Autumn hits a bit differently than the other seasons. Whether it’s the crisp chill in the air, readying you for a season of cozy firepit gatherings, or the memory of fresh starts characterized by sharp pencils and notebooks waiting to be filled in, fall is a season to treasure relationships (with a pumpkin spice latte in hand, of course).
It’s also the most popular time on the calendar for couples to get married, with more weddings taking place during this season than any other. These nuptials offer decorating options with deep, rich colors and textures for flowers, dresses, and themes.
“Fall weather is perfect for weddings, and the foliage this time of year makes a beautiful background for photos,” says Jamie Mussolini, destination wedding planner and founder of Beachfronts Travel.
Every wedding is a reflection of the couple’s personalities and tastes, Mussolini says, and with the many personalized options available, a fall wedding can be even more special.
“Couples want to have something unique that people remember from their wedding,” she says.
Whether you’re the bride or groom planning the big day or an attendant or attendee looking for the perfect present for the couple, these 32 customized fall wedding ideas — from favors to gifts — will add an unforgettable touch to this (hopefully) once-in-a-lifetime occasion.
Save the dates
The first item sent to guests sets the tone for the occasion, says Debra Thompson, founder of Weddings by Debra. Whether your fall wedding theme is an elegant early evening autumn party or you want a farm-to-table reception, you can highlight your style with customizable options.
A wood carving save the date magnet might say to guests that you’re hosting a fun, chic barn bash, whereas a photo save the date card allows you to include a picture of yourselves dressed in formal attire that hints at an upscale autumn wedding.
Wedding decor
As guests walk into the reception, have them sign a personalized canvas print. Featuring the first initial of the new couple’s shared last name, it’s available in 16 colors, including the classic fall colors brown, copper, and burgundy.
At the bar, set out personalized photo coasters for guests to take with them to a high-top cocktail table or their main seat at the reception. Wedding advice card coasters ask guests to offer tips to the happy couple. Make sure to provide permanent markers in autumn shades so friends and family can give guidance to the newly married couple.
For any and all tables at the reception, and even at the wedding ceremony, a monogram table runner is another way to customize decor with your new family monogram or first names with the wedding date.
Hand-painted black, cream, or orange pumpkins offer an elevated take on an expected fall decoration. These could be used for a centerpiece at every table or on one main table, in the entryway, or even as a surprise element in the bathroom.
Cutting the cake
For one of the most treasured wedding traditions, a personalized cake cutting set is a must. Consider this nickel-plated stainless steel one, which can be engraved with the couple’s names and a one-line message.
If the bride and groom are using gold tones in their fall wedding colors, this engraved cake server set option will work nicely with their decor.
Flowers
Fall offers the option of the colors of the season to be built into the wedding as well as the attire of the bridesmaids, Mussolini says. “I like a hint of orange and coral, browns, and jade green,” she says.
If the duo is planning a more typical fall celebration, they can adorn the reception tables with a fall floral arrangement featuring autumn-colored roses, sunflowers, and bronze daisy poms.
For a centerpiece, a couple celebrating a fall wedding might choose jewel tones complemented with pops of white. They also might permit guests to take one of the gorgeous, smaller bouquets home with them as a wedding favor.
Thompson also suggests incorporating the bounty of the fall harvest in addition to flowers: “Opt for pumpkin pie versus just pumpkins on the tables, and fruits and vegetables and fall foliage for centerpieces instead of only floral and candles.”
Wedding favors
Giving friends and relatives a parting present as they leave the celebration is a moment when a couple can really place their stamp on the day. A vanilla-scented mason jar candle is a gift that will last, remind guests of an evening of love, and emits a fragrance that’s universally appealing. Add a personalized matchbox so guests can light the candle once they get home.
If you want to send attendees home with something sweet, order personalized candy bar wrappers and place them over a standard chocolate bar. Or pack a personalized party bag with buttercream pumpkin cookies.
Bridal party gifts
The members of the wedding party deserve some love, too. While the ladies get ready together, they can wear matching embroidered kimono robes, or, for fancier groups, personalized satin robes. Thompson likes giving the ladies something they can wear again, such as a button-up shirt or custom jean jacket.
Brides might like their bridesmaids to wear matching jewelry to the wedding. A necklace with a personalized message card will be a sweet memory of the day she stood by her best friend, sister, or cousin. For an extra special touch, give each bridesmaid and maid of honor a personalized jewelry case.
Guys might be a smidge harder to buy for, so stick with something you know they will use: a personalized beer mug or whiskey glass.
Guest experience
When hosting a day-long affair, or perhaps a multi-day event or destination wedding, creating personalized welcome bags for your guests is a wise and also thoughtful move. Start with a personalized wedding shopping bag (it comes in a variety of colors, including gold and cherry), and then pack it with comfortable footwear for when they get tired of dancing, Mussolini says. They will be appreciated even if there’s a chill in the air. Snacks like mini bags of popcorn and bottles of water (with personalized labels of course!) are always welcome items as well.
And don’t forget to give guests something to do at the wedding reception besides eat amazing food and drink specialty cocktails with punny names. Get a rustic photo backdrop and Polaroid camera for photo ops.
Keepsakes and mementos
The bride and groom will want to take as many items home with them from the big day as they can. A handsome custom leather guestbook in a rich autumn tan color provides multiple functions: It allows guests to write their favorite memories of the couple and gives the newlyweds a cherished keepsake of the occasion. Put it in a prominent place, Thompson says, so as many guests as possible sign it.
When the fall wedding is complete, the couple can choose their favorite photos from the day and showcase them in engraved photo frames. This gorgeous silver frame from Mariposa is just right for the occasion. (In fact, everything in its String of Pearls wedding collection is perfect for guests looking to buy a gift for the couple.)
The best photos will be saved for frames for their new home, but an engraved silver photo album will hold the rest of the couple’s photographic memories. If the couple doesn’t receive such an album as a gift, they should consider buying one for themselves, as the photos and memories contained within are priceless and heartwarming.
Gift ideas for guests
A custom wedding gift cannot be beat. These can be anything from an embroidered afghan (perfect for chilly nights) to a personalized hurricane. Other fall wedding gifts that are sure to wow include an engraved chiller and ice bucket (throw in a bottle of sparkling wine for good measure!), a beaded clutch (a special gift just for the bride), and personalized hardwood cutting boards (a must have for any newly married couple).
