Autumn Wedding Decorations

Fall Ceremony and Church Decorations

Start planning your autumn decorations with the first thing guests will see as they arrive to your ceremony location — the doors. Use dried cornstalks to create shocks that flank the doors and hang wreaths that match the fall flowers used throughout the rest of the wedding.

The guest book and program table can be covered in a cream tablecloth or an accent color from your wedding colors. An autumn designed pen and base with matching guest book can make an elegant statement. Place programs in a woven basket tied with raffia for a more rustic look or use a flowergirl basket that has been covered in fabric.

Pew decorations do not have to be the standard white bows. Instead, hang dried miniature floral wreaths that have been adorned with acorns and pinecones. You could also choose to use a glittery maple leaf centered in a tuft of gold or bronze organza.

Rather than using garlands of summer or wintery greens, find fall garlands suitable for stringing across balconies, candelabras, banisters and altar rails. Use similar garland styles from the ceremony site to the head table at the reception to create a cohesive decorating look. Fall garland styles may be comprised of:

• Grapevines
• Dried fruits and leaves
• Silk leaves
• Dried flowers
• Silk flowers, like sunflowers

Altar arrangements and candelabra arrangements can also be done that feature fall foliage. Mix colorful leaves with flowers, acorns, pinecones, berries, fruits or nuts for a unique look.

Autumn Reception Decorations

The reception location may determine exactly how much and what type of decorating is needed for an autumn reception. A rustic barn or countryside wedding will often provide the perfect backdrop, requiring few decorations. On the other hand, an elegant ballroom in an upscale hotel might require a lot of decorations to cover Victorian curtains and other decor that does not fit the fall theme wedding.

Guest Table Decorations

Fall Guest Table Setting

Table linens in mocha, chocolate, cream, or ivory can be a terrific starting base. Add an autumn table runner to tables. Assorted silk fall flowers can also be scattered across a simple table cloth. At a more informal or rustic wedding, chairs can be covered in burlap sacks and tied with raffia. For a more formal look, use one of the main wedding colors and tie with ribbon.

Centerpieces

The reception centerpieces can be as simple or extravagant as what you have time and money to do. Ideas include:

• Floating Candles: Add floating candles shaped like leaves to a fishbowl of water and place upon a mirrored glass piece.
• Fruits: Use apples and pears in bowls or baskets. Grapes are good for wine themed weddings, and cranberries provide a bright punch of color on a dark tablescape.
• Tealights: Purchase tealight holders with a fall theme. Scatter acorns, pinecones and walnuts below.
• Maple Leaf Bottles: Fill various sized maple leaf bottles with water tinted orange and yellow. Arrange them on top of a fall leaves handkerchief in the center of the table.
• Fall Ornaments: Pick up miniature pumpkins, gourds and Indian corn. Arrange in a copper or bronze bucket.

Your florist may have pictures or examples of various fall floral arrangements that s/he has done previously. If you want the florist to make the arrangements for you, ask for a mock-up before all of the centerpieces are completed to be sure you like the final product.

Head Table Decorations

Simple sunflower baskets can be placed at the corners of the head table. String a garland similar to the one used at the ceremony location across the front of the table. A lighted fall garland is another option if the location is dim. Make a backcloth to hang behind the table out of a shiny metallic bronze, wine, gold or burnt orange fabric.

Cake Table Décor

Garnish your fall wedding cake by taking advantage of the whole table. Twigs, branches, nuts and pinecones can be scattered on top for a rustic feel. Use candles in autumn leaves frosted votives to highlight the cake. Confetti in shapes like sunflowers and autumn leaves also spice up a cake table. A garland of colored lights or branches will finish off the cake table decorations.

Miscellaneous Autumn Wedding Decorations

Autumn wedding decorations are not limited to just pews and reception tables. Extra embellishments can be added wherever you feel inspired. Additional fall wedding ideas for décor include:

• Luminaries from paper sacks with pumpkin or leaf cut-outs
• Wishing well with leaf tags
• Unity candle in an autumn leaf grandeur design
• Metal pumpkin luminary
• Grapevine swags above doorways
• Archways with fall flowers, leaves and wheat

Do it yourselfers may find it soothing to make their own autumn crafts for their wedding decorations. Michaels Store offers plenty of ideas, from a fall leaf wreath to a fall maple leaf basket arrangement to an autumn votive centerpiece that are sure to enhance any autumn wedding decorations you all ready have planned.