50 Fall Wedding Ideas

When it comes to a fall wedding, it’s all about the pumpkins, apples, falling leaves, and a cozy boho feel. When looking for ideas, however, it can be overwhelming. Never fear, we have 50 fall wedding ideas for you to peruse below.

Decoration Ideas for a Fall Wedding

1. Natural is Best: Fall wedding decorations are all about natural beauty. Weddings can be outside in the forest with falling leaves for a truly romantic experience. Let nature decorate for you!
2. Bring the Outdoors In: If the wedding can’t or isn’t indoors, bring as much of the autumn spirit inside as possible. Autumn isn’t autumn without leaves!
3. Blankets for All: A cute idea for outside weddings is to have blankets available for guests to use. If you have them in themed colors or with autumnal designs, they just further add to the decor.
4. Wood and Timber: When thinking about where guests will be sitting, embrace the fall with wooden benches or even stumps.
5. Embrace the Macrame: Having seen a popularity resurgence, macrame is perfect for a fall wedding given its boho charm and versatility in terms of decorations.
6. Wedding by Candlelight: There’s just something about the soft, warm glow of candles that make an autumn wedding all the more magical..
7. Don’t Be Afraid of Fabric: Whether it’s a gauzy, rust-colored wedding arch fabric or a series of rugs for the aisle, fabric can be used to great effect for fall wedding decorations.
8. Pumpkin Guest Book: Use a plastic or wooden pumpkin as a guest book instead of a traditional one. A great keepsake and a great fall wedding decoration idea to boot.
9. Feathers: White, brown, beige, and other fall-colored feathers add a wistful nature to a fall wedding.

It’s All About the Colors

When it comes to a fall wedding, the color scheme is incredibly important. Autumn is associated with the changing of leaves, so matching your wedding color scheme and decorations will immediately invoke the season.

10. Autumnal Flowers and Wreaths: When looking at floral options, couples should keep to seasonal options like yellow and orange gerber daisies and sunflowers. A large wreath with twigs, flowers, and some burgundy ribbon could make a wonderful altar decoration as well.
11. Don’t Forget the Green: Dark green is another popular choice when it comes to fall weddings. Complement yellows and oranges with a rich green to introduce some contrast.
12. White and Cream: Dried flowers and plants are a popular choice for fall weddings, especially those that are white and cream. 
13. Add a Touch of Glam: Burgundy and gold is a popular color combination that will add just a touch of fancy to decorations, dresses, invitations, or whatever else couples use.

Pumpkins, Apples, and Leaves, Oh My!

14. Pumpkin Aisle Dressing: Instead of bunting or a rug of some kind, use pumpkins to line the aisle the bride will walk down. Have a variety of sizes to really mix things up.
15. Flower Girl or Leaf Girl? A fun way to incorporate autumnal decor is to have a flower girl instead be a leaf girl. 
16. Custom Carved Pumpkins: A cute way to incorporate pumpkins is to have a carved pumpkin with the couple’s name on it. White pumpkins are particularly en vogue and offer a classy, but unique feature.
17. It’s Decorative Gourd Season: Using gourds, be they fresh or made of wood or plastic, is a way to instantly bring fall to the forefront. 
18. Pie Wedding Favors: Certain pies are synonymous with fall. Apple and pumpkin pie favors are great take-home gifts that are actually useful and delicious. Put them in mason jars for an added rustic touch.
19. Bobbing for Apples: While it can be messy, this is a fun and thematic game for guests.
20. Signature Fall Cocktails: Another way to use apples is with a signature apple cider cocktail. Bourbon and apple cider pair great together, as does gin.
21. Menu Accents: Add a fall flair to menus and placards with a bundle of twigs, leaves, or flowers.

