The Complete Guide to Holiday Weddings: Pros & Cons

There's something undeniably magical about the idea of a holiday wedding. Twinkling lights everywhere you look. Your venue already decorated with garland and evergreens. Guests in a celebratory mood, ready to party. The cozy romance of winter, wrapped up in the sparkle of the season.

But here's what the Pinterest boards don't show you: competing with your cousin's Christmas party for guests' attention. Paying premium rates for vendors during their busiest season. Hoping your out-of-town guests can actually find flights during peak travel times.

Holiday weddings can be absolutely stunning—or genuinely stressful. Sometimes both at once.

If you’re considering a November, December, or early January wedding date, you need the full picture. Not just the Instagram-worthy moments, but the real logistics, the actual costs, and the trade-offs you’ll be making.

This is your complete guide to holiday weddings: the good, the challenging, and everything you need to know to decide if tying the knot during the most wonderful time of the year is right for you.

What Actually Counts as a “Holiday Wedding”?

Let’s define our terms, because “holiday wedding” can mean different things:

Thanksgiving weekend (late November): Often considered the start of the holiday season. You get fall foliage meeting early winter vibes, and guests are already traveling for the holiday.

December weddings: The peak of holiday wedding season. Early December gives you holiday atmosphere without competing directly with Christmas. Mid-to-late December puts you right in the thick of Christmas prep and parties.

New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day: Technically holiday season, but with its own unique considerations (we’ll get to those).

Early January (first two weeks): Still has holiday decor up at many venues, winter weather, but avoids the December chaos.

For this guide, we’re focusing primarily on December weddings, though most of this advice applies to late November and early January too.

Ask Yourself: Is a Holiday Wedding Right for You?

Before you fall in love with the idea of a winter wonderland wedding, get honest about these questions:

Your guest list: How many of your guests will need to travel? Do they have young children who’ll be out of school? Are you competing with other family holiday traditions?

Your timeline: Are you planning 12-18 months out, or trying to book something in the next 6-8 months? Holiday dates book up faster than other times of year.

Your budget: Can you afford potential premium pricing during peak season? Or are you counting on off-season savings?

Your vision: Do you genuinely love winter and the holidays, or are you just attracted to the aesthetics? Will you resent sharing your anniversary with Christmas every year?

Flexibility: Are you willing to compromise on vendor availability and potentially adjust your vision to accommodate holiday scheduling constraints?

Your answers will tell you a lot about whether a holiday wedding makes sense for your situation.

Why You Should Have a Holiday Wedding

Let’s start with why thousands of couples choose to get married during the holidays—because when it works, it really works.

The Atmosphere Is Already Magic

You don’t have to create ambiance from scratch. The world is already decorated. Many venues have stunning holiday displays that would cost you thousands to recreate on your own. String lights, garland, evergreens, candles—it’s all already there.

“Our venue was a historic hotel that goes all-out for Christmas,” says Lauren, who got married in Philadelphia in December 2023. “The grand staircase had massive garland, there were two 15-foot Christmas trees in the lobby, and every mantle was decorated. We barely had to add any decor. It saved us probably $3,000-4,000 in florals and decorations.”

People Are Already in a Celebratory Mood

There’s something about the holiday season that puts people in the spirit to celebrate. Your guests are already dressed up for parties, already taking time off work, already in that generous, joyful mindset. The energy is different than a random Saturday in July.

You Can Leverage Existing Travel Plans

If your family and friends are already traveling for Thanksgiving or Christmas, a holiday wedding might actually be more convenient than asking them to book separate trips. Many couples strategically plan around when people are already coming to town.

“My husband’s family is scattered across the country, but they all come home to Chicago for Thanksgiving,” explains Maria, married in November 2024. “We got married the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Everyone was already there. We didn’t have to convince anyone to travel—they were already coming.”

Winter Venues and Vendors May Have Availability

Here’s a counterintuitive truth: while December is busy, January and February are dead zones for many wedding vendors. Some venues and vendors who are slammed in spring/summer actually have more availability during winter months. If you’re planning an early January wedding, you might have more options than you think.

The Photos Are Stunning

If it snows? Your photos will be breathtaking. But even without snow, winter light is beautiful—soft, romantic, and forgiving. Evening ceremonies with candlelight and twinkling lights create an atmosphere that’s hard to replicate in other seasons.

It Can Actually Save You Money

Wait, didn’t we say holiday weddings are more expensive? It depends. If you choose a date that’s technically “holiday season” but not a prime date (like the second weekend in December or early January), you might get off-season pricing while still getting winter atmosphere. And if you’re strategic about using existing decor, you’ll save significantly on flowers and decorations.

