Winter wedding colour scheme guide

Choosing your winter wedding colour scheme

Here at Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness, we love hosting Scottish weddings with a touch of winter sparkle. When it comes to winter wedding colour schemes, it’s tempting to reach straight for the season’s signature shades. Red and green are classics for a reason. But winter’s full colour range is far broader than that. And your wedding day should reflect your style, not a seasonal checklist.

Whether you’re drawn to icy blues and silvers, deep jewel tones, or something unexpected, the Highland setting of Kingsmills Hotel makes every palette sing.

Here are some of our favourite winter colours for weddings to help you find the combination that feels yours.

Traditional vs Modern Winter Wedding Colour Schemes

It’s commonly believed that certain colours suit specific seasons. In reality, colour choice is personal, and the best winter wedding colour schemes are the ones you love most. That said, some combinations work particularly well in a winter setting.

It just helps to have a clear starting point, like:

• Picking one or two main colours keeps things cohesive. It also gives your florist, stationer, and stylist a clear direction to work from.
• Additional shades work well as accents rather than equals.
• Metallics are a brilliant addition for winter weddings in particular.
• Gold, silver, and copper all catch the light beautifully in low winter conditions. They also add warmth and texture to any palette without overpowering it.

Now, let’s look into some of the best colourful wedding ideas for your winter magical day.

Red and Green

Combine red with lush greenery for a traditional winter feel, then add gold for a regal, festive finish. And if you’re planning a Christmas wedding, go all in with a red, white, gold, and green palette. This classic combination brings warmth and festivity in equal measure.

It’s also a winter wedding colour scheme that photographs beautifully against the rich interior of Kingsmills Hotel, particularly when paired with candlelight and seasonal foliage. Think holly, ivy, deep red roses, and gilded details on the stationery.

Because, let’s be honest, red and green is timeless for a reason.

Forest Green and Copper

Seasonal forest green paired with metallic copper is one of the most sought-after winter wedding colour combinations right now. It also works fantastically well in a Scottish Highland setting such as the Kingsmills Hotel.

The earthy depth of forest green sits beautifully alongside the warmth of copper, creating a palette that feels both grounded and glamorous. As a result, this is a winter wedding colour scheme for couples who want something chic and cosy in equal measure.

Use copper in your candleholders, table runners, and stationery, and let the green come through in lush foliage arrangements. Green can also be used for table linen and bridesmaid dresses. Because, as a bridesmaid colour for a winter wedding, forest green is one of the most universally flattering shades available.

Navy and Gold Winter Wedding Colour Schemes

Embrace the coolness of a Scottish winter night with deep navy tones, lifted by metallic gold accents. This combination creates a striking, sophisticated palette that works beautifully for an evening reception.

The contrast between the dark, moody navy and the brightness of gold feels wintry without leaning into the obvious festive palette. It’s therefore an excellent choice if you’re looking for elegant colour ideas for a wedding.

Navy also works brilliantly as a bridesmaid colour for a winter wedding. It pairs well with gold jewellery, ivory bouquets, and warm candlelight, which you’ll find throughout the Kingsmills Hotel reception spaces.

Icy Blue, White and Silver

For a true winter wonderland feel, icy blue, white, and silver is the palette to reach for. These colours bring the beauty of a frosty Highland morning indoors, creating a wedding that feels crisp, magical, and of the season. You can also add glitter and silver details for an extra wintery finish.

Think silver candelabras, frosted glass votives, white and blue floral arrangements, and table linen in the palest icy blue. As winter wedding colours go, this combination is one of the most photogenic, particularly in low light.

The subtle shimmer of silver throughout our wedding venue catches every flicker of candlelight and fairy light beautifully.

Red and Black Winter Wedding Colour Schemes

Velvety red paired with black is a bold, dramatic choice that sets the tone from the moment guests arrive. As a result, this is one of those winter wedding colour schemes that’s ideal for a black-tie celebration, where statement details and a sense of occasion are everything.

Think deep red roses against black accessories, red satin ribbons on dark floral arrangements, and rich red accents threaded through the table styling.

It’s a colourful wedding idea that makes no apologies for itself, and it works exceptionally well in the evening setting of a Kingsmills Hotel reception.

Jewel Tones

Take your winter colour inspiration from the season’s richest fruits and berries. Ruby, emerald, and sapphire are all stunning wedding colour combination ideas that bring depth, warmth, and vibrancy to a winter celebration. Jewel colour tones also work particularly well when mixed thoughtfully, using one dominant shade and allowing the others to appear as accents in florals, bridesmaid dresses, and table styling.

As colours for winter wedding guests, jewel tones are also a brilliant guide to share with your attendees. Encouraging guests to dress in berry, plum, forest, or teal creates a wonderfully cohesive atmosphere across the room without anyone needing to match exactly.

Purple and Gold Winter Wedding Colour Schemes

Purple and gold are a luxurious pairing that brings genuine elegance to a winter wedding. The deep richness of purple, whether you lean towards plum, violet, or aubergine, sits beautifully alongside shimmering gold accents.

As a result, this is a wedding colour combination idea that works across every element of the day, from bridesmaid dresses and bouquets to centrepieces and stationery.

And at the Kingsmills Hotel, the warm interior tones of our event spaces complement this palette naturally. This gives the whole setting a regal, intimate feel that suits the winter season perfectly.

Shades of Grey

Grey is often overlooked as a wedding palette. However, as winter wedding colours go, it’s one of the most versatile and quietly beautiful options. Warm shades of grey complement snowy Highland surroundings without competing with them.

Pair with white florals and a pop of blush or sage for softness, or combine with charcoal and silver for something more dramatic. All in all, it’s a sophisticated, understated choice that photographs brilliantly throughout the day and into the evening reception.

Start planning your winter wedding at the Kingsmills Hotel

Winter wedding colour schemes are plentiful, and no matter which one you choose, remember there are no rules. A pastel palette in the depths of December is just as valid as a full festive scheme. What’s more, our team at the Kingsmills Hotel will help you bring any vision to life. We work with trusted local stylists, florists, and suppliers who know exactly how to make your chosen colours shine throughout our venues.

Before you get started, take a look at our wedding planning checklist to make sure everything is covered in the run-up to your big day. You might also find inspiration in our guide to winter weddings at the Kingsmills Hotel and our full range of themed wedding options.

And if you’re ready to start planning? Contact our wedding team or explore our full wedding information to find out everything the Kingsmills Hotel has to offer. We’d love to help you create the winter wedding of your dreams.