10 Tips for a Great Fall Wedding

1)  With fall weather, you never know what you're going to get here in Michigan's thumb. If your ceremony will be outdoors, consider having a party tent and outdoor heaters on hand to keep everyone warm and dry

2) Speaking of weather, hot beverages are a great way to stay warm when the weather turns cool. Consider serving guests comforting favorites such as hot chocolate or apple cider.

3) Dress for your location. Long trains won't look stunning for long if they're being dragged down a muddy trail. Shorter dresses are a bit unconventional, but won't end up covered in mud before the ceremony ends. However, they can be chilly in fall weather. One option is to plan ahead by covering areas that are prone to wetness with mulch or outdoor rugs that will keep moisture and debris off of clothing.

4) Many couples choose flowers for their bouquet and decor based on the meaning of the blooms. Couples may find that fall flowers such as Camellia (which signifies desire, passion, and refinement), Chrysanthemums (which signify fidelity, joy, and long life), or delicate Yarrow flowers (which symbolize eternal love) are a great way to incorporate meaning and well-wishes into their special day.

5) Embrace the season and carry the fall theme into your wedding invitations. Many couples choose to add wording that informs guests that the ceremony will be outdoors and reminds them to prepare for weather-related possibilities.

6) Incorporate bright fall colors into your wedding decorations. Whether your wedding is inside or out, these colors can create a space where guests feel comfortable yet energized.

7) Where possible, bring the outdoors into your indoor location with fall-themed items such as fall flowers, leaves, vines, and branches, and fall food decorative accents like apples or pumpkins. If you want the look of fall leaves without the mess, brightly colored fall leaf fabric look-alikes can be purchased online or at party supply or craft stores.

8) When possible layer clothing for outdoor ceremonies. You may have reminded your guests to dress warmly, but the bride and groom will want to be comfortable too. Finding layers that work with the bride and groom's ceremonial attire can be difficult, but the time spent working out the perfect way to stay warm in the event the temperature cools can be well worth it. Layering helps both bride and groom focus on making one of the most important memories of their life, instead of being distracted by a chill.

9) Plan on taking pictures well before the sun is down. With the sun setting earlier every day during this season, couples often take for granted how much time they will have to capture beautiful outdoor fall photos with their family and bridal party. Couples caught taking photos after the sun starts to set may not be able to get the photos they dreamed of and may find that the temperature has dropped considerably making it harder to stay on the shoot.

10) Many nature-loving couples are embracing a leave-no-trace philosophy of outdoor adventure. Consider carrying this mindset over to your special day as well by choosing earth-friendly table settings, making sure that there are plenty of trash receptacles for guests to use (and that someone is put in charge of emptying them if they get too full!), and ask guests to help you keep your beautiful outdoor space beautiful by embracing the leave-no-trace philosophy.