Tips for Planning the Perfect Fall Wedding

We love autumn weddings! (Well, we just love weddings. Period.)

Fall weddings are at once classic and elegant, but sometimes brides are at a loss as to how they can tie the bold, rich colors of fall into their wedding ceremony and reception. Here are some ideas you can use that are both traditional and contemporary:

Use A Striking Accent Color

Deep reds, browns, golds, and oranges are all beautiful colors and symbolic of autumn. But you don't have to go overboard with color. Choose just one or two of these bold accent colors paired with a soft neutral. Your accent pieces will really pop, yet the overall effect will be classy and chic. Browse our Pinwhirls pinwheel paper selections for your favorite fall colors.

Mix In a Part of the Harvest

For wedding favors and decorations, we recommended steering clear of pumpkins and gourds for your centerpieces, place settings and aisle decorations, as they are a touch cliché. Instead, try incorporating wheat, grapes, apples, and leaves into your wedding décor.

Use Warm Metallic Elements

From napkin rings to candle holders, you can use warm metallic decorations for added elegance. Copper, bronze, and gold colors add shimmer and light to your wedding and reception while keeping with your fall or autumn wedding theme.

Add the Warmth of Candlelight

Candlelight not only brings coziness and warmth to the intimate setting of your wedding, but it also enhances the room by adding a golden glow. The flickering of candles can also add movement to the setting. Go for pillar candles in the neutrals and accent colors you have chosen for your wedding.

Fall wedding planning isn't difficult. In fact, we think it's inspiring! Use your imagination to play with different combinations of fall wedding colors and then bring that palette to the rest of your wedding from the bouquets to the wedding cake!

Wedding Reception Tips

There is so much to do when it comes to planning a wedding! It's usually best to break tasks down into smaller pieces so that you can manage them more easily. Today, we're going to talk about the reception and what you can do to make your recpetion fun, beautiful, and entertaining.

Picking a Reception Venue

• Start with phone calls. Call around to find places that have availablity on the date you need, can accommodate your guest list, fits your budget, and has the ammenities you need (heat or air conditioning, dance floor, etc.)


• Once you have narrowed down your selections you absolutely must visit the venue to make sure it's a good fit before you put any money down. You might discover that it won't work with your decor or that there are other dealbreakers that make it unsuitable.


• Remember to ask about food, entertainment, parking, and restrictions. Some places don't allow outside catering, some don't allow guests to smoke, and some don't allow alcohol. You need to get the details to know if the venue will work for you and your guests.

Reception Seating Tips

• Unless you want problems at your reception, don't put bitter enemies together at the same table. That's just asking for trouble.


• Try to keep people with similar interests together. Seat people with at least one other person they know, put teens together, cousins together, etc.


• Don't stress too much about who sits at the head table. It's your wedding so it's your call. You can seat only the bride and groom together at the head table and let the rest of the wedding party sit at tables with family and friends or you can put the whole wedding party together at one table. Seat special family members or guests at the table with you if you want. It's your wedding and you should be able to enjoy it.


• Searching endlessly for tables can be awkward and unpleasant for guests and put a hitch in your party plans. Use table numbers and mark them plainly so guests can easily find their seats.


• If you feel parents, grandparents, or other special or honored guests need reserved seats, make sure you mark them plainly so that other guests know not to take those seats.


• Make your table settings special with unique wedding reception place cards and custom wedding favors.

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5 Tips for Planning a Summer Wedding

Photo courtesy Christine Lim and Ruby Yeo

Got your heart set on a summer wedding? We don’t blame you. It’s a beautiful time to say I do—whether your ceremony takes place at a picture-perfect park, at a sandy beach destination wedding, or in your own back yard garden.

Try these five tips for planning a perfect summer wedding.

Plan, plan, plan!

You won’t be the only bride arranging a summer wedding. Getting what you want sometimes means beating another couple to the deposit. We recommend planning a year ahead, if possible. Otherwise you might find that your reception venue is already booked. Also, start dress shopping immediately. You don’t want to fall in love with the perfect gown only to find you need a specially ordered size or require alterations.

Select your colors and theme.

Your life will be much easier if you select a color palette before you start shopping for bridesmaid dresses, wedding invitations, wedding favors, and flowers. It helps you narrow your choices and keeps those panicky I-can’t-make-a-decision feelings at bay. Alternatively, you might find color inspiration from a single must-have item, like a custom Pinwhirl. Bright colors are great for summer weddings, but shimmery pastels work too—especially for evening weddings. Don’t forget to select colors that will show well in pictures!

Narrow your food options.

When it comes to food, try lighter fare. You might opt for a buffet or a sit-down dinner, but don’t forget about food safety. Keep your guests’ comfort in mind if you’ll be eating outdoors. Excessive heat, bugs, and wind are all potential problems for the outdoor summer wedding. Picnics, barbecues, and seafood spreads make excellent catering choices for your summer wedding.


Choose decorations and favors.

Lots of summer weddings have cheery, whimsical themes that are perfect for favors with striking colors and fun shapes. Customized Pinwhirls make great favors, cake toppers and decorations. Set them atop your cupcakes for a fun and dramatic splash of color, or use pinwheels instead of traditional place cards for something unique.

Pick your flowers.

You shouldn’t have trouble selecting wedding flowers for a summer soiree unless you simply can’t make up your mind. There are so many beautiful flowers in season during the summer months. If your colors are bright and bold, try dahlias, roses, sunflowers, zinnias, orchids and calla lilies. If you want understated color and muted undertones, try white lilies, hydrangea, Shasta daisies, or white roses.

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To purchase items featured in this article, visit our Pinwhirls Online Shop. Brides, don’t miss out on our special offer! Learn how you can save 10% on your order.

Abby and Asher's Wedding: Pinwheels and Pennants

Abby and Asher's (pictured above) Australian wedding was just beautiful, and they were kind enough to share photos of their special day with me.

Abby opted for the do-it-yourself pinwheel kits and assembled the custom wedding favors herself. A huge task since she literally ordered hundreds. We started working together in early summer, getting the details in place for her November wedding.

Small Handheld Pinwhirls

Cupcakes with Custom Cupcake Topper Pinwheels

Handheld Pinwheels

Pinwhirl Path

Pennants Adorn the Gazebo

For more about this wedding you can visit Abby's blog, Something About Dinosaurs.
Also, many thanks to the photographers, Christine Lim and Ruby Yeo for allowing us to highlight their photos on our blog.

Browse our online shop at Pinwhirls.com for custom pinwhirls, pennants, invitations, kits, and more.