Simple Yet Elegant: Easy Décor Ideas for an Outdoor Fall Wedding

The beginning of the fall season is the perfect time of year to host an outdoor wedding. The colors are changing, the summer heat and humidity have dissipated, and “rustic chic” takes on an especially charming appeal.

If you’re looking to host your big day outdoors, we’re here to help with some simple decorations and tips to make planning easy without looking tacky.

1.     Embrace the Fall Color Palette

Fall is such a gorgeous time of year, and the more you lean into it, the easier your decorating will become! Choose rich jewel tones for your décor (and bridal party apparel!), such as burgundy, gold, emerald green, or orange. But be sure to add neutrals, like ivory, cream, or taupe, to avoid color spamming and balance the scene.

2.     Make Seasonal Floral Arrangements

Whether you choose live or faux flowers, tying your arrangements into the fall theme is a great choice. Seasonal flowers like chrysanthemums, sunflowers, roses, and dahlias come in various gorgeous colors and look stunning in bouquets, centerpieces, and large arrangements. Once again, balance out that riot of color with some well-placed greenery, like eucalyptus or ivy.

3.     Incorporate Nature into Your Ceremony

An outdoor ceremony is a prime opportunity to bring nature into each aspect of your scene in an elegant and visually stunning way.

First, invest in a natural arch or gazebo to create the perfect focal point for the ceremony. Cover it in flowers, greenery, or even small pumpkins to tie into the fall theme. For more visual impact at the front, add a couple of large urns filled with seasonal arrangements that tie into the flowers on your arch.

Next, line your aisles with a variety of lanterns, pumpkins or gourds, and even fall leaves. Just leave plenty of room for guests to walk and get in and out of their rows. Also, consider the width of your dress’s train to ensure you don’t catch any decorations on your way down the aisle.

Finally, be sure you have plenty of comfortable seating that complements your overall aesthetic. Don’t settle for plain plastic or folding chairs if you've gone this far. Be sure to choose something that looks fit for a wedding or that you can elevate with chair covers and some ribbon.

4.     Use Neutral and Natural Centerpieces

At the reception, incorporate lots of natural and neutral elements to bring that fall feel to the table. If it’s not too windy (or you don’t mind LED versions), candles or metal lanterns are the perfect way to create a warm and elegant atmosphere. Place them along your tables at varying heights to create visual interest. Surround them with low centerpieces, like garlands or wreaths, so that guests can interact with each other easily across the table.

But don’t be afraid to have some stand-out pieces, particularly where the food is concerned. A 3-tired dessert stand is a fabulous way to turn cupcakes, a candy bar, or other small desserts into a focal point without losing functionality, and tiered wooden trays add visual interest to any buffet.

As long as you embrace the season, fall really is one of the easiest times of year to plan an outdoor wedding! Just follow this guide, and you’ll have the perfect decorations ready to go in no time!