15 Fall and Winter Wedding Trends for 2021

Our favorite seasonal trends will take your special day to the next level.

By: Jen Glantz

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15 Seasonal Wedding Trends

As 2021 twists into the final two seasons of the year, soon-to-be-married couples are eager to celebrate their big day in festive ways that complement fall and winter. Some go with a color palette that plays into the notes of the months ahead, and others keep the time of year in mind when selecting menu items or signature cocktails.

If you're tying the knot over the next few months and want to add a few more special things to your wedding, here are 15 fall and winter wedding trends popping up for 2021.

Outdoor Weddings

Even as cooler weather approaches, having an element of your wedding outdoors is something couples are opting in for this fall and winter. Some are saying yes to an outdoor fire pit and a late-night s’mores snack for guests. Others are doing a garden ceremony with heat lamps. Keeping an aspect of your wedding outdoors will help some guests feel more at ease about attending.

Bold Fall Colors

One of the most beautiful parts about a fall wedding are the colors that surround the season. Couples are incorporating those rich colors (the emerald green, amber, brass, yellow, and burgundy) into even more aspects of their decor this year — from centerpieces to napkins, floral bouquets, and even into their food choices, so the colors show up on the dinner plate!

Miniature Pies

Fruit-filled pies are staple desserts for fall. Whether you adore apple, pumpkin, pear, or rhubarb, consider offering those as miniature-sized signature desserts. It could be a good way of surprising guests with a treat for the season and it’s something different from a traditional wedding cake.

Velvet Bridesmaid Dresses

If you’re still on the hunt for unique bridesmaid dresses for your bridal party to wear, consider going with one of the biggest fabric trends for fall and winter this year: velvet. While it’s certainly different from the typical chiffon or satin bridesmaid dress, it’s a dress your bridal party truly might put on again and feel super stylish wearing.

Fall-Inspired Jam

Looking for a delicious party favor that your guests will be thrilled to receive? Consider going with jars of different fall-inspired jam. It’s not only an easy DIY party favor you can make in your kitchen, but it’s also the kind of gift people can use for a variety of dishes this season.

Apple-Scented Hand Sanitizer

Couples are trying to make their wedding celebration as safe as possible. Opt for mini bottles of hand sanitizer, put one bottle on each table, and go with fall scents (like apple). It’s a great way to encourage people to keep their hands clean, and it will add to the overall ambiance of a fall-themed wedding.

Colorful Suits

If you’re feeling bored by traditional black, blue, or gray, focus on suits with a pop of color. That could mean a teal, rust, or even scarlet suit jacket for the groom or burgundy, olive, or midnight blue for the groomsmen.

Dried Florals

With couples eager to stick to their budget and fill their celebration with items they can reuse as home decor, dried floral arrangements and bouquets have become increasingly more popular. Whether you go with preserved baby’s breath or pressed roses, you can take these floral arrangements home with you without worrying about them tarnishing in just a few short days — like a bouquet of fresh flowers would.

Blankets to Stay Cozy

As the weather begins to change and temperatures drop, rather than having guests crowded around a fire pit or heat lamp, couples are offering cozy, medium-sized blankets to guests. If you’re hosting an outdoor celebration and you know it’ll be cold, saying yes to this trend! It can help guests socially distance while they enjoy a comfy blanket, and they can then take it home as the ultimate party favor.

Wedding Capes

Instead of long-sleeved dresses or wedding shawls, brides are selecting dresses with detachable capes (whether short or long) this year. It’s a beautiful way to stay warm throughout the wedding celebration. This look is perfect for the modern and elegant bride who wants to wear a little something different to their 2021 winter wedding.

Smaller Guest Lists

With the pandemic still lingering, a lot of couples are nervous about what could come of their fall or winter wedding. As a precaution, many couples are keeping smaller guest lists for their in-person events and making other portions of the event available for guests to watch virtually.

Statement Earrings

Every year, there’s an accessory that sweeps the trend for the season ahead. Some years, it’s a certain style of veil or necklace. But in 2021, it’s all about statement earrings. Once you’ve selected your dress, take a look at earring options that express your personality and add a pop of life and color to your gorgeous dress.

Seasonal Face Masks

If you’re going to give out face masks at the wedding, choose fall or winter-themed colors as a way of matching that item to the overall vibe and decor. Pick a shade of light orange or green for fall and red or silver for winter.

All-White Bouquets

While fall and winter are known for all the deep-rooted colors that come along with both seasons, one big trend for this year is to go with an all-white bouquet. Some couples are saving the fall and winter pops of color for other decor at their wedding celebration and going with a classic and elegant all-white bouquet of roses.

Support for Organizations

With all that’s happening in the world, some couples are looking to use their wedding celebration as a way of raising support for an organization or non-profit. This year, some fall and winter couples are skipping party favors and donating the cash they would’ve spent on those items to a special cause. Others are listing those organizations on their wedding registry, giving guests the option of making a donation over giving a standard wedding gift.

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