The Best September Wedding Color Palettes

Bride and groom holding hands in front of a birch tree arch with gold leaves and white delphinium and toffee roses — Photo by Joseph Lin Photography

September is one of the most sought-after months to say “I do,” and it's easy to see why: In most regions, the weather is balmy and bright, and the local flora and fauna is still teeming with life. Plus, there’s a newfound excitement in the air that comes with the anticipation of the start of a new season. Because September marks the transition from summer to fall, this time of the year gives you a lot of leeway in terms of your aesthetic, namely your color palette. Since the shades that you use to paint your special day help guide and inform the rest of your wedding's design concept, choosing hues that coordinate with the season will create a more cohesive, visually striking experience.

Meet the Expert

Lindsey Morgan is a Colorado and destination wedding planner with more than 20 years of experience and the owner and creative director of byBello Events, a full-service wedding and event planning and design company.
Yodit Gebreyes Endale is the owner and principal planner at Favored by Yodit Events & Design, which serves clients around the world. She has over a decade of experience in the wedding industry.
Adriana Gorman is the owner and lead event designer of Adriana Marie Events, a luxury event planning service based in Annapolis, Maryland. She has been planning weddings since 2012.

Depending on your venue and wedding date, your affair could channel all of the bright colors of summer or mirror the rich jewel tones of fall. For instance, Colorado-based wedding planner Lindsey Morgan of byBello Events explains that the leaves in Aspen transform from green to gold during the third week of the month, which lends inspiration to a foliage-inspired color scheme for a late-September wedding, but lighter, warmer hues might better complement a vow exchange set earlier in the month. Meanwhile, nuptials in South Carolina may look green and prolific all month long, so vibrant colors will most likely trump dark and deep tones for an event in September.

The options are truly endless for a September wedding, so to help you make the decision more seamless, we tapped a handful of wedding planners for some of their favorite color combinations that befit the month. Read on for the best color palettes for a September wedding, according to the experts.

01 of 09

Shades of Purple

Outdoor ceremony arch above a doorway decorated with violet, lavender, and orchid flowers — Photo by Stanlo Photography

Purple is a versatile hue that works for any day in September. Lighter shades of purple, such as lavender, lilac, and violet, will create the perfect backdrop for a late-summer wedding in early September, whereas deeper tones of plum, eggplant, and wine will better commemorate the changing seasons in late September. Although a monochromatic design is a stunning choice, wedding planner Yodit Gebreyes Endale of Favored by Yodit Events & Design recommends pairing the color with harmonious hues to channel a certain aesthetic. “They can be combined with neutrals, like ivory, beige, or gold, to add a touch of elegance or simply paired with green to emphasize a natural and organic ambiance, while bringing the royal and regal feel,” she says.

If you’re looking for décor ideas, your stationery suite is the best place to start. Share information about your upcoming function on purple cardstock, or include a splash of the color through the use of illustrations on a white background. You can also work the shade into your attire, whether it’s a white wedding dress appliquéd with purple flowers or a pair of purple platform wedges to dress up a classic ensemble. Purple gowns for your bridesmaids are also a beautiful and complementary look. Then, douse your ceremony and reception in the shade using seasonal purple flowers, such as dahlias, roses, and hydrangeas. Complete your setup with gold accents for a glamorous wedding or rattan pieces for a bohemian soirée.

02 of 09

Burgundy and Orange

Three-tier white wedding cake decorated with a cascade of orange and burgundy flowers and arranged on an orange velvet tablecloth — Photo by Pinnel Photography

The leaves start to change colors in the Northwest and Midwest in mid-September or near the end of the month. So, if you’re throwing a wedding in late September in one of these regions, an autumnal color palette with deep tones will augment the season and setting. In particular, Gebreyes Endale loves combining burgundy and orange to mirror the surrounding foliage and produce a cozy, welcoming vibe. Not to mention, these hues have symbolic meanings that align with the purpose of a wedding. “Burgundy, in particular, represents deep love and passion, making it a perfect choice for a wedding celebration,” Gebreyes Endale explains. “Orange is often associated with warmth, friendship, and enthusiasm, all of which are sentiments we wish to highlight during this momentous occasion.”

