It’s November, and while many start looking to Christmas, we’re still firmly staying in Autumn. The last week of October into the first week of November is when Autumn is at its peak across the park. The entrance road is a sea of gold, the pond and woods are a palette of reds and oranges, while our venue is hued in warm whites from our fairy light canopy. It really is a dreamy setting!
So, while we may seem a little late to the party, here are some ways you can embrace Autumn at your wedding!
Making the most of the venue:
One of the things that makes autumn weddings at Worton Hall so special is the contrast between the changing scenery outside and the warm, welcoming atmosphere inside. As the weather gets colder and the evenings draw in, our barn wedding venue becomes the perfect setting for a romantic and magical celebration.
With our on-site accommodation just a two-minute walk from the Hall, you can enjoy a seamless wedding experience. Get ready in The Farmhouse or Stable Cottage, have your ceremony in the Hayloft Gallery followed by your wedding breakfast and evening celebration below in the main hall. Everything is conveniently located, allowing you and your guests to enjoy the day without having to travel between venues. And autumn doesn't always mean staying indoors! As the weather can still be pleasantly mild, you might be lucky enough to enjoy your drinks reception in our courtyard, making the most of the seasonal surroundings.
Our fairy light canopy really comes into its own at this time of year, creating a beautiful backdrop for your evening celebrations. They also make for great photo opportunities under the canopy for your first dance, or from our mezzanine looking out over them.
Our coloured downlighters also pop so much more on those darker autumn evenings! Purples, oranges, pinks, and greens, in particular, really stand out. Of course, the choice is entirely yours, and our lighting can be tailored to almost any colour scheme to complement your wedding styling
The Portaits:
The grounds really do change with the seasons. In Winter, you can witness bare tree branches creating delicate patterns against the sky; in spring, the soft pink and white blossoms; in summer, the blue skies and sea of green leaves; then the rich shades of amber, copper and burnt orange in Autumn.
It is a truly stunning backdrop for wedding photos! One of the benefits of getting married at a barn wedding venue, on a farm, is that you are surrounded by countryside, trees, and natural landscapes. We have a woodland area, an elegant driveway, a picturesque pond, country paths, sprawling fields, and enchanting trees, all perfect for those coveted wedding portraits!
Keep in mind that Autumn can be a wet and cold season, so a change of footwear is advisable if you are looking for those stunning Autumnal portraits. Make sure you look out for paved photo spots where that may not be required! A standby umbrella is always a good idea no matter the season in the UK.
You can also take advantage of the darker nights and the arrival of Bonfire Night with night-time photography and sparklers!
Colour Schemes:
Autumn brings with it one of the most beautiful natural colour palettes. They’re like a sunset which fades over months, not just a single evening. These colours can be introduced through your bridesmaid dresses, floral arrangements, table decorations, stationery and even the little added details. They pair so nicely together and can be contrasted using earthy, woody tones.
There is also a unique flexibility when planning an Autumn wedding! It’s important to remember that you don't have to go all-out with traditional autumn colours. One of our couples combined white, round tables, Chiavari chairs, a white dancefloor, and a backdrop with Autumnal burnt orange and red flowers, bouquet, cake, and dress code.
This doesn’t mean you have to use any of the aforementioned colours. Lighter colours like pinks and pastel colours also look beautiful in Autumn. Darker blues, reds, greens, and purples are especially striking this season. As you can see in the photos, one wedding couple went with dark blue dresses for their bridesmaids, which contrasted beautifully against the orange leaves of the trees.
The Decor:
Autumn definitely has a distinct style when it comes to decorating. Walk into any shop, and you’ll find an array of candles, furry cushions and throws, lanterns, and cosy other items in shades of orange, red, yellow, and browns. There is also an emphasis on embracing the natural world. Coloured pumpkins, Sycamore leaves, branches, feathers, conkers, acorns and pine cones are staples of Autumn decor.
Applying this to your wedding planning, a lot of these can be great finishing touches to a table setting and layered to create a really magical scene.
For example, we often see rustic trestle tables, oak crossback chairs, and a farmhouse tablecloth paired with yellow, orange, and red table flowers. Alternatively, foliage, leaves, and feathers pair just as nicely. We’ve seen these combinations go alongside candles, pinecones, conkers, log slices, and more. Then all that's left to do is table names and name cards. Check out some of these examples below.
Some Autumn decor we would love to see at a Worton Hall wedding are Autumn Wreaths, which could make wonderful centrepieces or hanging decorations. Another rather nostalgic Autumn feature is Samaras, more commonly known as helicopters.
The Little Seasonal Touches:
The final part we wanted to look at is the small seasonal touches you can use to complete your Autumn wedding or hint at the season, if you’ve decided on something else. Sometimes it's the smallest details that make a wedding feel truly personal. Here are a final few ideas to get you thinking:
Seasonal wedding favours: Give your guests a little something to take home with them. Mini jars of locally sourced honey or homemade jams with personalised labels are lovely ways to add a personal touch.
Candlelight: As the evenings get darker, candles can add a lovely sense of warmth and intimacy to your tables. Mix different heights and styles to create a relaxed, romantic setting for your wedding breakfast.
A seasonal menu: As Autumn also coincides with harvest celebrations, you can choose from a large variety of local, home-grown vegetables and fruit for your wedding breakfast. Hot, hearty food and dishes that make the most of the season's produce are especially popular as the weather gets colder.
Autumn-inspired welcome drinks: Set the tone from the moment your guests arrive with drinks inspired by the season. Espresso and passionfruit martinis are some of our most popular options chosen by couples at our venue. They also match so well with the season's colours.
Pumpkins, berries and natural details: Think beyond traditional floral arrangements and introduce seasonal details such as miniature pumpkins, dried berries, Autumn leaves, or conkers. These are great as subtle decorative touches.
Get creative with DIY décor: Many bits of décor that we’ve talked about can be found out in nature or made at home. They are all lovely ways to add personality to your day while creating something unique to you. DIY decor is a great way to keep costs down also
Ultimately, it's these little details that make your wedding yours. Whether you embrace autumn in every element or simply introduce a few seasonal touches, there's no right or wrong way to celebrate the season.
There's something truly special about an autumn wedding. The beautiful colours of the park and the warm, inviting atmosphere of Worton Hall set the scene for a particularly unique celebration!
It’s also a time of year that offers so much inspiration with all the little seasonal details available: portraits amongst the falling leaves, warm lighting, rustic table settings, and so much more!
But, perhaps the most important thing to remember when planning your wedding is that it's uniquely yours. Don't feel bound by the latest trends, what businesses or influencers suggest, or even the expectations that come with a particular season. Take inspiration from whatever you love and make choices that reflect you as a couple. After all, it's your day!
If you're dreaming of an autumn wedding, we'd love to show you around Worton Hall and help you bring your ideas to life. Get in touch with our team to arrange a viewing.
