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Plan a Fall Wedding
Looking for autumn-spiration? Here are ideas to get you started towards planning a wedding with a fall twist.
Fall Weddings - Things to Consider
Back to school - this means Friday night football games and scores of other after-school activities - all which may affect the ability of some guests with kids to attend.
Variable weather – fall weather can be unpredictable: what starts as a sunny warm morning can turn into a brisk chilly evening. Be prepared for both extremes. Have portable heaters available (if your wedding will take place outside), and dress the wedding party in layers.
All in the Details – Fall Wedding Ideas
Invitations & Stationery
- Add a fall motif - such as an acorn or maple leaf - to your stationery suite
- Consider color - use paper or inks in traditional fall colors – browns, rusts, deep reds, orange.
- An added touch - insert a sprinkling of silk fall leaves into each envelope
Location
- Outside splendor – the season seems to call for an outdoor, rustic setting affording prime leaf peeping views. Some ideas: parks, orchards, vineyards, farms, ranches, barns, mills, or the grounds of an historic inn or mansion.
- Room with a view - if an outdoor setting isn’t an option, find a venue boasting a clear view of the fall foliage or countryside.
Décor Elements
- Color palette –
- Back to nature – use simple décor to subtly enhance the season’s natural bounty. Use the autumn harvest for inspiration; think gourds, pumpkins, squash, gold dipped fall leaves, bales of hay, jugs of cider...you get the idea.
- Go fall glam – you’re not confined to rustic and casual in the fall. Create a posh autumn ambiance, and drape lush velvet (a traditional fall/winter fabric) in a rich chocolate brown or gold throughout your reception space. Accent the scene with antique broaches, crystal candelabras and stemware.
- colors of the season – adhere to mother nature’s fall color palette: reds, oranges, browns, rusts, and yellows.
- jewel tones - make a rich, interesting twist to the traditional autumn color scheme
- mix with metallics – gold, copper, bronze – for added pizzazz
Flowers
- Seasonal blooms – popular fall flowers include montbretia, hypericum, mums, sunflowers, roses, and daisies
- Autumn harvest - add pears, apples, cranberries to your arrangements
- Natural texture – incorporate leaves, acorns, sprays of wheat
- Creative containers – hollow out pumpkins or realistic fake ones, or use stained wooden boxes, terra cotta pots, or rustic lanterns
- Tossing alternative - have your flower girl toss leaves or acorns instead of flower petals
Menu
- Traditional favorites – you cannot go wrong with seasonal standbys: turkey, red potatoes, corn bread dressing, green beans, and honey glazed carrots.
- Family style – re-create a traditional thanksgiving feast by incorporating your family recipes into your wedding menu and serving the meal family style (if your guest list is small).
- Hearty proteins - Choose a hearty meat that will pair with heavier side dishes – turkey, roasted quail, rib roast
- Keep it elegant – you can serve traditional fare in sophisticated, creative ways – present soup or veggie puree in mini shot classes or hallowed out gourds, or warm apple cider in glass mugs with cinnamon sticks.
Cake
- Go pumpkin - round out a fall feast with a pumpkin cake or even a tiered pumpkin pie
- Go chocolate - serve a hearty chocolate cake covered in dark chocolate fondant and decorated with fresh or marzipan fruits and berries
Attire
- For the bride
- For the ‘maids
- Stay comfortable – be prepared for chilly or warm temps. Strapless dresses with wraps, capelets or stoles are a safe bet
- off white - cream or off-white wedding gowns accent a richer color palette
- lace up - antique or vintage lace adds texture to a rustic setting
- Select jewel tone bridesmaids dresses in rich fabrics such as brocade or velvet
Favors
- Make it – homemade goodies like fudge, candy apples, or jams presented in festive packaging always go over well
- Bag it – fill mini burlap bags with coffee beans, bulbs, or any treat you desire, and tie a label with your monogram or wedding date to the top
- Pour it – miniature bottles of maple syrup are a sweet treat
- Fill it – miniature wood crates lined with straw and filled with goodies are a rustic touch
Getaway
- Hay ride – ride off into the sunset on the back of a hay wagon, or invite the whole group to take a hay ride back to the hotel
- Horseback – make sure you practice!
- Flatbed Truck – ‘cause you’re a down home couple at heart
