6 Tips to Prepare for Your Outdoor Winter Elopement

Photographer: Kate Alison Photo | Location: Central Park | Officiant: Once Upon A Vow

Baby, it’s cold outside! Even if you love winter, chances are you don’t enjoy frozen toes so if you’re eloping in NYC, Boston, or someplace chilly during the Fall and Winter months, it’s time to prepare accordingly. We’re mostly talking to our femme nearlyweds who are planning to rock a spaghetti strap dress with a stiletto heel in 20-degree weather! But this blog is for our suit-wearing peeps too.

Trust us when we say that if you are not properly dressed, not only will you suffer the consequences but your photos will show how miserable you feel. This defeats all the work you put into your NYC winter elopement so get cozy and read on.

1. Layer Up! 

We’re talking fleece-lined tights, knee-high socks, thermal undershirts, scarves, mittens, ear muffs, and wedding outerwear like coats or capes. This may sound obvious to many of you, and we thought so too for a while, but aesthetics sometimes beats the chilly reality. It’s time to think: winter wedding chic! 

Oftentimes people feel like they can’t wear too much beneath their skintight dress, but these days the fashion options are endless and less bulky than you’d expect. Find pieces that accentuate your winter wonderland lewk while keeping you warm! Your thermal under clothes and dress will give you added protection from the icy chill that can set into your bones when you’re outdoors this winter. 

Many couples want to show off their wedding fit during their ceremony and especially during their portrait session, so feel free to remove any additional layers like your scarf, mittens, and even your coat (if you must). At the very least, the layers you’re wearing beneath will give you a baseline of warmth that is necessary during Northeastern winters. 

2. Choose boots instead of heels. 

We know this is controversial, but consider that you will be walking and standing in the cold for a minimum of 30-minutes and even more if you’re taking couples portraits outdoors in iconic NYC locations. There are so many cute winter boot options that can pair nicely with your wedding dress, especially if your wedding dress is long and no one can see what you’re wearing. 

Oftentimes, couples who are having an outdoor winter elopement or microwedding, experience a bit of weather anxiety since winter weather can be unpredictable in the Northeast. One way to ease that anxiety is to prepare for the coldest scenario so you can simply enjoy the magic of this season.

If you’re feeling resistance on this front, consider bringing sneakers and cozy socks that you can wear when your feet are too cold and tired to continue taking pics.

Photographer: Tanya Isaeva | Location: Bethesda Terrace, Central Park | Officiant: Once Upon A Vow

3. Bring hand warmers.

Hand warmers are a game changer for outdoor weddings! Oftentimes, your hands are exposed to the elements especially during the ring exchange. Many will find themselves blowing into their hands to try to keep them warm. That chill can cause painful stiff fingers. Besides gloves and holding hands, hand warmers are our go-to winter recommendation.

Bring a few since you’ll likely go through them on the most frigid winter day. Keep them in your pockets so your hands can take a reprieve from the chill.

4. Cheers with a hot drink!

Tis the season to grab your favorite hot drink! Visit your closest coffee shop right before your wedding ceremony or pack a thermos of your chosen hot beverage. Some couples prefer a whiskey or something equally warming. 

Whatever you choose, hot drinks can help you warm up from within. Plus, you’ll have a cute drink to cheer with after your wedding ceremony. If you’re the sentimental type, you can recreate that drink for every anniversary so make it a tasty one! 

Photographer: JC Lemon | Location: Rockefeller Center | Officiant: Once Upon A Vow

5. Pack a Handkerchief. 

You may need a handkerchief for the happy tears during your wedding ceremony anyway, but we’re adding the hanky to the list because windchills will inevitably lead to runny noses and/or teary eyes. Paper tissues are a great option too. We recommend a handkerchief specifically because of its timelessness. 

You can have it embroidered with your wedding date, names, or a quote that resonates with you both. It can be designed to fit your vision and would be a lovely detail your photographer would love to capture with your wedding rings. 

6. Finetune a back-up plan.

Because winter weather is unpredictable and a snowstorm could disrupt your original plans, it’s best to have a backup plan. Backup plans will help ease weather-related anxieties so talk to your vendor team about potential backup locations and in worst case scenarios, backup dates/times. 

While it’s easier said than done, it’s best not to obsess over the weather forecast since it changes so frequently. Even from hour to hour. Find out from your vendor team, especially your photographer and officiant, for backup location recommendations and the possibility of rescheduling your ceremony by a few hours or a day. Especially if there’s an unprecedented winter storm.

It’s best to prepare for the worst case scenario and make the best of it. At the end of the day, we can’t control everything. So much of marriage is about rolling with what comes your way anyhow so have fun in the weather that is bestowed upon you. Sing in the rain, dance in the snow, and channel your inner child!

Ready to Say “I Do” to your own Outdoor Winter Wonderland?

If you're ready to elope over the winter months in NYC, Boston, or beyond, we’re here to help you plan the winter wonderland wedding ceremony of your dreams. Together we’ll create a heartwarming ceremony that celebrates your love and journey! Reach out to us to learn more about how we can help make your epic winter wedding dreams into an even better-than-imagined reality.