Fall Wedding Gown and Bridesmaid Dress Ideas

Fall is a special season with its own unique flavor. Rather than wearing a summery dress, play up the feeling of autumn by selecting a wedding gown which really suits the season. While brides can certainly wear white at any time of the year, warmer tones like cream, ivory, and champagne are very attractive for fall. Women with warm undertones to their skin or blond hair often look wonderful in an ivory gown. If yellowish undertones make your skin look sallow, seek an ivory with a slightly pinkish hue or try a gown in champagne or pale mocha.

Sheer fabrics like organza and chiffon really are not appropriate for autumn. They are just too light and summery. Better choices for fall wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses include silk shantung, dupioni, mikado, taffeta, lace, and satin. For a late autumn ceremony (say around Thanksgiving), velvet is another excellent choice. If you like the fluid drape of chiffon, substitute a heavy silk crepe instead. You will get beautiful movement in a seasonally appropriate weight.

Heavier laces such as Alencon or Venise are more fall-ish than lightweight Chantilly lace. The richness of a beautiful lace is a gorgeous addition to an autumn bridal gown. Lace isn’t only for brides. There are also some marvelous lace bridesmaid dresses available. A chocolate brown lace over a mocha colored lining would be absolutely stunning for the attendants. The bride could give them bridesmaid jewelry gifts made from mocha colored Swarovski crystals to complement the dresses. Another fun idea is to give fall bridesmaid gifts made from leaf shaped crystals for a great autumnal touch.

Of course if there is one thing fall is famous for, it is the rich colors. Definitely shop for bridesmaid dresses in deep or warm hues. Jewel tones are very popular right now, and classic fall shades like brown, russet, cinnamon, and cranberry are always lovely. The bride might even wish to add an embellishment to her gown in an autumn hue or surprise everyone by wearing a great pair of shoes in her favorite rich fall color. Everyone is sure to look absolutely beautiful in their perfect fall wedding attire.

Creative Table Name Ideas for Autumn Weddings

Numbering the reception tables at a wedding with numerals is certainly effective, but it is not very interesting. The table names are an easy and fun way to add a splash of character to your wedding reception with a minimum of effort or expense. Check out these creative table name ideas for autumn weddings.

The stunning fall foliage is one of the most distinctive things about autumn. Many brides love it so much that they plan a fall leaf theme wedding, right down to Swarovski crystal bridal jewelry shaped like autumn leaves. A very pretty way to identify the tables at a fall reception would be with different varieties of colorful leaves from various trees. On each table, place a large image of a leaf that has turned to its fall hue, along with the names. The corresponding image can be printed on the escort cards for the guests. Sample names include sugar maple, yellow birch, red oak, aspen, beech, linden, and pin cherry. The autumn leaf table names would be wonderful whether you are having a leaf theme for your wedding or not, especially if your reception will take place in a region known for its beautiful foliage.

If you are getting married close to Halloween, it would be neat to name the reception tables after features of that holiday. Guests will have fun sitting at tables named things like jack o’lantern, trick or treat, apple bob, candy corn, and costumes. You could even tie the wedding favors in with the table names, and give the guests at each table different favors based on the theme of the table name. It would be a really fun touch that will set your wedding apart.

Of course fall is harvest time, and the bounty of autumn has inspired many a bride and groom. A wonderful idea for any fall reception is to name the tables after the special flavors of the season. You could even let your Thanksgiving favorites inspire you, especially for a November wedding. Who wouldn’t love to sit at a table named pumpkin pie or chestnut stuffing? Other ideas include apple crisp, mashed potatoes, roast turkey, root vegetables, hot apple cider, and butternut squash. For fun, you could include your favorite recipe that matches the food on the table name card. This would be even better if you have a lot of great cooks in your family and can attribute the recipe accordingly. Recipes named “Aunt Susie’s cranberry sauce” or “Nana’s sweet potato pie” are sure to be enjoyed by all.

Gorgeous Fall Wedding Cakes

The design of your wedding cake should complement the overall style of your wedding. The rustic style is very popular for fall weddings. If you see yourself getting married in a barn wearing handcrafted bridal jewelry and carrying a casual bouquet of fall flowers, your cake should be equally rustic and full of country charm. A beautiful idea is a cake decorated with sunflowers. The cake itself would be lovely frosted in a cream colored buttercream frosting applied with a rough texture. Tie dark brown raffia around the base of each tier, and accent with several miniature sunflowers placed in clusters on each layer.