Since these bold tones are found in the natural landscape surrounding your vow exchange, using burgundy and orange flowers and leaves is a seamless way to integrate these colors into your design. While you walk down the aisle, carry a bouquet of foliage, anemones, roses, and cosmos in orange and burgundy before reciting your promises in front of an arch composed of the same blossoms. You can also implement seasonal arrangements of similar tones to accent the seating chart, bar, dinner tables, and cake display. You can either use these hues in tandem, supplement the two tones with gold, or balance out the color-focused look with white.

03 of 09

Blue, Sage, and White

A bar covered in custom blue and white wallpaper with brass lantern, glass vases, and greenery as decorations — Photo by Brandon Lata Photography

For the last hurrah of summer, look to airy tones of blue, sage, and white as the basis of your color scheme, rather than heavier autumnal hues. While this trifecta is timeless and seasonless, planner Adriana Gorman of Adriana Marie Events recommends bringing these hues to your early-September wedding taking place on or around Labor Day. By relying on this trio of colors, you’ll produce a warm and inviting soirée. “The colors are the base of the story for your wedding weekend…A blue and sage palette creates a calm nature,” the planner notes. Since these refreshing colors are reminiscent of a body of water, we love this look for beachside or lakefront fêtes.

To bring these hues to your event, deck out your site with greenery embedded with blue and white flowers. In addition to your typical arrangements, like aisle installations and reception centerpieces, you can go bold with flower chandeliers. Gorman also suggests working sage into your bridesmaids’ attire. Then, implement blue and white prints, whether it’s the linens, the chargers, the bar design, or all of the above. To complement the colors and the venue, Gorman suggests incorporating texture, like rattan: Perhaps you suspend rattan lanterns above your tablescapes, or maybe you fill rattan baskets with blooms to place at the entrance of your tented reception.

04 of 09

Taupe, Brown, and Nude

Outdoor Wedding Reception Tables With Wooden Chairs, Simple Greenery as Decor, and Gold Tinted Glasses in Front of Small Green Trees — Photo by Jenn Emerling

No matter what day in September you’re getting hitched, rich, earthy tones of taupe, brown, and nude will bridge the gap between summer and fall. Not only are these trio of hues versatile, but they’re also able to create a comfortable, homey setup—regardless of where you're throwing down. “Warm shades, like taupes, nudes, and chocolatey browns, evoke feelings of security, stability, and warmth,” Gebreyes Endale says. Although this color palette option is limitless, we recommend using these shades for a woodland wedding, as the color scheme will complement the natural tints of tree bark and mulch.

Exposed wood is one of the best ways to enact this color palette and introduce texture at your celebration. Opt for wooden chairs for your ceremony and reception seating arrangements, plus wood tables for dining and wood accent tables for your lounge area. For your bouquets and centerpieces, chocolate brown dahlias and taupe roses, paired with cream in-season florals, will create an interesting mix. To finish off your tablescape, stack taupe-colored glassware atop white linens.

05 of 09

Merlot, Navy, Dusky Rose, Ivory, and Mustard Yellow

An invitation suite with illustrations of flowers and palm leaves in burgundy, pink, green, and blue — Photo by Anna Delores Photography

There's no limit on the number of colors you can decorate your wedding with. One of Gorman’s favorites for a celebration that takes place near the end of the month is merlot, navy, rose, ivory, and mustard. “This feels like a great balance for a later September wedding as a nod to the fall, but it has areas of muted lightness as well,” she shares. While merlot and mustard mimic the colorful treetops that epitomize autumn, navy and rose are unexpected accompaniments that will give your event an edge. If you’re getting married at a vineyard, farm, or barn with a rustic aesthetic, this color scheme is particularly fitting.

Flowers are an integral component of any wedding, so Gorman advises using buds in these hues to form the foundation of your design. “Dusky rose, ivory, and mustard yellow with pops of merlot in the florals throughout will create a rich and inviting space,” she says. You can also incorporate fall leaves, golden ferns, and dried grasses for added texture. To bring navy to the mix, the planner suggests selecting velvet furniture in the dark blue shade for your lounge area or choosing a statement navy design for your bar.

06 of 09

Amber, Emerald, Cognac, Eggshell, and Black

An escort card display on a lucite stand with black escort cards and arrangements of amber, cognac, and eggshell flowers and greenery — Photo by Joseph Lin Photography

As another alternate color scheme for a late-September wedding, consider amber, emerald, cognac, eggshell, and black. Black and white is a classic pairing that can be used at any time of the year, but by adding amber, cognac, and emerald, you’ll give your big day an autumnal twist. Using amber and cognac will duplicate the colors of leaves found outside of your venue, while emerald is a jewel tone that couples often turn to in the fall. Incorporating black details will give your décor a moody, dramatic flair.

