39 Fall Wedding Décor Ideas for a Perfectly Seasonal Celebration (2024)

Many people associate wedding season with the summer months, but we're here to let you in on a little secret: Fall—especially late September, October, and early November—is one of the best times of the year to say "I do." More comfortable temperatures (you're unlikely to wind up with a bitterly cold or scorchingly hot day), a reduced chance of rain, delicious menu options, and a generally cozy atmosphere are just some of the many elements that make this season so special.

What's more, fall is a naturally beautiful time of the year. There are gorgeous leaves on the trees, bright flowers (like dahlias, marigolds, and zinnias) are in full bloom, and accents like pumpkins, gourds, and fresh fruits (apples, pears, pomegranates) are readily available at the market. Your options for ceremony installations, tabletop centerpieces, and reception details are as vast as the piles of leaves accumulating on curbs across the country.

And though all that seasonal beauty is reason enough to tie the knot during the fall, we also love the cozy, casual vibe that comes along with the fall wedding season. There's something undeniably charming about this time of year, and we love seeing couples make the most of it on their autumnal big days. Are you planning a fall wedding and looking for décor inspiration? Here, we're sharing 39 decorating ideas for fall weddings that are guaranteed to make your day all the more spectacular.

30 Fall Wedding Décor Ideas for Your Head Table

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Mimic What Nature Already Offers

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At this fall wedding in Big Sur, the ceremony decorations were intentionally chosen to mimic what the surroundings naturally looks like during this time of year. Garden-stylearrangementsmade up of golden ferns, textural branches, and natural California buckwheat, created by Siren Floral Co, were arranged around an elevated wooden aisle.

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Employ a Moody Color Palette

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At this fall wedding in California, moody hues were on full display, and the result was absolutely breathtaking. Burgundy velvet chairs were arranged around wooden tables lined that had been topped with rich floral centerpieces in coordinate shades. Overhead installations of pampas grass and fresh and dried floral mixes helped reinforce the dramatic color scheme selected for the big day.

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Bring the Outdoors In

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If fall is your favorite season, we suggest going big with the foliage décor. There's no reason not to decorate nearly every surface with changing leaves, much like planner Calder Clark did here when she covered columns inside an industrial space with colorful maple leaves.

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Favor Golden Hues

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In the fall, the green leaves of summer begin to turn every color of the rainbow, including bold red, spicy orange, and golden yellow. While any of the season's hues would work beautifully as your fall wedding's primary color, we're partial to the latter: Yellow pairs nicely with so many other hues, including classic white, and strikes the right balance between masculine and feminine. Need proof? Just look at how stunning the golden yellow floral moments at this couple's Utah wedding were.

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Sit at an Eye-Catching Sweetheart Table

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You chose a fall wedding date for a reason, so go ahead and embrace the season's best colors and textures in every element of your wedding decorations. At this autumnal celebration in San Francisco, the newly-minted Mr. and Mrs. sat beneath an arch of colorful seasonal foliage and fresh flowers.

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Utilize Foliage for Your Entrance

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At this intimate Michigan wedding, a white barn served as the setting for the ceremony and reception. Floral designer Katie Wachowiak filled white urns with seasonal foliage for a subtle yet statement-making entryway. Though this installation certainly popped against the backdrop, you could make yours even more eye-catching by having your florist recreate it on a larger scale.

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Decorate With Dahlias

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If there's one flower we love most for a fall wedding, it's a dahlia—and that's true no matter where the autumnal "I dos" are taking place. Despite the fact that their wedding was held on Italy's temperate Amalfi Coast, the happy couple still asked florist Flower Addicted to top tables with in-season dahlias that coordinated with the rest of their color palette.

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Utilize the Season's Changing Foliage as Much as Possible

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The ever-changing hues of autumnal foliage are a boon for couples planning nuptials during this season, so play up those textures and warm colors where ever possible. After all, wedding flowers are expensive, so if you can utilize what's in-season—perhaps even what's right outside your own back door—to create fuller, more dynamic arrangements, why wouldn't you? Incorporate fresh foliage into the day's décor details, such as the escort card display, your reception centerpieces, and even the ceremony altar itself. We're particularly fond of how this organic structure makes a statement while also blending into the environment.

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Layer Rugs to Create a Cozy Aesthetic

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At this tented wedding on a farm in Virginia, a floatingchuppah, designed byAmaryllis Floral & Event Design, served as the focal point of the ceremony, but we can't get enough of the other autumnal details. Layered rugs served as the aisle, lending a cozy feeling to the space, while dried arrangements of hydrangeas flanked either side.

