How to Choose and Style Winter Wedding Wraps

Winter is one of the most stunning seasons to get married, especially if it snows for your wedding. Snow creates beautiful natural light and covers the landscape with a beautiful white palette. That can provide the perfect backdrop for your wedding gown and bridal party.

However, some brides may be concerned about getting cold during a winter ceremony, especially if it’s outside. An easy solution is to invest in a winter wedding wrap that can keep you warm while adding another level of style to your wedding gown. 

Bridesmaids and guests can also benefit from adding shawls or wraps to their ensembles. Here’s everything you need to know about how to choose and style winter wedding wraps and shawls. 

Consider the Weather

Getting married in the winter adds a new set of challenges to planning the look for your wedding day. Most wedding dresses are quite warm on their own, especially if they’re made of synthetic fabric. In general, brides who are moving around, talking to guests, and dancing are often too warm in their dresses.  

However, brides who get married outside in the late fall or winter may get cold in a traditional wedding dress. During the wedding ceremony, there is very little movement, and you don’t want to be shaking with cold while you say your vows. 

It can be difficult to predict the exact weather conditions for your wedding day, but seasonal patterns can give you a general idea of how warmly you want to wrap up. Winter wedding wraps are not a permanent part of your dress, so you can easily take them off if you get too warm after the ceremony.

Check the Silhouette

Bridal wraps for winter are often voluminous and can change the whole silhouette of your wedding gown. Many of them are designed to frame your shoulders and face. This can create beautiful pictures especially if you choose a wrap of contrasting color to your gown. 

If you’re planning to wear your wrap during the wedding ceremony or for pictures, it’s important to ensure its neckline and shape complement those of your gown. Some winter wedding shawls and wraps can be adjusted and worn in different ways to accommodate a variety of gowns. 

For example, gowns with asymmetrical necklines will look best with asymmetrical wraps. On the other hand, wedding gowns with straps and sweetheart necklines will look gorgeous with bridal wraps that hook or tie symmetrically. 

Winter bridal wraps add width to your shoulders, so they’re best worn with dresses that have lots of material in the skirt. Alternatively, you can use them to heighten the slim effect of a sheath gown for a more vintage feel. 

Try on Different Styles

There are three main styles for winter wedding wraps: boleros, shawls, and capes. All three of these styles can complement any gown, although some suit specific silhouettes more than others. These three styles also all come in varying lengths and colors, so there’s a lot of variety for you to choose from. 

Boleros are short jackets, and they come with or without sleeves. This type of wrap stays nicely in place without any kind of fastener because it has armholes. Shawls typically don’t have armholes and instead use fasteners to keep from sliding off. Capes come in a variety of lengths and may have hoods depending on the style. 

Faux and vintage fur is very popular for winter bridal wraps. Ostrich feather wraps also look beautiful in winter weddings, and add extra glamour to a bride’s ensemble. Some brides also choose shawls knit with large, chunky stitches. Regardless of material, each style of these wraps can come in a range of colors, from white to black. 

Before going to try on wraps and gowns, look over style images to see what stands out to you. Remember to focus specifically on apparel and try to ignore the model’s hair, makeup, and backdrop for now. After you have a sense of what you like, the best way to narrow your search is to try on as many different styles as possible. 

Keeping the Bride Warm

Adding a winter wedding shawl or wrap to your bridal ensemble is the perfect way to stay warm and stylish on your wedding day. Because these wraps can look so elegant, some brides purposely choose to get married in the winter just so they can wear one. 

Whatever accessory option you choose, don’t get so caught up in the details that you miss enjoying the process. Planning a wedding can be stressful, but your event doesn’t have to be perfect to be special. Prioritize comfort and just choose something that makes you feel beautiful.