How to plan a magical Christmas wedding in 2025

1) Choose a Magical Christmas Wedding Venue

Your choice of venue plays a leading role in creating a cosy and enchanting atmosphere for your Christmas wedding. When searching for Christmas wedding venue ideas, look for a magical setting that combines historical charm with modern luxury, allowing your guests to experience the magic of the season both inside and out.

Solton Manor is one of the finest Christmas wedding venues in the UK. Whether you dream of tying the knot in our converted Dutch Barn or our cosy Grade-II listed Manor House, Solton Manor offers a wide array of enchanting indoor spaces that are perfect for an intimate festive celebration. Picture your guests gathered around the amazing, Christmassy fireplaces in our Tudor Hall with a glass of mulled wine (or two) as they spread that wholesome festive cheer. Our experienced team ensures that every detail of your special day is infused with festive magic—from catering to decor and everything in between.

2) Transform Your Venue with Festive Decor

The right festive decor has the ability to transform any venue into a true winter wonderland. Incorporate those classic Christmas colours throughout every element of your wedding decor; think rich reds, deep greens, and glittering golds. Dress your wedding reception space with plenty of glowing candles, twinkling fairy lights, and garlands, interspersed with seasonal foliage like pine, eucalyptus, and holly. For your tablescapes, consider featuring tea lights, pine cones, and seasonal flowers, alongside elegant table runners in rich Christmas colours. 

Solton Manor’s Dutch Barn reception space can be beautifully decorated with soft lighting, Christmas greenery, festive wreaths, and luxurious velvet drapes to bring your indoor winter wonderland vision to life. Imagine colourful garlands cascading over doorways and elegantly decorated Christmas trees to enhance the festive ambience. There’s festive magic to be found around every corner at Solton Manor…

3) Opt for Comforting Seasonal Cuisine

A thoughtfully crafted menu that is jam-packed full of festive treats is a must-have for a Christmas wedding. Consider offering mulled wine, hot chocolate, or spiced cider to warm up your guests on arrival. For the main course, serve up hearty, comforting dishes like roast beef or turkey with seasonal vegetables and rich gravy. Desserts such as a rich Christmas pudding, gingerbread cookies, or a decadent trifle are sure to go down a treat.

Solton Manor’s talented catering partners, Invicta Food Design, can craft a seasonal menu featuring locally sourced produce that is sure to delight your guests. They will ensure that the drinks keep flowing all afternoon long, serving up spiced mulled wine and bespoke festive-themed cocktails. They can even organise a late-night hot chocolate station or serve warming mince pies to add a cosy, festive touch to the evening—if you can dream it, our catering team can make it happen…

4) Select Comfortable Winter Wedding Attire

Attire is a key consideration when planning a winter wedding. The bride could opt for a wedding dress with long, lacy sleeves to stay comfortable yet stylish. Bridesmaids could adorn elegant velvet dresses in deep reds or forest greens, paired with faux fur shawls for added warmth. Grooms may choose a velvet, wool, or tweed suit to add both style and seasonal charm to the wedding party. To further enhance your festive attire, consider incorporating deep red bouquets, winter floral headpieces, or sparkly shoes.

Solton Manor’s picturesque countryside setting is perfect for capturing the most stunning photos of your bridal party in all their festive attire—whether it be set against the historic manor house or along the frost-covered pathways of the manicured gardens. The natural beauty of the wintry Kent landscape, with its bare branches and frosty grounds, creates an ethereal backdrop that will make your wedding photos feel timeless and magical.

5) Infuse Some Magical Personal Touches

An intimate Christmas wedding provides plenty of opportunities to add those magical personal touches. Craft custom ornaments as wedding favours for guests to hang on their Christmas trees, create a hot chocolate bar with personalised mugs, or provide cosy blankets embroidered with your initials for guests to use during the outdoor elements of your celebration.

Solton Manor provides an exquisite blank canvas that makes festive wedding personalisation effortless. The exclusive nature of the venue ensures that all aspects of your wedding are tailored to reflect your unique love story, whether you’re hosting an intimate candlelit wedding ceremony in the Manor House or a celebratory reception party beneath the shimmering chandeliers of the Dutch Barn.

Image credits

Benjamin Toms Photography

Creation Bureau