First off, if you’re the bride or the groom, you’ve probably already got a decent idea of what you’ll be wearing.
That being said, while this article is mainly focused on wedding guests, the principles we’ll cover here can also be applied to the stars of the show.
This means the bride, the groom, the bridesmaids, and the groomsmen.
And with that in mind, let’s proceed with our breakdown of what to wear to a winter wedding in this ever-so-lovely year of 2025 (or any year). ❄️
Note: We anticipate that most of our readers will be women, but all these tips can be applied to anyone, regardless of gender.
1. Layer! (Verb)
While the rest of this list is not ranked in any particular order, the first thing we’ll mention is actually the most important.
Here in Ohio, “winter” means cold.
So, whatever you choose to wear, you need to make sure it keeps you warm enough that you don’t feel too uncomfortable or get sick.
And like any experienced hiker or outdoorsy person will tell you, the key to staying warm in cold weather is layering your clothes.
Pro Tip: If you want to get really cute, you can study the venue beforehand and try to match your colors to those of the venue.
Ok, But How Do I Do That?
In simple terms, you should have 3 main layers in your outfit for very cold weather, and you can remove one of them if it’s not cold enough to warrant all 3.
However, we’d recommend bringing all 3 layers with you to the wedding, as you can always remove one once you’re there, but you can’t add one that you don’t have.
These 3 layers are your Base Layer, Middle Layer, and Outer Layer.
Now, you’re probably wondering specifically what to wear to a winter wedding for each of these…
2. Know The Purpose of Each Layer
There’s a reason we’re covering core principles here in this article instead of just giving you a probably unhelpful list of random fashion trends and needlessly expensive in-style items.
It’s because we want you to be able to confidently put together your own outfit, because you understand the fundamentals of not only style but also of keeping warm in the cold months.
If you have a good grasp of each layer’s purpose, you will be able to pick up an item off the rack and know immediately which layer it belongs to and how to incorporate it into your overall look.
Base Layer
This one is also commonly called your “underwear layer,” and that basically tells you what it is.
This is the part of your outfit that will either not be seen or will be seen less than your other two layers.
A good base can be anything from wool thermal underwear to a normal set of cotton pajamas, depending on how cold it is.
One thing to remember is that, since this layer will be in direct contact with your skin at all times, you’ll want to choose a fabric that is comfortable and as chemical-free as possible.
Wool and cotton are the standard go-to options, with wool being preferred by many for its superior ability to hold in heat.
Keep in mind, though, that wool must be washed on a delicate setting with cold water and then hung to dry.
DO NOT put wool in the dryer!
Middle Layer
If the weather is slightly chilly but not very cold, this might also be your outermost layer.
Basically, it’s the one that holds in your body heat to prevent you from getting cold.
It can be a flannel, a sweater, or anything else like that, which is substantial, but not necessarily as thick as a coat.
If the wedding were being held in a place that gets a little chilly but doesn’t snow or freeze over, then this might already be enough.
However, if you’re here in Ohio, where temperatures drop quite a lot in winter, you’ll want to have an…
Outer Layer
This layer is also often referred to as your “shell.”
It’s the layer of your outfit that, more than the other two, is meant to keep you safe from the elements.
That means keeping the rain (and snow) off you.
In case you’re from a place that doesn’t get snow (not your fault), you should know that snow is just frozen rain.
And when that snow sits on your body-heated skin for a little while, it melts and turns into cold water.
That cold water on your skin is one of the ways you get the shivers.
By the way, one note is that this shell layer can come in either hardshell or softshell forms, with both referring to how flexible the fabric of the garment is.
3. Accessorize ✨
The great thing about layering (besides keeping you warm and cozy) is that it creates opportunities for styling and accessorizing that you might not have during warmer months when you need to wear less to stay cool in the heat.
When brainstorming what to wear to a winter wedding, you should also be thinking about things like hats, scarves, gloves, little ornaments to pin to your hat or jacket, and things like that.
The main thing about accessories is that you just don’t want to overdo them.
A pair of gloves, a hat, and a scarf are all fantastic for keeping the chill off you, but if you decide to wear a pin or an ornament, you should only have one, whatever your gender.
You want to look stylish, not cluttered.
And part of style is ensuring that every item you’re wearing has a distinct purpose and harmonizes with the rest of your outfit.
Likewise, the purpose of a pin is to make a statement and say something about you.
It’s hard for someone to figure out what specific statement you’re trying to make if you’ve got all kinds of different pins on you.
As with colors, less is more.
Keep This In Mind…
Be careful with metal jewelry, like rings and necklaces, because that metal in direct contact with your skin can get cold.
During winter, it might be smart to lean toward jewelry made of leather or other materials.
Basically, you don’t want anything touching your skin that conducts heat or electricity because it will probably also get cold.
Wrapping Up (Pun Intended)
Thus concludes our brief guide on what to wear to a winter wedding.
If you keep these basic fundamentals in mind while shopping and selecting the components of your outfit, you’ll be sure to come out looking terrific.
It can also be very helpful to get together with one or two of the other guests to coordinate your outfits.
That way, you can either match each other or strategically avoid wearing the same thing, depending on what you’re trying to do.
But most importantly of all, stay warm! ⛄
