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Updated Oct 14, 2024The Best Fall Wedding Colors That Embrace the Autumn Palette
Let the fall foliage inspire your fete.
Photo: Samantha Ruscher Photography,
Event planning: Velvet Chaos Co.
With crisp temperatures, colorful leaves and golden sunsets, autumn is one of the best seasons to exchange vows. After you've finalized your wedding venue and date, choosing the right fall wedding colors will help you style your celebration to align with the season. Your autumn wedding color palette will help you tie all of the elements together for your fall wedding, from your invitations and floral arrangements, to the wedding cake and even the attire.
If you are planning your big day for sometime in September, October or November, there are plenty of fall wedding color palette ideas that'll work for any theme. Whether you're looking for a rustic wedding color combo, a timeless color palette or hues to add a unique flair, we're sharing the top wedding colors for a fall wedding, whatever your style.
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Fall Wedding Colors
Now that you've had the rundown of popular fall colors for a wedding, it's time to start thinking creatively. Use these real-life ideas to inspire your own autumnal color palette.
1. Jewel Tones
Photo: Laura Anne Watson
,Event planning: Pearl and Sky Events
,Design: Tiana Crispino
Jewel tones are a no-fail color option for a fall wedding. We love how this couple opted for bright shades of pink, orange and yellow, offset by dark purple. While you can use deep, rich jewel tones, brighter hues can serve as transitional hues as the seasons change from summer to autumn, making them ideal for your September wedding colors.
2. Muted Neutrals
Photo: Rebecca Yale Photography
,Cake design: Hey There, Cupcake!
,Design: Tiana Crispino
Calling all boho couples: Muted neutrals would make for a laid-back, no-fuss fall wedding color palette. Keep it simple with shades of brown, tan, ivory and blush for a seamless combination of autumnal colors that aren't too bold or flashy.
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3. Marigold and Orange
Photo: Marcela Pulido Photography
,Event planning: Events By Sorrell
,Design: Tiana Crispino
Model your October wedding colors after vibrant leaves by using shades of yellow and burnt orange. Equal parts bold and trendy, these bright fall wedding colors will make your nuptials feel like a celebration of all the best things autumn has to offer.
4. Dark Purple and Mauve
Photo: Sylvie Roskoff,Design: Tiana Crispino
Looking for unique wedding ideas? Don't be afraid to go dark with your autumn color palette. While deep shades of purple, navy blue and black are often associated with winter weddings, they can definitely be incorporated into your fall wedding colors. To prevent your palette from looking too moody, choose one dark shade as your base and offset it with lighter shades in similar colors, as seen here with this purple bloom surrounded by greenery and pink and white florals.
5. Orange, Pink and Burgundy
Photo: Erin Wilson Photography and Films
,Design: Tiana Crispino
These autumnal bouquets scream pumpkin spice, and we couldn't be more obsessed. You can't go wrong with classic fall wedding colors like orange, pink, brown, ivory and deep shades of purple. When paired together, these gorgeous hues look like a rich fall sunset—or the inside of your PSL.
6. Emerald Green and Gold
Photo: Procopio Photography
,Design: Tiana Crispino
Emerald green is having a moment, and we recommend incorporating this elegant hue (or a similar shade of sage green) in your fall wedding color palette. With emerald as your base, experiment with lighter accent shades of pink, tangerine, marigold or even metallic gold for a regal look.
7. Blush Pink and Red
Photo: Scarlet Roots
,Floral design: Table & Tulip
,Design: Tiana Crispino
Pink and red create a fall wedding color combo that can work for any time and any place. This bouquet of light pink and dark red blooms is simple, yet totally effective for evoking all the early fall vibes.
8. Dusty Blue and Purple
Photo: Carretto Studio
,Design: Tiana Crispino
Looking for a fall wedding color scheme that breaks the mold? You're not tied to a palette with shades of orange and yellow for your big day. Instead, try something softer, like dusty blue and heather purple. These wedding invitations are proof that autumn wedding colors can be seasonally appropriate without being predictable.
9. Black and White
Photo: Monika Gauthier Photography
,Floral design: Daughters Flower Shop
,Design: Tiana Crispino
Fact: Black and white is one of the most classic wedding color combinations of all time. You can use these sleek shades for any season, but especially for an elegant, black-tie autumn wedding.
10. Deep Red and Ivory
Photo: Photography Anthology
,Floral design: State & Arrow Design Co.
,Design: Tiana Crispino
We've got all the heart eyes for this classic fall wedding color palette. You can't go wrong with rich colors of red for your big day. And, when paired with romantic hues of ivory, your color scheme will look like a crisp fall day in color form.
11. Magenta, Blush and Cream
Photo: Christine Lim,
Floral design: LB Floristry
,Design: Tiana Crispino
Did you know your can incorporate your favorite wine in your autumn wedding colors? Merlot fans, you'll adore this autumnal color palette, which highlights a deep purple that's reminiscent of your favorite wine blend. To lighten up your palette, weave in lighter shades of pink and ivory for a pretty combination that'll leave your guests in awe.
