Create a Modern Fall Mood Board

Do you love fall colors as much as us? Are you more of a traditional fall guy or girl, or do you prefer to step outside of the traditional fall box? Whether you’re a color inside of the line person, or prefer to take a risk, we are here for a fall mood board. As the wedding industry progresses, we love seeing our clients step outside of the box. We’ve chosen some of our favorite past weddings that help us create our dream color schemes for any fall wedding. 

We see you, golden hour. We love ourselves for a golden hour photoshoot. And fall is the perfect backdrop for those intimate golden hour sessions. If you’re choosing your nuptials to take place in the fall, don’t feel like you have to roll out all the orange pumpkins. You can still set the scene and play off of the autumn season with an organic and simple color scheme. Don’t be afraid to add contrast to your wedding, which includes touches of black. We love the natural colors of this mood board. So, don’t shy away from some darker tones this fall. Embrace the golden hour. 

This color scheme is for our brides who want to embrace some of the fall colors, without looking like a pumpkin patch exploded on your wedding day. We’ve added some moody jewel tones in variants of green. This color scheme is perfect for a couple who have their venue set in a traditional fall scenery. We’re talking about rolling hills, a rustic farm backdrop, or a landscape of beautiful trees adorned with gorgeous fall leaves. If you chose this board, we recommend you use green as your focal point, with fresh greenery, jewel tone bridesmaids dresses, and linen napkins will set the tone for your fall affair. Add in some pops of orange to tie in fall and design the rest of your ceremony and reception space with muted beige. These colors are sure to modernize any fall design. 

This mood board is perfect for any couple that wants a little touch or rustic. This design was from a wedding in Montana we had the pleasure of planning during the autumn season. The neutral tones of brown and gray provide a rustic backdrop for your fall wedding. We loved the modern spin on classic fall colors in the centerpieces and overall design. Deep burgundy and burnt orange is the perfect touch of fall, without going overboard. And let’s say your the couple that wants to pop in a few gourds or pumpkins on your tablescape, this color scheme is perfect for you. It’s a modern spin, but gives a nod to the classic colors of autumn. 

Fall is full of natural beauty. The landscape changes and the fall colors emerge from the lush summer greenery. Fall is the perfect backdrop for any of our boho aesthetic couples. This wedding took place at one of our favorite, local venues - Kelley Farms. Our favorite part about one of our past couple’s wedding arches is the rich wood tones that reflect and inspire our natural fall board. Yes, you can definitely include some muted green tones, such as sage, or rich greens, but we wanted to focus on the natural beauty of these tones. In your centerpieces and throughout your reception, you can add pops of wood tones and oranges that tie into your venue. 

Alright, alright – we couldn’t do a fall color scheme blog without featuring some of the classic fall colors. But, we've added a cozy, yet modern twist to these classic colors. You can tie fall into your wedding with simple touches, such as a festive runner or table cloth. Don’t be afraid to use that as your design focal piece and tie in other autumn aspects. You can tie in your color scheme with choosing seasonal flowers, such as dahlias and wild flowers. It’s a subtle ode to fall, but provides a modern twist to your autumn design. We promise you, with this color scheme, your guests will be feasting and enjoying all that your fall wedding celebration has to offer. 

Fall weddings have a special place in our heart. It symbolizes change and its beauty truly speaks for itself. If you’re shying away from selecting a wedding date in the fall, because you don’t want your wedding to look like a hobby lobby fall aisle, we beg you to reconsider. You can plan a modern fall wedding that doesn’t scream Halloween or traditional pumpkins. It’s a season that is truly intimate and cozy and we’re here to help you with all of your fall design choices. 


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.

Why you Should Leave it to the Professionals

We’ve all been to weddings where we’ve family and friends pitch in to make the magic happen. Of course we love having our families and friends involved in the wedding planning process and even enjoy having loved ones around for extra support. But, let’s face it – when it comes to executing your wedding day, this includes running the day of timeline, creation and implementation of decor, and even vendors, family and friends need to leave it to the professionals. We get it, you're on a budget and your great Aunt Mollie said she can make all of the desserts and floral arrangements, but having families and friends involved on intensive levels can make stress levels rise, not just for them but for you also. So, here are our personal opinions on why you should leave the “wedding work” up to wedding professionals. 

