Design Ideas and Tips for Your Dazzling Winter Wedding

Michelle Ramirez PhotographyMichael + Anna Costa PhotographyAnn Johnson EventsAnna J PhotographySarah VendraminiKiel Rucker
Written By Abbey Stewart

Winter is upon us, bringing with it a magical array of seasonal inspiration for weddings. In Santa Barbara, where the charm of the season meets the warmth of sunshine, couples can enjoy the best of both worlds—even in the cooler months of December through February. Outdoor ceremonies with ocean views and receptions under twinkling lights remain a possibility, complemented by a palette of festive colors like deep green, rich red, sparkling silver, and crisp white.

Picture snowflake motifs, elegant candelabras, and even adorned Christmas trees creating a cozy yet glamorous atmosphere. Whether you're dreaming of a holiday-inspired celebration or simply a winter wonderland aesthetic, Santa Barbara’s unique blend of seasonal cheer and coastal beauty offers endless possibilities for unforgettable wedding days. With fewer tourists, more intimate atmospheres, and often better venue availability, winter weddings here also offer unique charm and surprising advantages.

Best Santa Barbara Winter Wedding Venues

  • 28 Vic

  • The Granada Theatre

  • Carr Winery

  • Santa Barbara Club

  • The Hub

  • Chapala Center

  • Kiva State St.

  • Hyatt Marmonte

  • Hilton Beachfront

Winter Wedding Advantages

  • More venue availability and potential off-season pricing

  • Comfortable temperatures (average 65°F/18°C)

  • Dramatic sunset photos with winter light and pink moments

  • Cozy, intimate atmospheres

  • Less tourist traffic

  • Better vendor availability

Seasonal Design Ideas

  • Rich, deep color palettes: burgundy, forest green, navy, gold

  • Warm lighting elements: cafe lights, lanterns, candles

  • Seasonal blooms: anemones, ranunculus, camellias

  • Velvet accents in furniture and table settings

  • Cozy lounge areas with plush seating

  • String lights and market lighting for early sunsets

Weather Contingency Tips

  • Choose venues with beautiful indoor spaces

  • Consider clear-top tents for covered outdoor areas

  • Have umbrellas ready for photos (they make great props!)

  • Plan ceremony timing around winter sunset (around 4 PM in December)

  • Include warm touches like coffee stations or blanket favors or firepits where allowed

Winter Wedding Menu Ideas

  • Hot chocolate or coffee bars

  • Comfort food stations

  • Seasonal cocktails with local citrus

  • Warming soup shooters for cocktail hour

  • S'mores stations

  • Mulled wine or cider

Santa Barbara Winter Activities for Guests

  • Wine tasting at local tasting rooms

  • Museum tours

  • Spa days at luxury hotels

  • Sunset sailing

  • Whale watching (peak season!)

Winter Wedding Photography Opportunities

  • Dramatic cloud formations

  • Golden hour lighting (earlier in the day)

  • Moody beach shots

  • Cozy indoor portraits

  • Historic architecture details

  • Mountain views with possible snow caps (in Jan/Feb)

Pro Tips for Winter Weddings

  • Layer your lighting plan (natural light fades early)

  • Have indoor backup plans for outdoor elements

  • Consider adding heaters for outdoor spaces

  • Book hair and makeup earlier to accommodate shorter daylight

  • Plan photo timeline carefully around sunset

  • Choose flowers that won't wilt in varying temperatures

For more inspiration, also check out a few ways our past couples have decked out their own Santa Barbara wintertime affairs below!

This elegant wedding at Whispering Rose Ranch offers plenty of winter inspiration. Ann Johnson Events coordinated the event and pulled together all the festive details from the snowflake escort cards hanging on the Christmas tree to the clean white drapery from Ambient Event Design.

Venue: Whispering Rose Ranch | Coordinator: Ann Johnson Events | Photographer: Anna J Photography | Caterer: Pure Joy Catering

Wintertime has never looked so good! This glamorous wedding was held just a week away from Christmas with help from wedding coordinator Events by Maxi Castillo—however, in Santa Barbara every day feels like summer and the sun shone throughout the entire day. Check out the beautiful pink and maroon colors and grand ballroom reception all captured by Michelle Ramirez.

Occurring just days before Christmas, the couple wanted this wedding to fully embrace the holiday spirit within the decor and other details of the day. Ann Johnson Events took the theme and ran with it, perfectly fusing Christmas and a wedding day into one show-stopping event at the Santa Barbara Woman’s Club. Margaret of Margaret Joan Florals—who happened to be the bride’s mother—decked out the space with white, crimson, and pink flower arrangements with the help of a few other florists while colors of dark green and mauve also made appearances. Town and Country Events and Bella Vista Designs also helped to make it shine.

Bold colors of purple and black defined this outdoor colder weather wedding at Kestrel Park. Kiel Rucker was behind the lens photographing the modern and fashionable day including the couple’s stroll through the woods with a horse, striking florals from Ella & Louie, and a stunning wedding cake adorned with berries from Lilac Patisserie.

Venue: Kestrel Park | Photography: Kiel Rucker | Design & Planning: Armando of Santa Barbara Elopement | Cake: Lilac Patisserie | Floral Design: Ella & Louie

This holiday tabletop inspiration was put together by Kelly Oshiro. Using a classic red and white color scheme, the table was a fun twist on a traditional tabletop. For the linen, rich grey velvet from BBJ La Tavola was paired with white Louis chairs for an elegant look. Down the center of the table, petite centerpieces featuring red roses mixed with cotton (doesn't it look like snow?) were mixed with tapers in silver candleholders. All was photographed by Michael and Anna Costa.

Abbey Stewart
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