You Get a Built-In Theme

Some couples struggle with choosing a wedding theme or color palette. Holiday weddings solve this. Rich jewel tones, evergreen and burgundy, gold and silver, winter white—the season gives you a gorgeous aesthetic framework to work within.

Why You Shouldn’t Have a Holiday Wedding

Now for the challenges—because they’re real, and you need to know what you’re signing up for.

You’re Competing for Guests’ Time and Attention

December is packed. Office holiday parties. Family traditions. School concerts. Cookie exchanges. Shopping. Travel. Your wedding is one more thing on an already overwhelming calendar.

“We lost about 15% of our guest list to conflicts,” admits Sarah, who got married in mid-December 2022 in Boston. “People we really wanted there just couldn’t make it work. My husband’s best friend from college had his company’s holiday party the same night—mandatory attendance. My cousin’s daughter had her dance recital. It stung a little.”

Travel Is Genuinely Difficult

Holiday travel is the worst travel. Flights are expensive and crowded. Hotels book up. Weather can cause cancellations and delays. You’re asking guests to navigate all of this to attend your wedding.

And if you’re planning a destination wedding during the holidays? You’re asking a lot. Many people can’t or won’t miss Christmas with their own families to attend a wedding, no matter how much they love you.

Vendor Availability and Pricing Can Be Tricky

Top-tier vendors book holiday dates 18-24 months in advance. If you’re planning with less lead time, your first-choice photographer or band might already be booked. And some vendors charge premium rates for holiday weekends.

“We wanted to get married New Year’s Eve, which seemed so romantic,” says Jennifer, married in Denver in 2023. “But our photographer charged a 25% holiday surcharge, our venue had a minimum spend that was $10,000 higher than other dates, and our top choice band was already booked. We ended up moving our date to the first Saturday in January and saved probably $5,000.”

You’re Locked Into This Anniversary Forever

Every year, your anniversary will fall during the busiest, most expensive, most chaotic time of year. Romantic anniversary trips? You’ll be paying peak holiday travel prices. Quiet dinner reservations? Restaurants are slammed. And if you have kids someday, your anniversary will always compete with school concerts, holiday prep, and family obligations.

Some couples love having their anniversary during their favorite season. Others end up resenting it.

Guest Experience Can Suffer

Asking guests to dress up in formal wear, stand outside for photos, and celebrate until midnight when it’s 20 degrees outside is a lot. If you’re in a cold climate, you need to think seriously about guest comfort—especially for elderly guests or those traveling from warmer states who don’t own heavy coats.

Decor Might Not Be What You Want

Yes, venues are already decorated, but what if you don’t like their aesthetic? What if the venue has red and green everywhere and you wanted a sophisticated silver and white palette? You might end up paying to remove or cover existing decor, which defeats the purpose.

You Risk Looking Like You Just Wanted Holiday Decor

Here’s an uncomfortable truth: some people will assume you chose a holiday wedding just for the aesthetics, not because you genuinely love the season. If you’re not actually into Christmas or don’t celebrate it, a December wedding can feel performative or inauthentic.

Real Couples Share Their Decisions

Emily & Mark | Aspen, CO | December 2023 | No Regrets

“We’re both skiers and winter is our favorite season, so a December wedding made total sense for us. We got married at a mountain resort the second weekend of December. Most of our guests were coming from out of town anyway, so we made it a whole weekend—welcome party on Friday, wedding on Saturday, farewell brunch on Sunday. About 20 people extended their trip and went skiing. Yes, travel was expensive for guests, but we gave everyone nine months’ notice and most people said they were thrilled to have an excuse for a mountain getaway. The resort was already decorated beautifully, it snowed the morning of our wedding, and our photos look like a fairy tale. We’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

Jessica & Ryan | Austin, TX | December 2024 | Mixed Feelings

“We thought a December wedding would be perfect—festive but not too cold since we’re in Texas. And in some ways it was great. Our venue looked gorgeous with their holiday decor, our guests loved the cozy winter vibe, and we saved money on flowers by using lots of evergreens. But the week of our wedding was insane. My sister’s kids had three different holiday concerts we were supposed to attend. My mom was stressed about getting Christmas shopping done. Ryan’s office party was two days before our wedding and his boss made comments about the timing. And about 30% of our invited guests declined—way more than we expected. People were just tapped out. I don’t regret it, but I understand now why some couples avoid December.”

