Weddings are beautiful any time of year, but there’s something extra magical and romantic about celebrating in autumn amidst changing leaves and cooler temperatures. The fall wedding season ranges from mid-September to late November, and is typically classified by seasonally inspired decor, including details like pumpkins, sunflowers, candles, burlap and wooden accents. Fall is a versatile season that offers a wide array of thematic inspiration for weddings.
Wedding Themes for Fall
Fall is a naturally beautiful time of year with gorgeous colored leaves on trees, bright flowers like dahlias, marigolds, and zinnias, and accents like pumpkins, gourds, apples, pears and pomegranates readily available which lend themselves beautifully for wedding ceremony installations, tabletop centerpieces, and reception details. Color is an important aspect of your wedding theme and fall offers an abundance of lovely colors and textures to incorporate. Let the season and venue help inspire your theme.
Some great fall wedding venues include:
- Vineyards and wineries which are located in the countryside usually surrounded by beautiful scenery
- Barns make for a perfect location for a rustic wedding theme
- Ski and mountain resorts are just as gorgeous in the fall as they are in the winter
If you’re getting married in a region like New England, Michigan, Colorado, the Ozarks, or Pacific Northwest where leaves change color in the fall, look for venues with scenic views which can be incorporated into your theme and even decor. What are naturally occurring colors and textures at your venue? What styles represent you as a couple and how do those two things work together? If you choose a park or gardens, a cottagecore or garden theme would be lovely. If you choose a farmhouse, you could go with a rustic bohemian or farmhouse chic vibe. If there’s an abundance of trees an enchanted forest theme could be perfect.
Here are some fall inspired wedding themes to help get you started:
- Rustic Harvest: embrace the bounty of the season with hay bales, cornstalks, pumpkins, and rustic wooden elements. Think barn wedding with farmhouse tables and mason jar centerpieces.
- Woodland Wonderland: set amidst trees with accents of moss, ferns and wooden details with string or fairy lights for an ethereal touch.
- Vintage Elegance: incorporate elements from bygone eras, such as lace, antique furniture, and sepia-toned photographs, which the rich colors of fall complement beautifully.
- Bohemian Fall: mix autumnal tones with boho-chic elements like dream catchers, rich velvet textiles, and eclectic decor.
- Halloween Elegance: choose deep blacks, purples, and oranges, with elements like candles, antique books, and white pumpkins for a romantic and classy, non spooky take on Halloween.
- Vineyard Vibe: celebrate the season of grape harvest amidst rows of grapevines with wine barrel decor, wine bottle centerpieces, and of course plenty of wine tasting.
- Golden Glamour: gold could be the dominant color, paired with deep reds or blues, or accent with golden cutlery, candle holders, and sequin table runners.
- Apple Orchard: red and green could be dominant colors, offset by wood and gold, with apples as decor, in drinks like apple cider, and desserts like apple pie.
- Copper and Cranberry: use these two colors for a unique color palette, that’s modern and fresh while feeling very autumnal.
- Mystical Forest: think enchanted forest with rich, deep greenery, hanging lanterns, crystal decor, and a touch of mist or fog by way of drapery or flowers like baby’s breath.
- Campfire Nights: emphasize the feelings of sitting around a campfire with elements like lanterns, flannel patterns, and even a s’mores station.
- Pumpkin Patch: use varying sizes and colors in your decor, and incorporate hayrides or pumpkin carving for added fun.
- Autumnal Elegance: choose a color palette dominated by earth tones with leaf motifs, acorns, and subtle nods to the season without an overt theme.
- Sunflower Soiree: use these bright and beautiful flowers as the dominant decor, combined with rustic elements and a yellow and brown color scheme.
- Fireside Romance: if your venue has a fireplace, or fire pit, make it a focal point, and emphasize warmth with cozy blankets, candles, and warm lighting.
When selecting a wedding theme, consider your venue, personal style, and how much you want the season to influence your wedding’s overall look and feel. Whatever theme you choose, the cozy and romantic vibes of fall are sure to make your wedding beautiful and memorable.
Ideas for a Fall Wedding
Fall marks the end of long summer days and the beginning of dark romantic nights. It’s a beautiful season filled with rich colors, crisp air and a cozy ambiance. Since the sun sets earlier in autumn, fall weddings typically start earlier in the day than summer celebrations to take advantage of as many daylight hours as possible. Whether your celebration will happen indoors or outside, you’ll want to consider the climate as you choose your theme to ensure guests get to experience the warm atmosphere you’re after.
Fall wedding color palettes provide an opportunity to play around with darker hues that wouldn’t likely be used for spring or summer celebrations. One of the best things about a fall wedding is the stunning colors, often inspired by changing leaves and darker days. Consider: deep reds, emerald green, navy blue, orange, mustard yellow, and brown, muted tones like taupe, burgundy, and olive green, and metallics like gold, copper and bronze. If you don’t want a trace of orange or yellow at your fall wedding, that’s okay. Jewel tones are elegant, or a neutral color palette like ivory and gray, paired with natural elements, like birchwood, fresh greenery, faux fur, and pinecones could create a woodland-inspired theme.
Once your venue and theme are set, you can start creating all of the details that will make your big day so memorable and special.
Here are some ways to start incorporating your fall theme:
- Invitations: use rustic elements like wood or Kraft paper, pressed fall leaves, pumpkin, or forest motifs.
- Bridal Attire: consider long-sleeved dresses or lace sleeves, velvet shoes or accessories, and shawls or boleros for the bride and bridesmaids.
- Groom’s Attire: earth-toned suits in browns or deep greens, tweed for a vintage, cozy feel, or textured ties or bowties with fall patterns.
- Floral Arrangements: incorporate fall foliage, berries, branches, sunflowers, chrysanthemums, dahlias, and roses and even non-floral elements like wheat, pinecones, or ornamental gourds.
- Ceremony Decor: line your aisle with leaves, lanterns, or pumpkins, adorn archways with fall foliage and rustic wood and throw blankets on seats to keep your guests cozy and warm.
- Reception Decor: use tablecloths or runners in burlap or linen, create centerpieces with candles, pumpkins, acorns, or lanterns and use string or fairy lights for a warm glow.
- Menu: offer warm, hearty dishes like soups or stews, seasonally inspired drinks like apple cider, pumpkin spice lattes, or hot chocolate and desserts like pumpkin pie, apple crisp, or pecan pie.
- Wedding Cake: choose a spice-flavored cake, like carrot or pumpkin, and adorn with edible gold leaf, berries, or fall flowers.
- Wedding Favors: seasonal inspired gifts like mini jars of apple butter, jam, or honey, scented candles with fall fragrances, or seed packets for fall flowers.
- Photography: take advantage of the natural fall backdrop, especially golden hour photos which can be especially breathtaking. Use colorful leaves, pumpkins, or a rustic setting as props.
- Entertainment: consider a live acoustic band and a bonfire for a cozy ambiance.
- Transportation: a horse-drawn carriage is a fairytale touch, or choose a tractor or vintage car.
Fall is all about the beauty of change, warmth, and togetherness. Use the natural environment as inspiration and don’t be afraid to get creative with unique offerings.
Historic Acres of Hershey is a beautiful property with multiple spaces to choose from and vast open spaces. Our rustic property is lovely all year round, and fall is uniquely special. Contact us today to schedule a tour or learn more.