The weather is cooling off, the air is crisp, the leaves are changing colors and falling off the trees, and the rich fragrances of apple cider and pumpkin pie are filling kitchens and homes across the south... and the boys and girls are saying "I do."
And who wouldn't want to say "I do" in (or just outside of) a barn, in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains, with the leaves changing all around you?
Fall weddings are on the rise, and why wouldn't they be? The weather in Georgia during the months of September, October, and November is just about perfect for an outdoor ceremony and indoor reception, or even vice versa. You never know! A Saturday in mid-October could be 60 degrees and windy, or it could be 80 degrees and sunny. Very rarely is the weather in Georgia predictable. It's always a toss-up, but that adds some fun to it!
Being a fall bride opens the doors to so many fun wedding ideas... using apples or mini pumpkins as table number holders or place cards, having hay bales as seating arrangements, and the list goes on...
One plus to living in the south is that there are farmers markets just about everywhere. Here in North Georgia, you can drive down a single country road and pass about 3 produce stands on your way. Living in the south is a wonderful thing. So, if you are having a fall wedding-- stop at that produce stand on the side of the four-lane and pick up some apples, pumpkins, and sunflowers to use as centerpieces or decorations and support your local farmers and producers! (My family actually has produce stands as well as a sunflower field in a nearby town, just down the road from The Wheeler House... in case you need to be pointed in the right direction).
There is also a local farmers market in the Ball Ground city park on Fridays, so that provides Wheeler House brides with the perfect opportunity for fresh, fall produce!
The trending fall color schemes for this year are nothing short of breathtaking. With colors like plum, autumn peach, and sangria, the orange and red hues that usually go along with the season are brought to life with pops of different colors to offset them.
Check out this slideshow on The Knot for more wedding color scheme ideas:
Having a fall wedding means having fall florals... but don't feel limited to the typical autumn colors (as mentioned above). Of course you can always go with simple sunflowers (my personal favorite) or baby's breath, or you can branch out and go for a pop of color in your bouquet! One of our florist favorites, Holland Daze, can give you the bouquet of your dreams that will flow perfectly with your colors (and budget)...and she. is. amazing.
Fall also gives way for s'mores, caramel apples, and pumpkin pies...
At The Wheeler House, our firepit is the perfect setting for hay bales, a s'mores bar, and hot apple cider. Set up a cider, coffee, or hot chocolate bar inside the barn and the guests can mingle outside and cozy up by the fire...(if you feel like taking it easy at your reception).
It makes for a perfect way to end the night.
You can also give your guests favors that they can actually enjoy and indulge in, such as these "sweetie pies" from Wedding Star.
Make sure your photographer gets a shot of you and your groom with the foilage, have a caramel apple station set up AND EAT ONE, and sip on some (hard) apple cider, or whatever you prefer. It is YOUR fall wedding, so make it how you want it, but don't be afraid to try something new!
Happy Fall, y'all!
~Kaleigh, The Wheeler House