David & Michelle | Charleston, SC | January 2025 | The Sweet Spot

“We wanted a winter wedding but didn’t want to deal with December chaos, so we got married January 11th. It was perfect. The venue still had all their holiday lights and decorations up, but the holiday madness was over. Vendors were available and gave us off-season pricing—we saved about 20% compared to what our date would have cost in October. Our guests weren’t stressed or overbooked. And we got lucky with weather—it was cool but sunny, around 55 degrees. If you want the holiday aesthetic without the holiday stress, early January is the way to go.”

Amanda & Chris | Minneapolis, MN | December 2022 | Logistical Nightmare

“I’m going to be honest: we almost didn’t make it to our own wedding. We got married December 17th in Minnesota, and a massive snowstorm hit the day before. Half our guests couldn’t get flights in. Our florist’s delivery was delayed by six hours. Our photographer almost couldn’t make it from Chicago. We were frantically rebooking things and texting with guests about cancellations. The wedding itself was beautiful—the people who made it had an incredible time, and the snow made for stunning photos. But the stress leading up to it aged us both about five years. If we could do it over, we’d either choose early December or wait until spring.”

Finding the Sweet Spot: Strategic Holiday Wedding Timing

Not all holiday dates are created equal. Here’s the strategic breakdown:

BEST Holiday Wedding Dates

First weekend of December: Holiday vibes without peak chaos. Most people haven’t started serious holiday shopping or attending multiple parties yet. Venues are decorated but not slammed.
Second weekend of January: Still has winter/holiday aesthetic at many venues, but you’ve completely avoided December madness. Often gets off-season pricing.
Saturday after Thanksgiving: People are already traveling and in holiday mode, but Christmas stress hasn’t started yet.

CHALLENGING Holiday Wedding Dates

December 20-30: You’re directly competing with Christmas. Many guests simply won’t be able to come.
New Year’s Eve: Sounds romantic, costs a fortune. Venues and vendors charge massive premiums, guests have their own NYE traditions, and you’ll face competition for literally everything.
Weekend before Christmas: Everyone is in panic mode finishing shopping, attending parties, and traveling to family.

WILD CARD Dates

Christmas Day itself: Almost nobody does this, which means if you’re having a tiny wedding and don’t care about a big guest list, venues might actually negotiate. But expect 75%+ of invitees to decline.
Day after Thanksgiving: Great if your families already gather for Thanksgiving. Risky if people want that Friday to recover and travel home.

The Budget Reality: When Holiday Weddings Cost More (and Less)

Let’s break down the actual numbers, because “holiday weddings are expensive” isn’t always true.

Where You’ll Likely SAVE Money

Decor: If you embrace the venue’s existing holiday decorations, you could save $2,000-5,000 on flowers, centerpieces, and installation.
Off-season pricing: Early January often gets you 15-25% discounts at venues that consider it “winter off-season.”
Attire deals: Many formalwear shops run holiday sales in November/December.

Where You’ll Likely SPEND More

Premium date fees: December Saturdays often come with higher minimums or per-person rates at popular venues.
Vendor holiday surcharges: Some photographers, bands, and planners charge 15-30% more for dates between Thanksgiving and New Year’s.
Guest travel: Not your cost directly, but your guests will pay premium rates for flights and hotels, which might affect attendance.
Seasonal items: Want winter flowers like amaryllis or specialty evergreens? They’re more expensive. Paradoxically, some flowers are MORE expensive in winter when they’re out of season.

Sample Budget Comparison

October Wedding | 150 guests | Major city

Venue: $8,000
Catering: $120/person = $18,000
Flowers & decor: $4,500
Photography: $4,000
Band: $3,500
Total: $38,000

December 14 Wedding | 150 guests | Same city/venue

Venue: $9,500 (holiday premium)
Catering: $120/person = $18,000
Flowers & decor: $2,000 (using venue’s existing decor + minimal additions)
Photography: $4,600 (15% holiday surcharge)
Band: $4,000 (holiday premium)
Total: $38,100

The difference? Almost nothing. You paid more for venue and vendors, but saved significantly on decor.

January 11 Wedding | 150 guests | Same city/venue

Venue: $6,500 (off-season discount)
Catering: $105/person = $15,750 (off-season rate)
Flowers & decor: $2,500 (venue still decorated + minimal winter additions)
Photography: $3,400 (off-season rate)
Band: $3,200 (off-season rate)
Total: $31,350

Savings: $6,650 compared to October, $6,750 compared to December

The lesson? Early January might be your best value if you want winter vibes without premium pricing.

