Colorful leaves, comforting meals, cozy sweaters — and, of course, beautiful weddings. Autumn is the perfect time for your big day. The weather is just right, the colors are warm and inviting and it’s a season for gathering with friends and loved ones. While fall comes with iconic colors and decorative accents, you may have more options than you think when it comes to fall wedding decoration ideas.
If you’re planning a wedding in September, October or November, consider these fall wedding ideas for your theme, decorations, flowers, dress and more.
Fall Wedding Themes and Decoration Ideas
A fall wedding theme can be as cozy as the season. Whether you want a minimalist, rustic, vintage or whimsical theme, you’ll have plenty of ideas to explore with a fall wedding. Different fabrics, patterns and natural materials fit flawlessly into any autumn wedding.
Include some natural elements that evoke the season in your decor. As a bonus, they’ll be easier to find in autumn because they are in season. Consider items like:
- Pumpkins
- Gourds
- Pears
- Pomegranates
- Apples
- Figs
- Cranberries
- Pinecones
- Acorns
- Fall foliage
While all of these decorations are in season, you don’t necessarily need to get the physical items for your decor. Instead, take inspiration from the colors and shapes. Include them as design features in place cards, thank-yous and other paper elements. Since your guests first get a taste of your theme in your save-the-dates and invitations, use items from the season to emphasize that theme if you’re going autumnal.
You could also incorporate your fall wedding theme into:
- The arch: All eyes will be on you and your partner as you stand under your wedding arch. Wrap it in fall foliage that features warm and inviting colors. You could also incorporate miniature pumpkins throughout the leaves to bring in more autumn flare. If your wedding is indoors, highlight where you’ll be standing using branches dappled with autumn leaves.
- Seating for guests: You could always go with the classic chair cover that evokes your fall wedding decorations. If you want something unique and useful, use blankets on the back of chairs. This option gives off a rustic feel and is ideal for outdoor venues. Anticipate cooler evenings and give your guests something to bundle up with if they get cold. Choose plaid for a perfect autumn pattern or a color that accents your theme.
- The tables: Evoke the feeling of seasonal gatherings by opting for picnic tables. These also provide a rustic charm to your fall decor. You could always evoke the same rustic style with plaid tablecloths and autumnal centerpieces if you’d rather use traditional tables and chairs.
- Your cake: Go simple with your cake for a stunning fall decoration that’s as delicious as it looks. Opt for a naked cake or one decorated in minimalistic buttercream. Pair it with some of your fall wedding flowers or leaves for a simple yet stunning piece. Evoke flavors of the season with any of the fruits above and warm, spiced additions.
Play with different textures and patterns throughout your venue. Burlap, leather and flannel all make great fall wedding decoration ideas. You can also light up your site with lanterns or strands of string lights with various bulb sizes for a charming feel. Your fall wedding theme also centers around the colors you choose, and you have more options than you’d assume with an autumn wedding.
Fall Wedding Colors
Fall’s traditional warm tones reflect the changing leaves. Rich reds, oranges and yellows would all be appropriate choices for fall wedding colors. However, you can also choose a unique palette. While traditional hues look lovely, you may also want to consider these colors for your autumn wedding:
- Dark colors: Autumnal wedding decorations pair well with dark shades like crimson, burgundy, brown or black. Use black paper for invitations or black candles throughout the venue for a unique twist. Depending on how you dress up darker colors, they can be classic, rustic or even spooky for whimsical October weddings.
- Metallic accents: Brighten up invitations and decor with pops of warm, metallic shades like copper or gold. Pair metallic elements with dark color decorations to make them more charming.
- Berry shades: Rich purples and berry reds evoke fall as much as scarlet and yellow. Go on the warmer side of the red and purple spectrum for a color palette fit for fall. You could also brighten up dark shades with a soft white, cream or pink.
- Muted tones: Colors like mauve or dusty rose are ideal for those who want pink or purple in a softer tone. They’re more lively than a neutral color and still make a subtle palette for fall.
Play with a mix of the color families above to create your perfect palette, while remembering warm tones are best for fall wedding themes. You could use deep blues or less vibrant shades like cornflower if you wanted something cool, but pair it with warm yellows or metallic accents. Warm accents turn cool hues into fall wedding colors. Mix and match these tones for a praise-worthy palette.
When you have a color scheme in mind for your autumn wedding, it’s time to pick what flowers you want.
Fall Wedding Flowers
While today’s speedy shipping allows florists to offer flowers out of season, you can take inspiration from autumn’s blooms.
The most popular fall wedding flower has got to be the sunflower. It’s big, beautiful and vibrant. It carries an iconic association with the season, showing up in almost any fall decor out there. You can use them or other blooms for items throughout your ceremony, such as:
- Your bouquet
- Bridal bouquets
- Flower crowns
- Boutonnieres or corsages
- Centerpieces
- An arch
- The cake
- Other vases throughout the venue
Blooms and similar natural items will appear throughout your site, so be sure to pick ones excellent for fall. In addition to sunflowers, your other seasonal bloom options include:
- Marigolds
- Garden roses
- Dahlias
- Anemones
- Protea
Feel free to choose more than one type of flower for your wedding. Mix different varieties in various colors to create unique arrangements. For fall wedding bouquet ideas, think about using the flowers above in combination with:
- Cotton and wheat: These branches and strands make an excellent filler for bouquets and arrangements. They provide texture and color to contrast whatever blooms you choose while adding rustic charm to your fall wedding theme.
