How to Choose a Fall Wedding Color Palette

Designing a palette for an autumn wedding starts with your venue and vibe. Map your colors to the setting—woodland, vineyard, loft, or ballroom—and embrace seasonally rich tones, cozy materials, and soft metallics. According to guidance from The Knot, classic fall combinations include oranges, pinks, browns, ivories, and deep purples for a sunset-inspired effect, while emerald paired with metallics delivers a polished, regal look. Seasonal bridesmaid color trends also skew deeper and richer in autumn, echoing foliage hues like rust, amber, emerald, and plum.

• Anchor with a neutral: Choose ivory, taupe, caramel, charcoal, or soft gray to ground bold accents.
• Layer textures: Velvet, jacquard, raw silk, linen, matte ceramics, and brushed metals add depth in cooler weather.
• Mix finishes: Combine matte linens with glossy glazes or metallic flatware for visual balance.
• Mind the month: Lean brighter and rustic in September, quintessential harvest tones in October, and moodier, deeper palettes by November.

18 Fall Wedding Color Palettes

Use these combinations as a blueprint. For each palette, you’ll find suggested uses across florals, attire, stationery, and decor.

1) Terracotta, Amber, and Sage

Terracotta delivers a dialed-down take on orange—earthy rather than neon—paired with warm amber and soft sage for organic balance.

• Florals: Garden roses, mums, caramel-toned orchids, eucalyptus.
• Attire: Rust or terracotta bridesmaid dresses; tan or olive suits; amber ties.
• Details: Clay bud vases, linen runners, olive taper candles.

2) Emerald and Gold

Emerald is trending for fall and pairs effortlessly with metallic gold for a refined, evening-ready mood.

• Florals: White blooms, deep greenery, hints of marigold.
• Attire: Emerald gowns; emerald or black suits; gold jewelry and hairpins.
• Details: Gold-rim glassware, emerald place cards, black chargers.

3) Rust, Copper, and Ivory

A quintessential autumn trio, rust ranges from burnt orange to metallic copper, softened by ivory for an airy finish.

• Florals: Toffee roses, copper beech, white anemones.
• Attire: Rust velvet bridesmaid dresses; brown or chocolate suits; copper accessories.
• Details: Copper flatware, ivory textiles, terracotta escort cards.

4) Plum, Mauve, and Charcoal

Romantic and moody, this palette blends jewel tones with soft neutrals, ideal for candlelit spaces.

• Florals: Plum ranunculus, mauve roses, smoke bush.
• Attire: Plum satin dresses; charcoal suits; mauve ties.
• Details: Gray linen, plum glassware, wax seals in mauve.

5) Orange, Pink, and Burgundy

This high-impact combination channels a rich fall sunset and PSL vibes—playful yet sophisticated when balanced with neutrals.

• Florals: Dahlias, zinnias, spray roses in warm gradients.
• Attire: Burgundy suits; pink or coral gowns; orange accessories.
• Details: Ombre escort display, colored taper candles, pink vellum menus.

6) Midnight Blue, Gold, and Ivory

Deep navy or midnight blue adds drama with a polished, formal tone and seasonal depth—great for evening receptions.

• Florals: White blooms with dark berries and greenery.
• Attire: Midnight suits; ivory gowns with gold accents; navy bridesmaid dresses.
• Details: Gold-rim glassware, navy menus, ivory draping.

7) Caramel, Taupe, and Olive

Soft, understated, and elegant—perfect for minimalist venues and modern rustic aesthetics.

• Florals: Dried elements, olive branches, neutral roses.
• Attire: Olive suits; taupe dresses; caramel shoes and belts.
• Details: Stoneware plates, linen napkins, wood chargers.

8) Burgundy, Blush, and Champagne

A timeless combination that balances depth and romance—ideal for vineyards and historic venues.

• Florals: Burgundy ranunculus, blush garden roses, champagne ribbon.
• Attire: Blush gowns; burgundy ties; champagne metallic accents.
• Details: Etched glass, blush taper candles, champagne linens.

9) Forest Green, Ivory, and Wood

Grounded and organic, this palette suits barn, lodge, and outdoor sites with natural materials and greenery-forward florals.

• Florals: Greenery garlands, white blooms, pine accents.
• Attire: Green or brown suits; ivory gowns; wooden cufflinks.
• Details: Wood signage, greenery runners, neutral candles.

10) Mustard, Marigold, and Camel

Warm yellows bring harvest energy without skewing too bright when paired with grounded camel tones.

• Florals: Marigolds, mustard mums, ochre orchids.
• Attire: Camel suits; golden ties; mustard dresses.
• Details: Brass candlesticks, camel runners, mustard place cards.

11) Charcoal, Cranberry, and Ivory

Cranberry offers a festive, late-fall note that pops against charcoal and ivory neutrals.

• Florals: Cranberry hypericum, ivory roses, dark foliage.
• Attire: Charcoal suits; cranberry ties; ivory bridesmaid accents.
• Details: Charcoal menus, cranberry wax seals, ivory taper candles.

12) Burnt Sienna, Peach, and Cream

A softer take on orange with peachy undertones and creamy neutrals for a romantic, sun-kissed look.

• Florals: Toffee and peach roses, cream lisianthus.
• Attire: Burnt orange ties; peach bridesmaid gowns; cream shawls.
• Details: Peach vellum, cream linens, hand-dyed silk ribbon.

13) Deep Purple, Fig, and Metallic Bronze

Opulent jewel tones with a bronze edge create moody sophistication for formal settings.

• Florals: Fig-toned calla lilies, plum dahlias, bronze foliage.
• Attire: Purple velvet; black or deep brown suits; bronze accessories.
• Details: Bronze flatware, dark chargers, purple glass.

