Autumn is right around the corner! Not only is this one of the nicest seasons of the year, it’s a popular choice for many weddings. Fall weddings can be absolutely gorgeous, and if you are having an outdoor wedding and the weather is good, you can enjoy a day that is as beautiful as the bride to be.

Today we’re going over our top five tips for fall wedding planning! With the leaves changing color and plenty of gorgeous flower options, this is a fantastic time of year to get married. Read on to find out all of our tips for planning the perfect seasonal fall wedding.

1. Take advantage of the fact that the “big” wedding season is over.
While many fall weddings do take place in September and October, the official wedding season is summer. That is when wedding vendors end up being the busiest. So if your wedding is outside that peak date, you may find that many vendors will be open to offering a discount or a lower price since it’s not in the June, July, and August wedding rush. It never hurts to ask, and if they don’t, you can either go with them anyway or find someone who will.

2. Plan for colder weather if having an outdoor wedding.
Your guests may dress seasonably, but a fall wedding does mean that the weather could turn on you if you’re having an outdoor wedding. Particularly once September has ended, you can be looking at a bit of a wild card when it comes to the weather. If you think your big day might go a bit left with the temperature or a bit of rain, have that back up plan of blankets and umbrellas to provide guests. You don’t want the big day ruined by rain or really chilly weather.

3. Consider lush colors for the autumn.
More than oranges and browns, autumn invites a totally different color palette than you would normally be able to get away with. If you love maroon and burgundy and rich purples and reds and blues, this is the time for you to shine. Whether it’s a deep cranberry, a lush green, vivid gold, a modest light pink, or bronze, there are so many amazing colors that can be channeled into decor, bridesmaids dresses, table settings, flowers, and accessories.

4. Get inspired by the fall season.
Basically, when having a fall wedding you have two choices: to play into the fact that you’re having an autumn wedding or to go with something that fits for the season but isn’t necessarily a cornucopia of seasonal accessorizing. However, if you’re going to go with the theme, then consider incorporating fall elements into your bouquets and flowers. It can be something cute like cranberries or you can just have twigs and fall flowers in there.

5. Consider incorporating autumn into the food being served.
Things like roasted squash, apple pie, pumpkin ravioli and more are all on the table. Throw in some warm or cold apple cider and a mixer to go with it, and you’ve got reception heaven, seasonal style! There are so many ways to incorporate seasonal food into your wedding, so don’t be afraid to let your imagination run wild.