5 Tips for Planning a Winter Elopement

Thinking About Planning a Winter Elopement?

If you and your partner find more comfort in winter’s chilly embrace, it makes sense as to why you’re interested in planning a winter elopement. Every season has its own elements that make it special, especially the wintertime – vast and barren landscapes, snow, ice crystals, auroras, extra starry skies, hot chocolate, lunar halos, and more. There aren’t as many resources about these kinds of elopements because they tend to be a less popular choice amongst eloping couples, so you might be left to question where to start. As a destination elopement photographer, it’s important to me that all couples design their experiences however they want with access to the right support and resources to make their dreams possible. In an effort to provide more accessibility to people wanting their own wintery celebration, I created this list of 5 tips for planning a winter elopement to get you started.

Create a Back-Up Plan for Inclement Weather

Despite Mother Nature’s perpetual unpredictability, it can be even more intensified during the winter. Snowstorms, icy roads, whiteout conditions, and extreme cold can all impact access, safety, and timing. Whether you’re having a winter elopement or you’re eloping in another season, a back-up plan, (maybe even two), is never a bad idea. So, how can you create the best plan of action if unexpected inclement weather hits? A good place to start is by selecting a few alternate locations that are more accessible in these conditions. These are spots that may require minimal travel or hiking, or are near paved roads. Some couples may even line up an indoor location they can use, (like a cabin, Airbnb, greenhouse, or lodge), in combination with an outdoor area of their choosing. 

If possible, you can also rearrange the events of your celebration to better fit the forecast, (a bonus to opting for a flexible timeline). For example, you might plan your vows earlier in the day if a storm is expected later, or swap your ceremony and celebration order to work around certain weather windows. This is truly one of the most overlooked advantages of eloping – your day can seamlessly shift along with the forecast. 

Here are a few extra tips for dealing with inclement weather well:

Set a decision deadline. Decide in advance when you’ll officially pivot to Plan B (or C). This could be 24-48 hours prior, or the morning of. 

Prepare for specific conditions. Have contingency plans for snow, high winds, extreme cold, or road closures – not just bad weather in general. Be specific! 

Communicate your backup plans, or any change of plans, early with clarity. Be sure vendors, guests, and guides are on the same page as you so everyone is informed and confident to handle whatever happens. 

Don’t fear the unknown, flexibility is your friend! I always tell my couples that some of the most unforgettable moments happen when they lean into the unexpected. Swirling snow, misty forests, or candlelit vows indoors can be just as meaningful. 

Layer for Your Winter Elopement in Style

To safely and comfortably enjoy a prolonged period of time outside in cold temperatures, staying warm is essential. However, this doesn’t mean you have to compromise the elegance of your wedding day attire. Nowadays, it’s so easy to find stylish layers you can wear under your more formal clothing, or pieces you can build into your overall look. When selecting layers, consider the specifications of your elopement location like the exact temps, chance of precipitation, and the layout of the landscape. Cold gear is designed to serve different purposes depending on different conditions, so knowing what you’ll need will make your search much easier. Common types of cold gear products are made to be moisture-wicking, waterproof, fleece-lined, windbreaking, thermal/thermal insulated, or made specifically to withstand extreme low temperatures. This is also a great opportunity to explore protective footwear that you love, or other specialty equipment you might need.

Pro Tip: I cover this topic at length in my exclusive 100+ page Elopement & Intimate Wedding Guide available to all of my eloping couples. For more info on planning your winter elopement and gaining access to this special resource, send an inquiry here!

Create a Strategic Timeline that Accounts for Early Sunsets

The winter season in the northern hemisphere brings significantly earlier sunsets, typically from November through March. The structure of your winter elopement will be greatly influenced by  this single factor, and how you use the limited hours available to you. A large part of my role as an elopement photographer is helping couples create timelines that feel personal, spacious, and aligned with their priorities. 

A well-built timeline will account for things like:

When done well, your timeline eliminates the need for you to rush through your day, and allows you to remain present throughout the entirety of your elopement experience. 

For example, let’s say you’re planning to share your vows in front of an icy waterfall just before sunset – but it gets dark at 4:30pm. Afterwards, you want to meet up with family over a celebratory dinner at a high-end restaurant. 

In this scenario, the ideal start time for your private ceremony should be no later than 3:30pm to allow:

This can mean starting your day a bit earlier than anticipated, with candid getting ready photos in the morning, followed by potential travel, a midday adventure or activity, and then transitioning into your ceremony and evening plans.

Pro Tip: Winter elopement timelines often benefit from a “daylight-first” structure. This means prioritizing anything that requires natural light earlier in the day, and saving dinners, fireplaces, hot tubs, and candlelit celebrations for after dark.