DIY Decorations for a Fall Wedding

22. Fairy Lights: Fall weddings can be quite magical in terms of their look, and a great way to do that is to use fairy lights or smaller string lights.
23. DIY Flower Crowns: While one could argue that flower crowns may be better suited to a spring wedding, there are plenty of fall florals that can be used to add to a boho or rustic-inspired fall wedding. 
24. Pinecone Table Markers: For table settings, try using pinecones as place holders. Not only do they add a great fall touch, but it’s so easy to slip a piece of paper with a guests’ name into the divots!
25. Painted Acorns: Another easy DIY decoration idea is painted acorns. Grab some of the nuts and paint the shell a variety of fall colors. 
26. Mix-and-Match Boho Chic: A lot of fall weddings have a boho or rustic theme to them. A great way to harness this is to mix different items that compliment each other but don’t necessarily match. 
27. Make Your Own Wedding Arch: Autumnal wedding arches can be a few branches tied together with flowers glued on. A couple making their own arch will not only add a personal touch but be a wonderful bonding experience.
28. Barrels & Crates: Old whiskey barrels or wooden crates can add flair and utility.
29. Accent Displays: One of the best things about fall is all the foliage. Use accent displays like branches, leaves, berries, and in-season flowers to give an overall autumnal experience.
30. Rustic Fever: A popular wedding trend, really embrace it with hay bales, carts, twine, and mason jars galore. Farmhouse weddings pair great with the fall, and there are tons of decor opportunities.
31. Preserved Leaves: A touching wedding favor could be a preserved fall leaf in resin. While there is a learning curve, this can be a wonderful keepsake for guests and the wedding party alike.

Cozy Fall Wedding Ideas

32. Keep Guests Warm: If the fall wedding is happening outside, even partially, couples should consider having a heating element available for guests. 
33. Fresh Fruit for All: Having a menagerie of fresh fruit like cherries, pomegranates, blood oranges, and blackberries will match with a fall wedding theme and add a cozy touch to the buffet.
34. Cozy Desserts Are a Must: For desserts at a fall wedding, lean into fall flavors like pumpkin, cinnamon, and caramel. 
35. Don’t Forget the Hot Cocoa and Apple Cider: While lots of people enjoy drinking at weddings, a fall wedding is perfect for serving cozy, warm drinks. A hot chocolate bar with various toppings will always be well received, as are drinks like hot caramel apple cider and mulled wine.
36. Get Comfortable: A part of being cozy is being comfy, right? Have couches, sofas, and armchairs for guests to relax in. Make them feel at home rather than at a party. 
37. Cozy Wedding Dress: A traditional white wedding dress may be great for some, but for a cozy fall wedding, try blush, beige, or even a rust-colored dress. Lean into the season.
38. Velvet Suits: Same for the lads! Try brown, rust, or burgundy velvet suits to keep them warm, cozy, and stylish.
39. Family Style Dinner: Long tables with everyone together is a great cozy wedding idea for fall. Make it a potluck.

All About Hygge 

Hygge is a Danish term meaning the feeling of comfort and happiness, everything a fall wedding should be.

40. Togetherness: Make friends and family part of the experience with family-style tables and intermingling of the families during the ceremony and reception.
41. Presence: Everyone wants to capture moments, but encouraging guests to be in the moment and not on their phones will add so much to a Hygge-style wedding.
42. Truce: Not that one should ban sensitive topics, but promoting empathy in discussions and concentrating on the warmth and love of the day instead will go a long way.
43. Atmosphere: Candles, warm light, soft music, and an overall sense of peace and compassion is what Hygge is all about, and perfect to implement into a fall wedding.
44. Comfort: This is a no-stress wedding. Take it slow, take breaks, and keep it simple.

Halloween Wedding Ideas

45. Costume Party: If Halloween is a favorite holiday, go all out and ask guests to come in costume.
46. Carved Pumpkin Centerpieces: What better way to incorporate Jack-O-Lanterns than using them as centerpieces? 
47. Embrace the Goth: Technically, fall is about decay, so leaning into a gothic theme isn’t too off for a fall wedding. Pull in blacks and dark purples with other fall colors for something morbidly beautiful.
48. Trick or Treat: A candy bar is a fun way to make adults feel like kids again while also staying true to the theme. Thrift some old vases and bowls for an additional decoration idea.
49. Dried Flowers For All: Already a fall wedding decoration staple, dried flowers can be used as “dead” flowers for Halloween weddings.
50. Foggy Morning: For Halloween ceremonies, most immediately think of nighttime, but embrace the early morning fog for a spooky and cozy fall wedding.

A Fall Wedding for the Ages

All these ideas are sure to give you, as a wedding planner, ample inspiration for your next fall wedding client. Now, don’t forget those pumpkins.