Vermont Winter Wedding in Northern Vermont | Vermont Wedding Photographer

A December Church Ceremony Wrapped in Snow

It was one of those classic Vermont December days – quiet, cold, and soft light everywhere. The world outside the church was covered in fresh snow, and inside it was all candles, wooden pews, and the kind of warmth you only get when people squeeze in close for a winter ceremony.

I’m Inna, a Vermont wedding photographer based near Burlington. I love winter weddings because they feel cozy and intentional. The guest list is usually a little smaller, everyone is bundled up, and the photos end up looking timeless – like a scene from a movie, but with real laughter, red cheeks, and snowflakes on your eyelashes.

Why Winter Weddings in Vermont Feel So Magical

There’s something different about saying your vows when it’s cold outside:

Snow as your backdrop – fresh snow reflects light beautifully and makes colors pop, especially bouquets, tuxes, and your dress.
Cozy indoors, epic outdoors – we can do a mix of warm church moments and quick outdoor portraits in the snow.
Earlier sunset = dreamy light – winter light is soft almost all day, and we usually get a beautiful blue hour right after the ceremony.

You don’t have to love freezing (I don’t either 😄). My goal is to keep you comfortable, move quickly, and still capture that “wow” winter feeling without turning your portraits into a survival challenge.

How We Photographed This December Church Wedding

This ceremony took place in a small church in Northern Vermont. We leaned into what winter gives us: soft light, candles, and short but powerful moments outside in the snow.

1. Getting ready & details

We started with simple, quiet getting-ready photos:
dress, shoes, invitation suite, rings, small details in window light. In winter, I like to keep everything near a window or door – natural light + a bit of shadow = classic, elegant images.

2. First look (or not)

For this wedding we kept things traditional and saved the first look for the aisle. If you’re planning a December ceremony, we can do it either way:

First look before the ceremony – gives us more daylight for portraits.

First look at the altar – a bit more emotional; we just plan a short portrait session outside afterward.

3. The ceremony

Winter church ceremonies photograph beautifully: warm tones from wood and candles, close seating, lots of emotion, guests arriving with scarves and coats, brushing snow off before they walk in.

I stay quiet and close, but I’m always watching for hugs, glances, and tiny gestures that tell the story.

4. Portraits in the snow

After the ceremony, we stepped outside for a quick series of portraits:

a few classic “just married” photos on the church steps, walking shots through the snow, close-ups with hands holding, breath in the air, and veil catching the wind

We keep it short and efficient – 10–15 minutes outside at a time, then back inside to warm up. I’ll help with posing so you’re not thinking about what to do with your hands while you’re shivering.

Ready to plan your Winter wedding photos? → Inquire now

Frequently asked questions

Do we have to go outside for photos?
Not at all. If the weather is too harsh, we can create beautiful portraits indoors using window light, candles, church architecture, and any nearby lobby or reception space. If you’re up for a few quick minutes outside, we’ll make a plan and move fast.

What time should our ceremony start in December?
Because it gets dark early, I usually recommend scheduling your ceremony so we still have a bit of daylight afterward for portraits – or planning a first look earlier in the day. We’ll look at your exact date and location and build a custom timeline.

How do you keep us from freezing in photos?
We shoot in short bursts: a few minutes outside, then back inside to warm up. I help you with natural, efficient poses so we don’t waste time, and I’ll remind you to bring layers, hand warmers, and boots.

Do you travel for winter weddings outside Burlington?
Yes. I photograph weddings all over Vermont and New England, including small towns in Northern Vermont. Travel within my usual coverage area is included; for longer distances we can chat about simple travel arrangements.