5 Christmas Wedding Ceremony Ideas for Creative Couples & Officiants

Plan a Christmas themed wedding with these holiday inspired ideas

 

With strands of twinkle lights and candles brightening every window, and family and friends gathering from near and far, December weddings -- and especially Christmas weddings -- are some of the most romantic events of the year. 

 

Whether you’re planning a winter celebration with just a dash of tasteful holiday spirit, a Winter Solstice wedding, or have been asked to officiate an elaborate Christmas themed ceremony... The 5 holiday-inspired ideas below will make sure your wedding is one to remember!

 

 

5 Christmas Wedding Ideas: Add a Sparkle of Seasonal Magic to Your Big Day

 

1. Wedding Mistletoe Moment & First Kiss Photo

 

Make the ‘first kiss’ moment seasonally sweet with mistletoe! After the wedding officiant pronounces the couple married, they’ll hold up a decorative sprig of mistletoe for the newlyweds to kiss under. This mistletoe moment makes for a unique first kiss photo, and is sure to delight the guests! 

 

If you're used to the wedding officiant quickly stepping out of the frame so the photographer can capture the first kiss photo, including them in the moment might feel risky—but it's not! Let the photographer know the plan ahead of time, and practice where to stand during the wedding rehearsal to make sure the photographer gets a great shot of your mistletoe moment. 

 

Mistletoe Wedding Favors

 

As an added touch, place mistletoe in guest gift bags as wedding favors, or hang it in unexpected places around the reception room to encourage friends to share the love.

 

Did you know? Mistletoe has been a symbol of fertility and romance since the ancient Druids, when the scrappy herb was one of only a few able to flourish during long Celtic winters and pagan Yule celebrations, and historians speculate that it first became part of a kissing tradition in England in the 1700s.

 

Christmas wedding idea: Include mistletoe in your ceremony for a festive first kiss!

 

2. A Circle Seating Arrangement & Christmas Wedding Garland

 

Turn a charming circular seating arrangement into a festive holiday ‘wreath’ with the help of Christmas wedding garland made of winter greenery and colorful ornaments. 

 

Circle seating at wedding ceremonies, where the wedding altar is placed at the center of a circle of guests, is increasingly popular. It's a fun alternative to placing guests on either side of an aisle, and gives everyone a great view of the wedding vows and ring exchange.

 

Also called a ‘ceremonies in the round,’ these intimate wedding circles let couples and officiants get creative with decor and ambience. For example, placing aromatic greenery, wedding garland, or miniature evergreen trees along the outside of the circle creates instant seasonal symbolism -- reminiscent of a holiday wreath.

 

Take the symbolism a step farther by giving colorful ornaments to guests as they enter and ask them to decorate the wedding ‘wreath’ as they take their seats. Ask guests to write a sweet message for the newlyweds as bright tokens of love and support (similar to blessing stones or Pagan stone blessing ceremonies). Keep the ornaments as keepsakes to decorate your home each year to celebrate your anniversary.

 

A Christmas inspired 'wedding ceremony in the round' with wedding garland, colorful ornaments inscribed with blessings from guests, sparkling lights, and lots of love

 

3. Eggnog, Cider, or Mulled Wine Unity Ceremony & Wedding Toast

 

Nothing says Christmas cheer like a glass of eggnog, spiced cider, or mulled wine! Serve these seasonal treats in a classy coupe or tulip glass during a formal indoor wedding ceremony, or in favorite mugs as part of a rustic outdoor gathering. 

 

Include homemade eggnog, cider, or mulled wine in a seasonal unity ceremony toast. These winter classics can be served warm or chilled during the ceremony -- just make sure to prepare enough to share with guests during your reception or afterparty.

 

Bring non-alcoholic variations for children and non-drinking guests to involve everyone in the fun!

 

Eggnog unity ceremony toasts get classy with coupe glasses and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

 

4. Bride and Groom Wedding Gift Exchange: Unwrapping Your Wedding Rings

 

One of the most exciting parts of Christmas is watching loved ones smile in delight as they open gifts -- tearing off colorful ribbons and shiny paper to reveal the surprise inside. This magic can be part of the wedding ceremony with a gift exchange, or by unwrapping your wedding rings before the ring exchange! 

 

Instead of simply exchanging wedding bands, marriers can exchange rings in small colorfully wrapped boxes. Vows or special messages of love can be written on the gift tags, and read aloud in place of a traditional vow exchange.

 

After opening the gifts and revealing the wedding rings inside, couples can slip them on while the wedding officiant continues the ceremony. 

 

If you prefer to exchange a special wedding gift instead of (or in addition to) wedding rings, this festive holiday ritual can take place after the wedding vows and before the wedding officiant’s closing words and pronouncement of marriage. 

 

Unwrap the best gift ever on your wedding day -- LOVE.

 

5. Wedding Carriage with Reindeer (for Wedding Entrance or Exit)

 

Watching newlyweds climb into a horse-drawn carriage for a romantic ride to the reception dinner is peak Christmas rom-com energy, and for good reason. ‘Just married’ carriage rides are incredibly picturesque, plus they give newlyweds a few quiet moments alone to celebrate before rejoining friends and family for a big post-ceremony bash. 

 

Instead of a horse and carriage rental for your wedding, find a reindeer or two to pull the wedding-day sleigh! And if Rudolph’s already booked or there aren't any reindeer rentals in your area, horses can be outfitted with a festive antler headbands to look the part. This cute solution always makes guests smile… especially children!

 

Winter carriage rides are so romantic!  Add a carriage ride to your Christmas wedding entrance or exit to make the day extra memorable.

 

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Christmas Wedding Ideas We Love

 

• How to Officiate a Christmas Wedding Ceremony
   
• Can Santa Claus Officiate Your Christmas Wedding? 3 Steps to a Very Merry Ceremony
   
• Winter Wedding Gnomes: Decorative Marriage Certificate
   

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Mistletoe Marriage Certificate

A seasonal winter wedding certificate

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More Winter Wedding Ideas & Inspiration

 

• 5 Unity Ceremony Ideas for a Cozy Winter Wedding (with Scripts)

 

• Plan & Officiate a Winter Solstice Ceremony with Candle Lighting

 

• New Ceremony Script Alert! A Winter Solstice Wedding with Candle Lighting

 

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