40 Fall Wedding Colors Perfect for an Autumnal Affair

Gold Reception Tables With Navy Blue Chairs and Chandeliers and Orchid Decors — Photo by Erika Delgado Photography

Fall is one of the most popular times of year to tie the knot—and it’s easy to see why: The weather is crisp, the leaves change colors, the food is comforting, and the anticipation of the upcoming holidays fills the air. If you’re saying “I do” in autumn, look to the season to inspire your wedding aesthetic—especially your color palette. The cozy ambiance and the technicolor landscape give way to so many stunning hues for your autumnal celebration, which will beautifully set the scene for your soirée.

Meet the Expert

Annie Armstrong is the founder and chief floral designer of Best Day Ever Floral Design, a custom floral design company based in Los Angeles.
Michelle Norwood is the founder and CEO of Michelle Norwood Events, an event planning company based in New Orleans.

Seek inspiration from the colorful leaves by leaning on bright tones of red, yellow, or orange for your nuptials—classic options for fall weddings. To embed vibrancy and a hint of drama into your wedding, look to highly saturated jewel tones, such as emerald green, navy blue, or ruby red—perfect for an upscale, sophisticated event. If you’d rather throw an earthy affair, warm tones of terracotta, rust, amber, or camel are all fair game. Whether you opt for a monochromatic fête or mix unexpected shades, all of these colors will help establish a sense of place at your wedding.

Fall Wedding Colors — Michela Buttignol/Brides

To get the planning started, we tapped floral designer Annie Armstrong and wedding planner Michelle Norwood to share the best in-season hues for the autumn months. Ahead, 40 fall wedding colors that will surely elevate your big day.

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Forest Green

Green Plant Decor on Reception Table With Green Taper Candles — Photo by For the Love of It

Forest green just screams fall. This dark jewel tone will look stunning at any soirée in autumn, especially if you’re planning an outdoor soirée earlier in the season, when greenery is the natural backdrop. Either go all out by painting your venue in this dark shade or lean on subtle inclusions. For the latter, deep green taper candles or plates will contrasty beautifully with wood and gold. This hue also pairs well with other jewel tones, like burgundy.

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Navy

Navy is another saturated jewel tone that's reminiscent of the season. This dark shade of blue can stand on its own as the focal point of your affair, or you can sneak it into some of the day's details. We love the idea of lining tables with navy bud vases of varying sizes and filling them with a mix of flowers in white, persimmon, red, and crimson. Navy is also a gorgeous choice for a bold table linen, providing contrast to other elements on display.

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Burgundy

Megan and James' seating chart with wooden sign and wine-colored sign — Photo by Anna Delores Photography

Burgundy may just be the most popular addition to a fall wedding color palette—and for good reason: This deep, reddish-purple hue mirrors the changing foliage that captures the spirit of autumn. Appoint this dark tone as the star of the show by bedecking your event in big, bold flowers and rich, velvet linens. Or, mix burgundy with other warm tones, such as cranberry and peach, to provide levity and contrast.

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Pumpkin

Orange Reception Tables With Colorful Flower Decor and Hanging Orange and Fur Chandeliers Alongside Vines and Flowers — Photo by Magi Fisher

Of course, you can't overlook pumpkin, a bright shade of orange, if you're opting for a fall-centric, nature-inspired color palette. Make this punchy hue the focus of your affair by splashing it all over lanterns, florals, candles, and linens. You can also add a touch of the color to cozy elements, such as pumpkin-colored blankets set on each ceremony chair or vivid accents in your bouquet, paired with other neutral tones.

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Mauve

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

There's something incredibly comforting about using mauve as a central component of your fall wedding color palette. Technically in the purple family, mauve is a mature tone that can vary from pinkish hues to smoky taupes. As an accent color, it can show up as fluffy blooms, organic linens, or ethereal dress fabrics. It pairs exquisitely well with lilacs, pinks, and grays, but you can also amplify the sophisticated shade with the contrasting freshness of peach.

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Copper

Copper is a gorgeous pick for any time of year, but in the fall, the metallic hue really heightens the sensory experience. This shiny, reddish-brown tint will look stunning on your autumn tablescape, whether it's in the form of a vase, glassware, or flatware. Consider pairing it with other earth-inspired tones, like scarlet and saffron, or deep, moody blues and purples.

