When the one you’re with is the one you want to share forever with and the feeling is mutual, your thoughts may immediately turn to planning your big day. With love in the air, you and your significant other may feel like you could be married right away; however, there are plenty of good reasons for picking a future date. There are many details that require time and consideration. The latter part of the year may sound like the right time to say “I do.” From logistics to fall wedding trends, here are some things you should know.
Saving the Date
It’s always best to send save-the-dates or invitations as far in advance as possible, but this is especially true for fall events. The fall season is a busy time of the year for many people. In most places, school is in session and extracurricular activities such as football, volleyball, and marching band dominate evenings and weekends. Major holidays such as Labor Day, Halloween, and Thanksgiving also occur during this part of the year, potentially impacting availability.
Incorporating the Holiday
Speaking of holidays, you may want to incorporate the holiday into your event. A long weekend combining your nuptials with a Thanksgiving celebration may make sense, depending on your guest list. If you and your partner love the idea of a costume party or cosplaying, a wedding and reception based on Halloween could be especially memorable. You can also use holidays as a source of inspiration for the decor, attire, venue, and visual elements for invitations and a website.
Embracing Fall Wedding Trends
While your special day is about the things you and your partner love, it’s never a bad idea to keep an eye out for what's trending. Details matter when it comes to a wedding. Consider these ideas for your autumnal nuptials:
- Dessert Tables: Instead of the grand, white, multi-tiered cake, provide smaller individual desserts for guests, including pies, cookies, donuts, and other sweets inspired by the season.
- Preferred Playlists: While “Here Comes the Bride” is an enduring classic, walk down the aisle to songs that mean more to you and your spouse-to-be.
- Digital Technology: Boost your fall wedding trends with technology. Send digital wedding invitations with QR codes for RSVPs, instead of paper invitations with mail-back postcards.
- Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties: Ditch the clubs and bars and choose a group activity to strengthen bonds with loved ones.
Minding the Season
The autumn season is a time of change to be mindful of. Days are shorter and cooler, so this will impact your choices when it comes to possible venues, wedding times, and apparel. If you want an outdoor event, go with linens that are appropriate for the changing weather. In many places, the fall is considered to be off-season, so destination weddings may be more affordable between the months of September and December.
Serving Fall Flavors
A fall wedding is begging for fall flavors. Your reception menu, rehearsal dinner, and post-ceremony brunch are opportunities to serve dishes and beverages built around these autumnal essences:
- Apple
- Brown Butter
- Caramel (especially salted)
- Chai
- Cinnamon
- Cranberry
- Maple
- Pear
- Pumpkin
- Pumpkin Spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, allspice, cardamom)
- Sage
- Sweet Potato
Many of these flavors go beyond smell and taste; they’re also colors just waiting to be incorporated into a wedding motif or attire for the wedding party.
To the hopeless romantic, any time is a great time for a wedding. To practical planners, autumn might be the ideal time to tie the knot. It’s up to you and your future spouse to create a day you’ll remember, but there are special things to consider for end-of-the-year nuptials. From fall wedding trends to holidays to seasonal changes and more, there’s a lot to ponder about getting married in autumn.
