With bright sunshine, beautiful russet leaves and late season birdsong filling the air, autumn is a surprisingly popular season to get married.
As a luxury wedding cake maker, it’s my job to live and breathe weddings. Officially, I believe that a wedding in any season is a wonderful and beautiful occasion.
Personally… I think autumn is the most wonderful time of all. Which is why I love planning the perfect autumn wedding!
So why is autumn the perfect time to get married? For me this third season of the year represents renewal. Trees transform from a lush green to beautiful hues of yellow, orange and russet brown, whist the hedgerows are laden with fruits ripe for the picking. The air is cool, but there’s still enough sunshine to feel comfortable out-of-doors.
The most popular time for weddings is between May and October, so getting hitched later in the year could save you money. Many venues and wedding businesses across the country run autumn discounts to tempt brides-to-be. Shop around for the best deals and don’t be afraid to haggle or even ask for a discount.
Picking the perfect wedding venue
For a picture perfect autumn wedding I’ve always found that your venue needs at least one of two essential things. Abundant gardens or sumptuous interior design. Of course, a huge log fire never goes amiss!
A venue that boasts a mix of evergreen shrubs and trees in varying autumnal shades is the ideal combination. Rich greens and warm reds evoke the spirit of the season perfectly and lend a sense of warm romantic opulence to wedding photographs.
Elegant manors, charming country inns and rustic barns with plenty of exposed beams are at the top of my list for a great autumn wedding – and luckily Norfolk has plenty of both! One of my favourite locations is the beautiful Holkham Hall in North Norfolk where I’m super pleased to be a recommended supplier. It’s got a real, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy feel about it!
I recently did a photoshoot at the beautiful Boathouse in Ormesby, (see image below) which was a magical place… The sun shining off the waters of the broad, the wonderfully touchable exposed brick and wood, the sounds of nature all around and of course, great food!
A dazzling wedding dress
Autumn is the perfect season for a touch of colour. Most brides I’ve worked with have often found traditional ivory to be a little ‘cold’ for this time of year, opting instead for warm creams, soft greens and even burnt oranges.
An autumn wedding gown should be elegant, stylish and fun. Feminine designs made from lace, silk and soft satin are perfect for a warm but potentially breezy day. Of course there is always the Great British weather to consider so including a jacket, shrug style cardigan or wrap in your outfit makes good sense!
Show stealing accessories
Capture the spirit of autumn by choosing delicate accessories that won’t overpower your look. Beautiful beading, delicate flowers and sparkling crystals are a sure-fire wedding success. But of course, a little humour never goes amiss (and makes for great photos!)
Fantastic flowers
Choosing seasonal flowers for your bouquet is a great way to add a touch of autumn to your wedding. Roses, Amaryllis, Dahlias, marigolds and even sunflowers are all in-season at this time of year so there is plenty to choose from. And don’t forget, I can create beautiful sugar flowers for your wedding cake that match the flowers in your bouquet.
Confetti has a great online guide to choosing seasonal wedding flowers
A fantastic idea I saw at a recent wedding is using delicate silk flowers instead of real blooms. Using faux flowers means that you can choose any bloom you like – great if your favourite flower happens to be out-of-season and you get to keep your bouquet as a lovely memory of your special day. Perfect!
A delicious wedding menu
As the cold draws in, roast season begins! To celebrate autumn in your wedding menu, simply pair fresh vegetables with seasonal beef, pork or even game. Warm fruity crumbles, and opulent cheese boards make the perfect pudding and f course there is always the ever popular dessert table to consider! Dessert tables are particularly popular at this time of year; delicious drip cakes smothered with salted caramel, golden meringue kisses and chunks of oh-so-chocolaty brownie will be a guaranteed hit with your guests!
Back to the main courses and most caterers and venues I know are happy to source in-season ingredients and enjoy the challenge of seasonal cooking.
Autumn is the season for: Venison, grouse, ham, oysters, dover sole, pumpkin, squashes, mushrooms, potatoes, apples, blackberries, pears, plums, figs and sloes.
A wonderful wedding cake (of course!)
Autumn is a great time to consider a chocolate wedding cake. There are plenty to choose from – my favourites come with a juicy fruit topping like blackberries or cherries and a generous helping of cream.
Of course if you prefer a traditional wedding cake there are plenty of autumn themed cakes to choose from. Choose a cake iced with warm colours such as red, orange and dark greens or go for a classic, white iced cake and make a statement with beautiful autumnal accessories.
Are you planning the perfect autumn wedding in Norfolk? Get in touch with me to arrange your free wedding cake consultation at my kitchen in Dereham.