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Plum

Shades of purple are rich, gemstone-inspired hues that are perfect for a fall wedding. For a moody affair, opt for plum taper candles on turquoise linens with navy napkins, accented by dark flowers and greenery, in a dimly lit room. You can also add splashes of the shade in smaller increments, whether it's a splash of blooms in your bouquet or illustrations on your big-day signage.

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Terracotta

Terracotta, a burnt orange with a hint of brown, is a warm, earthy shade that's ideal for fall weddings—especially boho aesthetics. It pairs especially well with other warm tones, like tan and marigold. To pull off this color on your special day, combine terracotta-colored plates and glassware with rattan chargers and pampas grass for a free-spirited fête. If you'd rather include just a hint of the deep hue, implement it through a ribbon on your bouquet or a runner along your table. Ceramics are also a seamless way to incorporate this color, from potted escort cards to vase centerpieces.

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Teal

Want to give your autumnal affair a tranquil feel? Consider bringing in teal, a greenish-blue hue that’s evocative of sapphires. Coastal fêtes in the fall are a strong candidate for this calming shade, especially when combined with navy and emerald. As the primary part of your palette, use teal to engulf your setting, from your floral arch to your bar setup. Perhaps, you’re more inclined to use the tone as a grounding color, whether it's through the text on your signage, the color of your napkins, or your centerpiece blooms.

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Red

Red Roses and Purple Flower Center Piece at Wedding Reception — Photo by Chi-Chi Ari

Match the vivacious hues that naturally emerge in the fall by including red in your wedding color palette. Red roses are a popular and timeless way to instantly infuse romance into your affair. You can also look to the bright, statement-making tone for your bridesmaids’ dresses, bouquet accents, or cocktail napkins. For a visually intriguing color scheme, embed other similar shades, such as mauve, pink, and purple.

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Amber

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

Similar to copper, amber is a warm, seasonally appropriate shade for a fall wedding color palette. This yellow-orange tone will work as the foundation of a nature-focused celebration or as a grounding hue in the presence of other bolder varieties. For an earth-toned palette, ideal for alfresco celebrations, have this dazzling hue steal the show with amber-colored glassware on white linens, combined with greenery centerpieces and wooden chairs.

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Turquoise

Inspired by the precious mineral, turquoise is a striking shade of blue-green that will elevate a wedding in the fall. Depending on what additional colors you include, turquoise can enliven a space or bring a calming vibe. For unexpected incorporations, select a turquoise-hued bar with matching uplighting and glassware. Want something less eye-catching? Accentuate your bouquet and centerpieces with turquoise flowers.

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Emerald Green

One of the most requested colors for fall weddings? According to Norwood, emerald, a jewel-toned green, takes the lead. "It feels luxurious," she says. Emerald green can play a vital role in a variety of color palettes for the season, from white and gold to navy and burgundy. Use it throughout your reception in a jaw-dropping way, or add small splashes to decorative items, like candle holders and chargers.

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Camel

A wooden banquet table with tan velvet chairs, mauve taper candles, and colorful floral centerpieces — Photo by Hello Blue

For a light, fall-inspired shade that’s undeniably chic, consider camel. Opting for similar shades of brown, complete with gold touches, will create an opulent-yet-welcoming environment at your wedding. You can even incorporate a subtle splash of color through other warm tones, like coral, persimmon, and peach, for a bit of contrast and energy.

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Sapphire

Outdoor Reception Decor — Photo by Jenny Quicksall

To give your fall wedding a luxurious spin, like those in ballrooms or at châteaus, try sapphire. This deep, highly saturated tone will make a big impression, particularly if you wrap your tables in bold velvet linens. For a more subdued take, place sapphire-colored napkins on white plates and add a sprinkling of bold blue blossoms to otherwise neutral arrangements.

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Brown

Brown strikes the perfect balance between elegant and cozy. Lean on the earthiness of the hue by supplementing it with taupe and gray, enlist it as the focal hue with cream, or use it to ground dramatic tones of navy and plum. There are so many ways to pull this fall wedding color off, from the cardstock in your invitation suite to the stand of your wedding cake.

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Dusty Rose

Wedding Ceremony Tables with Pink Linens, Pink and White Centerpieces, Pink Table Numbers, and Pink Taper Candles — Photo by Erica Streelman

Dusty rose is one of the most versatile color options. For fall, include the shade into your wedding party’s attire or build a color-coordinated, pink-toned tablescape. Or, incorporate this dark shade of pink through subtler details, like a soft linen runner, knotted napkins, or custom menus. While shades of pink are an obvious accompaniment, neutral creams and bold blues are also wonderful supplements.

