Five ways to elegantly incorporate the fall season into your wedding

1. A welcome cocktail or end of the night drink incorporating fall flavors like pomegranate, pears, apples, or spice. Who doesn’t love a good cocktail? I do! Want your wedding or event to tell a complete story down to the beverages and each meal course? Fold in meaningful, tiny details at every point of the day. And if you’re looking to try some yummy drinks before your big day, there’s a delicious Pera-drop martini at my fav restaurant in Richmond, Gersi RVA. If you give it a go, get the spicy vodka rigatoni and black kale caesar while you’re at it. You won’t regret it.

2. A venue with a view. The changing foliage serve as a natural backdrop, go a long way, and easily support your design. As a fall enthusiast, I’m a bit biased but truly there’s nothing like the scenery of a fall wedding outdoors. Looking for some Richmond-based venues that give you an effortless backdrop? The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design is a perfect choice, the building and the trees in the garden do all the work for you. The Head House at MSS (not fall scenery per se but definitely a fall color palette) is also an excellent option for a Fall wedding. There are rich warm tones from the ceiling to the floors, and the window trim, very fall, very perfect. Some others that might be ideal for a fall wedding include Sabot School Gardens & Historic Estate,  Poe Museum, or Maymont Park! Let the venue do all the work!

3. In-season fall florals! The perfect fall floral does exist and it comes in the shades that you’re after. Want something with depth and texture? Something on the nose like a mum is a great option or try something more subtle like orange Cockscomb and Dahlia’s !! If mums are your style, The Market at Grelen is not only a great indoor/outdoor venue in Somerset, VA (1 hour outside of Richmond) but they also have the best mums you’ll ever find. Want some fall floral inspo? Morgan of A Morgan Floral is always dropping gems about the floral and design process and the best blooms and River City Flower Exchange has local florals. Morgan was chatting the other day on Instagram about cappuccino roses and carnations for those desiring a mauve wedding palette and *chef kiss*

4. Textiles and Texture. An embossed menu or escort card, dinner napkins, or throw blankets across your ceremony chairs, that double as a favor for guests to take home with them at the end of the night. If you’re planning for a November wedding with an outdoor ceremony, blankets offer a nice touch to keep you and your guests warm. And if you’re thinking of other ways to invite textiles and texture into your design, doing something fun with a pattern takes everything to the next level.

5. A warm fire. Nothing says fall like being cozied up by the fire and nothing beats the crackle of the flames to serenade you and your guests through dinnertime. A fire is a small touch but one that creates maximum impact. Opt for a venue with a lovely (and functional) fire place like the one at Boar’s Head Resort or a fire pit like those at Seven Springs, The Hidden Oaks, Celeste Farms, or Stonetower Winery. All excellent choices.