The leaves begin to change, the weather starts to get cooler and, before you know it, the end of the year is upon us. Fall is a beautiful season, and naturally, it appeals to lots of couples as the time of year to have their weddings. According to The Oasis, September is the most popular month to get married at 16% and October at 14%. Given COVID restrictions and wedding delays, more people are pushing their wedding date to the fall and choosing to go forth with small ceremonies. Lucky for them, the fall season is a beautiful time to tie the knot for a number of reasons!
If you’re considering a wedding ceremony between late-September and late-December, we’re here to share the pros and cons with you!
The Pros of Planning a Fall Wedding
It Isn’t Spring or Summer!
Spring and summer are great seasons for weddings, but you aren’t the only one who thinks so. By pushing your wedding a few months back to the fall, you’ll be able to alleviate some of the busyness that venues, vendors and guests have during those more popular wedding months.
Pro Tip: Keep in mind those popular months of September and October and plan accordingly and in advance!
Nature Provides a Stunning Backdrop
The beautiful changing colors in the trees are the perfect backdrop for a wedding, and it doesn’t cost you a thing to utilize them. As opposed to other seasons that don’t have such a bold presence, fall can lead you in the direction of a theme, colors and your overall wedding vibe with its colors alone.
Pro Tip: It doesn’t hurt to also provide an equally as beautiful photo backdrop with matching fall colors!
More Moderate Weather
Have you ever been roasting at an outdoor summer wedding? Lucky for you, a fall wedding will likely not be plagued by the same issue! In almost all locations, the weather in the fall season is a bit more moderate, which can make for a more comfortable wedding day for both you and your guests.
More Color Scheme Options
While spring and summer have traditional color schemes associated with them, you have a lot more flexibility when it comes to a fall wedding. Go with a deep hue of burgundy, root your event in hunter green or even the classic orange!
Pro Tip: Need more color inspiration? Read our article about trending wedding designs and colors by season!
Fun Options for Food & Drink
Fall is a theme all it’s on own, opening up the possibility of so many food and drink options that wouldn’t make as much sense at a non-fall wedding. Want to serve your favorite pumpkin pie instead of a traditional wedding cake? Go for it! Hot chocolate bar more your speed than sparkling wine? Your guests will love the chance to warm up with a fun and festive fall beverage.
The Cons of Planning a Fall Wedding
Inclement Weather is a Possibility
You might not be worrying about a wedding day that’s too warm in the fall, but instead, you might have to be concerned with it being too cold. Because the weather in the fall can be inclement, it’s especially important to have a backup plan if you end up having your wedding in this season.
Pro tip: Not having a Plan B is the most common thing people forget when planning a wedding! Want to know what else you should be sure to think about ahead of time? Read the top 10 things people forget when planning a wedding!
Holidays & Special Events Can Create Date Conflicts
Autumn is the start of a new school year, football season, Thanksgiving — you name it! With so many official and unofficial events happening in the fall, your wedding might wind up lower on the priority list for your guests than it would at a different time of year. It’s not necessarily a dealbreaker, but it’s probably something you want to keep in mind if a fall wedding is a possibility for you.
Venue Options are More Limited
If you’re dreaming of an outside or beach wedding, fall is probably not going to be a great time for your wedding. Unless you prepare for tents, heaters and other cool-weather supplies, having a wedding outdoors, exposed to the elements of fall, can be tough.
Limits in Themes
We know, we said the opposite in our ‘Pros’! But it is true that while fall offers many fun and different themes, it also naturally excludes many others. You certainly can still throw a tropical-themed event in October, but it won’t make nearly as much sense as if you did it in August. Think about what themes or colors are most appealing to you at the start of your wedding planning process and you might be able to eliminate fall from your options for a wedding season.
Our Skin Doesn’t Like it
Almost everyone reports that when the weather starts to change, our skin does not agree with it! If having a nice tan glow for your wedding day is a dream of yours, fall might not be the time for you. In addition, you might experience dry lips and altitude sickness if you decide to have your wedding in a cooler, high-altitude location. Neither of those scenarios makes for the magical wedding day we’ve all dreamed about!
Shop for Autumn & Fall Wedding Invitations and Décor
Check out our top fall wedding collections made just for you by our talented community of Creators!
Fall is undoubtedly a beautiful time of year, making it a fantastic time to have a wedding. But along with every other season, there are reasons why and why not to have your special celebration during this time. Before you decide on your date, make sure to read through these pros and cons of having a fall wedding!
Do you have any advice or tips for other couples planning a wedding in the fall? Share them in the comments below!
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in September 2019 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Erika focuses on email marketing, copywriting and merchandising at Zazzle, but she has a secret obsession with all things wedding! During the week you can find her writing punny subject lines while also pinning the latest wedding trends, and outside of the 9-5, she is usually cheering on the San Jose Sharks, reading a good murder mystery, or hunting for the best Philly Cheesesteak in the Bay Area.
I just want to make a wedding topic suggestion:
I’ve noticed a trend, particularly among military couples, to have two weddings: one informal just to get the paperwork with the military going and later a formal wedding for the family to attend (ranging from 3 months to even a year later) So perhaps you might do one or more posts for “double-wedding couples” such as: how to make the informal wedding special or memorable (since that will remain the actual wedding anniversary) or how to handle that later formal wedding to make it special for the family.
This trend extends beyond just the military though: Maybe a post on just in general making that decision: should we do two weddings or just one?
I had a fall wedding and loved it! It’s not too hot and depending on location/timing the fall leaves are beautiful. It is also a nice season to take anniversary trips through the years.