Another lovely idea for a fall wedding cake is a falling leaf theme. It can be done in a variety of ways, from an elegant monochromatic design to a colorful flurry of leaves to a minimalist metallic leaf pattern. Choose the style that best suits your wedding colors and theme. For instance, for a formal ballroom wedding, it would be very autumn chic to have a tall cake decorated with gilded gold leaves. Brides who prefer a more playful cake can opt for lots of different colors and shapes of sugar leaves scattered all over the cake in a random pattern. Real preserved leaves can be strewn about the cake table to continue the theme. A single color leaf made to resemble fiery red sugar maple leaves would be absolutely beautiful for any style of autumn wedding.

Your wedding cake can also be an opportunity to indulge your whimsical side. A very playful idea is to decorate the sides of the cake layers with flat cut out silhouettes made to look like your favorite forest animals. It would be just delightful to see a collection of woodland creatures like squirrels, foxes, and deer around the cake tiers. If you like, forest foliage and acorn shapes can also be added to the cake. Do it all in soft woodsy shades of pine green, mushroom, and brick red. This type of cake would be a natural choice for the bride who enjoys unique things which are handcrafted especially for her, such as one-of-a-kind letterpress invitations and custom bridal jewelry.

With nature being such a popular autumn theme, another fantastic option for a fall wedding cake is one made to look like tree bark. There are several approaches to this concept. The first is to frost a cake with dark chocolate icing that has been dragged with a tool to look like the bark of a tree. Decorate it with foresty accents, such as marzipan mushrooms and fern leaves made of gum paste. Another very cool tree inspired cake design is to frost the cake with a white chocolate ganache. When dusted with cocoa powder, it will look like the bark of a white birch tree. What a unique take on the white wedding cake!

Outdoor Decorations for Fall and Winter Weddings

The decorations you select for the outside spaces of your wedding are the ones which will create the first impression of your wedding. Whether your guests will view them only briefly as they scurry into a warm church on a frigid December day or will spend the entire celebration surrounded by them at an early autumn outdoor wedding, the exterior decorations are very important. Create a beautiful welcoming design with these ideas for outdoor decorations for fall and winter weddings.

In the autumn, outdoor decorations often take on a rustic flavor. This is great for the diy bride, as they are often easy to assemble. Grand stalks of wheat tied to the columns of a country inn with a russet colored ribbon would be a great way to set the tone for a charming country wedding on an early October afternoon. Line the front steps with baskets of mums in seasonal colors for a gorgeous burst of color. The baskets of flowers can be re-purposed as table decorations for the post-wedding brunch the following day, or simply transport them to your home to decorate your own porch or yard after the wedding. These decorations would be very much in keeping with the taste of a bride who likes a simple silk shantung gown and handmade wedding jewelry.

Wreaths are stunning decorations for doors, trees, even the broad side of a barn. The marvelous thing about a wreath is that you can create a nearly infinite variety of styles using the same basic form. For an elegant wedding during the Christmas season, adorn the church doors with a pair of square wreaths made from boxwood. Tie on wide white satin bows with extra long streamers for a minimalist chic effect. For a fall celebration, create a rustic wreath from grapevine and berries to hang on the door of a restored barn reception. Add a bow in a cranberry or pine green burlap for a festive touch. Wreaths can also be very feminine, such as a classic round pine wreath decorated with dried white hydrangeas or preserved white magnolia blossoms.

Lighting is an easy way to add drama to the exterior spaces of your wedding. Classic tiny white lights can be used to great effect when hundreds are strung through trees flanking a front door. Or hang small clear glass globes over an entry way filled with flickering white candles. On a snowy day, covered lanterns with ivory candles planted in the snow alongside a walkway would be a beautiful way to brighten up a gray day or icy evening. The special attention you give to decorating the outside of your wedding site will make an incredible first impression.

DIY Fall Wedding Decorations

These are some beautiful ideas for DIY fall wedding decorations that anyone can create…

The brilliant fall leaves are one of the most distinctive features of autumn, and they make a great inspiration for a wedding design. You know how pretty your bridesmaids will look in leaf theme crystal bridesmaid jewelry, such as amber colored Swarovski leaf pendants, so why not extend that motif to the rest of your wedding? Use either silk leaves or preserved real leaves in a multitude of brilliant reds, yellows, and oranges.  Long strings of leaves can be hung behind the ceremony altar for a beautiful backdrop for the bride and groom.

