Top tips for a fall wedding
Whilst summer months are some of the most popular months to get married in, the crisp, beautiful days of fall are actually preferable for many couples. The gorgeous orange leaves and cooler temperatures create a cozy atmosphere, and there’s plenty of ways couples can tie in seasonal decor to make their day truly unforgettable. Venues also tend to be more affordable in the fall, reducing your overall costs or leaving you with more to spend on other elements of your big day, such as your wedding entertainment.
But with unpredictable weather patterns and less daylight than the summer, how can you make sure your fall wedding goes off without a hitch? In this post, we share our top tips for creating a perfect day.
Lean into the fall color palette
Leave the wildflowers, sunflowers and pops of hot color behind as the seasons change and the temperature cools. Instead, lean into the softer greens, oranges and blues of fall to inspire your wedding color palette. Not only does this suit the time of year, but it also makes it easier for you to source flowers, as florists won’t need to force or import out-of-season blooms. As an added bonus, this is also more sustainable – perfect for eco-conscious couples.
To bring together several different colors in your wedding outfits, try dressing your bridesmaids in the same dress in different shades. This still gives you the look of a cohesive wedding party, but gives you the whole array of beautiful fall jewel tones in your photos.
Use seasonal elements to your decor
As well as being inspired by the colors around you for your decor, a fall wedding is the ideal opportunity to take up the theme of holiday celebrations and incorporate them into your day. Halloween and Thanksgiving both occur during this time, and including some fun nods to these days – such as using pumpkins as centerpieces – can create a talking point and show that you’ve truly embraced the date of your nuptials.
Ensure everyone is warm enough
Fall days can be beautifully warm, but more often than not, the temperature has dropped and people are starting to pull on sweaters. This can pose a problem for your guests, who will want to look their best, but will also want to be comfortable enough to enjoy the day with you. It can also be tricky for brides, as you’ll want to show off your amazing dress and won’t necessarily always want to cover up with a little wrap or jacket.
If you’re having any part of the day outdoors, make sure you plan accordingly and arrange portable heaters to keep the temperature manageable. You could also offer out blankets – these can still look chic and cohesive if you stick to your color palette, and add a homely element that helps people relax.
Swap summer cocktails for winter warmers
Serving a welcome drink or hosting a cocktail hour remains popular with many couples – it sets the tone of the day, and in the case of the post-ceremony drinks, gives the couple time for their photos. But whilst summer spritzers, mimosas, martinis and margaritas are all great choices, you can enhance the feeling of coziness at your wedding by offering warm drinks as well. Spiked (or not) hot chocolate, mulled wine, hot rum or apple cider can all help the guests warm up as well as getting the party started.
The logistics of serving warm drinks can be a little trickier than pouring cocktails, so make sure that you or your caterers have the right equipment to ensure that everyone gets their beverage at the right temperature.
Embrace the early nights
One of the best parts of hosting a fall wedding is the possibilities that the early nights bring. Whilst late sunsets are beautiful, the darkness brings with it a chance to illuminate the evening portion of your celebration with magical candles, lanterns, fairy lights and more. Not only does this create an intimate atmosphere, but it will look fantastic in your photos, and give you a variety of backdrops to work with. You can also bring in sparklers for your guests to hold at key moments, giving interest to your wedding imagery.
If they haven’t mentioned it, speak to your photographer about capturing you and your new spouse at blue hour. This time, which happens just after sunset (as well as just before sunrise), captures the moment after the sun dips below the horizon before true darkness. The light gives off a soft glow that works particularly well for weddings, as the white or pale color of your wedding dress will naturally stand out, and your images will have a softer edge than the earlier formal shots.
Create your perfect day
Whether you’ve always dreamed of a fall wedding, or are choosing one because of price or availability reasons, make sure to embrace the season. There are so many special things about hosting your nuptials at this time of year, and focusing on little seasonal details can truly make your day stand out.