Why couples are choosing luxury winter weddings

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As life has become less restricted and personal milestones are celebratory again, weddings – previously impossible to plan due to intermittent lockdowns – have been scheduled back-to-back across Canada.

With three years of delayed ceremonies being booked on top of each other, many couples are looking to get married in all kinds of weather, and winter weddings are suddenly in season.

For the most well-to-do bride or groom, however, only the most luxurious, up-to-the-minute weddingwear, wedding hair, and wedding fare will suffice, and our style experts are here to share what’s white, bright and winter-wonderful for an ultra-luxe celebration in the snow.

Ellis Tagoe, personal stylist to ultra-high-net-worth men, and founder of Brixton Bespoke

In terms of winter weddings, what is the groom for whom money is no object seeking for his special day?

“Either he’s going for a full a bespoke suit, a Bruno Cuccinelli or a Tom Ford suit. Weddings will continue the trend of 2021 with green, navy and black being the staple. The only twist will be velvet blazer with a pair of slacks and vest that match the satin of the jacket lapel. Most of the very bright blue hues of fabrics will be gone, but a very deep burgundy will be another fresh and viable option.

Most of my clients are looking for the perfect pair of shoes and are asking for bespoke shoes to be made for them or to patina a pair of shoes they bought. You know what they say: ‘Invest heavily in your bed and your shoes, because if you’re not in one then you’re in the other.’

Keep an eye on the suiting game coming out strong. The very slim suit is out to make way for what I like to call ‘Drape with Shape.’ Strong shoulders with a slightly looser fit, pleats and heavy attention to detail with Neapolitan shoulders. Fabrics will harken back to an era where pinstripes and power suits were seen more than the daily newspaper. Glen plaid and Prince of Wales check will also make a surging comeback, but in more subtle tones.

No longer will jeans and chinos be the first choice for many in corporate or entrepreneurial roles as the above-mentioned timeless fabrics will be complimented with a crisp white or powder blue shirt and understated tie to complete the look. There will be a huge need for leaders in all sectors to make tough decisions in 2023. Their mandate will be to win people over, and it begins with looking the part.

When he goes home, though, it will be a different story. Stretch suiting and high-end joggers will be the order of the day. A soft cashmere sweater layered with a down-filled mid layer jacket and custom chinos will allow him to relax as he takes the time with family on weekend trips for some quality time. The pandemic has shown us that having that work-life balance is key to being the most effective at work. Basically, the order of the day is work hard and play hard.”

Morgan Roy, founder of Morgan Roy Beauty, celebrity hair and beauty expert

“Hair accessories and winter weddings are majorly influenced by the runway. Hair is half-up and half-down, with killer blowouts and middle parted updos. Brides are more commonly wearing veils for 2023. And, of course, the most well-to-do client will board a private jet to the event.”

Suzanne Colmer, personal stylist and founder of Toronto-based Your Shop Girl

“I love some of the trends I have seen in bridal coming up next year. The unexpected materials on otherwise more timeless styles are beautiful. There were a few styles on the runway this fall in nylon, feathers or latex that were like walking pieces of art. I also seem to be seeing a ton of gorgeous corset dresses, which, given the current corset trend, makes sense, considering women have already embraced the waist cinching style in their everyday wear.”

Rebecca Chan, owner and lead planner, Rebecca Chan Weddings & Events

As couples have had to push their weddings to late in the year, what can be magical and luxurious about a winter wedding?

“Winter weddings can be equally beautiful and as luxurious as summer weddings. The holidays are already a magical time of year, but it can also translate to weddings. Winter weddings are always about tons of flickering candles, romantic candlelight and holiday sparkle. Brides often wear beautiful fur throws at this time and everywhere you go to take photos will be decked out in holiday lighting, which always makes for great photos.”

For the most well-to-do bride and groom, for whom money is no object, what bespoke, opulent requests are being made in terms of venues, style, beauty, accessories, and locations?

“We are seeing a return to destination weddings in exotic locations, like beautiful villas in Lake Como or hotel buyouts in France. For locale weddings, couples are paying for interactive experiences like hiring fashion illustrators to draw guests at the reception. Clients are also building their dream wedding with ceiling floral installations, vinyl flooring and custom furniture. In attire, I’ve had a bride change into five dresses before and another bride with a white and a black Vera Wang gown (white for daytime and black for evening). For grooms, they can change into a smoking jacket for evening to change up their look.”

Laura Atendido, creative director, MUSE Event Co.

What can be magical and luxurious about a winter wedding?

“Winter weddings have always been some of our favourites. Over the years we have seen the clichéd ‘winter theme’ weddings fade away, and helped clients embrace the intimacy of a beautiful winter wedding. In winter, you don’t have to worry about what the weather will or won’t be like; you plan for a fully indoor event and take the guesswork out of it.

Winter weddings also help keep your guests together, creating a sense of intimacy, regardless of size. You’re not losing anyone to a beautiful patio on a warm summer night. And guests have typically had a bit of a break from the summer wedding frenzy; by winter, everyone is welcoming a reason to get dressed up and go out.

One of our favourite details about winter weddings is the option for a stunning candle-lit ceremony. Many of our spring-summer clients show us romantic candlelight ceremony photos as inspiration, but with the sun setting so late in the spring and summer, we are dealing with natural daylight well past 9 PM at times. Lastly, winter weddings are the best for a true black-tie affair. No one is complaining about being in a tux and bowtie, or beautiful floor-length gown in February; they are welcoming it.”

What bespoke, opulent requests are being made in terms of venues, style, beauty, accessories, and locations?

“Winter weddings are incredible opportunities to consider a destination wedding. … Give your guests a reason to escape the cold and make your wedding a warmer destination – from Palm Springs, to Los Angeles, to Miami, to the South of France, many couples are opting to bypass the winter climate and simply move the wedding elsewhere.

Winter is the perfect time to upgrade your red wines and splurge on that higher cut of beef for your guests. We also see guests investing in fabulous, heated cocktails, such as hot toddies upon arrival.

When it comes to design, spurge on items that are going to provide warmth and impact: Think velvet linens and napkins, candles and more candles, crystal chandeliers, and drapering treatments.”

Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.

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