Three things to consider when planning a wedding in Autumn 

If you’re planning a wedding in Autumn there’s a few things you need to consider:

1. Sunset.

Between deciding when to start your ceremony and how to capture your dream photos, when (and maybe even how) the sun sets should drive your entire wedding day timeline. And although pre-wedding photos are pretty much a given these days, if you want my advice, you’ll want to think about how to make room for 90% of your portraits before your ceremony. And trust me as sophisticated as the best photographers are, nothing beats the beauty of natural light. So if capturing the mountains and vineyards or architecture of your venue matters to you, plan ahead for the sunset on your Autumn wedding day.

2. The weather.

Fall is supposed to be perfect for weddings. Not too hot. Not too cold. But if you’re getting married in the South East (or anywhere for that matter), you also know Fall is unpredictable. Extreme heat out of nowhere as if it’s the month of July or frigid wind, offering up winter wonderland in October, or worse, the quagmire of wedding day weather, rain. So if you’re planning for an outdoor ceremony or cocktail hour you may want to plan for the weather. My advice? Over plan. Always have a Plan B for your ceremony of cocktail hour that you love as much if not more than your ceremony plan. And if you must land somewhere in between, tent your wedding, rent the heated lamps, purchase blankets or umbrellas, just in case. It’s a nuisance if you don’t need something but if you do, you’ll be glad that you had a plan.

3. Tis’ the seasons.

The final quarter of the year can be busy, hectic, and costly for the average person approaching the holidays not to mention if you’re planning a wedding. But, if you’re wedded to Autumn (and don’t worry no need to convince me), think about creative ways to build in rest, relaxation, fun, or even lean all the way into the fall season during your wedding weekend. Rent a house for your immediate family and the wedding party. Host a welcome party with a fair or carnival theme. Hire a stellar band. Schedule a farewell brunch. Make the most out of your time with your guests. Want to really make your Autumn wedding an experience? Host a destination wedding (these days destination can include a domestic location too). While people typically expect and plan for a smaller guest count at a destination wedding, choosing a destination for your Autumn wedding can also help people make the most of their end of the year travel plans.