How to plan an autumn outdoor wedding

You are probably considering an autumn outdoor wedding because you just love autumn.

There are many reasons why it is high season for handfastings. Like the thinning of the veil, Samhain and pagan new year being the perfect time for beginning a new chapter of your life together,…

And there are just as many other reasons to simply love autumn!

For me it is a lot of things: the end of hayfever season, the return of cosiness in front of the fireplace, and the fabulous colours. And, of course, spooky season!

Whichever one it is, there are a few additional things over a summer wedding to consider for autumn.

So lets get planning for your perfect autumn outdoor wedding!

1. Autumn Weather at your Outdoor Wedding

For any outdoor ceremony, you will need to consider all the potential weather implications.

Right now there is a thunderstorm raging over my head, with monsoon like rain and a lightshow that is impressive even in daylight.

Great for a dramatic photo background, not so great for an outdoors reception, even less great for speeches.

Consider the best and worst weather you could have, and make plans for both. I am sure you don’t need help with the dry and mild weather planning, do let’s go through some of the extras you will need for stormy and rainy weather:

Have enough shelter for both, the ceremony and the reception. And don’t just go for an overhead canopy. It is likely to be windy, have a proper marquee which stops the rain being blown in from the sides.

It can get cold, particularly in the evening after sunset, so have some heating.

And if your reception is in any sort of marquee or tepee, have a loudspeaker system. Because trying to scream on against canvas in flapping winds with rain drumming on it is a battle you can’t win.

2. Autumn underfoot

No, I am not speaking of graves and other spooky things. I am still talking about the weather.

If the weather is bad from the top, it will also get wet from underneath.

If your venue is entirely hard standing, you can skip to point 3.

If it is not, speak to the venue about their usual action plan for wet ground and how they deal with it: will the marquee get wet inside from rain runoff? Do they have outdoor ground covers, like rugs, they put down to stop people sinking into the mud, or is it going to be like Reading Festival? Is the car park usable in all ground conditions or what alternatives are there (park off site and have a bus ferrying guests to and from their cars)?

You get the gist of it. And always take your wellies just in case!

3. Glorious autumn colours for your outdoor wedding

You can’t have an autumn wedding without yellow, red and orange tones. I am sure there is a law, or there should be.

Go full in for colour! Because muted colours like greys and beiges will just mean the eye is drawn to your surroundings, not you.
You will look like a footnote in your own wedding photos.

Either blend and pick a striking autumn colour, or go for contrast.

If you want to go for contrast, blue, black and purple stand out great.

Green and pink on the other hand, much as I love them, look a bit misplaced against natures autumn colour palette.

If you want a white dress, go for it! White and ivory looks great in autumn. But remember, cream doesn’t!

And if you are unsure, you can always print out some colours and place them next to each other to see how it works, or you can ask me. Just get in touch. 

You might also find my blog about how to get the best wedding photos in autumn helpful.
It covers a few additional aspects specifically with regards to getting great photos at your autumn wedding.

Bright blessings,

 Alternative Wedding And Handfasting Photographer UK and EU