Is autumn a better season than any other to get married? We don’t think so. A fall wedding can be magical with beautiful lighting, a bounty of autumnal colours, and sometimes even pleasant weather. Our guide to an idyllic fall wedding
WHY AUTUMN WEDDINGS ARE SO DESIREABLE…
For many reasons, September to November is a good time to hold your big day. You won’t have to compete with other couples’ big days or guests’ vacations. Suppliers may be less busy, and you may even be able find a lower rate. You can’t guarantee the weather no matter when you get married in the UK. It’s no different in Autumn, but you don’t have to be concerned about heatwaves and it’s likely to still be warm enough to go outside.
JUST THE RIGHT LIGHT
Ask any photographer which time of the year is best to take photographs. They’ll likely answer autumn. The soft light and changing leaves make for a beautiful backdrop. The Golden Hour is the time when natural light is at its most softening and golden. It occurs just before sunset. This hour occurs in the summer much later than in the winter but it is almost perfect in autumn. Think about the colors! There are so many gorgeous autumn wedding color themes that you will be overwhelmed by.
FIND A GREAT WEDDING VENUE
Your wedding venue should be flexible for this time of the year. You will need plenty of outdoor space in warm weather, as well as cozy interiors to keep your guests warm during the colder evenings. You can choose from rustic barns and informal country manor homes. Emma and Gee, newlyweds, chose a rustic barn for their November wedding. They filled it with fairy lights and decorated it with seasonal pine cones and flower-filled jugs. Samantha and Max could also have their November celebration in a chic hotel. The outside was brought in by a color scheme featuring oranges, reds, and browns as well as lots of lace and twine.
AUTUMN-THEMED WEDDING
You can prepare for any type of weather by adding a few simple touches to your venue. If you are worried about your guests getting wet while moving between venues, consider hiring a few white umbrellas. You can also provide blankets for your guests to wrap up in during the evening. Warm cider or hot punch can be served to your guests upon arrival.
WHAT TO WEAR TO A WINTER WEDDING
What should you wear? An autumn wedding dress is one that you can easily add accessories to. A three-quarter-length length sleeves and a floor-length, fitted skirt will keep you warm. However, if you have always wanted a strapless gown, you can still get it. Keep a chic faux fur or lace bolero on hand for when you need it. If you are getting married in autumn, the Monaco jacket in shimmering Mikado fabric is a great option. Add some autumnal flair to your accessories with a hair vine or delicate hairpins. We love a bride wearing wellies. Get a pair of brightly colored ones for your photos and, should the heavens open, you’ll be protected!
ALL MADE UP
Autumn is the best time to highlight golden hues. Warm, but not too dark or shimmery chocolate shades are great. A relaxed hairstyle can be paired with a soft makeup look. A messy, loose style or a half-up/half down, possibly with flowers and greenery, will look stunning against the changing leaves.
MAKE MAIDS MERRY
Mix ‘n match is another way to celebrate seasonal hues. You can choose from a variety of colors, including silvery greys, elegant purples, and greens. Add a touch of elegance to their look by adding flower crowns and soft foliage to the sprigs.
AUTUMNAL WEDDING STATIONERY
Stationery sets the tone of the day. While pastels and bright colors look great in summer, autumn weddings call for sophisticated, earthy and calm tones. Beautiful colours include berry reds, olive greens, conker browns, ochre, rich plums, and conker browns. These shades can be used with modern designs as well as classic illustrations of flowers, leaves and greenery.
A DREAMY AUTUMN FEDDING CAKE
You can do a lot with your cake this season. The classic option is to mount a naked cake on a wooden slice, and decorate it with seasonal foliage. You can go traditional with iced cakes by choosing a rustic color like caramel instead of pure white. You can dress your cake to celebrate the harvest. You can use berries, grapes and currants to make your cake look like an autumn harvest. We haven’t even touched on flavours. Get creative with your choices and make something other than a sponge. It will be a hit with your guests!
NATURAL FLORISTS AND DECOR
There are still amazing UK-grown flowers available in September, October, and November. Choosing locally grown seasonal flowers is both good for the environment and economical. You can find cosmos and dahlias as well as zinnias, hydrangeas and even zinnias. Rosehips, dogwood and trailing ivy are all beautiful autumnal accents. Consider adding foraged treasures such as pine cones, conkers, and twigs to your centrepieces. These can double as place card holders. Autumn is a season full of rich colours. Why not use deep greens, rich reds, and golden tones to reflect your venue’s natural colour scheme? For more decorating inspiration, visit our suppliers blog.