Choose an Activity to Build Into Your Winter Elopement

Your elopement day should be spent doing what you love, or doing something that makes your heart happy. Choosing an activity to incorporate into your plans is a fun way to elevate your celebration, while making it memorable. Not to mention, staying active makes the cold feel more enjoyable. You’ll walk away with these incredibly fun memories, and you’ll have super unique, one-of-a-kind photos to remember them by. The possibilities are endless. 

Here’s a list of activities you can build into your winter elopement:

Pro Tip: For more activity suggestions for any time of year, check out this blog post: What is an Elopement | How to Elope.

How to Pick the Right Time of Year & Location

The world is wide, and that’s the beauty and the challenge of planning a winter elopement. Choosing where to elope and when during the winter season are fully connected decisions, and will be determined by the experience you’re hoping to have. Start by sitting down with your partner, and brainstorming what you’re most drawn to. If you picture snowfall, snow-covered forests, and winter wildlife, destinations like Sweden, Norway, or the Rocky Mountains may have everything you’re looking for. If witnessing the Aurora Borealis is a top priority, places like Alaska or Iceland during peak aurora season offer your best chances. 

Beyond the realm of aesthetics, it’s also important to think about weather patterns. Some winter destinations carry dry cold and blue skies, while others may bring heavy precipitation such as snow, wind, or rain. Consider crowds and seasonality. Early winter, deep winter, and the shoulder season each have varying levels of privacy and availability. Road closures, trail access, and the logistics of travel will also differ dramatically by month and region. Instead of searching for the “perfect” place, aim to find the location and timing that best support the winter elopement experience you want. 

Bonus: What to pack for a Winter Elopement

Your packing list will vary depending on the type of winter elopement you’re planning. Some of the items on this list won’t be necessary if you’re eloping in a mild climate on mild terrain. But on the contrary, there may potentially be niche items you’ll need for celebrations that happen in more rugged areas or under more extreme circumstances. Full disclaimer, this list is a compilation of general needs to give you a better idea of how to prepare. If you’re opting for a more unconventional route, always do your research to pinpoint your exact needs.

A Snowy Elopement in Pennsylvania: Jes & Jen’s Story

I first met Jes & Jen a few years ago at a date night event hosted by Terra Farms. Even back then, my initial encounter with them was so much fun, so when they reached out about their upcoming elopement, I knew it was going to be full of witty antics, a whole lot of fun, and tied together by so many emotional moments. To say I was thrilled to be invited into this part of their story was an understatement, and if you’ve looked through any of these photos, you’ve surely gathered that their day was exactly all of those things and more. 

A quick note: If you aren’t familiar, Terra Farms is a whimsical piece of paradise located in southern PA. The folks at Terra Farms are floral growers that serve the community through their massive “u-pick” flower fields, events, and they help supply local professional florists. Furthermore, they operate The Inn at Terra Farms, a quaint and quiet Airbnb located near the farm, (adding this trip to your bucket list is a must!). 

Jes & Jen’s elopement day began fairly casually. They spent the early afternoon together, helping each other get ready in the weekend suite they booked at the historically charming Table 1837, formerly known as the Glen Rock Mill Inn. Jes’ grandparents used to come here for dinners, so they ultimately decided to also have their ceremony here later in the day. After exchanging gifts and adding the final touches to their attire, we set off to explore one of the best wintery landscapes in the area – a forested lake with miles of trails and coastline, fit for those who want to feel like they’re stepping into the PNW, (or in Jes’ case, Forks, Washington because of her love of the Twilight series). 

By the time we returned to the Inn, Jes & Jen’s family members started arriving for their ceremony. It was short, sweet, and from the heart. Their families cheered them on, and from that point forward, it was the lowkey, rustic party these two had been envisioning from the start. The evening was complete with dirty martinis, a luxe snickerdoodle cake, ghost stories, (a nod to the long history of the Mill), and the ambient light from the soft glow of candles and string lights. 

Originally, we built the day around golden hour on the lake. But in her true fashion, Mother Nature delivered cloudy skies, but she did end up doing us one better – she *personally* sent us flurries of snow at the end of the night, giving these two one hell of a private courtyard performance. It was, dare I say, magical. We lost track of time celebrating on the patio, so much so that their family had to send the hotel staff to reel us back in. It was truly the best way to close out the 2025 elopement season, and one of the most memorable highlights of our entire year. We will never forget this intimate, snowy elopement in Pennsylvania!

If this post has you thinking about what’s possible for your very own elopement, send me a message here! I’d love to show you what the world of elopements and intimate weddings has to offer.