the supplier, and Lucy’s mother, who Lucy planned most of the day with, managed to source and freeze hundreds of paperwhite bulbs, so they bloomed on time.
