he frost is on the pumpkin, and you're getting married. According to wedding theme queen Kari White, you couldn't have picked a better season. Check out what she has to say about making your fall wedding absolutely fabulous.
"Fall is such an exciting time to have a wedding," says Kari White, creator of Unique Theme Weddings. "The air is crisp, clean, and everything feels so fresh and new!" With its wealth of outdoor beauty, autumn lends itself perfectly to a celebration made all the more elegant for its natural style and simplicity. Here are Kari's suggestions on how to make the season work for your wedding:
Location
When it comes to autumn, let the outdoors be your backdrop. Think about having your wedding reception in an apple orchard, at a vineyard, a country inn, a ranch, a bed-and-breakfast, or on a rustic farm. Even some of our national and state parks are opening their gates for the wedding trade. No matter where you go, be certain that you and your guests have a great view of the season's fiery foliage.
Color Scheme
For fall, it's a no-brainer. Use what Mother Nature offers so abundantly: Rich earth tones (browns, warm rusts, burnt oranges, deep reds, golden yellows, and greens). Cozy up table utensils and accessories by using copper and gold tones as opposed to classic silvers and pewters.
Autumn Leaves
There's something about the season that begs for brides to go hands-on and get creative. Perhaps it's because the possibilities are endless and easy. Making your own invitations is one way to cut corners. If you start early enough, you can press your own leaves. From there, it's as simple as backing them on a sturdy grain of paper and then attaching this to a better quality paper to construct the invitation. An easier method would be simply to buy good paper, several leaf motif rubber stamps, inks and go from there.
Décor
When it comes to wedding flowers, the trend is to go natural. Think wildflower and herbal bouquets, especially if there is an herb farm in your area. Besides being a great place to visit, herb farms offer an incredible variety of plants perfect for centerpieces and bouquets. And the better farms will offer classes on how to create with them as well as their own professionals who can help turn your wedding flowers into something very special.
For centerpieces and place cards think quirky. Pick up copper or silver toned buckets (Kari suggests Ikea for this) and fill them with apples and pears or acorns, pinecones and gourds. Place cards could be simple green apples with a guest's name pinned to it. Another table idea might be to fill mason jars with a grain, like cracked corn, and use them as candleholders. Decorate glass-topped tables by scattering silk leaves underneath the glass to dress up the table linen. And finally, since it is the season, how can we forget the ubiquitous pumpkin? Hollow out large ones and fill them with fruit for centerpieces. Use small ones as candleholders or expand on the jack-o-lantern theme by cutting flower and leaf designs into them. Then light them up to lend some autumn ambiance to your festivities.
Back to the Basics
When you think of the perfect fall dinner does anything other than roast turkey with all trimmings come to mind? How about pumpkin pie, homemade applesauce, and apple cider? Food possibilities for a fall nuptial abound and can be simple: Hearty chowders, roasted root vegetables, pumpkin bread, grilled sausages, autumn salads. And don't forget that grapes are one of the season's big offerings. Put out platters of grapes accompanied by a variety of cheeses and crackers. Finally, treat your guests to the season's best beers and wines.
Parting Gifts
Thank your guests with caramel apple kit favors that are simply delightful and simple to make. It's as easy as throwing an apple, a Popsicle stick, some caramels, and a recipe into a bag (the right bag, of course) all tied up with a pretty ribbon. Or, if you're a cook, who loves to put up nature's bounty, start ahead with your canning. Little gifts from the kitchen (jellies, compotes, mustards, even pickles) are sure to be a hit.
For more information on how you can make your fall wedding fabulous, visit Unique Theme Weddings.
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