Hello November! We have dived feet first into Autumn, and with many weddings going full steam ahead (albeit smaller ones!) we wanted to share some of our Autumn/Winter wedding ideas, advice and tips with you.
The benefit of getting married in Autumn is that you’re fighting with fewer couples for weekend wedding dates and you don’t have the worry of a heatwave. We also love the lighting this time of year, it’s still bright and light until a reasonable time, but you'll get to enjoy the beautiful sunsets that come with the darker autumnal evenings, as well as the beautiful scenery as the leaves start to change.
Is Autumn too cold for an outdoor wedding?
Absolutely not. Typically, October has an average high of 14°C and low of 7°C. Not long ago, 2018 saw us with temperatures of 25°C mid-October. Below are the historical highs during October over the past 5 years:
2019 Oct: 20 °C
2018 Oct: 25 °C
2017 Oct: 22 °C
2016 Oct: 20 °C
2015 Oct: 19 °C
If you’re planning to have an outdoor wedding in autumn, then you will want to put some contingencies in place to avoid being caught out if the temperature does dip that day (or if the heavens open and your outdoor space is rained off!)
Hire some heaters
Heaters are an amazing investment even during the summer months. The temperature is bound to dip as the evening goes on and heaters are the perfect solution. They come in a range of styles to suit your theme and blend in with the décor so they won’t be an eyesore. Alternatively, why not consider cosy firepits that people can sit around. You can make them a feature and include big blankets and cushions for people to enjoy.
Throw some blankets out there
Blankets are perfect, especially for boho weddings. As well as being highly practical they enhance add to any theme. Blankets are great for people to throw over their legs and get cosy during the evening if they’re feeling chilly.
Autumn/Winter Wedding Flowers
Autumnal colours are our personal favourites, with colours that pop and flowers that bloom, perfectly capturing their beauty. Autumn flowers come in an incredible range of colours and it’s not just the oranges that spring to mind - think deep pinks and reds, balanced with plenty of foliage. Country House wedding-venues has written a beautifully illustrated guide covering Autumn wedding bouquets and show images of some stunning displays - you can find it here.
The tricky part of working out your autumn flowers is researching what flowers are in season. By choosing flowers that are in season when you have your wedding, you’ll find yourself saving a big cost on importing flowers and they’ll be fresher. These are some of our favourite autumn blooming flowers that are perfect for a wedding in the UK. Of course, there are loads more, these are just our personal favourites:
Alstroemeria
Amaryllis
Anthurium
Astilbe
Calla Lily
Cattleya orchid
Celosia, Cosmos
Cymbidium Orchid Dahlia
Delphinium
Echinops
Freesia
Gladiolus
Gypsophila
Iris
Lilac
Lilies
Lisianthus
Marigold
Moth Orchid
Ranunculus
Roses
Sunflowers
Autumnal wedding dresses
"What do I wear?!"
This is a commonly asked question by both the Bride and the guests. We’ve broken it down to make it simple:
Bride
Weather at any time of the year will dip in the evening and months from September – November it’s a good idea to make sure you’re wedding dress is suitable for both extremes.Wedding dresses with lace sleeves are popular at this time of year, providing that warmth through beautiful detail. Lace sleeves can be short, ¾ length or full length and look great no matter what.
We would also recommend keeping the dress train or veil to a meter or so. White wedding dresses are rarely white the following day, which is a sign of a perfect wedding. However, at this time of year there are more leaves on the ground so keeping the length shorter will avoid your dress being dirty before you get to the photos.
A shawl, throw or jacket is the perfect accessory this time of year. Having something to hand if the temperature dips are crucial. Having a beautiful Bride in a stunning gown is no fun if she is freezing. In addition to this, don't forget a decorative umbrella if you're travelling from A to B!
Wedding Guests
As wedding guests during autumn, it can be difficult to know what to wear. Everyone has a different style, body and preference and there’s no right or wrong. However, we find during autumn guests increasingly wear satins, silks and velvet. Long sleeves lace dresses are also popular this time of year. These styles look great if the weather turns out scorching or freezing!
If you do choose something on the thinner side as an autumn wedding guest, we would recommend accessorising your outfit with a shawl, jacket or cardigan that is easy to pop on at any time of the day if you find yourself feeling chilly. We always recommend layers - it's likely that during Autumn/Winter the wedding reception will be in side, and you might not want to be wearing long sleeves whilst partying the night away!
Autumn wedding decorations
The décor for an autumn wedding will depend on your chosen colour scheme and wedding theme. Here are three autumn wedding décor idea we love and are going to be popular over the next few years:
1. Using leaves at this time of year for large décor areas such as your autumn wedding arch are perfect, they’re not costly and are visually beautiful without cutting fresh flowers. Although leaves during autumn have a beautiful colour naturally, if you’re looking for less rustic and a more elegant feel, leaves painted gold are the perfect answer. You could also use large dried stems such as pampas grass and hang these above your tables to make the reception feel more boho and intimate.
2. Dried floral stems in metallic vases, jars and glass bottles. Choose colours which contrast and complement each other within your colour scheme to make your tables pop. Use some larger vases to place around the venue to keep the theme throughout.
3. Low lighting is important for setting the atmosphere for a wedding. During autumn months when it begins getting darker that little bit earlier, your choice of lighting can make all the difference. Add some fairy lights around the grounds and ensure you have enough tea-lights to replace any that run out. You could also include some festoon lighting with retro Edison bulbs for a quirky feel.
If you’re stuck for inspiration for your autumn wedding, then follow our Pinterest page where we post lots of creative ideas for weddings all year round. Alternatively, get in touch and we would be happy to help.