When it comes to choosing your fall wedding colors, it’s important to remember that it’s not just the colors you see in nature (fiery reds, yellows, and oranges).
Fall weddings can also incorporate beautiful jewel tones and deep, dramatic hues along with stunning neutrals and earth tones, and there are so many ways to combine shades from each of these categories.
To get the planning started, we consulted with experts Annie Armstrong and Michelle Norwood to put together our favorite seasonal colors to consider for your wedding along with suggestions on what to pair them with and tips for sneaking each shade into your decor in unexpected ways.
MEET THE EXPERT
Annie Armstrong is the founder and chief designer of Best Day Ever Floral Design, a custom floral design company based in Los Angeles.
Michelle Norwood is the founder and CEO of Michelle Norwood Events, an event planning company based in New Orleans.
Cranberry
Cranberries are harvested in fall, and this hue is the perfect balance between deep red and playful pink. Armstrong suggests that subtle color pops can go a long way when included even in small ways, such as adding a ribbon on a bouquet. Pair cranberry with burgundy or black for plenty of contrast, or work it in as a splash of color with a neutral scheme.
Cornflower
Who says you can’t add a lighter blue to your fall color palette? This color is like a happier shade of denim. Cornflower is gorgeous when utilized in a colored candle or a table linen, and it pairs perfectly with so many other shades. Incorporate natural wood accents, sage greens, or even golden yellows for a stunning combination of colors.
Black
Black isn’t just reserved for tuxes. Add it to your tables with candlesticks or napkins to make your reception table that much moodier. And don’t be afraid to get creative with it. Instead of just going with the expected black-and-white combo, add in some antiqued gold and jewel tones to make your palette a little richer.
Forest Green
Forest green just screams fall, especially if you’re planning to host an outdoor soirée. But when it comes to forest green, Armstrong warns that it can be a bit tricky, and you may want to consider incorporating it in ways that won’t overdo it. A forest green candle or dark green plates are a stunning contrast to rustic woods or golds. It can also be gorgeous when paired with jewel tones such as a deep burgundy.
Taupe
We love a deep, dramatic taupe and there are so many great ways to incorporate this classic color. Pair taupe with shades of rich purple and lighter shades of gray for a sultry decor scheme. Or use it in simple ways to set the tone for other colors to really shine through.
“Utilizing a simple linen is one of the easiest things to add to set the stage and create a canvas,” Armstrong says. “A deep color will allow lighter flowers to pop against it.”
Rust
What better way to make a fall wedding feel rustic than to add a rich, rusty hue. Balanced between orange and brown, it’s the ideal way to bring a toned-down shade of orange into any theme. Norwood notes that adding rust into wedding details can make all the difference in a fall color scheme.
“Adding this tone into the floral, the cake, stationery, napkins, etc., makes the possibilities endless,” she says.
Dusty Lilac
Lilac hues are typically considered springtime favorites, but their dusty counterparts are absolutely dreamy in the fall. The muted pastel is a fresh—and unexpected—addition that plays perfectly with earth tones. We love the soft hue in lush blooms or colored candles that either melt into washed-out palettes of oatmeal and taupe or stand out among a bevy of Bordeaux and navy contrasts.
Navy
Navy can stand on its own as a focal point or be snuck into the details of decor accessories. We love the idea of lining tables with navy bud vases of varying sizes and filling them with a mix of white flowers along with persimmon, red, and crimson hues. Navy is also a gorgeous choice for a bold table linen, providing contrast to other elements on display.
Plum
Shades of purple can be tricky when it comes to fall, unless you’re going for a fun, Halloween-themed party with moody hues. But plum might just be the ideal exception, pairing perfectly with darker flowers and gorgeous greenery. Add splashes of this fall shade in the small details, such as decorative elements on your reception tables or to add contrast to your bouquet.
Apricot
Apricot may not be the first color that comes to mind when you think of fall colors. But when you use it alongside surprising pops of burgundy (like in these figs and chocolate cosmos), this typical spring color feels seasonally appropriate. Try incorporating apricot into a bouquet or a statement napkin choice.
