Falling for Trends in Fall Weddings
As another hot summer came to an end, many brides are now eager to embrace the cooler temps of fall for their wedding. However, many brides looking to incorporate traditional red and gold colors in their wedding flowers and décor—easily found in the North in fall—are finding those same colors all but nonexistent in nature in the South during the same season. For these brides, autumn-colored flowers can still be had for a higher price, although these brides should be aware that current fall wedding trends have moved away from traditional dark fall colors to much lighter colors, with most requests easily accommodated to create dream fall weddings for brides located throughout the South.
When it comes to fall weddings and décor, trends show that many brides in Indian River County (IRC) are moving away from maroon, gold, and green, which have been traditionally favored in autumn color palettes. Today’s brides and their requests are trending away from the darker colors in favor of pink, peach, orange, and coral. This trend is rising fast in popularity, as evidenced by requests of florists in IRC for wedding flowers and décor in a wide range of those four colors. In agreement are wedding experts outside of IRC, who have also noted similar color requests among brides in other areas of the country as well.
According to Bobbi Gomez, manager at Hutchinson’s Floral Artistry, most brides with planned fall weddings are requesting lighter colors in the flowers for their wedding, as well as their complementary wedding décor.
“This year, we have not had as many requests for the traditional darker fall colors. Instead, brides want flowers like ranunculus, peonies, roses, and orchids in shades of pink, peach, orange, and coral. They all seem to want much brighter colors now, versus the darker ones that were more popular in the past,” Gomez said.
Adding to Gomez’s comment is Lara Andrews, owner of Lara’s Theme, a floral and event planning company located in IRC. She pointed out the popularity of another color trend that is growing in today’s requests for wedding flowers and décor items.
“A lot of brides want to use blue now in their wedding flowers, which we’ve noticed a lot more of in the last two years. There are still several colors that will always remain popular with certain flowers like roses, but for now, we’re getting more requests for blue to be used both in wedding flowers and in matching wedding décor,” Andrews noted.
For fall weddings that will be held indoors, there are fewer precautions floral arrangers need to follow, as weather is not a factor. But for weddings that will be held outdoors, wedding experts suggest brides choose flowers that can withstand the weather conditions of the season. Just as in the hottest months flowers need to be kept cool and hydrated until just before the ceremony or service, flowers for weddings held in cooler temps also need to be kept in the appropriate temperature until they are moved for use or display prior to the wedding event. By ensuring the necessary temperature, florists assert wedding flowers can be at their best and easily last throughout the wedding, photos, and any additional events held on the same day.
An additional trend also being seen now in weddings is the use of fruit in wedding décor. Wedding experts opine that because people are traveling more they want to include more culinary aspects of their trips in their weddings. Hutchinson’s Gomez said, “We’re seeing a lot more fruit on the tables and as décor in weddings and receptions, specifically with food that is reminiscent of areas that wedding couples have traveled to before getting married.”
Lara Andrews added, “We are also seeing a lot more food as décor in weddings, and fruit is very big now as people want their travel memories evident in food items as table décor. The most popular items we’re seeing are things like pears and apples on plates as edible table décor in the fall, as well as grapes, strawberries, and cherries in table displays of food. We even had someone use 300 pumpkins as wedding décor, as well as another couple who used a tomatoes as a way to incorporate memories from Italy into their wedding and décor.”
Along with wedding décor and tablescapes, many couples are also adding the same food items used as décor into their wedding reception dinners. Wedding experts point out that this allows the couple to share their food references and preferences with the wedding guests invited to share the meal.
No matter whether couples stand on tradition with dark-colored flowers and seasonal ingredients for a fall wedding or if they choose to embrace lighter flowers and food that has special travel memories attached, the most important thing to remember about fall weddings is the couple themselves. How they fell for each other and vow to continue to fall in love every day for many autumns to come.
Photo courtesy of George Street Photo
Photo courtesy of Bethany Micaela
Photo courtesy of Birds of a Feather