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Say "I Do" to a Rustic Setting

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When it comes to weddings, "rustic" style often gets a bad rap. If visions of mason jar-topped tables and hay bale seating come to mind for you, we're here to set the record straight: It's entirely possible to plan a chic, elevated wedding that still speaks to the organic, relaxed nature of the rustic vibe. At this wedding ceremony, that balance was perfectly achieved. Bench seating, warm blankets, and natural accents of greenery were perfect foils for the barn backdrop.

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Choose Seasonal Colors and Textures for Your Lounge

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While this is good advice for every part of your autumnal wedding setup, we especially love when couples choose seasonal colors and textures for their reception lounges. After all, sumptuous velvets and rich colors, like orange and burgundy, will invite guests to sit and relax.

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Decorate With Branches

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Tying the knot indoors and wondering how to bring the best of autumn inside? There's no reason why all that stunning foliage can't come inside, as evidenced by this simple yet impactful ceremony setup. We love how the warm hue of the branches coordinates with the room's worn brick walls and wooden window paneling.

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Create a "Harry Potter"-Inspired Setup

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There are few movie scenes more magical than Halloween at Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. If you're a fan of the films, or if you just love cozy decorations, create a reception setup that looks more like the Great Hall than a traditional wedding venue. Long tables topped with lots of glowing pillar candles will immediately remind your guests of the best parts of fall.

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Turn Warming Blankets Into Décor

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Cozy layers are one of the best parts about the fall season, so why not bring them into your autumn wedding? If you're tying the knot outside, decorate ceremony seating with warming blankets that can also serve as décor. Here, white blankets were monogramed and draped over wooden chairs for both comfort and style.

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Play Up Tree Motifs

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There are few things more glorious in the fall than a grove of changing Aspen trees, which is why this couple made sure to put them on full display at their laid-back wedding in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. A bar made from Aspen trunks, as seen here, is a great option for any fall wedding, but you can also use whatever tree is native to your destination.

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Decorate With Both Fresh and Dried Floral Elements

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Our wishlist for every fall wedding? Floral installations that rely on rich, dramatic colors and layered, nuanced textures. In short, it's everything that was selected for this stunning outdoor wedding ceremony. Pampas grass, palm fronds, bougainvillea, dahlias,baby’s breath, and roses were artfully arranged to create unbelievable space for the bride and groom to say "I do."

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Bring in Pops of Red

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Bold red hues are common in the fall, and they're surprisingly easy to work into your wedding décor. Consider adding the color in small, impactful ways, such as on your reception tables through taper candles, pomegranates, and dahlias.

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Create a Farm-to-Table Installation

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We're always fans of a farm-to-table menu, but with all the produce in season, why not make a show of it? This couple made their own market—named T + F after their first initials—at co*cktail hour, and it made for a unique photo backdrop.

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Put Pumpkins to Work

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If you don't gravitate towards the look of a pumpkin-filled ceremony and reception, consider using gourds in smaller, more impactful ways. At this celebration, mini white pumpkins stood in as escort cards; it's a subtle nod to the season that doesn't feel too overdone.

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Go Big With Installations of Foraged Leaves and Flowers

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Flower Addictedtransformed a venue in Italy into an autumnal dream space by building a hanging installation of dried foraged leaves and fresh flowers. This setup is proof that, no matter where you're tying the knot, it's entirely possible to bring the autumnal aesthetic to life on your big day.

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Let Your Favors Pull Double Duty as Seasonal Décor

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If you're giving out seasonal wedding favors—like candy or caramel apples—create a display station that can also serve as a decorative element for the day. A rustic cart like this one is guaranteed to turn heads.

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Brand Your Games for the Season

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Though you can certainly plan an ultra-formal fall wedding, more casual events just feel right during this season. One of our favorite ways to bring the spirit of autumn into your big day is by having games at co*cktail hour. Add some branding that speaks both to the time of the year (in this case, dried flower illustrations) and your initials for an eye-catching decorative detail.

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Create an Installation With Dried Blooms

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You can use dried blooms all year long, but they feel especially fitting for fall weddings. At this couple's magical celebration in the Utah desert, a seating installation was created alongside a wall of dried flowers.

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Let Your Backdrop Shine

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If you're getting married somewhere with plenty of trees, don't try to bring in details that will overpower what's already there. Instead, choose décor that allows the beauty of nature to shine. This simple ceremony setup, complete with ghost chairs and wooden benches, is the perfect example of fall wedding decorations done right.