Making It Work: How to Plan a Holiday Wedding That Doesn’t Stress Everyone Out

If you’re committed to a holiday wedding, here’s how to minimize the challenges:

Give Maximum Notice

Send save-the-dates 10-12 months in advance—even earlier if you can. Holiday calendars fill up fast. The more warning you give, the better chance guests can prioritize your wedding.

Be Strategic About Your Date

Avoid the week before Christmas. Seriously. Choose early December or early January instead.

Make Travel Easier

Block hotel rooms early and negotiate group rates
Provide detailed travel information on your website
Consider hosting everything at one location (ceremony, cocktails, reception) to minimize driving
If you’re in a cold climate, arrange shuttle service so guests don’t have to drive in unfamiliar winter weather

Acknowledge the Season on Your Invitations

A simple note helps: “We know the holidays are busy, and we’re so grateful you’re celebrating with us! See our website for travel tips and hotel information.”

Embrace the Holiday Aesthetic (or Completely Avoid It)

Don’t try to fight against the season. Either lean into winter/holiday decor or choose a completely different aesthetic that works in winter (like romantic winter white, glamorous black tie, or cozy lodge vibes).

Think About Guest Comfort

Provide warm wraps or blankets for outdoor photos
Have a coat check system
Serve warming drinks at cocktail hour (hot toddies, mulled wine, hot chocolate)
Keep outdoor portions brief
Make sure elderly guests have easy, sheltered access to everything

Consider a Weekday or Sunday Wedding

If you can be flexible, a Thursday or Sunday wedding during the holidays faces less competition than Saturday. Some guests might actually prefer this—they’re already taking time off work anyway.

Hire a Day-Of Coordinator

Holiday weddings have more moving parts and more potential weather issues. A coordinator who can handle last-minute changes is worth every penny.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will people be offended if we get married during the holidays?
Some might be inconvenienced, but most reasonable people understand it’s your wedding and you get to choose your date. The key is giving plenty of notice and being understanding when people can’t make it.

Should we avoid religious holidays?
If you’re getting married during a time when major religious holidays fall (like Hanukkah, which moves each year), check the calendar and consider your guest list. You don’t have to avoid these dates entirely, but be aware some guests may have conflicts.

What if it snows and people can’t get there?
Have a backup plan. Consider whether you’re willing to postpone if weather is truly dangerous. Make sure your wedding insurance covers weather-related issues. And communicate with guests as conditions develop—sometimes the stress of uncertainty is worse than the actual weather.

How do we handle the fact that our wedding will feel Christmas-themed even if that’s not what we want?
Choose early January instead of December. Or lean into non-Christmas winter themes: winter wonderland, winter romance, cozy lodge, glamorous New Year’s. You can create a sophisticated winter wedding that doesn’t feel like a Christmas party.

Should we give holiday-themed favors or avoid them?
Up to you! Ornaments can be lovely favors if they’re high-quality and sophisticated. But you can also skip holiday favors entirely and do something completely different—local treats, charitable donations, or nothing at all.

What about destination holiday weddings?
Be very careful here. You’re asking guests to spend their limited holiday vacation time and budget on your wedding. Unless you’re keeping it tiny (immediate family only), expect significant declines. If you do this, give at least 12 months notice and make it a genuine vacation destination that people would want to visit anyway.

Will vendors be annoyed about working during the holidays?
Professionals know what they signed up for. The good ones don’t resent holiday weddings—they charge appropriately for their time and plan their own holidays around their booked dates. But do be extra gracious and considerate. A generous tip goes a long way.

So, Should You Do It?

Holiday weddings aren’t for everyone, and that’s perfectly fine.

If you genuinely love winter, if the holiday season fills you with joy, if you’re planning far enough in advance and your budget can handle potential premiums—a December or January wedding can be absolutely magical.

But if you’re mainly attracted to the aesthetics and don’t want to deal with the logistics? There’s nothing wrong with choosing a spring or fall date and creating your own magic.

The couples who are happiest with their holiday weddings are the ones who:

Planned 12-18 months ahead
Gave guests maximum notice
Chose strategic dates (early December or early January)
Embraced the season rather than fighting it
Were realistic about the trade-offs

If that sounds like you, go for it. Your twinkling-light, cozy-romantic, winter wonderland wedding might be exactly what you’re meant to have.

Just make sure you protect your investment with Wedding Cancellation & Postponement—because if winter weather does throw you a curveball, you want to know you’re covered. Wedsure has been protecting couples’ celebrations for over 25 years, and we know firsthand that holiday weddings come with unique considerations. Get a quote in minutes and celebrate your winter wedding with confidence.