A fall wedding is magical, warm, and memorable. Here are ten cozy ideas so you can plan an autumn wedding that wows guests.
The changing leaves and fragrant air of fall is undeniably beautiful. So it’s no wonder it’s becoming such a popular time of year to tie the knot. And the options for fall weddings are endless. Whether you want a cozy ceremony with rustic flannel accents or a formal affair with shades of gleaming copper and gold, an autumn wedding suits any taste and budget.ย
Here are my top ten ideas for making the most of the fleetingly fabulous fall season. So grab a cup of apple cider, wrap up in your favorite blanket, and relax as you get a glimpse into what makes autumn weddings so magical and unforgettable.
1. A Fall Wedding Makes For Enchanting Photographs
A good wedding photographer can make any background come to life. But the vivid shades we see in fall – from bright yellow to crisp orange, burnished brown, and gleaming red – make for truly magnificent photos. I had my engagement photos taken in autumn. I actually prefer them to the pictures from my wedding which was held in late April.
There’s a reason many families choose to get their annual photos taken in the fall. There’s just so much to work with! Have your fall wedding photos taken in a field of cheerful sunflowers or beneath the boughs of trees sporting multi-colored foliage. What about including some haystacks and pumpkins?
Fall photos are definitely number one for cozy wedding elegance!
2. The Fall Wedding Food (Because Everyone Loves Pie)
One of the coolest ideas for food at fall weddings that I’ve heard of is serving pie instead of cake at the reception. Everyone loves wedding cake, but if you’re looking to do something unique and delicious, why not offer an array of mouth-watering seasonal pies at your wedding?
You could choose everyone’s favorite – apple (or pumpkin) pie, that Thanksgiving staple. There’s also decadent pecan pie, sweet potato pie, and so many more delicious options that will add a cozy, cottagecore vibe to your wedding. And it’s not just about dessert.
Serve guests warm apple cider or hot toddy’s. And take advantage of local produce around harvest time to serve your guests delicious snacks on a rustic grazing table adorned with autumn-themed florals and greenery. If you really want to take the theme and run with it, you can even serve a Thanksgiving-style meal at the reception, complete with turkey, stuffing, and sweet potatoes.
3. Foliage and Florals For Fall Weddings
Autumn is the best time of year to bulk up your bouquet with non-floral elements. Instead of being limited to different types of greenery, you can give your florals a boost of color and coziness by adding branches of yellow birch leaves or red maple leaves. And even gleaming red berries.
A few stalks of wheat added will bring your rustic-chic wedding to a higher level, and, though they’re big, including sunflowers adds an element of good cheer and sunshine to your decor. There’s so much you can do with autumn florals, and all of your results are sure to be eye-catching and effortlessly gorgeous.
Related: Floriography And The Meaning Behind Wedding Flowers
4. Fall Fashion Is Both Classic And Charming
I absolutely love the trend in fall weddings that I’ve been seeing of grooms and their groomsmen wearing tweed suits. I’ve been longing to see these classic wardrobe items being brought back, and what better time than at a fall wedding?
Tweed suits are not only classic; they’re full of nostalgic charm. Add in the fact that they’re sure to keep you warm if you opt for an outdoor autumn wedding, and it’s hard to imagine a better choice for any groom. But what about the bride and bridesmaids?
Recently, a beautiful trend has been velvet dresses – something no one in their right mind would want to attempt at a spring or summer wedding. But just imagine an autumn wedding with bridesmaids dressed in gorgeous velvet shades of goldenrod and copper, with the bride in white in the foreground. Fall weddings are a fashionista’s dream come true.
5. Autumnal Stationery
One of the most fun parts of planning your wedding is choosing your stationery. This sets the tone for the entire event. Are you going with whimsical, elegant, or rustic? There are many options, from the type of paper you choose to the font, embossing options, color scheme, and details.
Autumn stationery is just so timeless, from elegant leaf motifs to pumpkins and acorns. With your save-the-dates and invitations, you’re building the anticipation your guests will feel that will pay off when the big day finally comes.
Related: What Event Planners Should Know About Stationery & Printing
6. Cozy Candles Add A Magical Flair
There are just so many ways you can harness the cozy elegance of candles for a fall wedding. You’re not limited to having them as part of a centerpiece.
You can include little beeswax candles in your gift bags for your guests or have candles with glass casing line the aisle that you will process down. It’s natural that as the days get shorter and colder, people are drawn to forms of warmth. Harness this innate human desire to gravitate to light, and you’ll absolutely deliver on a cozy wedding with a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
7. Hayrides. Yes, Hayrides.
I have such fond memories of the hayrides that my little Northern Canadian town used to offer at the start of winter. Snow was already on the ground, but it was so much fun to sit in the back of the wagon and be pulled along by horses, taking in the beautiful scenery. Where I live now, eight hours south of where I grew up, there is a festival every winter, and the same thing happens. And while seeing the beauty of the winter landscape from the back of the wagon is very beautiful, it does get icy. I think hayrides are much more suited to autumn, which is why they make a wonderful way to transport your guests, or the couple, to the reception! Just make time for it in the wedding day timeline.
Related: Everything You Need To Know About A Wedding Day Timeline
8. Firelight For Fall Weddings
Just like with candles, people love nothing more than sitting by a crackling fireplace or a roaring bonfire, especially after the sun goes down. Find a location for your wedding reception that features a beautiful fireplace. It can serve as a gathering place and will be a focal feature of your whole space.
With some comfortable lounges and sofas, it can be a great place to sip cocktails and munch on hors d’oeuvre. If you’re having an outdoor ceremony, a blazing bonfire is a picture-perfect meeting place for toasts and speeches. Just remember to make sure that everything complies with the local fire department’s rules!
9. Halloween Themed Wedding
Halloween has a cult-like following from people who can’t get enough of “spooky season.” Why not show off your love for Halloween with pumpkins, spooky decor, and, best of all, dishes of classic Halloween candy for your guests to enjoy. This idea isn’t for everyone, but you can totally take Halloween hallmarks and add one or two of them to an autumn wedding to bring the cozy level up a notch.
Instead of scary faces carved into pumpkins, what about the couple’s initials? Throw a candle in, and you have gorgeous, glowing centerpieces that will add warmth and charm to the event.
10. Autumn Scents
Fall is the best time for those of us who love to burn scented candles, light incense, or dabble in essential oils. There are gorgeous scents for any season (lilac in springtime, citrus in summer, and evergreen in winter, just to name a few). But autumn has everyone’s favorite – pumpkin spice.
It’s a scent that you can use in your wedding with candles, scented stationery, spiced cookies, and more. And you’re certainly not limited to pumpkin spice. Popular fall scents include cinnamon, sandalwood, and more. The key with aromas is to keep it subtle. Some people might be a little sensitive to scents. You don’t want to overwhelm anyone with something that smells strong and artificial. But there are plenty of ways to include scent in your wedding that will evoke lasting memories of the beautiful day in the years to come.
Fall Is A Season Of Love And Abundance
I hope this article has gotten wedding planners, brides- and grooms-to-be, and everyone else excited for this beautiful season that’s almost upon us. There’s so much depth and richness to autumn that any wedding that takes the theme and runs with it is sure to be truly remarkable.