12. Yellow and Burgundy
Photo: Jen Fariello Photography
,Floral design: Southern Blooms by Pat
,Design: Tiana Crispino
Consider this one of our favorite fall wedding color ideas. Autumn is the best time of year to incorporate rusty yellow in your wedding, and we love the look of this unique shade with deep tones of burgundy and muted pink.
13. Maroon and Brown
Photo: Loreto Caceres Photography
,Design: Tiana Crispino
Brown might seem like an unsual wedding color, but it actually adds depth and richness to popular fall hues like green, yellow, mauve and maroon. Enhance your autumn tablescapes, centerpieces, floral installations and other decor by using hints of chocolate-y brown (for example, these bunches of dried grasses and leaves) to contrast against lighter accent tones, such as beige and ivory.
14. Magenta and Teal
Photo: Eric & Jamie Photography
,Design: Tiana Crispino
You might associate teal with spring weddings, but that's not the only time of year you can decorate with this bright shade. When paired with burgundy and a light pink or purple accent tone, like mauve, these fall wedding colors create a soft, romantic look that'll set your nuptials apart.
15. Amethyst and Blush
Photo: Jonnie + Garrett
,Design: Tiana Crispino
Fall is the perfect season to get moody with your wedding decor. We can't help but swoon over these rich shades of purple and pink, which are perfect November wedding colors.
16. Sage Green and Gray
Photo: Merari Photography,Design: Tiana Crispino
Pastel tones, like sage green, are primarily associated with spring weddings, but you can make them work as fall wedding colors with a little bit of styling. Accent with a gray tone to transform lighter colors for the fall season, and finish with hints of metallic gold for a dash of modern glam.
17. Navy Blue and Gold
Photo: Allen Tsai Photography
,Event planning: KC Cloud Events
,Floral design: Moss Floral Design,Design: Tiana Crispino
If you're planning a wedding by the water, navy blue and gold are great options for fall beach wedding colors. This palette mimics the natural beauty of water and sand, so you already know that it works well together, but you can add a third accent color to make it feel a little more seasonal. Incorporate pink or orange tones through tropical fall florals, like orchids or calla lilies.
18. Amber Yellow, Orange and Green
Add a sense of hominess and warmth to a barn venue with these rustic fall wedding colors. Pair terracotta and burnt orange tones with a rich amber yellow or gold color, and then add a pop of green using fresh foliage.
Fall Wedding Color Considerations
No matter the season, a good rule of thumb when choosing your wedding color palette is to draw inspiration from the time of year that you're getting married. Your colors don't have to exactly match the season, but they should somehow reflect the general sentiment. During the fall months, when life starts to move at a slower pace and cozy vibes become top priority, warm-toned colors and earthy, calming hues are ideal.
September Wedding Colors
The fall season technically begins in September, but depending on where you live, you might still be experiencing plenty of hot summer temperatures and sunshine for much (if not all) of the month. Because September is on the cusp of summer and fall, you can use colors from both seasons for your special day. Summer brights like fuchsia, teal and chartreuse are good early fall wedding colors, especially when paired with autumnal tones, such as mauve, sapphire and olive green. Create a transitional September wedding color palette by pairing a vibrant hue with its more muted counterpart, then choosing an accent color (typically a neutral, like cream or taupe) to balance everything out.
October Wedding Colors
Not only is October the most popular wedding month, it's also the best month to get married if you love classic fall wedding colors like orange, yellow and red. These tones are perfect if you're envisioning a quintessential fall wedding with pumpkins, hay bales and the works, but they're not your only options for October wedding colors. Terracotta is a dialed-down alternative to a bright orange hue, and it pairs beautifully with other rich earth tones, such as caramel brown, golden amber and sage green.
If drama and glamour are more your style, a dark, edgy wedding color palette is an instant nod to #spookyszn. Deep colors like crimson, midnight blue and charcoal are sultry and mysterious, creating the perfect base for a Halloween wedding theme or dark academia aesthetic.
And last but not least, if you prefer a soft pastel palette, those can work as your fall wedding colors too—the trick is in how you style them. Instead of bright sky blue, opt for a gray-based dusty blue. Instead of springy lilac or lavender, use a darker heather purple to reflect the autumnal season.
November Wedding Colors
As you head into winter, November wedding colors become richer and more saturated. Jewel tones, like emerald green, cranberry red, amethyst and navy blue, are often used interchangeably for late fall and early winter wedding color palettes. For color schemes that include airier, lighter tones, we'd suggest adding a darker accent hue, like black or smokey gray, to bring dimension and contrast. Metallic silver and gold are festive additions to any color palette as you get closer to the holiday season.
Do You Have to Use Fall Colors for a Fall Wedding?
Tapping into the season for your wedding colors is definitely something to consider, but it's not an absolute rule. Ultimately, your wedding day is a reflection of you and your partner—it's a showcase of the things you both love and enjoy, including your favorite colors, food, music and attire. If you decide that the typical autumn wedding colors aren't a true representation of yourselves, it's okay to skip them in favor of something else! Love the idea of throwing a tropical-themed wedding with neon colors in the middle of October? The unexpected element will make it that much more memorable for your guests. If you are opting to forgo fall wedding colors for your fall wedding, we recommend doubling-down on your theme or color palette so that the choice feels intentional, not accidental.
Additional reporting by Samantha Iacia and Sarah Hanlon
