Winter Formal.
Formal for cold weather: velvet, long sleeves, jewel tones and a proper coat.
Also written as winter wedding attire, black tie winter.
Where it fits
Winter formal is a formal wedding with the weather written into it. The formality does not change; the fabrics get heavier and the colours get deeper. Velvet, satin, wool, and jewel tones instead of pastels.
The part guests underestimate is the walk. There is almost always one, between a car and a door or a ceremony and a reception, and it is the reason a proper coat belongs in the outfit rather than in the boot of the car.
What to wear
A long-sleeve or velvet gown, or a cocktail dress paired with tights and a chic coat, keeps you elegant and warm. Rich jewel tones and deeper fabrics like velvet or satin fit the season perfectly.
Winter Formal board on PinterestA wool suit or tux in a darker color handles the cold well, and a topcoat is a great addition for outdoor moments. Leather gloves and a scarf can add polish without breaking from the formal look.
Winter Formal board on PinterestWhat to skip
A summer-weight dress with a coat over the top and nothing in between. Open-toe shoes on ice. And a coat you are embarrassed by, because you will be photographed in it.
What it looks like
How to say it
On a printed invitation the dress code is just the term, set in the lower corner. The explanation belongs on your wedding site, where there is room to mention the grass and the evening chill.
Winter formal
Winter formal. Long sleeves, velvet or satin, and deep colours. For the men, a dark wool suit or a tuxedo, and a topcoat worth wearing in a photograph. There is a short walk outside between the ceremony and dinner, so dress as though you will be in it.
Want it in your own words? The dress-code tool writes both lines for a warm or formal tone and for a garden, beach, or estate setting.
Winter Formal: questions people ask
What is winter formal attire?
Formal wedding dressing in cold-weather fabrics. Long-sleeved or velvet gowns, or a cocktail dress with tights, in jewel tones for women. A dark wool suit or a tuxedo for men, with a proper topcoat, gloves and a scarf.
Can you wear tights to a winter formal wedding?
Yes, and at a winter wedding they are sensible rather than a compromise. Sheer black or a deep opaque both work. It is one of the few contexts where a wedding guest is warmer than the season would suggest.
What colours are right for a winter wedding?
Jewel tones and deep neutrals: emerald, burgundy, navy, plum, charcoal, black. Rich fabrics carry these well, and they read as seasonal rather than sombre. Pastels can look thin against winter light.
Should I bring a coat to a winter wedding?
Yes, and choose one you would be happy to be photographed in. Almost every winter wedding involves a walk outdoors between the ceremony and the reception, and the coat ends up in the pictures whether you planned for that or not.
A notch either way
Put winter formal on
your wedding site.
It arrives with these photos and this wording, attached to the events it belongs to, and every word of it stays editable.