#01: Added Stress for all Parties
Stress runs high no matter during planning a wedding. You have your vision, your fiance has theirs, and occasionally family and friends have what they want to see on your big day, too. Frequently we will see that families really want to support in making your day perfect – which is incredible! But, oftentimes, when family and friends offer to provide large acts of kindness or services, such as decor DIY/creation, it can be stressful for all parties. In our personal history, our couples that have family members chip into decor design, may struggle with drawing a boundary of personal tastes, funding, and achieving the desired look. When you book a vendor for design rentals, florals etc., you are able to count on a business professional to be reasonable with what can be accomplished and for how much. You pay for what you want and expected per your contract. At the end of the wedding planning process, the last thing you want as a bride or groom is to not be happy with the outcome or stress about executing the overall look for your day. It is more than okay to have your rentals delivered, to look and book an affordable florist, and to create the wedding design of your dreams. Now, if you family wants to support with set up, or if you’ve purchased additional decor, bring on the help! But, don’t rely so much on your family and/or friends that it becomes a not fun experience. You want your guests to walk away feeling excited and to have enjoyed the celebration. 

#02: Sometimes the Family/Friend Discount isn’t Worth it
We love a good deal as much as the next person. Our team is also all about finding deals and working within your set budget. We work diligently with our couples to be realistic about what their budget can afford and what to expect when hiring vendors. Sometimes, we will hear from couples or prospective clients that they know of a friend that can do xyz. This can include vendoring food, photography, videography etc. We’ve had a lot of experience with the family/friend discount and yes, sometimes it pays off! We’ve had couples that have a lot of talented friends to provide vending support. On the other hand, we’ve had couples that have not been satisfied with the end result of their family/friend discount. The last thing we want is for our couples to be unhappy with the vendors they selected. So, before you book your friend who is an aspiring photographer, think about what kind of quality you want. Unfortunately, budgeting the right about, and setting your expectations of quality will produce the desired outcome. It’s not a good plan to just book a friend or family member because it’s free or cheap. Think about the outcome and if you’ll be happy with it down the road. 

#03: Guests should have FUN
Your guests need to have some fun. Bottom line, your wedding day is a celebration. Family and friends travel near and far to attend your wedding day. Assigning family and friends different portions to help out before the ceremony is okay, as long as they are willing and able.  Having your friends and family work the ceremony or reception (example: bartender, impromptu DJ etc.) may not be the best plan of action, so be sure to check out reputable vendors in lieu of putting your guests to work. Now, if you do have a guest that wants to participate in providing a service or standing in as a vendor, be sure to discuss expectations for your big day. You don’t want your guests to feel left out or overworked by the end of the night. 

#04: Experience Matters
When looking at vendors, we always want to find professionals that not only match your needs, but have professional experience. We’ve worked with hundreds of vendors in our time and we can tell you that experience does matter. Vendors that have experience, not only with events, but specifically with weddings are key. We want to find vendors that have wedding experience, or even vendors that have their foot in the door with the industry. We want to collaborate with your vendors in order to provide the best experience for you, your fiance, and your guests. Family and friends may not have the same experience as a wedding vendor would have. As you select your vendors, which includes if you select family and friends, be mindful of experience, because experience matters. 

Whatever you choose in the end, whether you choose volunteers from your family and friends, or you hire professional vendors, as you select these individuals, think about the overall experience you want to create for yourselves and for your guests. Yes, having family and friends help out with your big day is absolutely okay, but you definitely don’t want to overwhelm them with DIY projects or tasks for the wedding day. It is more than OK to leave your wedding to the professionals so everyone can enjoy and celebrate to the fullest extent. 


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.

Wedding Signage Tips

What kind of signage do you have planned for your big day? One of our favorite aspects of wedding design is planning all of the wedding signage. We’ve been lucky to have members on our staff that are talented. We’ve been able to provide various wedding signs for guests over the years and add a little bit of creative flair to our couples’ wedding day. Signs may seem like a small detail in your overall wedding day, but they play an important role for your guests. They help guide your guests through your day, answer questions they may have, and can definitely impact the overall experience for your guests! So, let’s talk about signage and how to incorporate them into your wedding day! 

