The autumn season is a perfect opportunity for a wedding. A new crispness to the air wipes away the sticky summer heat, and the nights are still long enough before winter fully hits.
For autumnal brides everywhere, here are seven fall wedding ideas for your big day.
1. An Original Theme
Fall wedding ideas have themes beyond the traditional harvest and leaves décor. Create a rich atmosphere in the venue layered with amber, emerald, and sapphire jeweled-tones.
What about a back-to-school inspired wedding or a glam Halloween theme? Incorporate black and hints of red with tasteful Halloween decorations to avoid the cheesiness and gore commonly associated. Add a whimsically spooky feel with purple instead of red for additional brightness and a sense of playfulness.
Bring back the feeling of nostalgia and charm with a back-to-school theme, using chalkboards and strategically placed, locally sourced apples. For centerpieces, use stacks of books wrapped with seasonal flowers.
2. Bride and Groom Ensembles
Fall can be a risky season in terms of weather. Stay warm on a cooler day with layers that can be removed for photos and parts of the reception. Consider layering pieces, such as a cozy sweater, to stay warm or a glittery jacket to throw over the dress and still look like a rock star. Grooms can put a new spin on the traditional suit with playful textures and complementing patterns in warm fall colours.
3. Pick One Item and Stick With It
Make one fall object the main attraction. Leaves, twinkly lights, apples—plenty of seasonal decorations exist. Arrange lights throughout the reception hall for a rustic, romantic vibe. Relive the simplistic charm of apple picking in the orchard and use them as place card holders, or paint them on signs to direct your wedding guests from the ceremony to the hall. Designating one item as the focal point adds an element of unity that really ties the whole day together to make it special.
4. Think About Seasonal Favours
Extend fall wedding ideas to the favours given to friends and family. Thank guests for attending with jars of apple cider mix, complete with cinnamon sticks and a personal message. Offer a small mason jar dessert for guests to enjoy later at home. Make everyone’s home smell great with soy candles in shades of burnt orange and yellow that are reminiscent of the season.
Use fun tags on your favours to add a touch of whimsy. Think: candy apples that say “apple-y ever after,” homemade jam that encourages guests to “spread the love,” or caramel corn that thanks everyone for “popping by.” There are plenty of ways to make your day extra fun and personal.
5. Serve Warm Beverages
Take the chill out of the air on a cool fall day with warm beverages in addition to the standard beer and wine. Mulled wine and fruit, apple cider mimosas, and steaming hot chocolate are sure to keep guests cozy throughout the day. If the budget allows, offer a gourmet coffee stand (with or without a barista) where guests can enjoy hot coffee and flavoured drinks.
6. Fall Leaves: Everywhere
Leaves are the ultimate autumnal element that offers colourful variety in a fall wedding. Entwine the leaves in wreaths, let them hold together bouquets—even paint them gold and hang them from the ceiling for a classy decoration. Use cutlery, glassware, and plates with the incorporated emblem, or add them to signs directing guests where to go. They really bring the core of the fall season together.
7. Go Communal
As the leaves change colour and the days get shorter, the autumn season is a gentle reminder of the importance of family gatherings. Why not incorporate this idea into the way you serve your guests? Family style service incorporates large platters of amazing food passed amongst the table.
Consider passing around the table sharing plates of home-style potatoes and small, stuffed chicken with warm buns. Bring together the feeling of family, unity, and warmth that’s needed at this time of year. It’s an informal, harvest-style element that makes everyone feel at home.
