by Lenna Gonya

Created on: September 07, 2010

When we think of weddings, most people think of June, and when we think of outdoor weddings, we tend to visualize spring and summer ceremonies. Too often we overlook one of the most beautiful seasons of the year, when nature can provide a colorful background, without a lot of expense on our part.

Fall is a beautiful time for a wedding. The leaves become a kaleidoscope of reds, golds, browns, greens and yellows. And, it’s harvest season, complete with apples, pumpkins, and corn. There are any number of locations to have an outdoor wedding, including your own backyard, if you have the space, and the scenery. A few deciduous trees decked out in their autumn splendor, a carpet of leaves, and some additional fall decorations are all that you need.

If you don’t have a spot at home for the festivities, there are probably a few scenic areas in your locale. A park by a river or stream, a historic home or building all make interesting and memorable settings. Lake or riverside areas,  lined with trees, are beautiful in the fall, and will probably include a shelter house or two, just in case of sudden inclement weather. Many of these offer canoe rentals, and even hayrides at this time of the year, which would definitely provide a unique experience for the wedding party and guests.

Many state parks have lodges, with rooms just made for a wedding ceremony. You can choose to have your wedding inside the lodge, with a view of mountains, or a stream from the window, and the cozy atmosphere of a stone fireplace. Weddings inside a lodge, or, in some cases, a historic home that allows ceremonies, lend themselves to a more formal atmosphere. Having the wedding at a lodge might give your guests the incentive to stay and enjoy a few more fall vacation days.

On the other end of the spectrum, since fall is harvest season, you might want to take your wedding out in the country, and down on the farm. A country wedding, complete with straw bales, pumpkins, corn shocks, pots of fall mums, and baskets of red and yellow apples, is unique and beautiful. It can also be easy on the budget. If you have a barn available, you might have the reception there. Take advantage of the country theme, and decorate with more harvest items, straw flowers, pumpkins and decorative lanterns.

Wherever you choose to have your wedding, the milder, less humid weather, the colors, and the sights and smells of autumn, will add something special to the day.

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