Ceremony

Ceremony signs can provide important information for what to expect walking in the door. Your ceremony will be the first event of your wedding day and let’s be honest, it’s the biggest event of the day. You want your guests to feel comfortable and knowledgeable when they arrive at your wedding. Here are some of our go-to signs for your ceremony to create a smooth start to your wedding celebration. 

#01 Welcome Sign: You want to think of a way to greet your guests upon their arrival. It is vital for your guests to know they are in the right location and feel welcomed. You can easily pair a groomsmen or close family member or friend to accompany a welcome sign or area. Feel free to include a program on your welcome sign or even a timeframe of events. Let’s face it, people like to be informed, so providing a quick timeline of events, such as ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner etc., will help your guests know what to expect. 

#02 Photography Expectations: Many couples are choosing to have intimate, technology free, ceremonies. It allows guests to remain in the moment and leaves the photography up to the professionals. If you choose to go this route, be sure to have a sign that includes your expectations for photography or video. Have the sign in a location, near the welcome sign, that all guests are able to clearly see. You definitely don’t want any awkward conversations for your ushers. 

#03 Guest Book: If you have your guest book at the ceremony, be sure to leave a sign out with short, but to the point, directions. This is a good way to fill the space prior to the ceremony, especially for guests that like to arrive early. You can also move this table/area to the cocktail ceremony to provide an activity for guests to complete. 

Cocktail Hour 

Hosting a cocktail hour is a great buffer for your wedding party, guests, and your photographer. It allows you and your significant other time to make it official with signing your wedding license, as well as snapping all of those important pictures. During cocktail hour, your guests will be “solo”. Providing signs with information during the cocktail hour will keep guests occupied and the hour moving smoothly. 

#01 Guest Book: This is an opportunity for any guests that missed or didn’t have time prior to the ceremony to fill out the guest book. Be sure to move your guest book station to your cocktail hour. 

#02 Interactive Activities: Create and include signs for different interactive activities during cocktail hour. If you haven’t thought about adding interactive activities, think about adding some engaging activities for your guests’ enjoyment. This can include a photo booth, outside games etc. Keep your guests informed with each interactive station with simple signs to guide them! 

#03 Seating Chart: This is one of the most important signs you will have at your wedding, especially if you are choosing to create a seating plan for your guests. Guests need ample time to find their seats. Creating a seating chart that guests can use to find their seats is essential to a smooth transition to the reception. Place the sign in an area that is easy to locate and at the entrance of the reception. Of course you can think outside of the box for your seating chart. But, make sure it is accessible and easy to use. 

Reception and Dinner Hour

We’ve hit the moment where family and friends can celebrate! Throughout your ceremony, there are various opportunities to provide some signs to help your family and friends out. Signs during your reception add to your decor, but answer questions that your guests may have and allow your vendors to focus on vending. 

#01 Bar Menu: Have your drinks clearly labeled, if you are providing a bar. Clearly label your non-alcoholic drinks and your bar menu. Have a bar menu on both sides of your bar, if possible, to keep the line moving quickly. This is also a fun opportunity to get creative with your bar menu! Use visuals and keep it fun! 

#02 Dinner Menu: Whether you're having a plated dinner, or a buffet, be sure to give your guests a menu. You can have a large sign near your buffet, or individual signs/visuals for your guests at their table. If you’re having a buffet, clearly labeling your food choices will help guests avoid any allergens and reduce asking vendors questions. You want to keep the line moving quickly, especially if you’re having a buffet! 

Signs throughout your wedding provide your guests with essential information. It helps limit questions asked to your wedding planning team and vendors, so they can focus on making your event run smoothly. They are also a fun way to engage with your guests throughout the wedding experience. As you chose your signs, remember to include vital information needed to support your guests. You definitely don’t need to go overboard with your signage, but make it meaningful and incorporate the signs into your overall theme. If you’re feeling lost about your wedding signs, we’d love to help you create unique signs for your wedding. Message us today and let’s chat about how we can support you!


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.