Everything You Need To Know About Fall Weddings

Cooler temps, cozy scarves, and pumpkin spice everything. If we're speaking your language, a fall wedding may be right up your alley.

But, before you fall in love with a fall wedding, read our guide to discover what's in season, what's in vogue, and what to take into consideration.

Newlyweds kiss in a field full of fall foliage

Joey Kennedy Photography

The Skinny on Autumn Weather

Autumn is known for being a bit more brisk than the preceding summer months; however, depending on where you live, you may experience warmer-than-average weather. In the U.S., average autumn temperatures range from 72° in sunny Florida to a chilly 27° in Alaska.

So, again, if you're planning a wedding during this season, remember that the weather varies greatly based on which part of the country you're in.

Whatever your wedding date may be, it's always a good idea to keep an eye on weather predictions, and inform your guests if they should bring a sweater, jacket, etc. And if your autumn event is going to be outdoors, have a contingency plan in place just in case.

Bridal party wears plaid pashminas for a fall wedding

Maison Meredith Photography

Fall Holidays

Another reason to love fall? It's the start of the holiday season! From Halloween to Thanksgiving, there's no shortage of reasons to celebrate during this time of year. (Do Black Friday and Cyber Monday count as holidays? No?)

Whether you host your wedding on a holiday weekend is up to you, but in general it's a good idea to steer clear of major holidays such as Thanksgiving. That said, it could be fun to have your wedding on, say, Veteran's Day weekend when some of your guests may have the following Monday off work.

Fall is also the start of football season, with NFL games on Sundays and college football on Saturdays. If you have a diehard Bama fan in your wedding party, they'd be mighty disappointed if your big day was the same day as the big game. Why not get creative by incorporating football into your wedding? Putting your favorite team's logo on your wedding desserts or naming a signature cocktail after them is a good way to get your team spirit on.

Newlyweds hold hands in front of bright red fall leaves

Elyse Jankowski

Fall Wedding Pros & Cons

There are tons of advantages to getting married in the fall:

Plus, because peak wedding season is waning in most parts of the country, it may be easier for you to book your venue on a specific date or get your first choice of vendors.

However, there are some disadvantages to be aware of:

Be sure to check with your photographer about the earlier sunset's infamous "golden hour." This is the prime time to take outdoor wedding photos, and it's worth planning your ceremony around.

A simple outdoor wedding ceremony in the fall

Katie Stoops Photography

Autumn Color Palette

Do a Google image search for "Fall Weddings" and you'll no doubt see tons of deep reds, oranges, and browns. Although this color palette mimics the changing of the leaves and provides natural warmth to any style of décor, don't be boxed in by the "fall foliage" feel!

Wanna get a bit more modern with your fall color palette? Consider using gold or copper for a bit of glitz and glam, deep plum and emerald green for elegance, or neutral shades like champagne, cream, and slate gray.

Five different fall wedding color palettes

Bridesmaids and Groomsmen

If your wedding location is in a cooler climate, you may want to pick a heavier fabric for your bridesmaid dresses or have your entourage wear boleros or pashminas to keep the chill at bay. Deep jewel tones, glimmering metallics, and long-sleeved bridesmaid dresses are all lovely options for autumn attire.

The groomsmen can get creative with their fall wardrobe, too! How about argyle socks or plaid ties? Smart navy or gray suits are a sophisticated choice with these bold accessories.

Fall bridesmaids wearing maroon dresses in different styles

The Lees Photography

Working With What's In Season

When you buy what's in season, you get food and flowers at the peak of their supply when costs are normally lower. Plus, when they're locally grown they don't need to be shipped halfway around the globe. So not only do you save money, but you also reduce your carbon footprint. Win-win.

Fall Wedding Food

The fall harvest boasts some comforting eats. In-season vegetables include root veggies like turnips and rutabagas, along with all sorts of squash, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes. How does a steaming bowl of butternut squash soup sound for a starter?

Colorful fruits like apples, cranberries, pears, and pomegranates are also available in abundance. Besides incorporating these fruits into your menu, consider decorating your cake with them, or giving some of these edible beauties as wedding favors.

Hollowed out mini pumpkins filled with soup

tPoz Photography | Chef's Expressions

Fall Wedding Flowers

While many flowers bloom year-round, there are some in-season fall flowers that are pure wedding perfection:

We love the idea of using autumnal foliage, seasonal berries, or even acorns as part of your floral arrangements or table décor. You may also want to check out in-season fillers such as scabiosa pods, which lend a modern yet rustic touch.

An in-season wedding bouquet for fall with dahlias and protea

Lauren Scotti Photography | The Bloomin Gypsy

Fall Catering Trends

The biggest trend in fall wedding food? Comfort Cuisine. Both sweet and savory.

We've noticed that caterers get pretty creative with fall wedding menus. How about beginning the meal with a creamy soup in a hollowed-out mini pumpkin? A harvest salad featuring roasted butternut squash, dried cranberries, and goat cheese would make an excellent next course. We've even seen full-on Thanksgiving-esque wedding buffets with all the fixings—from turkey and stuffing to mashed potatoes and gravy.

For dessert, you may want to consider a hot cocoa or coffee bar with cinnamon-sugar donuts, mulled apple cider with cinnamon stick stirrers, or a dessert table with seasonal fruit pies.

And anything pumpkin. Obviously.

A bride poses next to a Thanksgiving wedding dinner

Analisa Joy Photography | The Wild Thyme Company

Fall Wedding Cake Trends

Fall wedding cakes are taking on a more rustic style, with drizzles of ganache or caramel, "rough" buttercream icing, or no icing at all! Naked cakes are completely devoid of outside icing, and look stunning decorated with fall fruits, such as figs.

Seasonal flavors include apple spice cake, gingerbread, or, you guessed it, pumpkin spice cake. Red velvet would also be a lovely choice to complement a deep red color palette.

A naked wedding cake dripping with ganache and adorned with figs

With Love by Georgie | Lila & Sage

Autumn-Inspired Wedding Favors

Edible wedding favors are always in good taste (sorry, couldn't resist!), and fall is the best time of year to jump on this trend. In-season fruits like pomegranates lend a pop of color to each place setting, while candied apples would delight any guest. Cute bottles of maple syrup or local honey perfectly fit the season. Mini donuts or pie-on-a-stick are surefire hits, and DIY s'mores packages or mix-your-own hot chocolate cones are a sweet treat for guests to take home.

Mini wedding pie pops are perfect fall wedding favors

Kristen Weaver Photography


Ready for more Fall Wedding Ideas? Check out our Fall Real Weddings and our Fall Wedding Ideas Pinterest board.



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Some clients may have paid to be placed in our editorial and some of these links may be affiliate; however, we never include a venue, vendor, or product unless they have a proper place here. This is part of our Core Values. We create our website first and foremost to be good for the couples using it to plan their Big Day. We won't stray from that for a few advertising dollars. #scoutshonor

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