Fall represents so many things. It is vibrant and the changes of seasons can also represent changes of seasons in your life, such as tying the knot to your loved one. Many couples are quickly leaning towards autumn and we can’t blame them. Fall not only offers a unique and colorful backdrop, but cooler temperatures offer a relief for guests and the wedding party. There are simple ways to tie the season into your wedding day, without having to go all out with the fall crafts and DIY. Let’s talk about some simple, but bold ways to tie the season of fall into your wedding design plans.
One of the most important details you will plan for your wedding day is your venue. Choosing your venue can be one of the largest parts of your budget and we recommend you select your venue first. Selecting your venue first will set your wedding design and vision. This is one of the easiest ways to incorporate fall into your autumn wedding. As you choose your venue, keep in mind location, how the venue will photograph, and what the temperatures will be like (especially if you’re opting for an outdoor ceremony and reception.)
A Rustic Feel: If you’re looking to dive into the rustic fall theme, take a peek at your local venues that are on farms or ranch lands. Many of these venues offer barns or rustic decor or scenery that can tie fall into your overall design. And, if your venue has a barn, you can often host the ceremony outside and reception inside as the temperatures drop.
Wine & Dine: We all love ourselves a glass of wine. Wineries are the perfect venues for fall weddings. The scenery is breathtaking and the landscape will offer guests lots of options to explore. Wines and grapes could adorn your ceremony or wedding reception. Creating a menu that takes your guests on a journey with carefully paired wine would be the perfect cocktail hour.
Let’s Explore: If you’re a Pacific Northwest bride, take a chance and look for an intimate venue in the forest near the mountains. The beautiful forestry backdrop is the perfect scenery for any adventurous bride or groom. You are also able to use nature’s beauty in almost all aspects of your design decor. Foliage from the forest and greenery that ties into the natural atmosphere is the perfect backdrop for a fall wedding. And, let us tell you – the photographs will be absolutely stunning.
We’ve talked about our favorite mood boards for fall weddings, but tying in a fall color scheme is one of the best parts of an autumn wedding. These colors are stunning and are sure to compliment your wedding party. Some of our favorites from this season are burnt and fiery oranges, jewel tone greens, burgandys and bright reds, as well as earth tunes. If you want more of a shimmer this fall, leaning towards rose gold and yellow gold can also help your wedding party shine. These colors are not only trendy, but they photograph beautifully in golden hour and with the picturesque fall backdrop.
Now, let’s talk about design. There is a fine line with any sort of seasonally based design. You don’t want to step too far into the craft aisle. Instead you want to add simple and creative touches of fall decor that is elegant and purposeful. Here are some of our favorite ways to tie in fall decor:
Setting the Table: You can choose linens that reflect fall scenery and color schemes. This is an easy way to pop in some fall color tones. You can also choose seasonal flowers and tie in various natural foliage such as moss, pinecones, and even adorn some tables with gourds and pumpkins. Having natural warm lighting, such as pillar or taper candles, will really tie in the cozy autumn feel. But, before you opt for real flame, be sure to check with your venue and read your contract carefully.
Guest Favors: We love a purposeful guest favor. You can tie your venue into party favors, too! For instance, if you’re having your wedding at a winery, see if you can get some wine bottles wholesale for the table. Or if you’re at a local apple orchard, send home some apple cider as a favor. You can head the natural route with some seasonal spices such as sage, or even send home a s’mores kit – who doesn’t love a s’more.
A Fall Altar: One of our favorite ways to incorporate fall, is to use nature’s gifts as a part of the design. For your ceremony altar, you can use different fall branches, such as birch, and adorn it with moss, fall foliage, or even wheat. You can tie in some seasonal flowers, such as dahlias, wild flowers, earthy greenery and sunflowers, too. This is a simple way to add pops of color and tie autumn into your ceremony decor.
Next stop is the menu. The menu is an excellent way to tie in all of the flavors of fall. You can create a cozy and savory menu that features seasonal items. If you’re looking to tie fall into your cocktail hour, talk to your bartender about creating fall seasonal drinks or mocktails. You can even tie in some of your favorite fall brews, by adding in some fall themed ales. As for the food, talk to your caterer about tying in some fall favorites and spices. Warm, savory meals will leave your guests wanting more. So, be sure to ask your caterer if they have a seasonal menu or options that can fit your autumn theme.
Now, even though our list stops here, don’t let your imagination stop. Incorporating fall into your wedding day is more than doable and there are hundreds of creative ways to build it into your design. Our biggest tips to incorporate fall into your wedding day is to choose a venue that sets the backdrop for autumn, think carefully about decor that would enhance the venue and overall feel, and choose drinks and food wisely. Even these small decisions can make a big impact on the overall feel of your day. So, happy planning and don’t be afraid to tie the season into your wedding day!
Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Seattle Wedding Planner with over 18 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.