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Make the Setting Cozy

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Guest comfort is important all year long, but if you're tying the knot when temperatures can be a bit cooler, it's crucial to pay extra attention to how your attendees might feel throughout the party. Everyone spends a great deal of time at their dinner table, so providing blankets that serve both as décor and a warming favor will help keep everyone happy.

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Build Impactful Moments, Whether Big or Small

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We love a full lounge area, but it's not always necessary depending on the size of your guest list. If you want to build out a spot for attendees to sit that highlights some of the season's best details but don't need multiple couches and chairs, take note of this petite setup at a wedding in Wisconsin. Plaid blankets were draped over chairs and tons of gourds were stacked to create a perfectly autumnal spot for guests to take a breather.

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Play With Produce

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We love a nuanced, textured wedding tablescape at any time of the year, but especially during the fall. This setup, with its yellow and blue color combination, stunning floral centerpieces, and persimmon accents, is a lesson in how to expertly layer different elements to create an eye-catching seasonal reception display.

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Make Your Bar Thematic

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You don't have to have Halloween-inspired elements at your fall wedding, but you certainly can if you'd like! Want to bring witches and wizards to life in more elevated way? Take note of the bar at this elegant Austin wedding, which was inspired by the couple's mutual love of Harry Potter. It's a subtle but fun nod to the season.

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Embrace the Bare Table

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Every detail of this table—from the orange blooms to the wooden cross-back chairs—feels like the epitome of fall. If we had to choose a favorite piece, though, we'd say it's the rustic base that really ties it all together.

The Ultimate Guide to Fall Weddings

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Go With a Pumpkin Runner

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No, we're not saying you have to plan a pumpkin-filled bash (though you certainly can if you're a big fan of the gourd!), but they do have their place in autumnal nuptials. Incorporate them as subtly or overtly as you'd like. We love that this mixture of mini ones (in shades of blue, gold, orange, and white) plays so nicely with matte china and antique-looking charger sets by Casa de Perrin.

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Transform Your Bar Into a Focal Point

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Match the signature co*cktails to the rest of the décor—that way, you can put the ingredients on display (in chic, minimalistic vessels) without the bar feeling cluttered. We're obsessed with this perfect pairing of bright flowers and light wood.

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Incorporate Rustic Accents

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This tablescape feels mismatched yet cohesive thanks to vintage china, wooden chargers, and wildflowers. The finishing touch? Bandanna napkins tied in a knot. A similar look would be ideal for your own autumnal wedding.

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Get Creative With Lighting

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The sun sets earlier in the fall so good lighting at your wedding is a must-have, but that doesn't mean it can't look beautiful, too. At this reception, the couple arranged tall taper candles (in a fun color) beneath an installation of Edison bulbs that were hung amongst flowers and lots of fall foliage.

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Incorporate Natural Elements

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Think beyond foliage when adding natural elements (such as natural wood, cotton, and grasses) to your wedding décor. This bundle of cotton goes perfectly with the rustic vibe of fall weddings, yet the acrylic pedestal makes it feel decidedly chic and elevated.

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Reinvent the Flower Wall

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The bar is one of the most popular spots at a wedding reception, so why not make it the focal point? We love the idea of covering it with something unexpected, as floral designer Saipua did here with dried blooms and branches that spoke perfectly to the season.

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Make Your Getaway Ride Part of the Day's Décor

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If you're already planning a special wedding exit, let your getaway car become part of the day's décor. This vintage truck made for one pretty autumnal photo op during the party.

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Give Your Guests Something to Look At

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When you're tying the knot in the fall—especially in the weekends when the local foliage is at its peak—create moments that encourage your guests to take in the beauty of what's around them. At this wedding, simple white lounge furniture was positioned facing a grove of changing trees, letting attendees soak up autumn in all her glory.

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Showcase Seasonal Blooms

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Whether it's in your wedding bouquet or on top of the reception tables, we love the idea of highlighting just one type of in-season flower. A bundle of white mums, as seen here, is a great choice, but you can recreate this look with any in-season variety (like marigolds or dahlias).

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Decorate With Mini Pumpkins

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Planning a destination wedding this fall? Known that autumnal accents are universal, so if you want to bring the spirit of the season into your far-flung celebration, you absolutely should. Case in point? This couple's elegant nuptials in Portugal, where variegated mini pumpkins were added to fill negative space on the reception tables.

39 Fall Wedding Décor Ideas for a Perfectly Seasonal Celebration (2024)

FAQs

What is a timeless wedding theme? ›

Greenery, white roses, elegant wedding dresses, beautiful table settings, chic invitations, and more!

