If traditional spring and summer weddings just aren’t your style, fall just may be the perfect time to tie the knot. Moodier, bolder, and more rustic than warmer months, fall weddings gather their inspiration from the rich colors of the changing leaves and the warm spices that flavor your favorite holiday foods.
When most people think “fall wedding,” they probably picture a quaint, cozy aesthetic, drawing inspiration from both nature and fantasy alike. However, fall weddings can be so much more! And as we look ahead to the fall of 2023, here are the most significant trends we’re seeing!
1. Destination Weddings
As COVID restrictions have decreased over the last year, weddings have seen an increase in size and scope—expect that trend to continue well into 2023. Weddings are predicted to become more extravagant and expensive like they were pre-pandemic.
With travel guidelines loosening, keep your eyes peeled for an uptick in destination weddings, especially at scenic October hot spots like upstate New York, the Cotswolds in England, or the Ozark Mountains, where fall foliage comes alive during the autumnal months, painting a picturesque landscape like no other!
Photo: Julieta Amezcua
2. Whimsical, Fairytale Lighting
Fall marks the start of spooky season, and nothing quite highlights Halloween's mystery and fantasy like moody candles and whimsical lights. Think Hogwarts meets Snow White. Floating lights, flickering candles, and fantasy elements create a romantic setting, illuminating the venue as the sun sets.
Photo: White on Black Studio
3. Dark, Bold, and Rustic Colors
Fall is the perfect time to go bold or go home. This less traditional wedding time offers the ideal chance to make a statement with your color palette. Reds, burgundies, coppers, and other warm neutrals add a moody, dark, romantic element to wedding décor. For some color inspiration, check out Pantone’s 2023 color of the year, Viva Magenta.
Photo: Sara Fitz
4. Coastal Grandma Florals
One of the biggest and most unexpected fashion trends of 2022 was coastal Grandma chic (think Diane Keaton in Something’s Gotta Give). Last year, we also saw an uptick in dried wedding floral arrangements such as pampas grass and thistles, with some influencers going so far as to install Pampas Grass Christmas trees (TBD if this maybe-fire-hazard-trend has burned anyone’s house down yet). All that to say, expect fall 2023 weddings to draw inspiration from more muted, coastal-inspired colors.
Photo: BuketisFloralDesign / Etsy
5. Festive Desserts
Couples are opting to ditch the fancy cake in favor of less traditional dessert arrangements instead. Consider fall-inspired sweets such as apple pie, pumpkin spice bread, caramel apples, and bourbon pecan cupcakes. We expect to see a lot of brides forgo the expensive wedding cake for fall 2023 in favor creating elaborate dessert displays of assorted finger foods.
Photo: Sadie Lynn
6. Rustic Style Venues
Barns, vineyards, and orchards have been on trend for years now, and they will continue to be in fall of 2023. These locations provide the perfect backdrop for the changing fall colors, playing beautifully off red and copper wedding color palettes. Raw wood and bohemian touches mesh wonderfully with pumpkins and other fall décor, giving an earthy, timeless vibe.
Photo: Connection Photography
Don’t Be Afraid to Do What’s Right for You
Your wedding should be your choice. So while these trends are certainly great for generating ideas, they’re by no means necessary to complete your fall 2023 wedding! Do what feels best for you, and don’t be afraid to have fun this fall. If you need help finding the perfect dress for your fall nuptials, now is the perfect time to get started. We’d love to help!