Hello Fall: Your Wedding is a year away!
Welcoming Fall: Tips for 2025 Brides from Your Wedding Photographer
As the crisp autumn air begins to settle in, I'm reminded of why fall is one of my favorite seasons for weddings. The vibrant colors, cozy atmosphere, and soft, golden light make for absolutely stunning photographs. If you're planning a fall wedding in 2025, here are a few tips to help you make the most of this beautiful season.
1. Embrace the Fall Color Palette
A flat lay photo featuring bride and grooms wedding band
Photographer : Sheldon James Photography
Venue: The Barn At Wolf Creek
Fall offers a rich tapestry of colors—think deep reds, burnt oranges, golden yellows, and earthy greens. When choosing your floral arrangements, decor, and even your bridal party attire, consider incorporating these seasonal hues. They not only look incredible in person but also translate beautifully in photos, adding warmth and depth to every shot.
2. Book Your Vendors Early
Cutting of the Cake with Personalized Cake Topper
Photographer: Sheldon James Photography
Venue: The Warehouse, Troy Ohio
Cake Designer: The Cakery
Fall is an increasingly popular season for weddings, and 2025 will be no exception. With high demand, Especially in the months of September and October, it's crucial to book your key vendors—venue, photographer, florist, and caterer—as early as possible. Many vendors fill their calendars quickly for peak fall dates, so securing your dream team early ensures you won't miss out.
3. Plan for the Weather
Photographer: Sheldon James Photography
Venue: The Barn
Autumn weather can be unpredictable, ranging from warm and sunny to cool and rainy. Have a backup plan for outdoor elements of your day, such as a tent or an indoor alternative, to keep your guests comfortable. Additionally, consider providing cozy touches like blankets or a hot beverage station to enhance the seasonal vibe and keep everyone warm.
4. Golden Hour is Your Best Friend
One of the most magical aspects of fall is the golden hour—the hour before sunset when the light is soft and golden. This time of day is perfect for capturing breathtaking portraits. When planning your timeline, try to schedule some time during golden hour for couple photos. The natural light will add a romantic glow to your images, making them even more special.
5. Consider Seasonal Touches
Photographer : Sheldon James Photography
Incorporate seasonal elements into your wedding to create a truly autumnal experience. Think pumpkin accents, spiced cocktails, or a menu featuring fall flavors like butternut squash or apple pie. These little touches will not only enhance the seasonal feel but also make your wedding unique and memorable.
6. Don't Forget About the Early Sunset
As we move deeper into fall, the days get shorter, and the sun sets earlier. Be mindful of this when planning your schedule, especially if you're hoping to capture outdoor photos. Starting your ceremony earlier in the day allows for plenty of natural light and ensures you get those dreamy outdoor shots before the sun dips below the horizon.
7. Trust Your Vendors
Bride and Groom with Wedding Party and Guest
Photographer: Sheldon James Photography
Videographer: LosProductions
Venue: The Steam Plant
Wedding Planner: Angela's Premier Event Designs
Finally, trust the professionals you've hired to help bring your vision to life. Vendors like your photographer, florist, and planner have extensive experience with fall weddings and can offer valuable advice on how to navigate the unique aspects of the season. Lean on their expertise to ensure your day is as flawless and stress-free as possible.
Fall weddings are truly magical, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty and cozy charm. With these tips in mind, you'll be well on your way to creating an unforgettable autumn celebration. I can't wait to capture the beauty of your big day in 2025!
Tips when you are picking your wedding florist in Dayton Ohio
Macro/ up close shot of bouquet Dayton Ohio Wedding
Wedding flowers are really the heart of your celebration and can create the vibe you're going for: romantic, modern, whimsical, rustic—the list goes on and on. Hiring a florist is an important part of the wedding planning process, but there are a few things you'll need to do before signing a contract with your flower pro. Here's a step-by-step guide to finding the perfect florist for your wedding day.
When Should You Hire a Florist for Your Wedding?
