Fall weddings have the advantage of gorgeous autumnal colors – gold, scarlet, burnt orange and all shades in between. Here are three easy centerpieces for a fall wedding reception that will leave the bride feeling proud of her accomplishment and budgeting savvy at the same time.
Have You Ever Considered Nuts In Your Wedding Centerpieces?
Or have you decided that I must be nuts to suggest such a thing?
Just think about it and the colors of nuts – especially the russet hazel nuts, or filberts as they're sometimes called. Then there's the golden beige of almonds, the pale orangy tan of English walnuts.
Nuts can be used in clear glass containers into which you will be placing pillar candles.
Nuts, which can include acorns and pine cones, can also be used to surround other items such as pumpkins, gourds or floral arrangements, or mixed in with arrangements of pumpkins, gourds, tiny sheaves of wheat or other grain, or nestled amongst apples, pomegrantes or brightly colored leaves, either natural or silk or sprigs of evergreen.
So, go nuts for your fall wedding and include the natural look of nuts in your wedding decor.
Floral Arrangements Are a Natural For Autumn Weddings
Somehow, flowers just say, "wedding," and there's no reason not to have flowers in the centerpieces of your fall wedding. Chrysanthemums and sunflowers are the iconic flowers of the season for much of the U.S., so adding these will not deplete your bank account too badly. Of course, you can use any flowers and greenery that complement the theme and feel of your wedding.
The containers can be simple. If you're planning a country or rustic affair, canning jars (your classic Ball or Mason jars) are a natural complement. Just tie a bow of about any material or color you choose, and your centerpiece is ready.
You're not interested in looking that country? That is perfectly ok, too. You can choose any container you have available, fill with water and flowers, then dry carefully because you 're going to be covering the vase/can/container/whatever with wrapping paper in a color that matches perfectly with your wedding.
Many ribbons and fabrics are available with which to make a bow and secure the paper to the container.
Berries and Candles Are a Good Team For Reception Centerpieces
In the fall, berries ripen and develop rich deep colors. So, they are good to use in decorations in autumn weddings. They can create a base for the arrangement which might be a single glass container in which a pillar candle is placed. The candles can be any color, but should team well with the color of the berries.
After the candles are placed in the containers (Ball and Mason jars are great for rustic country-themed weddings), then rocks or nuts can be dropped in to hold the candles in place and to add more of the wedding colors. Whether you use one or several glass containers, remember that an uneven number is more pleasing to the eye.
Using Light for Your Late Fall Wedding
With autumn, the days grow shorter and darkness arrives earlier. The air chills, and people drag out their winter clothes. Fire brings both light and heat and is a wonderful way to brighten your fall wedding reception.
Candles come immediately to mind, but the light you provide does not have to be all candlelight. Miniature white lights, used lushly in many strands, help create a mystical magic that can be enhanced by hundreds of twinkling candles.
Miniature lights can be strung across the ceiling and down the sides of the room to suggest a starry night. Strands can be laid the length of the tables and entwined in ficus trees or other plants.
Floating candles work particularly well because the water reflects the light of both the candle above and of any votive candles around.
To create even more reflection, centerpieces can be placed on mirrors and faceted stemware used either for the guests or as holders for single large flowers or a few smaller blossoms. Silver or gold serving pieces are also good reflectors and help keep the warmth of candlelight dancing for your reception.
So, whether you choose to create one of the above centerpieces, or simply to flatten the top of a pumpkin to hold a candle, decorations for your autumn wedding can be colorful, seasonal and affordable.
Additional easy centerpieces are discussed in "5 DIY Wedding Centerpieces That Are Easy and Inexpensive."
Velma Southerland - Velma Southerland has been employed in the lifestyles section of an award-winning East Tennessee community newspaper for more than 20 ...