Looking for ideas? Set the expectation for your event with black and white invitations featuring your custom crest or a sketch of your venue in amber, emerald, and cognac tones. Then, embellish your site with arrangements of greenery, textured grasses, roses, and delphinium, using every hue from your palette. You can place these arrangements at the entrance of your aisle, at the base of your escort card display, and at the foot of your sweetheart table. Another fun way to bring amber to your big day is by ditching the traditional flower petal exit-toss or send-off in favor of golden leaves, according to Morgan. You can also incorporate the bright yellow hue through light fixtures. “Amber is the perfect flattering lighting tone, and it mimics candlelight,” she says.

07 of 09

Berry, Butterscotch, Tangerine, Ivory, and Black

A tablescape with white linens, colorful centerpieces, black chargers, black napkins, and black and gold flatware — Photo by Jordan Joseph Photography

If you love the timeless look of a black and white color combination, but you also want to add a pop, bring berry, butterscotch, and tangerine to your palette. These hues work well for the beginning, middle, or end of the month and in any locale. The vibrant shades of berry, butterscotch, and tangerine are reminiscent of summer, but including dark details will introduce the upcoming fall season. “With September being the bridge from summer to fall, we often pair softer tones with more of a bold hue, like black, navy, or a rich wine tone, to balance the palette,” Morgan explains.

To make this unexpected array of colors work for your September affair, focus on vivacious floral arrangements that showcase berry, butterscotch, tangerine, and ivory. Then, implement darker details for juxtaposition. For instance, line white tables with clusters of colorful flowers, and choose black chargers, black napkins, and black flatware with a touch of gold to welcome an interesting contrast.

08 of 09

Mauve, Taupe, Cream, Amber, and Sage

Tablescape With Rose Pink Taper Candles, Low Floral Arrangements With White and Pink Flowers, White China, Flower-Shaped Menus, and Pink Napkins — Photo by Anna Panutsa

Consider dousing your early-summer or late-fall festivities in an elegant palette of mauve, taupe, cream, amber, and sage. “This understated-yet-sophisticated earth-tone palette perfectly complements the subtle shifts in the season, creating a serene and timeless setting,” Morgan notes. With this possibility, you’ll add a touch of warmth and color into your affair without overpowering the setting. Given the subdued lavishness of these shades, we love this look for a timeless-meets-glamorous soirée in a ballroom or garden.

Since these hues are grounding, you don’t have to worry about overdoing it. Inject these tones into all aspects of your day, from your altar installation to your cake table. Dress your ceremony aisle and reception tables in collections of blooms that use the entire medley of shades. Then, decorate the rest of your tables with mauve taper candles, napkins, and glassware. Morgan suggests complementing these gentle, chic hues with natural textures, such as stone and wood. You can also include gold accents for a regal touch.

09 of 09

Orange, Peach, Ivory, Lavender, and Periwinkle

Purple Flower Decor In Large Glass Vase in Center of Round Reception Table With Black Table Settings and Chairs — Photo by Sarah Folsom Photography

If you’re holding your nuptials earlier in the month, pay homage to the end of summer by opting for invigorating shades of orange, peach, lavender, and periwinkle, accented with ivory. “We love the vibrant energy this palette brings, while capturing the essence of autumn's colorful transition,” Morgan expresses. Since orange and peach hint at the upcoming change of colors across the treetops, this combination befits an end-of-the-month celebration, too. Wherever your wedding date lies, the cool hues of lavender and periwinkle will bring a nice contrast to the warm tones of peach and orange, Morgan mentions.

Start by implementing this cluster of colors into your stationery suite, whether it’s via multicolored text and illustrations against white cardstock or a neutral font across a colorful piece of paper. Since this cluster of tones is bright and bold, direct your focus toward floral installations and arrangements, such as your aisle, arch, and centerpieces. To let the vivacious hues shine, curate simple place settings and linens. For an edgy take on this energizing medley, you can even add a touch of black, such as through your chairs and chargers.

55 Colorful Wedding Ideas to Make Your Big Day Pop