Fall leaves also work wonderfully for centerpieces. You can actually preserve real leaves right on their branches to use for table decorations. Suspend tiny lanterns with tea lights from the branches for a magical effect. Scattered leaves are an easy addition to any fall wedding, with absolutely no creative experience required. They can line the edges of the aisle for the ceremony, be scattered on a guest book or cake table, or even be used in place of standard place cards at the dinner tables. What an easy way to give your wedding a great autumnal touch!

Pinecones have a great late fall feeling and can make an excellent decoration for a wedding around Thanksgiving. Take real pinecones and spray paint them with a soft gold color. Suspend them from regular sewing thread in a bronze or gold color, and hang them from white birch branches for a modern centerpiece design with an autumnal flavor. Surround the vases with votive candles in ruby red glass holders to bring a pop of color to the design. You can also wire the special pinecones into wreaths for church doors.

It is impossible to mention diy fall wedding decorations without bringing up pumpkins and gourds. Hollow out a white pumpkin and fill with fresh wildflowers for a simple but beautiful altar decoration. Arrange clusters of odd and interesting gourds in golden wire baskets around the cocktail hour. Use your imagination, and you will find tons of fall items that will make very easy diy projects to enhance the style and beauty of your wedding.

Picturesque Fall Wedding Venue Ideas

Nothing says fall wedding quite like a rustic barn in the countryside. Think apple orchards, pumpkin patches, and the glorious colors of fall trees. Play up the rustic charm of a barn wedding with lots of natural decorations. Use hollowed out gourds and pumpkins as centerpiece vessels. Graceful stalks of wheat bundled with satin ribbon make simple but elegant decorations for guest book tables. The bride can wear a dress with a texture that suits the rustic flavor of a barn wedding, such as a slubby silk dupioni gown with handmade wedding jewelry. It is sure to be a wedding that captures all the beauty of autumn perfectly.

An historic inn is another great idea for a fall wedding venue. A charming country inn is a romantic spot to host a wedding ceremony and reception. Look for an inn with lots of personality, such as wide graceful porches, Adirondack chairs on the lawn, and colorful gardens. Line the porch steps with baskets of seasonal mums for a splash of color. Greet your guests with mulled cider, and serve an elegant meal of fresh fall foods like pumpkin risotto and butternut squash. Best of all, the country inn will make a wonderful place to honeymoon.

How about a fall wedding on the side of a mountain? This is a fantastic idea for an early autumn wedding before it gets too cold in the higher elevations. Pick an overlook with a sweeping view of the valley below for the ceremony. The photos will be truly breathtaking. It may get a bit chilly, so in addition to her gorgeous gown and handmade wedding jewelry, the bride will definitely want a cozy wrap for the reception. Plan the wedding to take place when the fall foliage will be at its peak to take advantage of the best that nature has to offer in the autumn. The location will be so stunning that you will need minimal decorations.

Another very picturesque site for an autumn wedding celebration is a vineyard. How beautiful to host a wedding surrounded by lush grapevines full of the fall harvest. Let your celebration include one of the special autumn vintages made by the vineyard. Long family style tables work beautifully for this rustic-chic location. You don’t have to head to Napa or Sonoma for a marvelous vineyard wedding, either. Many states have their own wine-growing regions, with little vineyards which would make ideal wedding venues.

Formal Fall Wedding Colors

Did you know that September and October are among the most popular months for weddings? Fall weddings have a very different flavor than the bright summer weddings which precede them or the “Winter Wonderland” weddings of the holiday season. Many of the ideas for autumn weddings are rustic, but one can certainly have a more elegant wedding in the fall months. These are some ideas for formal fall wedding colors.

When trying to avoid the standard rustic fall colors, the key is to use something a bit more sophisticated with one of the rich seasonal hues. For instance, the rich red of burgundy is a fairly classic fall color, but when paired with a deep aubergine, the result is truly regal. It would be a fantastic color palette for an October evening wedding. Decorate with an abundance of roses in burgundy and aubergine, along with touches of amber crystal to lighten things up a touch. The bride can choose to wear a gown with golden tones instead of pure white, perhaps accented with custom bridal jewelry in amber crystals. It would be a perfect bridal ensemble for a ceremony in a Gothic stone church.

