Winter Wedding: Ideas, Light and Practical Tips

Insights · A guide for your wedding

A winter wedding has something no summer wedding has: warmth. String lights glowing from early evening, candles, velvet, a glass of wine by the fireplace, and guests drawing closer to one another. If you love that atmosphere, winter may be the best season for your wedding.

This guide covers what changes at a winter wedding, how to plan the day around shorter daylight, decoration and outfit ideas, and what to keep in mind for good photos.

Contents (8)

1. Why get married in winter
2. The dates when weddings are not held
3. The light: the biggest difference
4. Decoration ideas
5. What to wear
6. The reception venue
7. Tips for beautiful winter photos
8. Frequently asked questions about winter weddings

Why get married in winter

• Atmosphere. String lights, candles and warm colours create an intimate, almost fairytale feeling.
• More availability. Churches, venues and suppliers usually have more free dates than in summer.
• No heatwave. Neither you nor your guests will be battling the heat in the church.
• The holidays. Around Christmas and New Year, many relatives who live far away are already in Greece.

The dates when weddings are not held

There are also periods in winter when the Orthodox Church does not hold weddings. These usually include the days before Christmas (roughly 18 to 25 December), 5 and 6 January, and Lent, which begins on Clean Monday. Practice varies from one Metropolis (diocese) to another, so confirm your date with the church before booking anything else.

The light: the biggest difference

In winter the sun sets early. In Patras, it sets around 17:15 in December and around 17:35 to 17:50 in January. That means an afternoon ceremony often takes place after dark.

• Consider an earlier ceremony. If you want couple photos in natural light, a ceremony earlier in the afternoon gives you that chance.
• Couple photos before dark. If the ceremony is late, we can take your photos in daylight before the ceremony, or in a separate next-day session.
• The evening has its own magic. String lights, candles and lit trees make for images you simply can't get in summer.

See the exact sunset time for your day in the table of sunset times in Patras.

Decoration ideas

• String lights everywhere. The simplest, most effective touch at a winter wedding. They add warmth and make evening photos glow.
• Candles. On the tables, at the entrance, in the church, wherever they are allowed.
• Winter colours. Burgundy, dark green, deep blue and gold, with white for balance.
• Greenery and textures. Branches, eucalyptus, velvet and wood add depth to the room.
• Seasonal flowers. White flowers, anemones, orchids and dried elements suit winter beautifully.
• Alternatives to rice. Dried petals, lavender or confetti give a different feel to your exit from the church.

What to wear

• For the bride: a dress with long sleeves, a warm wrap for the shoulders, a cape or a coat for leaving the church. They look beautiful in photos, too.
• For the groom: heavier fabrics, a velvet jacket, dark colours.
• For the guests: if the reception also has an outdoor area, tell them to bring something warm.

The reception venue

For a winter wedding, an indoor space is essential. Look for halls with a fireplace, stone, wood and warm lighting. Many estates in the area also have indoor spaces, as you will see in our guide to wedding venues in Achaia. If there is an outdoor area as well, a small corner with patio heaters and blankets goes a long way.

Tips for beautiful winter photos

• Plan for the weather. Have a backup plan for rain: umbrellas, a covered spot, or a next-day session on another day.
• Rain isn't always bad. Wet alleys, mist and clear umbrellas make for some of the most atmospheric photos.
• Small, warm moments. A hot drink, a blanket over the shoulders, one hand warming the other. Winter is full of images like these.
• A little time outside, not too much. In the cold we keep the photos short, with a warm spot nearby to retreat to.