Fall Wedding Floral Arrangements

About Fall Colors

The colors of autumn are universally bright, bold, and rich. Amber, gold, burnt orange, rust, mustard yellow, sage green, chocolate brown, copper, and burgundy are some of the more popular hues, but couples interested in fall floral arrangements aren’t limited to just these bright shades. Adding white or creamy accents can lighten fall colors without losing their distinction, or couples can opt for mixed floral arrangements that also incorporate other natural elements such as ripe grains, fruits, or colored leaves for both seasonal and colored variation.

Why Use Fall Flowers?

Cornucopia

There are several reasons to use seasonal flowers and plants in wedding arrangements, and the three Cs – cost, convenience, and coordination – are why many couples choose fall flowers for their autumn celebrations.

• Cost: Flowers in season are often available from local growers and nurseries, making them less expensive than more exotic blooms.
• Convenience: Because seasonal flowers are more readily available, couples will have a wider selection to choose from than if they prefer out-of-season plants.
• Coordination: Many couples have at least some photographs taken outdoors to commemorate their wedding day, and the rich hues of trees, flower beds, and autumn lawns will coordinate beautifully with fall floral arrangements. This coordination is even more critical if the ceremony or reception will be held outdoors, where out-of-season flowers may seem garish and inappropriate.

Creamy fall rose bouquet

Vase of colored leaves

Fall candle centerpiece

When Fall Flowers Aren’t Right

For some couples, however, fall wedding flowers simply aren’t as appealing as other seasonal blooms. In this case, many types of flowers can be shipped from specialty growers regardless of the season, or couples may opt for silk wedding flowers to get just the right shade to create their wedding color palette.

Ideas for Fall Wedding Floral Arrangements

Fall bridal bouquet

Weddings use a tremendous range of floral arrangements: bouquets, boutonnieres, table centerpieces, pew decorations, ceremony arrangements, and even floral wedding cake toppers. Fall flowers can be incorporated into any of these arrangements in many stylish ways, such as:

• Using classic arrangements with coordinating fall colors.
• Adding colorful leaves instead of ivy or other greenery to give a classic bouquet an autumnal touch.
• Incorporating the warmth and light of candles into floral arrangements as the days grow cooler and shorter.
• Choosing fall fruits and vegetables to use as accents, such as ripe grapes, gourds, pumpkins, apples, nuts, and other colorful produce.
• Using fall and harvest oriented containers instead of predictable glass vases; copper or aluminum pails, dark wicker baskets, and hollowed out gourds are great fall containers for floral arrangements.
• Adding other fall plants, such as ripe grasses (wheat, rye, etc.), twigs, or pine cones to arrangements.
• Wrapping a bouquet with grapevine, corn husks, or raffia for a subtle fall touch.

Orange rose bouquet

Small pumpkin centerpiece

Pink and burgundy bouquet

Adding Seasonal Touches

Holiday fall centerpiece

The autumn holidays – Halloween and Thanksgiving – offer couples even more options for creative fall wedding floral arrangements. Adding seasonal holiday touches will not only help coordinate the decorations with autumn, but with the holiday as well. Try these tips:

• Add scarecrows or jack-o-lanterns as holiday accents.
• Incorporate spicy scents such as nutmeg, cloves, or cinnamon through scented candles or whole spices for warm aromas reminiscent of Thanksgiving dinner.
• Use floral cornucopias as table centerpieces.

Fall wedding floral arrangements can be as distinct and beautiful as the season, and with careful selection of appropriate colors and plants to use, they will help create beautiful memories of an autumn wedding that will last far after the leaves have fallen.