There's something really beautiful about a winter wedding at Stonegate.
The trees look completely different than they do during our green months, the glass chapel feels extra cozy, and you have so many different directions you can take the overall look of the day.
Plus, there's one pretty major benefit to planning a winter wedding here: your ceremony is indoors.
You get the beauty of being surrounded by nature without asking your guests to sit outside in 30-degree weather. Win-win.
Decide How "Winter" You Want to Go
One of the first things to think about is whether you want your wedding to actually feel like a winter wedding.
You can absolutely lean all the way in.
Think Christmas trees, greenery, candles, deep reds, velvet, gold, twinkle lights, and all of the cozy Christmas details.
Or you can go more Winter Wonderland with whites, icy blues, silver, greenery, and lots of candlelight.
And, of course, you don't have to acknowledge the season at all.
Black and white, jewel tones, pastels, or whatever color palette you've always loved can still work beautifully. The chapel is neutral enough that you're not locked into a specific winter look just because you're getting married in December.
Your Guests Get to Stay Comfortable
This is probably one of the biggest advantages of choosing an indoor ceremony venue for a winter wedding.
You don't have to spend the week before your wedding obsessively checking the temperature and wondering if your guests are going to freeze during the ceremony.
The glass chapel is climate controlled, as is the reception hall, so everyone has a warm place to enjoy the day regardless of what Missouri weather decides to do outside.
You can still enjoy the winter scenery through all of those chapel windows without actually having to sit in it.
But Plan for Outdoor Photos
Your ceremony may be inside, but you'll probably still want at least a few photos outside.
Make sure you and your wedding party are prepared for that.
Bridesmaids may appreciate having wraps, shawls, or jackets nearby. The guys generally have a little bit of an advantage here since they're already wearing suits.
And don't forget about yourself!
A cute jacket, faux fur wrap, or even a pair of warm boots hidden under your dress can make outdoor portrait time much more enjoyable.
You can always step outside for a few minutes, get some beautiful photos, and then head right back into the heat.
Consider Blankets for the Walk Between Buildings
While your ceremony and reception are both indoors, there is a short walk up the hill between the chapel and reception hall.
If you're expecting a particularly cold day, a basket of blankets near the chapel doors can be such a thoughtful touch for your guests.
They may only need them for a few minutes, but Grandma will probably appreciate it.
You could even choose blankets that coordinate with your wedding colors and let guests take them home afterward.
Embrace the Earlier Sunset
Winter means shorter days, so sunset time is definitely something to consider when building your wedding timeline.
If you want plenty of outdoor portraits, you may need to schedule your ceremony a little earlier than you would for a spring or summer wedding.
Talk with your photographer and venue team before settling on your ceremony time, especially if you're planning to skip a first look and take most of your portraits afterward.
On the flip side, that early sunset means you get to enjoy the cozy evening atmosphere sooner. Candlelight, twinkle lights, and a warm reception space just hit differently when it's already dark outside.
Winter at Stonegate Has Its Own Kind of Beauty
A winter wedding isn't going to look like a May wedding at Stonegate, and that's kind of the point.
The chapel takes on an entirely different feel when the leaves are gone and the landscape settles into winter. Instead of trying to recreate another season, embrace the one you chose.
Add the candles. Bring the blankets. Wear the faux fur. Go completely Christmas if that's your thing.
And enjoy having a beautiful glass chapel that lets you take in the winter scenery from somewhere nice and warm.