While many brides and grooms opt for the spring and summer, fall is a just as wonderful time for a wedding. From stunning foliage to rich colors to distinctly autumnal food, there are plenty of ways to create a unique and gorgeous fall celebration. If you are planning on getting married in the fall, follow these tips to make the most out of this beautiful time of the year.
Prepare for Unexpected Weather
Fall weather can be completely unpredictable, so be prepared for just about anything! If you’ll be outside, a tent and heaters are a safe bet to fight off any chilly weather. If your ceremony is outdoors, invest in some cute umbrellas for both you and your guests. At both the reception and ceremony, it’s practical to have some throw blankets and wraps on hand—and they can serve as decoration as well!
Keep Daylight Savings in Mind
Daylight Saving Time ends in the fall, so be wary of the sunset time. You may need to host your ceremony earlier than you expected so that you aren’t completely in the dark. Check-in with your photographer about the “golden hour” time (the time right around sunset when you get beautiful golden light) so that you can plan your events around this period for the best photo opportunities possible.
Use the Fall Foliage to Your Advantage
Autumn creates a gorgeous backdrop of yellows, oranges, reds, and golds, so use this natural setting to your advantage when it comes to both photos and your ceremony and reception spaces. Be sure to scope out some spots with your photographer that perfectly reflect those colors so that you can capture some extra special shots.
You can further play into the fall aesthetic with your decor. Corn stalks, gourds, pumpkins, fruits, and fall garlands can all create stunning centerpieces and aisle decor. Fall leaves can be used instead of rose petals down the aisle, and hay bales can be used as seating if you are leaning into the rustic theme. The possibilities are endless, so have fun experimenting with different autumn decor options!
Go Beyond Flowers for Bouquets and Arrangements
Building on the idea of fall-inspired decor, find ways to incorporate different autumnal foliage into your bouquets and centerpieces. Leaves, twigs, berries, and olive branches can add a beautiful fall twist to your flower arrangements.
Don’t Limit Your Color Palette
When you think of fall wedding colors, you probably conjure up images of oranges, reds, yellows, and browns. While they can create a beautiful palette, don’t feel the need to put yourself in that box if it isn’t your style! Jewel tone colors like deep plums, dark teals, and emerald greens can be gorgeous in fall settings. More neutral shades like peaches, champagnes, dusty lavenders, and grays can be stunning as well. If you want, you can even add pops of metallics to liven things up and add a touch of glam.
Keep Yourself and Your Bridal Party Warm
As the temperatures begin to drop, it is important to remember to keep comfort in mind. Brides can opt for longer sleeve dresses to stay warm and comfortable. If that is not their style, they could also opt for a cape or bolero to use when necessary. Heavier fabrics are probably best when it comes to bridesmaid dresses, and shawls or faux-fur collars can be a nice stylish but practical addition to the outfit.
Enjoy Seasonal Food
Serving food that is inspired by the season is the perfect way to add an autumnal touch. For dinner, think of fall vegetables, hot soup, sweet potatoes and squashes, corn, and more. You can even add a little nod towards Thanksgiving and bring in the turkey, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce! There are also plenty of options for dessert, like apple and pumpkin pies, cider donuts, or candy apples. You can even consider having a hot cocoa or apple cider station for guests to warm up.
If you are in the process of planning your wedding, come to the next Georgia Bridal Show near you. You will have the chance to meet with wedding professionals from Georgia and the Southeast who can help bring your vision to life!
Georgia wedding vendors, as well as other wedding professionals across the Southeast, can contact us about opportunities for exhibition and online marketing with Georgia Bridal Show.