How do you do an outdoor fall wedding? ›

Integrate decor like leaves, apples, and decorative pumpkins into table centerpieces. Decorate with lanterns, pinecones, and seasonal flowers like sunflowers and dahlias. Beverages like cider, lattes, and mulled wine pair well with fall-themed attire to create an unforgettable outdoor wedding scene.

What do you wear to a fall wedding? ›

The appropriate attire for an outdoor fall wedding would typically be semi-formal or formal attire. For men, this could include a suit or sport coat with dress pants and a button-up shirt. Women may opt for a co*cktail dress or a dressy skirt and blouse.

What colors are best for a fall wedding? ›

You can also take color inspiration from the changing leaves and go with an autumn orange, mustard yellow, or deep maroon. Want a more muted look? Opt for a charcoal or caramel gown, or even consider a sophisticated black dress (that's right, you can wear black to a wedding). The options are truly limitless!

What color suits for a fall wedding? ›

What suit colors work best for a fall wedding? Suits in rich tones like emerald green, burgundy, brown, charcoal, navy, and black are always a fitting choice for an autumn wedding. Patterns like plaid, check, and pinstripes also work well for fall ceremonies.

How do I find the perfect wedding theme? ›

Think About Your Personal Style. Your wedding should be a reflection of you and your partner's personalities and interests. Think about the things you both love and use that as inspiration for your wedding theme. If you're both avid travellers, a wanderlust theme could be perfect.

What makes a wedding classy? ›

Every elegant wedding should have a few key things: a cohesive, well-planned color scheme, impeccably styled decor, and polished fashion.

How do I make my wedding look classy? ›

Play into a black and white color palette by offsetting black vases with white flowers and greenery for your classic wedding centerpieces. Look for urn-style vases with ornate details and carvings, rather than glass or metal, which skew more modern.

What time should a fall wedding start? ›

In this case I'd recommend a 5:00 ceremony if you're having a ceremony no longer than 30 minutes. This means for the post-ceremony time, you'll have the remaining sunset light for gorgeous bride and groom portraits. Without a first look, you should consider a ceremony start time no later than 4:00.

What time should a fall wedding be? ›

If your wedding is in the SPRING or FALL (late March-May and September-October), your ceremony time should be begin around 5-6 pm. The sun sets around 7:30 pm late spring and early fall and around 6:30pm in early spring and late fall.

Can you use greenery for fall wedding? ›

Also, when you add greenery and foliage to your wedding's details, ensure that you match the colors, try to look for deep shades, including yellow and brown along with green. An early fall wedding is fun with flowers, but including leaves in your wedding decor is even better!

What is the least popular month to get married? ›

If you're looking to save money on your wedding date, consider getting married in January, February, or November. These are typically the least popular months for weddings, which means vendors and venues may offer discounts to attract business.

What is the best color for a wedding in October? ›

The brilliant hues seen outdoors during October often inform couples' color palettes. Bright orange, deep red, and golden yellow hues match the seasonal foliage and look striking when painted across a wedding venue, while dark green mirrors the rolling hills of a vineyard.

Is it inappropriate to wear black to a fall wedding? ›

Consider The Season

If the wedding is outdoors, it simply may be too hot to wear black. Skip a black dress for a cooler color that will reflect the sun. In fall or winter, darker colors like black are more appropriate.

What do you wear to an outdoor fall country wedding? ›

For your wedding guest dress, think of earth tones or warm hues, especially for Fall and Winter rustic weddings. Men can opt for dark brown or dark green suits or ties to be on theme. Women can focus on a natural mix of earth tones across tights, cardigans, dresses, skirts, and pants.

How to decorate outside for fall? ›

20 Outdoor Fall Décor Ideas That Will Elevate Your Home for the...
  1. 01 of 20. Display Chrysanthemums. ...
  2. 02 of 20. Hang String Lights. ...
  3. 03 of 20. Decorate With Hay. ...
  4. 04 of 20. Plant Seasonal Flowers. ...
  5. 05 of 20. Make a Foraged Wreath. ...
  6. 06 of 20. Make a Miniature Pumpkin Patch. ...
  7. 07 of 20. Display a Doormat. ...
  8. 08 of 20.
Sep 29, 2023

How can I make my outdoor wedding beautiful? ›

Utilize natural elements: Take advantage of the beauty of your outdoor location by incorporating natural elements into your decor. Use wildflowers, leaves, branches, and stones to create simple, yet elegant centerpieces and decorations.

Is October too cold for an outdoor wedding? ›

Where we are in Northern California, Summer temps are 90-100 degrees, while Winter temps are typically in the upper 40s through 50s. In October, it can be as warm as 75 or as cool as 65, which I think is perfect.

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