Pumpkin spice season is nearly synonymous with wedding season on the East Coast, at least from where I am in Virginia up through New England. In Virginia, September ushers in cooler temperatures, less humidity and beautiful fall foliage. At least, that is the hope of engaged couples planning their autumnal nuptials. As I type, it’s 86 degrees outside in late September and I see not one red, orange or yellow leaf from my window. Mother Nature is unpredictable! Here are a few things to bear in mind when planning a fall wedding so you can make the best fall wedding photos, whatever she sends your way:
Account for later sunsets and a time change! When couples book with me, the very first email I send them includes the time of day they will want all outdoor, natural-light photos completed on their wedding date. I’ve been doing this for years and am still surprised at how early the sun sets in the fall. The quality of light is part of what makes fall feel so warm and cozy so you don’t want to miss it! For that beautiful, golden hour light, be sure you’ve allocated 10-15 minutes of portrait time before the sun sets.
Bonus tip: In all but two U.S. states, we have daylight saving time which ends on the first Sunday of November when clocks “fall back.” In planning, be sure you’re consulting a sunrise/sunset calculator specific to your day and location. One of my couples had to change their date this year; when it moved from mid-October to early November, the timeline shifted rather dramatically to account for the time change.
Be ready, whatever the weather. I’ve lived in Virginia for decades. Sometimes we have picture-perfect autumns with weather that allows for cute boots and sweater season. Sometimes I’ve worn tank tops on Halloween. To ensure you’re comfortable whatever the weather, plan to layer. For brides, that may mean having a coordinating wrap ready to go over your wedding dress if needed. Don’t leave this to chance; after spending so much time on your wedding look, you don’t want to grab whatever is handy just because you’re cold!
Bring the outside inside. And also outside. Fall wedding season lasts much longer than fall foliage. Only the luckiest couples will see peak foliage on their wedding days. You can still have a beautiful fall wedding! When planning decor, remember that warm tones and rich, seasonal colors and textures set the tone. Candles or outdoor fires add both figurative and literal warmth. Autumnal floral arrangements on ceremony arches give “autumn” even if hoped-for foliage isn’t at its peak or has past. Colors worn by attendants, guests and even our furry friends also sets a mood. These small touches included outside as well as inside ensure a cohesive look and feel throughout your day.
Bonus tip: Communicate with your photographer! If fall foliage is important to your fall wedding photos vision, let your photographer know. A thoughtful photographer doesn’t need a lot to work with. I’ve been known to find one beautiful “magic autumn tree” and make the most of it. On the flip side, I had a bride who was not enthused about all the pumpkins scattered around the venue on her wedding day. In that case, I was careful to exclude that particular bit of fall decor in her photographs.
Planning a wedding? Get in touch and let’s chat! Additional wedding photography and inspiration is on my Pinterest page.