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Rose Gold

Claudia and Paul's wedding lounge area with neutral palette and chandeliers — Photo by Kaity Brawley Photography

Another variation of pink that's perfect for fall? Rose gold. This refined, romantic shade with a glossy finish will display a beautiful backdrop at any glamorous function in autumn. For some of the many ways to call on this color, trade vows in front of a rose gold arch before dining in an upscale room covered in pinkish-gold drapery. You can even bring the metallic hue to the day's attire, from bridal accessories to bridesmaid dresses.

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Violet

Centerpieces in Flower Box With Purple Flowers on Navy Velvet Linens — Photo by Sophie Epton

Another deep shade of purple that captures the spirit of the season is violet. This luxe shade of purple will cast a dreamy glow over your big day, converting it into a regal fairy tale. It’s suitable for any detail, such as the font color of your paper goods and the basis of your floral arrangements and installations. Accentuate the deep color with other bold additions, like navy and fuchsia.

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Marigold

bride holding yellow bouquet with yellow ribbon — Photo by Samm Blake

Making a statement with your fall color palette is fun, but when you're using a bold pick, like marigold, it's important to incorporate it in a strategic way. According to Armstrong, reinforcing your palette with a colorful candle or handheld floral arrangement is a great way to tie in unexpected colors. "That way, it's very intentional and doesn't feel like an afterthought," she says. Pair marigold with neutral tones or even a splash of green.

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Crimson

Red and black tablescape with red rose centerpiece and black goblets — Photo by Lance Nicoll

With all of its intrinsic romance, crimson is a wedding mainstay for any season—but, we especially love the decadent richness it adds to a fall fête. Paired with fresh greenery and loads of black accents, the hue brings a certain brightness to autumnal tablescapes that would otherwise be weighed down by deeper shades, like burgundy.

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Sage Green

Sage is another staple wedding color that suits any season or setting. For fall nuptials, the trick is to include the light green shade in purposeful ways, instead of just throwing it into the mix through greenery. "I like to make sure the foliage is as intentional as the palette is," Armstrong notes. Pair sage green with simple, natural browns, or make it your main color, accented by whites and creams.

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Ruby

White Farm and Round Tables With Red Flower Decor for Day Before Wedding Celebration — Photo by Valeria Bross

Named after the sparkling gem, ruby is an enchanting choice for a fall wedding. The dark shade of pink and red has an impactful, intense effect, so be sure to use the shade in smaller increments. Infuse the color into your aisle markers with cream shades before dining at neutral tables with ruby-colored centerpieces and gold accents.

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Persimmon

black-tie tropical place settings — Photo by Amy Anaiz

Look to the treetops to inform your fall color palette and select persimmon for your seasonal affair. This vibrant shade of red-orange pairs well with earthy terracotta, warm peach, or golden yellow. For an out-of-the-box, edgy way to pull of this palette, combine persimmon with dark accents, like black menus and linens, which will add juxtaposition and visual interest.

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Cornflower

Who says you can’t add a lighter blue to your fall color palette? Cornflower is a cheerful shade of blue that still has a decadent feel, like sapphire and teal. Wondering how to make this a part of your affair? Taper candles and table linens in the blue hue, paired with exposed wood, are a great place to start. Sage green and golden yellow are also worthwhile additions.

The Ultimate Guide to Fall Weddings

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Gold

There's nothing more glitzy and versatile than gold for a wedding in autumn. This metallic color often makes an appearance at couple's fall nuptials through flatware, candle holders, charger rims, and other smaller details. But why not go all out with gold table numbers and golden ferns, too?

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Cranberry

Since cranberries are harvested in fall, this hue is one to have on your radar for an autumnal fête. A mix of deep red and playful pink, this color is best in small doses, like a ribbon on a bouquet, Armstrong says. Pair cranberry with burgundy or black for plenty of contrast, or work it in as a splash of color with a neutral color scheme.

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Olive

White Reception Tables With White Flower Decor, Candlesticks, and Green Napkins in Backyard of White House — Photo by Lexie Hand

Unlike other greens, olive green has an inherent sweetness. The warm, golden undertones transition stunningly from late-summer and early-fall palettes to the moody hues of colder months. As a more vibrant neutral, this color can show up in a myriad of ways, from luxe linens and artistic stationery to verdant stems and eclectic glassware.