Brown is a popular color for autumn weddings. To make the look more elegant than rustic, steer clear of the standard brown with orange combination. Brown paired with a luxurious lilac color would be feminine and yet seasonal for a fall afternoon ceremony. Think about how pretty your bridesmaids would look in brown taffeta or shantung dresses with lilac sashes. For the bouquets, choose elegant flowers in shades of lilac and light purple, such as lisanthus, calla lilies, orchids, roses, and statice. To bring the fall season into the bouquets, create a ruffle of embossed velvet leaves in brown and deep purple around the blossoms.

Gold is an excellent color for a formal fall wedding, as is its cousin, bronze. The rich warm metallics are ideal for an upscale autumn wedding and pair beautifully with any number of other colors. Dark colors such as forest green, cobalt (just a bit fresher than navy), russet, and deep orange are all gorgeous when combined with gold or bronze accents. Set the mood with invitations engraved in an exquisite gold font and line the envelopes with your other color. For the wedding decorations, use gold or bronze charger plates under the dinner china, layered over dupioni tablecloths in forest, cobalt, russet or deep orange. The gorgeous colors will bring your autumn wedding to life beautifully.

Fresh Looks for Fall Bridesmaid Jewelry

Are you looking for the perfect bridesmaid jewelry gifts for your fall wedding? Before you start shopping, take a moment to read about the freshest new looks for the season. The latest styles in bridesmaid jewelry will make finding beautiful gifts easy and fun.

A big trend for fall jewelry is color. Rich and warm neutral colors like topaz, brandy, copper, garnet, and brown are very much in style. If you like a bolder shade, try a stunning garnet color for your bridesmaid jewelry. These colors will blend beautifully with the pretty colors that are in style for autumn bridesmaid dresses.

Speaking of matching your bridesmaid jewelry to your wedding colors, consider having pieces custom made to give to your attendants as gifts. Luminous Swarovski pearls come in a fantastic array of fall colors, and are quite affordable. The pearls look wonderful when made into a cluster or drop pendant to wear with a v-neck or spaghetti strap bridesmaid dress. For a strapless dress, a tin cup style necklace made in either Swarovski crystals or pearls would be lovely.

Another great trend in bridesmaid jewelry is the use of interesting shapes. Sparkling Swarovski crystals are being cut into flat briolettes, which make exquisite drop necklaces, modern cubes, stars, moons, and romantic hearts. These shapes make very interesting and unique bridesmaid jewelry sets. A long pair of “stiletto” drop earrings is a great way to show off a special crystal.

Bold form are also hot this season. One of the most striking looks is a pendant created from a large open crystal “O” or disc shape. It is an eyecatching look that is fabulous with any style of bridesmaid dress. The “O” can be done in a lovely clear or golden shadow crystal color, but perhaps the most breathtaking version is the multi-colored cosmic volcano crystal. The design is right in line with the trend in regular fashion for exotic and strong jewelry, so these are bridesmaid necklaces that your friends will be able to wear quite often after the wedding with their other outfits.

Favorite Fall Wedding Favors

Autumn is a great time of year, and there are all sorts of things that evoke the spirit of the season. When you are selecting your wedding favors, it is nice to seek out those with an autumnal flair. They will make an especially nice token for your guests to take home from your wedding.

When it comes to wedding favors, what guests particularly enjoy are edible treats. There are all sorts of tasty fall treats that you can offer. Pick one that fits the general style of your wedding as well as the time of year. For instance, if you are having a fairly casual wedding, with the bride in a simple dress and silver handmade wedding jewelry, you can go with a fun and casual fall favorite, like a big, beautiful candy apple or a caramel dipped apple. Your guests will adore the sticky, nostalgic take-away.

Personalized wedding favors are always pleasing. For an autumn wedding, one unique idea would be to present each guest with a small bottle of a fruit wine, such as one made from Northern Spy apples. You can have custom labels printed for the bottles with your names, wedding dates, and a brief message to your guests. To make the gift even more special, tie a decorative wine stopper to the neck of each bottle.

Of course, one of the most distinctive things about fall is the characteristic autumn leaves. A simple but charming fall wedding favor would be a pair of leaf shaped cookie cutters tied together with a piece of plaid ribbon or raffia placed at each guest’s seat. Use the copper cookie cutters, which are much prettier than the plastic or tin ones. Attach a small tag to each set of cookie cutters with a thank you message on the front, and your favorite cookie recipe on the reverse. This is a favor that can be assembled inexpensively, but it is something that your guests will actually find useful and enjoyable.

These are just a few of the top ideas for fall wedding favors. Feel free to design your own special favors that explore the scents, flavors, or colors of the season. Your guests will be sure to enjoy your carefully selected favors.