Decorating Your Fall Reception
Spring and early summer may be traditional wedding seasons, but fall is one of our favorite times to host! September, October, and November are now some of the most popular months for weddings, and it's no secret why. Fall is the best time for a wedding if you love moody color palettes, jewel tones, cool weather, and cozy decor.
We're here to give you tips and tricks on embracing autumn, with practical options for color schemes, decor, and reception activities perfect for the season. Check out how brides at Brandywine have styled our venue for their fall weddings!
Warm Colors
Want an autumnal color palette and a bright, airy feel? These warm tones make for the quintessential fall palette. Mix rust, mauve, and sage tones with creams and beiges for a classic wedding feel with an autumnal twist.
Wood accents will give your reception a warm, rustic feel, while tablecloths in your color palette can add more bright centerpieces without going overboard on centerpieces. These warm palettes especially welcome lots of floral decor. Layer flowers and greenery on your cake, table centerpieces, and floral wall--the more the merrier!
Get Cozy
Embrace autumn's cozy vibes and provide your guests with blankets that coordinator with your wedding palette. They'll help your guests stay warm in colder months and be a cute addition to your decorations. Put them in a basket for guests to grab as they enter the reception, or drape them on chairs for additional decor and texture.
Jewel Tones
Looking for lux vibes? Rich jewel tones like emerald, ruby, and sapphire and dark, heavy fabrics like velvet add texture and depth for an elegant, formal reception. Choose one bold, statement color and fill in the rest of your palette with neutrals; or for an eclectic, maximalist feel, use multiple complementary jewel tones and ditch the neutrals.
Large, floral centerpieces and accents will add drama, while toning down floral accents and using animal prints will complement a more rustic or boho style. Add in metal accents to elevate the aesthetic and contrast with the bold, dark tones.
Bonfires & S'mores
Brandywine has the perfect set-up for fall staples like a bonfire. Our hand-built, stone fire pit is a great addition to any autumn event. Its cozy atmosphere and warm mood lighting make it the perfect backdrop for photos once the sun has set.
Set up the fire pit as a quiet conversation area for you and your guests away from the dance floor, or make it a centerpiece of your reception. Add to the cozy fall vibes with a s'mores or hot chocolate bar with a variety of chocolates and marshmallows.
Halloween & Moody Hues
If your wedding date falls near the end of October, you have the perfect opportunity to throw a themed party. Feature pumpkins in your decor, embrace orange tones, and place lanterns and candles around the venue.
Go traditional with black and orange, ghosts, and spooky decor; or go dramatic and glam with dark fabrics, black candles, and moody florals. Choose burgundy, navy, and deep orange hues, with mixed metal accents for this upscaled look. Play up rich florals, and welcome these dark, dramatic color schemes.
Boho & Rustic Vibes
Keep it simple with a limited color palette and a focus on woodsy decor for a rustic style. Let the covered barn itself be your statement piece, and display simple, minimal decor so the forest background can shine through. Candles are an inexpensive, easy accent to add, and are a great complement to fall's early sunsets.
Elements like pampas grass and simple, subtle greenery are the perfect accents for a boho aesthetic. Mix textures and patterns and focus on creams and beiges in your color palette with pops of muted colors to lean into the boho feel.
Whether you want an upscale, lux reception, or a down-to-earth, rustic or boho reception, you have endless options at Brandywine. Check out our wedding gallery for even more inspiration and to see everything our venue has to offer!