Planning a Fall Wedding

Fall is a wonderful and underrated season for weddings. Colors range from golden yellows, oranges, and reds to earthy greens or browns hearkening to the ever-changing foliage. The weather is usually cool without freezing, and natural decor abounds with leaves, pumpkins, and gourds.

The great outdoors offers the perfect autumnal backdrop for a wedding. State parks and forest preserves provide a colorful setting to exchange nuptials. If you don't have access to the perfect fall setting or want to stay warm and dry indoors, don't sweat it. Silk leaves add a colorful effect and can even be used instead of flower petals for the flower girls.

Fall produce such as corn (maze), apples, pumpkins, gourds, bittersweet, and even dried oranges are inexpensive centerpiece fillers. Ball or Mason canning jars are readily available at local stores and can be filled with flowers, branches, or goodies to make a rustic or country style centerpiece.

Fall food is savory and fresh from the harvest or farmer's market. Apples from the orchard and pumpkins from the patch provide inspiration for some of the tastiest foods and drinks: apple cider, apple spice cake, candy apples, pumpkin pie, pumpkin soup, slow cooker squash stew, sweet potatoes, and mini pumpkin tarts. Halloween and autumn mixes of candy add a sweet touch for guests to snack. Dress up your fall favorites and make them finger food to please any guest.