Autumn is one of the most popular times to plan a wedding for a wide variety of reasons. From the beautiful colors to the cooler temperatures, this season has a lot to offer brides and grooms for their celebration. In fact, it’s the second most popular season to get married after summer! However, fall also comes with its own unique challenges when it comes to planning; so you need to be prepared before you begin. To help, I’ve put together this fall wedding guide so you can save money and focus on the things that matter most. Hopefully, it will simplify the process for you and lead to a beautiful ceremony and reception. Here’s what you need to know.
Choosing an Event Date
One of the most crucial elements of a successful fall wedding is selecting the right date. Usually, people prefer earlier in the season to avoid any unwanted nasty weather. Once you get deep into November, cold temperatures, snow, and ice become a real possibility in most regions throughout the country. This can impact any wedding games designed for autumn and many other aspects of your event. Conversely, pricing tends to be cheaper during these later stages of the season for the reasons described above. Overall, you need to balance your weather preference and your budget to settle on a date that works for your celebration.
Selecting the Perfect Venue
Once you settle on a date, you need to choose the right venue. Any great fall wedding guide will emphasize this factor, and this one is no different. Ultimately, you’ll need to decide whether an indoor or outdoor venue meets your needs; and the timing will weigh heavily on this choice. Here is a breakdown of each option to help make your decision easier.
Indoor Venue Tips
Indoor accommodations are almost essential for your fall wedding. Unless you live in a warm region or booked on the very first day of autumn, planning for cold weather is an inevitable reality. As part of this fall wedding guide, I’d be remissed to overlook this crucial truth. Fortunately, you should have no problems finding a location that suites your needs. Ideally, you want to book at least a year ahead of time to get the best rates. Furthermore, you should choose a place that embraces the outdoor aspect; preferably with an outdoor space that can be utilized of the weather cooperates. If you put versatility as your top priority, it will work out well.
Outdoor Venue Tips
Outdoor venues for a fall wedding are much more precarious to embrace. In most regions, it’s nearly impossible to choose the correct date for peak fall colors. Additionally, the consequence could mean freezing rain, cold temperatures, and even snow! In order to hedge your risk, you need to pick a no later than October. Any later and you’ll risk having to wear snow boots to your reception. Obviously, if you live in a warm state, you have an advantage. Nevertheless, never book an outdoor venue unless you are willing to deal with the negative ramifications.
Picking Out the Right Decorations
Decorations are one of the most important aspects that you can customize for your celebration. Fortunately, the autumn months offer plenty of natural beauty to act as a template for your theme. Here are some tips as part of our guide to help you match the season appropriately.
Color Palette
Most people associate fall with orange, red, yellow, ad brown colors. As leaves turn colors and begin to fall, these are the hues you’ll find in nature. So, why not embrace them in your theme? You should never try to contradict the natural elements around you in your wedding theme. Could you imagine having a winter themed event in Hawaii? Let nature guide you and your day will be elegant and easy to manage.
Flowers
Flowers are another common aspect in wedding decoration land, but fall presents a few issues. First, most flowers are simply no longer in bloom when colder seasons roll around. Second, flowers can literally go directly against the grain of what this time of year is all about. If you simply must choose flowers, consider finding matching colors and seasonal options like lilies or magnolias. Personally, I think it’s a great time to substitute wooden flowers for real ones. Not only will they match your colors, but the wooden design will embrace the theme of autumn much more concisely.
Table and Reception Decorations
Whether you go with flowers or not, everybody wants to decorate their tables. Some people prefer elaborate and complex decorations. Conversely, others enjoy a minimal design that encourages conversation. Since its fall, centerpieces are a very popular trend. Personally, I love fall sparkler centerpieces because they are simple, clean, and a refreshing warm-up to the chilly evening. No matter what design you prefer, consider a simple and elegant table centerpiece for your choice.
Fall-Specific Wedding Activities
Beyond choosing a venue and overall theme, you need a way to entertain your guests. Obviously, you can hire a DJ or have a photo booth, but those don’t really capture the scenario fully. Luckily, I’ve included some ideas in my fall wedding guide to make things easier. Here are some tips to make your work easier.
Grand Exit
Your grand exit plans need to be carefully considered during this season. It’s certainly still possible to have the perfect fall wedding sparkler sendoff, but there are a few hazards. First off, if you plan to do it outside, dry leaves are a major fire hazard. Second, since it might be extremely cold outside, you’ll probably want to plan for an indoor exit. As long as you follow all the safety guidelines and plan ahead, you can have a wonderful sendoff with sparklers in a safe manner.
A Walk Through the Woods
Taking a leisurely stroll through the woods can be a free and beautiful addition to and wedding celebration. However, the autumn months offer additional colors and beauty not found during other times of the year. One consideration you need to make is colder temperatures spoiling the fun. I suggest having plenty of warm clothing on hand so you can still enjoy the scenery. If you dress for the weather, it can still be a magical time!
An Evening by the Campfire
Sitting by a warm fire is a cozy way to spend any fall evening. So, why not do the same thing at your wedding? Consider making some warm beverages to pass out to your guests, and perhaps even some marshmallows for snacking. For a fun activity, you can also use sparklers while sitting around the campfire. No matter what activities you settle on, it’s an inexpensive and festive way to embrace the fall season at your wedding.
Should I Follow This Fall Wedding Guide or Go It Alone?
Let’s face it; the internet is riddled with bogus articles and bad advice. Hopefully, you’ll see that I take a great deal of pride and put in tremendous effort to provide useful ideas and tips that can actually enhance your celebration. However, at the end of the day, only you can decide if the advice in this fall wedding guide is worth following or not. Good luck with your planning and have a wonderful event!
