Decor: Autumn Wedding Ideas

Autumn is a season of rich colours, heartiness and embracing a cosy ambience; and it’s become an increasingly popular season to tie the knot. Wedding planners Jo Critchely-Saville, Lucy Plummer and Megan Coakley, share their thoughts on why and give their seasonal styling advice for the best autumn wedding ideas.

“We have seen a shift in the most popular season to get married,” says Jo. Why? The unpredictability of the weather: “A summer wedding doesn’t always guarantee sunshine,” she explains. Lucy, a wedding planner at Whirlowbrook Hall, is also seeing more couples choosing to marry later in the season due to the aesthetic setting of the venue. “The grounds are as equally beautiful here in autumn as they are in summer,” she says. The golden light of an autumn evening makes a stunning backdrop for photographs, and a good photographer can manipulate the fading light to create gorgeous memorable captures.

Nature plays a significant part in dressing a room for an autumnal wedding.

“Couples love the rich autumn colours,” says Jo, wedding planner at Mosborough Hall. “Décor trends for autumn weddings celebrate the natural earthy tones of orange, copper, dark golds and deep reds.”

Image Credits from L-R: two brides – photographer: Dreaming Tree Studios, table decor via Pinterest, two grooms – photographer: Jamie Bott Wedding Photography.

Incorporating these jewel-like colours into your wedding palette ensures that an autumnal theme runs throughout the entire day. Mimic the changing leaves with amber, the abundance of seasonal drinks with cinnamon brown and the darker evenings with deep blues and navy.

“Dark colours lend themselves well to autumn, such as plum and burgundy. When mixed with hints of gold, it gives a really luxurious feel,” says Lucy. Megan, wedding planner at Doubletree by Hilton Sheffield Park, agrees. “Burnt orange, greens, purples and creams blend so nicely together,” she says. “They can be really striking.”

“Couples can integrate them into their room dressing,” says Jo.

One way to evoke the season is through floral arrangements. Buttonholes, centrepieces and bouquets all present an opportunity to inspire autumn. “Natural greenery combined with seasonal flowers with a rustic finish are perfect for buttonholes and bouquets with an undone feel,” says Jo. “The natural, woodland look is perfect to bring the outside indoors.”

Image Credits from L-R: peonies by Caribbean Living, buttonholes via Pinterest, golden pumpkins – photographer: Atelier Kryjak, via Inside Weddings.

Adding a few warm tones to floral arrangements easily evokes the season. “Peach peony roses look beautiful in an autumn bouquet with some greens and creams,” says Megan. “It’s easy to do and florists should be able to work with the colours as they are so seasonal.”

“We see floral arrangements in autumn colours placed into a pumpkin which gives a really unique, autumnal look,” says Lucy, adding, “for autumnal inspired table decorations, “seasonal wildflowers with greenery alongside different size candles look beautiful as centrepieces, and create a gorgeous focal point.” Her favourite autumn wedding trends incorporate a rustic style. “Log slices for centrepieces, jars of acorns and pine cones dotted around, dried leaves lining the ceremony aisle always looks beautiful.”

Different fabrics can also be used within your centrepieces to incorporate a more autumnal feel to your wedding decor. “Velvet is a great trend for autumn,” Lucy suggests. “We see couples opt for a velvet cloth for the cake table and the registrars’ table, or a velvet cloth on every table.” To style autumn centrepieces further, Lucy recommends “subtle lighting in the form of fairy lights, festoon lights and candles.”

“We always advise our couples to have a wow moment at their wedding,” says Jo. “Utilise the beautiful earthy tones with lots of delicate lighting and candles to create that special moment.” She continues, saying “if it’s cold outside, a roaring log fire with the vivid yellow and reds of the flames can be a focal point.”

Image Credits from L-R: fabric centrepiece via Pinterest, table setting via Pixabay, romantic flower arbour – photographer: Hey Sista, flowers: Hart Floral Design, via Bohemian Weddings.

Autumn themed weddings are about embracing what’s outside. However, the unpredictability of the weather can derail plans for an outdoor autumn wedding. “We always manage expectations and most couples are realistic about the weather forecast,” says Jo. “Though we can’t completely safeguard against the weather, we advise having one element outside. That way, there’s less chance of disappointment for couples who really do want to get married outside.”

“Make sure the ceremony is also set up inside, just in case. Most venues do this,” Lucy advises.

And for couples who are lucky with the weather, there are lots of great trends which work with an outdoor autumn wedding. “Night-time photos with sparklers, blankets and fire pits. Serving s’mores and installing hot chocolate stations create that wow moment,” says Lucy. “It is about creating a sense of warmth in a special moment.”

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Jo Critchely-Saville is a wedding planner at Mosborough Hall; Lucy Plummer is a wedding planner at Whirlowbrook Hall, and Megan Coakley is a wedding planner at DoubleTree by Hilton Sheffield Park.