- Fall filler: Instead of greenery, choose autumn leaves. Small branches with yellow or orange foliage make a great addition. You could go for greenery and thistles to fill your bouquet with autumn inspiration if you like the look of classic bouquets.
- Succulents: Available year-round, these plants make great greenery additions. Use them in centerpieces and other floral arrangements or your bouquet for a unique touch.
- Feathers: You don’t have to stick with flowers and plants for a fall wedding bouquet. Get creative with other elements, such as feathers. The soft yet striking inclusion adds some visual interest to your bouquet and other floral displays.
With different blossoms and accents, you’ll create a fall wedding bouquet that reflects your theme. Whether you go rustic, classic or whimsical, your flowers should match. Be sure to incorporate those elements throughout your centerpieces, as well, to create a cohesive theme.
Fall Wedding Centerpieces
Wedding centerpieces are the ideal place to reflect your flowers and theme. For the ultimate fall wedding centerpieces, incorporate items like:
- Pumpkins and gourds: Use larger pumpkins as vases, which you can even carve with your and your partner’s initials. Spread mini pumpkins and gourds down the center of long tables for an interesting and simple fall wedding centerpiece. You could also decorate with ceramic options if you can’t find natural ones that look right for your theme.
- Mason jars: Nothing says rustic and charming like a mason jar centerpiece. Leave them as-is or paint them in colors that accent your arrangements. Choose an array of neutral shades to draw just enough attention to your centerpieces. You could even rough up the paint with sandpaper for a more vintage look.
- Branches: Whether they’re coming out of a vase or lining the center of a long table, branches are the ultimate fall wedding centerpiece accent. Use varieties with the leaves still intact on their own or include bare versions with your flowers and gourds to add some texture.
- Tree stumps and logs: Continuing the rustic and natural look, small logs make a great addition to autumn centerpieces. Use them as vases, stack different sizes and get creative in other ways for the perfect natural centerpiece.
- Twine: Tie this rustic decoration around almost anything to add interest to your centerpieces. Vases, jars and bouquets become a bit more autumnal when bundled with twine.
Combine several colors and textures to create beautiful fall wedding table decorations. You could even let guests take home parts of your centerpieces along with other autumn-themed wedding favors.
Fall Wedding Favors
Say thanks to your guests for sharing in your special day with fall wedding favors. These small, personalized gifts include your wedding date, your name and your spouse-to-be’s name. They can be edible treats or something more meaningful to you and your partner. Popular wedding favor ideas include:
- A music playlist of special songs to the two of you
- Mints, sugared almonds or truffles
- Bottle openers
- Wine glasses
You could adapt traditional favors to fit your autumn wedding theme or choose something your guests aren’t expecting. To spice up your favors for fall, consider giving out:
- Mini pies: These sweet treats evoke the season — nothing says autumn like a fresh-baked apple pie. Box up miniature versions of this seasonal favorite that your guests are sure to appreciate. You could even offer a variety of fruit pies for guests to choose from on their way out.
- Cider and seasonal beer: Send guests who are old enough to drink home with a bottle of a seasonal brew. Give out local or home-brewed beverages for a personal touch. For those who don’t drink, offer a local apple cider for a delicious autumn treat.
- Local or homemade jam: Jam featuring flavorful tastes of the season makes a delicious fall wedding favor. Choose or make these spreads with aromatic herbs and flavors like rosemary and blood orange.
- Caramel and candy apples: Dipped apples are an iconic autumn treat. Tie a thank-you note along with your wedding date and the newlyweds’ names with ribbon. Pick a fall-themed fabric or one that goes with your decor, and tie it around each dipped apple to personalize the favors.
- Tea: Encourage your guests to cozy up with you and your partner’s favorite tea flavors. Pair with cookies in a stylish gift box for a thoughtful fall wedding favor. Include a mug with each box if you want to go the extra step.
- Things to bundle up in: Give scarves, hats, gloves or blankets as favors to keep guests warm. Encourage friends and family to use the favors if they get cold at the ceremony or reception. They can then take them home to stay warm into the winter.
You could also let guests take home your place card holders or centerpieces. Use mini pumpkins or gourds to hold place cards for the ideal fall wedding favor. Your guests will feel immersed in autumnal celebration, which your decor and favors influence.
While getting your venue dressed up for autumn is essential, you’ll also need to dress yourself in a gown fit for the season.
Fall Wedding Dress Styles
As you search for fall wedding dress styles, consider going with a cream, ivory or other off-white shade. A warmer-tone dress will go well with your fall wedding colors and the cozy feeling of autumn. Lace details will also evoke the vintage charm that comes with many wedding themes for fall.
For a practical choice, look for dress styles with long sleeves. You’ll be glad you have them as the sun sets and it gets cooler, especially if your venue is outside. You can also get shawls for yourself and your bridesmaids to make sure everyone stays warm. Autumn weather can be unpredictable depending on where you live, so prepare yourself and your bridal party.
Whether you know what type of fall wedding dress styles you prefer or you’d like to browse what’s out there, visit Alexandra’s Boutique. We offer an impressive selection of bridal gowns, bridesmaids dresses and plus-size options in a variety of collections.
Explore our styles online today. We feature Allure Bridal, Essense of Australia, Stella York and many more stunning collections. Then, make an appointment with us to find the perfect fall wedding dress styles for you. We offer full-service appointments for brides, bridesmaids and other members of your wedding party in need of dresses. Come in and try on our gorgeous fall wedding dresses ideal for any autumn ceremony, and find the dress of your dreams.