14) Olive, Rust, and Cream

Earthy and versatile, this trio nods to foliage without overpowering the space.

• Florals: Olive branches, rust chrysanthemums, cream roses.
• Attire: Olive suits; rust dresses; cream wraps.
• Details: Woven chargers, cream candles, rust napkins.

15) Navy, Burgundy, and Stone

Classic and elegant, this evergreen palette shines in both urban and rustic venues.

• Florals: Burgundy dahlias, navy ribbon, stone-toned accents.
• Attire: Navy suits; burgundy ties; stone pocket squares.
• Details: Stone linens, navy signage, mercury glass.

16) Sage, Blush, and Warm Gray

Sage cools blush’s sweetness while warm gray keeps the palette grounded for a serene, refined feel.

• Florals: Sage greenery, blush ranunculus, gray berries.
• Attire: Sage dresses; gray suits; blush accessories.
• Details: Parchment menus, gray taper candles, blush place cards.

17) Chocolate, Copper, and Cream

Deep brown suits the season perfectly, especially in darker shades with copper highlights and creamy neutrals.

• Florals: Toffee roses, brown foliage, cream blooms.
• Attire: Chocolate suits; cream shirts; copper boutonnieres.
• Details: Copper chargers, cream linens, brown taper candles.

18) Charcoal, Indigo, and Silver

A cool-toned alternative to warm fall palettes, ideal for modern industrial spaces and evening receptions.

• Florals: White and blue blooms, gray greenery, silver brunia.
• Attire: Charcoal suits; indigo bridesmaid dresses; silver jewelry.
• Details: Silver flatware, indigo napkins, charcoal stationery.

Month-by-Month: September, October, and November Wedding Colors

September Wedding Colors

As summer transitions to fall, early-September palettes benefit from mixed temperatures and outdoor-friendly venues. Lean into greens, peaches, and soft terracottas or deepen into jewel tones for evening ceremonies.

• Try: Sage, blush, and warm gray; terracotta, amber, and sage; navy, burgundy, and stone.
• Fabrics: Lightweight satins and chiffons for bridesmaids; breathable wool blends for suits.

October Wedding Colors

October is the most popular wedding month and the best for quintessential fall hues like orange, yellow, and red, plus terracotta and caramel tones.

• Try: Rust, copper, and ivory; orange, pink, and burgundy; mustard, marigold, and camel.
• Theme notes: For Halloween or dark academia aesthetics, incorporate crimson, midnight blue, and charcoal with metallics.

November Wedding Colors

As days shorten and temperatures drop, deepen your palette. Moody jewel tones, midnight blues, and rich neutrals feel seasonal and luxurious.

• Try: Deep purple, fig, and bronze; charcoal, cranberry, and ivory; chocolate, copper, and cream.
• Textures: Velvet linens, jacquard dresses, brushed metal flatware, and abundant candlelight.

Bridesmaid Dress Colors and Fabrics for Fall

Fall bridesmaid dresses tend toward darker, richer shades that complement the season’s moody ambiance and cooler weather, with top hues like rust, emerald, amber, and plum.

• Top colors: Rust, copper, emerald, plum, navy, burgundy, and chocolate.
• Fabrics: Velvet, jacquard, satin, crepe; consider sleeves or shawls for outdoor ceremonies.
• Mismatched approach: Mix tones within a palette (e.g., rust to terracotta) and vary fabrics for depth.

Grooms and Guests: Fall Suit Colors and Styling

For fall, pare back bright suiting and opt for deeper, richer colors. Browns, grays, black, burgundy, and green make seasonally appropriate choices, with deeper shades preferred.

• Classic picks: Deep brown, charcoal, and black for formal affairs.
• Statement hues: Burgundy and emerald for color-forward looks; olive for rustic venues.
• Accessories: Textured ties, leather shoes in chocolate or oxblood, and brushed-metal cufflinks.

Real-Wedding Inspiration: Natural Greens with Cranberry Accents

A fall wedding can lean botanical with herbs, plants, and natural greenery. Cranberry accents in attire—such as groomsmen accessories or bridesmaid details—add a seasonal pop against neutrals and blue tones.

Using Seasonal Color Analysis to Refine Your Palette

Seasonal color analysis can guide choices that flatter you and your partner. Autumn complexions often shine in warm, rich tones like pine, caramel, and mustard; winter complexions favor bold, cool shades like indigo, raspberry, and emerald.

• Couple coordination: If your seasons differ, meet in the middle with crossover shades—rich, saturated greens like pine flatter both autumn and winter types.
• Practical tip: Bring fabric swatches to hair and makeup trials to test harmony with skin tone and lighting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are classic fall wedding colors?

According to The Knot, classic fall wedding colors include orange, pink, brown, ivory, and deep purples—especially impactful when layered together for a sunset-like effect.

Which bridesmaid dress colors work best for autumn?

Trending bridesmaid colors for fall include rust, amber, emerald, and plum, often in richer, darker shades suited to cooler weather and moody lighting.

What are stylish fall suit colors?

Deep browns, charcoals, and blacks remain staples; burgundy and emerald are strong statements; olive works well for rustic venues.

How should I adapt colors for October weddings?

October is the top wedding month and ideal for quintessential fall hues like orange, yellow, and red; terracotta with caramel and sage offers a refined alternative. For a spooky or dark academia vibe, use crimson, midnight blue, and charcoal.

How do I keep bold palettes from feeling heavy?

Balance saturated shades with light neutrals (ivory, cream, stone), add reflective metallics, and leverage negative space in your paper goods and tablescapes.