47 Autumn Wedding Ideas

Gone are the days when summer was the only season to seriously consider for your wedding: now many couples are having autumn and winter weddings to take advantage of sizeable seasonal discounts and atmospheric weather.

If you’ve booked an autumn wedding – and you’re looking for inspiration for seasonal decor, themes and menus – we’ve compiled 47 gorgeous autumn wedding ideas to get your planning started.

1

To set the scene ahead of your wedding, “fall in love” is a clever autumnal slogan to use throughout your stationery and decor

2

Seasonal invitations with leaves and rich, vibrant colours really do add to the anticipation of an autumnal wedding

3

Consider a late afternoon ceremony, at dusk, to increase the autumnal ambience

4

Use atmospheric lighting in your ceremonial room or church: LED tea lights are a good option if naked flames aren’t allowed

5

If possible, bring a couple of small trees into the church or ceremonial room and decorate them with fairy lights – the effect is stunning

6

Using twigs and branches as interior decor is another great way to bring the outdoors in

7

Choose a venue with lots of trees in the garden (visit the venue during the autumn before your wedding to suss out the photographic opportunities)

8

The weather in autumn can, of course, be iffy – if your guests will be expected to walk from the church/ceremony to the venue, make sure you provide wellies/umbrellas/shrugs etc.

9

A rustic theme is wonderful in autumn – you can embrace this style with everything from a beautiful venue to a rustic wedding dress

10

Hay bales work brilliantly for a seasonal setting in a barn or a rustic venue

11

Bunting in muted colours (think brown, burnt orange and faded yellow) looks gorgeous at an autumn wedding

12

Mulled cider is a great arrival drink to serve

13

Rust is the classic shade for this season – incorporate it everywhere from your flowers to your bridesmaid dresses

14

Chocolate is a less obvious shade, but it looks warm, rich and gorgeous in autumn

15

Autumn colour schemes don’t have to be dark…add pops of cerise, neon yellow, lime green and sky blue

16

Burgundy is another beautifully opulent colour for the bridesmaids…

17

…or they will shine in bright orange dresses

18

Shrugs for the bride and bridesmaids are a must in autumn

19

Add berries and baby squash to your bouquet

20

You could also use small pumpkins (or squash) as vessels for carrying the bridesmaids flowers (or confetti)

21

Cinderella had a pumpkin carriage…Disney fans could consider a pumpkin carriage cake – or a Cinders-themed wedding…

22

Pumpkins make great centrepieces – hollow and fill them with dried flowers for maximum impact…

23

… or fill pumpkins with ice and use them as wine coolers

24

Toffee apples make lovely table decorations – or use them as place holders with name tags attached to the sticks

25

Pine cones are a lovely, affordable addition to your decor…

26

…as are chestnuts: use them in jam jars as place holders, or to surround the base of your bell candles

27

Use leaf motifs on invites, place settings and menus

28

Tree stumps look great as autumn decor, additional seating or as the stand for your wedding cake (depending on their sizes)

29

Adorn your autumn wedding cake with icing leaves and fresh berries…

30

…or choose an “inside out” apple cake with thin layers of sponge and decorate it with real apples and lashings of icing sugar

31

Comfort food is big at this time of year: consider a wedding breakfast menu that features kedgeree, stew and dumplings or pie with seasonal vegetables

32

Butternut squash soup is a great autumn starter for your wedding breakfast

33

Autumn is game season so consider adding pheasant to your menu

34

Slow roasted pumpkin is another seasonal treat

35

Cinnamon is an evocative autumnal spice – use it in biscuit favours and cocktails

36

Blackberries are a fantastic seasonal fruit – use them to decorate your wedding cake or plump for a blackberry-based dessert

37

Choose a red wine bursting with seasonal notes like blackberry and damson…

38

…or if you prefer white wine, serve a rich, oaky Chardonnay with a gorgeous golden colour

39

Jams (in beautifully decorated jars) made with seasonal fruit are great favours

40

Sloe gin cocktails with pear and blackberry garnishes look – and taste – delicious (you can easily make non-alcoholic versions too)

41

Swap a traditional cold evening buffet for simple jacket potatoes with lashings of butter and a choice of toppings

42

Serve cinder toffee as a sweet treat in the evening

43

Popcorn is another great snack: coat it in caramel for autumnal comfort

44

Play autumnal games – like apple bobbing – at the reception

45

To keep younger guests amused collect a bucket full of fallen leaves and set up a crafts table so the kids can make autumnal leaf collages

46

A firework display is the classic way to end an autumnal wedding in spectacular fashion…

47

…but indoor fireworks make an affordable and fun alternative if you can’t splash out on an outdoor display (or if fireworks aren’t allowed at your venue – make sure you check)

Do you love the idea of an autumnal wedding day? Then our Autumn wedding inspiration gallery is just for you.