Truth be told, fall is probably my favorite time of year. The reds and golds of the falling leaves are everywhere, there is a crisp feel in the air and there seems to be a growing excitement for the upcoming holidays. So in my eyes it’s perfectly natural to plan your wedding for this time of the year. However, if you do, there are a few things you need to keep in mind if you want your big day to go off without a hitch.
1.) Plan for the weather. Fall may be beautiful, but it is also a bit unpredictable. It’s often a toss-up as to whether you’ll be hit with leftover heat from summer or a light dusting due to an early winter. You’ll need to make sure that any venue you choose not only has an indoor option if things get rough outside, but also has a plan to execute the indoor option. You’d surprised how many venues claim to have a backup venue but no backup plan.
2.) Navigate the holidays. Having your wedding in October or November may sound like a great way to avoid the summer wedding rush, but don’t forget about holidays. Many people begin putting away money for Christmas shopping and traveling plans. If you’re going to ask them to spend money on a plane ticket this close to the holidays, you’ve got to give them plenty of time in advance and make sure it’s not running right up on Thanksgiving weekend. Otherwise your guest list could end up shrinking considerably.
3.) Use the colors to your advantage. The colors of fall are the main reason it’s one of the most beautiful times of the year. If you’re planning on getting married outside, don’t fight the natural color scheme; go with it. If you go with a color palette of deep burgundy, burnt orange and pale yellows and soft greens, your venue is already half decorated!
4.) Understand lighting challenges. One of the most overlooked concerns about having your ceremony in the fall is that everyone is still used to the long, 10-hour days of summer. People forget that the sun is setting earlier and earlier, meaning if you’re still planning on being outdoors around 6:00 pm, you need to arrange for an alternative source of lighting, like some wispy, hanging lanterns or even a healthy supply of white Christmas lights.
5.) Get unique with favors. This is the perfect chance to save some money in your wedding budget. Since fall is the perfect time to cuddle up on the couch with a warm bowl of soup or tea, consider giving pouches of homemade tea or soup ingredients to cook on the first brisk day that reminds us winter is coming. You might also consider giving canned jars of fruit preserves tied with ribbon. It’s a great money saver and is a gift your guests will actually enjoy!
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