The Ultimate Guide to Planning A Fall Wedding
You know that red, orange, and yellow leaves mean fall. You may also know that this is the prime time for some couples to get married. With all the things you need to juggle in order to plan a wedding—venue, caterer, dress fittings, wedding rings, guest list, and more—fall might not be the first season that comes to mind when you start thinking about getting hitched.
There are a few incredible bonuses to getting married in the fall. The competition for summer weddings is much higher. Fewer people are trying to get married in the fall, so it's easier to book your preferred date and time. Plus, depending on where you live, a fall wedding means cooler temperatures and less stress with staying cool in an overheated venue.
There are many beautiful venues with spectacular autumn splendor that will leave your guests talking about your wedding for months after the leaves have fallen from the trees! Here are some important considerations to make when planning your fall wedding.
The Importance of the Big Day
Many people dream about their wedding day from a young age. The people there, the colors, the music, and the rings are all things thought about for years in advance. Picking out every detail is important, as it should be.
Choosing to have an autumn wedding is special because it represents a special time of year for many people. It adds in new fall wedding colors, new venue options, and even brings in new menu options that would not fit with a wedding any other time of year.
Planning for a fall wedding allows the happy couple to create the day of their dreams. It just may take a little creativity to bring in all the nuances they want.
Decide on a Date
The first big step is picking the perfect wedding date. Chances are, you have a general idea of when you want to get married. Maybe you have your eye on a holiday, like Labor Day, or a specific month, like October. What you might not think about is the day of the week that you choose.
If you’re planning a fall wedding, you might want to pick a Wednesday or a Thursday to avoid weekend crowds. Some venues, especially outdoor ones, don’t have weekend availability without a lot of notice.
Plus, if you're hoping to get a deal on your wedding, the fall months are an excellent time to book. Some venues offer discounts for wedding couples willing to get married during the (usually) less busy fall season.
Find the Perfect Venue
Of course, you want to choose a venue that works with your theme and fits your budget, but also make sure you're picking a venue that allows you to enjoy the season. You can still enjoy a beautiful fall day, no matter if you’re indoors or outdoors with a tent.
Some popular fall wedding venues include:
Barns: Barns are a classic venue choice for couples who want to keep their wedding simple and affordable. A barn can be a beautiful backdrop for a memorable event if you're planning a simple ceremony.
Gardens: Gardens are a stunning choice for fall weddings, especially those with an outdoor or indoor/outdoor flow. If you're planning to get married in the fall, consider booking a venue with plenty of fall flowers and foliage. This can help bring the beauty of the season inside, even if the weather is less than optimal.
Wineries: If you and your partner are wine aficionados, a vineyard wedding can bring a stunning fall atmosphere to your day, with the added bonus of beautiful grape leaves turning a brilliant shade of red.
Mountains: If you want to get married in a stunning fall setting, several mountain venues offer beautiful views as the leaves change.
Decide Which Fall Wedding Colors to Accent Your Day With
When deciding on wedding colors, keep in mind that sometimes it's better to work with what's naturally available to you than to force the exact color palette you want. If you're going to get married in the fall, you can pull from a variety of beautiful fall colors, like:
Reds: Reds are warm and inviting, perfect for bringing a bit of warmth to a chilly fall day.
Oranges: If you want to add a little brightness to your fall wedding, oranges, yellows, and tangerine hues are a great choice.
Browns: The perfect neutral, rich browns can help you tie in any color palette you want.
Greens: If you want to incorporate green into your fall wedding, it’s best to select a shade of green that will look good in October and November—like sage or kelly green.
Blues: You can still incorporate a bit of blue into your fall wedding, but it’s best to choose a shade that has a warmer tone to it, like navy or teal, since those will better blend in with other fall wedding colors.
Plan Your Menu and Catering
The fall is a great time to get married, but it’s also a busy time for food lovers. If you crave fall flavors like roasted vegetables, hearty soups, and baked goods, you don’t have to wait until November.
Many caterers offer fall menus year-round and can work with you to create a menu that celebrates autumn flavors without feeling heavy or over the top. If you’re craving fall flavors, talk to your caterer about incorporating roasted vegetables, baked goods, and soups into your menu.
For those having an outdoor ceremony, consider a barbecue bar or a warm soup for guests to munch on before the ceremony. If you’re hosting an indoor reception, a soup or warm appetizer before dinner is a great way to keep your guests warm and happy while they wait for the food to be served.
If you want to put fall on the menu, but are worried about it being too heavy, consider lighter options, like fresh salads or lighter versions of traditional fall fare. You also can do a brunch gathering, as that is common and more traditional in spring and fall than at other times of the year.
Decide on Your Wedding Day Look
There's no wrong way to get married in the fall, but there is something to be said about getting married in the right fall wedding dress. If you want to get married in a fall wedding gown, you have plenty of options available to you:
Fall colors: If you want a fall-inspired dress but aren’t sure you want to go with a fall color, you can still incorporate fall into your look. If you love the look of a lace dress, look for one with a fall pattern like leaves or vines.
Ombre the wedding dress: You can find a dress with a fall hue, like a rich red or deep orange, just at the bottom of your gown. You get a fall wedding dress with a hint of color while not losing the more traditional look of a white gown to walk down the aisle with.
Autumn accessories: If you want to go for a fall wedding but are not interested in wearing a floral print or a warm hue in the fall, go for an autumn accessory. Consider putting your hair in a pale-colored scarf or pin your hair up with autumn-colored beads or flowers.
Pick Out the Perfect Wedding Rings
If you’re marrying in the fall, you’ll want to keep an eye out for gorgeous fall-inspired wedding rings. You are getting married this time of year for a reason. So, bring that love of autumn into every aspect of your fall wedding.
You can opt for the more traditional wedding rings with diamonds and bands that match. However, this is not what everyone is leaning toward anymore. Many people choose to make custom wedding rings with details that reflect the person and the occasion on a personal level.
A great way to commemorate your fall wedding with a ring to match is having custom wedding rings made with the colors and themes of the day. Add accent gems into the ring that match the colors of the day and use nature to design the rest of the ring.
Pick a band that matches your wedding colors and add tiny details, like leaves, on the rings themselves, so the wedding rings are as unique as the couple wearing them.
Let Carats & Stones Help You Customize Your Fall Wedding Rings
There are many beautiful venues with spectacular autumn splendor that will leave your guests talking about your wedding for months after the leaves have fallen from the trees! When planning your fall wedding, you don't have to worry about unpredictable weather or navigating hot, crowded conditions.
It can be easy to plan the day of your dreams, and you have plenty of options for when you want to tie the knot! You can still enjoy a stunningly beautiful autumn day and even bring the season's beauty indoors with you.
When planning your autumn wedding, don’t forget to pick out the perfect wedding rings that capture the love and commitment of the day. If you need help customizing a wedding ring that is perfect for the occasion, contact Carats & Stones today. We can help!