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Blush

Escort Card Wall with Cloche Seating Assignments with "Bloom Where You're Planted" Sign — Photo by Janet Lin Photography

Blush may not be the expected choice when it comes to fall wedding color palettes, but hear us out on this one: The soft pastel makes for a refreshing transition into the season when paired with more obvious choices, like deep reds or rich oranges and yellows. Other comparable colors are dusty lilac and mauve.

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Peach

Outdoor Seating At Wedding Venue With Flower Decor — Photo by Megan Noll Photography

Peach is that perfect orangey-pink color that reminds us of a deeper shade of sherbet, with a little added sophistication. And it’s the ideal shade to add a bold pop of color to a cake or an escort card display. Pair this shade with earth tones, such as cream, caramel, or even navy blue.

Don't be afraid to stray from the typical deep, dark tones of fall. Adding an unexpected pop of bright color can make all the difference in setting up a gorgeous color palette you'll love.

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Taupe

We love a deep, dramatic taupe, and there are so many ways to inject this classic color into your affair. Pair taupe with shades of rich purple and lighter shades of gray for a sultry décor scheme. Or, use it in simple ways to set the tone for other colors to shine through. "Utilizing a simple linen is one of the easiest things to add to set the stage and create a canvas," Armstrong poses. "A deep color will allow lighter flowers to pop against it."

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Black

Black isn't just reserved for tuxedos. This dark shade also makes the perfect accent color for edgy soirées. Add black adornments through candlesticks or napkins, giving your tablescape a moody flair. And don't be afraid to get creative with it: Instead of sticking with the expected black-and-white combination, add in some jewel tones to make your palette a little richer.

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Rust

What better way to make a fall wedding feel rustic than to add a rich, rusty hue? A balance between orange and brown, this color will bring a toned-down shade of orange into any theme. Norwood notes that adding rust into wedding details can make all the difference in a fall color scheme. "Adding this tone into the florals, the cake, stationery, napkins, etc. makes the possibilities endless,” she reveals.

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Cream

two white cocktail tables with flowers in the center — Photo by Alba Rose Photography

A truly neutral color palette can be so pretty for fall, especially if you’re planning for golden-hour photos among the trees. Pairing shades of white and cream can make for an ethereal combination that goes against the grain of more heady seasonal mixes. Incorporate this color into neutral bouquets or set them against dreamy linens.

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Apricot

Light Pink Flower Table Decor and Entree Menu — Photo by Rebecca Yale Photography

Apricot may not be the first color you envision for a fall fête, but when you use the playful orange hue alongside surprising pops of burgundy or mauve, this typical spring color feels more seasonally appropriate. Try incorporating apricot into a bouquet or a statement napkin choice.

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Dusty Lilac

Lilac is another springtime favorite, but its dusty counterpart is absolutely dreamy for fall. The muted pastel is a fresh—and unexpected—addition that pairs perfectly with earth tones. We love a pop of dusty lilac in lush blooms or colored candles, whether it blends with burgundy and navy or stands out among oatmeal and taupe.

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Caramel

Is there anything more quintessentially fall than a warm caramel latte? The depth of this neutral can elevate just about any setting, from glamorous ballrooms to low-key backyards. Consider accentuating this brown shade with cream or ivory accents to create a more grounded and earthy feel.

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Charcoal

The smell of a campfire instantly transports us into an autumnal mood. The smokiness of charcoal-hued accents can do the same for a fall wedding. Translucent glassware creates the most captivating use of the color, perfectly showcasing its smoky mystery. Pair the gray shade with blush, crimson, and lilac for unconventional depth in a tablescape.

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Clay

Similar to terracotta but far less saturated, clay creates a rustic and earthy aesthetic at autumnal nuptials. The cooler, almost ashy undertones come across as more brown than orange, pairing beautifully with soft blush tones, dusty pastels, or even vibrant greens. Clay chargers with bronze flatware on a wooden table is an effective option for your place settings.

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Cinnamon

If we could sum up the entire season in one word it would be cinnamon. The scent, the taste, the color—it's all so decidedly autumnal. Whether you embed the delectable hue as a subtle pop or completely indulge in a fully fledged, monochromatic theme, we can't think of a better way to spice up a fall wedding color palette than with cinnamon.

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