A Christmas wedding has a built-in sense of celebration. Guests are already in a festive mood, many venues are dressed for the season, and the warm glow of twinkle lights makes every room feel cozy. If you are planning a December wedding, these Christmas wedding ideas will help you bring the season into your day in a way that still feels like the two of you.
We have photographed Atlanta weddings since 2008, and December weddings are some of the most colorful and joyful days we capture all year. Along with decor and color ideas, you will find a few photography tips here to help you plan around shorter days and make the most of your photos.
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Choose a Christmas Wedding Color Palette
Deep red and evergreen are classic for a reason, and they photograph beautifully against white gowns and dark suits. Jewel tones like emerald, burgundy and plum feel rich and elegant in winter light, and gold accents add warmth to candlelit tables. For a softer look, try ivory, sage and champagne with touches of gold, or a winter white palette with silver and frosted greenery.
Velvet bridesmaid dresses are a lovely seasonal touch. Velvet catches the light and adds texture to group photos, and deeper shades like emerald or forest green pair well with red and white florals.
Christmas Wedding Florals and Bouquets
Seasonal florals tie everything together. Red roses, garden roses, white ranunculus and berries look festive in bouquets, and greenery like cedar, pine, eucalyptus and magnolia leaves adds texture and that fresh evergreen scent. Pinecones and touches of gold work well tucked into boutonnieres and centerpieces.
Coordinate the bouquet with the groom’s attire for portraits. A burgundy tie, a tweed or velvet jacket, or a boutonniere with a red berry or a sprig of evergreen makes the two of you look like a set in every photo.
Christmas Wedding Decor Ideas
Wreaths on doors and windows are one of the simplest ways to make a space feel festive, and they frame your entrance and getting-ready photos beautifully.
Some venues decorate for the holidays in December, which can mean a beautifully dressed space before your florist even arrives. Ask your venue what holiday decor will already be in place on your date, such as Christmas trees, wreaths or garland, so you can plan your own decor around it.
- Long garland runners of magnolia leaves and greenery turn head tables into a focal point.
- Hurricane candles and pillar candles add a warm glow that looks gorgeous in evening photos.
- Burgundy or deep red napkins and runners echo the bouquets and tie the room together.
- A decorated Christmas tree near the head table or dance floor makes a natural backdrop for portraits.
Ornaments, Trees and Little Holiday Details
Small, personal details are what guests remember. Custom ornaments with your names and wedding date, a hot cocoa or cider station, peppermint favors, and a cozy blanket basket for a few minutes outdoors all feel thoughtful and seasonal.
If your venue has a Christmas tree, ask whether you can hang a few ornaments of your own. It is a simple way to make the space feel personal, and those close-up details are some of our favorite photos from December weddings.
Christmas Wedding Cake and Food Ideas
A white buttercream cake with red roses, berries and greenery fits a Christmas wedding perfectly. For a playful option, consider a dessert table with gingerbread, Christmas cookies or a hot chocolate bar.
Seasonal comfort food feels especially inviting on a cold evening. Roasted vegetables, warm sides, candied pecans and a festive appetizer table give guests something to gather around between photos and toasts.
Ceremony Ideas for a December Wedding
Churches often decorate for Advent and Christmas, so a December ceremony may already include greenery, candles and seasonal flowers. If you are planning a church ceremony, ask how the sanctuary will be decorated on your date and whether you can add your own flowers. Our guide to Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church shows how lovely a sanctuary looks dressed for the season, and our list of Atlanta wedding chapels and churches has more ceremony ideas.
Every church has its own guidelines for photographers. We never use flash during a ceremony, and many churches ask photographers to stay toward the back or the sides. We plan around that with zoom lenses, so you still get close moments at the altar and wide photos of the whole sanctuary.
Plan Your Timeline Around an Early Sunset
In Atlanta, the sun sets around 5:30 pm for most of December, and the light fades quickly after that. The official sunset time assumes a flat, open horizon. In a city park or near tall buildings, the sun slips behind the tree line or the skyline earlier, often 20 to 45 minutes before the listed time, so we plan to finish outdoor portraits about 30 minutes before the official sunset.
For many December weddings, a first look is the easiest way to get relaxed portraits in daylight. If you would like to see each other for the first time at the ceremony, a late morning or early afternoon ceremony leaves time for family photos and portraits while the light is still soft. Our wedding timeline planning guide walks through how to build a schedule that works.
Daytime and Nighttime Christmas Wedding Photos
Daytime photos and nighttime photos have a different feel. If you love a light and airy look, plan your portraits while there is still natural daylight. After dark, photos take on a moodier, more dramatic quality, and twinkle lights, candles and Christmas trees really glow.
Night photos look their best when your photographer knows how to light them. We bring supplemental lighting and shape it so skin tones look natural and flattering, even in a dimly lit reception room. You can see examples in our guide to wedding photography at night.
Toasts, cake cutting and the first dance all happen after dark at most December weddings, so warm, well placed light makes a big difference in how these moments look.
Plan a Festive Grand Exit
A December send-off can be magical. A live band playing one last song, sparklers, or a vintage getaway car all look beautiful at night, especially with lights in the background. Check your venue’s rules for sparklers ahead of time, and save a few minutes for night portraits right before you leave.
FAQ: Christmas Wedding Planning
Are Christmas Weddings a Good Idea?
Yes. Venues and churches are often already decorated for the season, guests are in a celebratory mood, and the cool weather is comfortable for dressing up. The main thing to plan around is the early sunset.
Can You Get Married on Christmas Day?
Some couples do, but many venues, churches and vendors are closed or booked for family plans and holiday services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The weeks leading up to Christmas give you the same festive decor with far more options, so check availability early if you have your heart set on a specific date.
What Colors Are Best for a Christmas Wedding?
Classic red and green, burgundy and emerald, or ivory and gold all work well. Jewel tones and velvet textures look especially rich in winter light.
What Should Guests Wear to a Christmas Wedding?
Dressy and seasonal: jewel tones, velvet, satin and dark suits fit right in. Since December evenings are chilly, a wrap or coat for the walk between the ceremony and reception is a good idea.
What Time Does the Sun Set in Atlanta in December?
Around 5:30 pm for most of the month. Plan to finish outdoor portraits about 30 minutes before sunset, since trees and buildings block the light earlier.
Planning Your Christmas Wedding
A Christmas wedding is full of warmth, color and celebration. If you are planning a December wedding in Atlanta, we would love to hear about your plans. Reach out to check your date, and browse our Atlanta wedding venues guide for more ideas.
For a reception venue with tall windows and warm, glowing chandeliers, see our Roswell Mill Club wedding guide.