We recommend starting to research wedding florists about 11 months before your big day, with the goal to sign a contract between 9 and 10 months pre-wedding. Basically, as soon as you've booked your venue and have officially set a date, you can start researching other vendors, including your florist. Given the current wedding boom, vendors are booking up faster than ever (especially if you're marrying during peak wedding season) which in Dayton Ohio peak season is considered June to November, so the earlier you can secure a florist, the better!
Couples Portrait (Stone Valley Meadows) 4914 Robinson Vail Rd Franklin Ohio 45005
1. Establish Your Flower Style
Some florists specialize in tall, lush, ornate centerpieces, while others are better at modern, minimalist arrangements. Find photos of bouquets, boutonnieres and centerpieces you like to figure out your style, and choose a wedding color palette. And familiarize yourself with some of the most common floral terms and types of flowers and greenery, so you'll be able to talk shop with your florist.
2. Determine Your Floral Needs
Do you want someone who'll not only make your arrangements but also help design the look of your reception tables and ceremony aisle? A floral designer is probably more your speed. Already have a wedding planner or an eye for design? Then a regular florist will likely do the trick. Figure out which is the best fit—this will allow you to narrow your search and help determine your budget.
3. Create Your Floral Budget
Décor and flowers should amount to about 10 percent of your overall wedding budget. According to The Knot Real Wedding Study, the average couple spent $2,300 on floral decor—but that number varies widely depending on your wedding location, guest count and other details. If you love flowers and want a grand floral arrangements, or are dead-set on peonies in November, plan to bump up this number. And account for extras like setup and breakdown charges, taxes and tips. It's essential you have a number in mind when you start meeting with wedding florists.
4. Get Recommendations
As with all wedding pros, you want a florist who's reliable, capable and within your price range. You also should find someone who is open to your ideas and whose taste you respect. One of the best ways to find your florist is by word of mouth—ask for recommendations from newlyweds you know and read online reviews on The Knot Marketplace. You can also check out real wedding photos from events that took place in your wedding location, find images of floral arrangements you like and see who created them. If you're working with a wedding planner or a venue coordinator, they should have some suggestions of local florists.
5. Schedule an Interview
You should hire someone you trust to make the right floral decisions—someone who instinctively knows what will look good together. Set up appointments with your "short list" of florists so you can connect in person and view a portfolio of their work. It's a good idea to come with a list of questions, and have the following information ready:
Your wedding date
An estimated guest count, including number of wedding party members
Your wedding venue
Color scheme and flower ideas
A list of your other booked wedding vendors
Landoll’s Mohecian Castle (561 Township Road 3352 Loudonville OH 44842 (Couples Portrait)
6: Show Don’t tell
Are you a true minimalist? Or are you looking to do an über-romantic, glamorous wedding? Your florist isn't a mind reader and images are more telling than words. Bring your Pinterest board, a bridesmaid dress fabric swatch and a photograph of your wedding dress or attire to your interviews. Share your vision and discuss your budget.
7: Consider the proposal:
Determine your top picks and have a second interview or follow-up discussion to hash out details like exact flowers, cost of materials and rentals, and setup and breakdown costs. Have each florist put together a detailed proposal for your wedding floral design based on what you've told them about your vision and budget. If you've spoken about many different ideas, ask them to prepare a "high" best-case scenario and "low" bare-minimum proposal. You can always mix and create a mid-range package—perhaps you spend more on the centerpieces and pare down the bridesmaid bouquets.
8: Pick a winner :
Review your proposals and determine the best match. If you have concerns about any costs or elements of the proposal, talk about them with your chosen florist now. When you're completely satisfied with the proposal, your wedding florist will turn it into a formal contract.
Jorgensen Farms (5851 East Walnut Street Westerville Oh 43081) Bride with her father
Canyon Run Ranch
Canyon Run Ranch, near Troy Ohio
“Experience the romance of the woods” This venue is Earth-friendly, sustainable, Wild and Handcrafted beauty
Champaign toast from the bride and her bridesmaids
Canyon Run Ranch Ohio’s Outdoor wooded wedding venue and historic barn is Quietly nestled in the heart of the Stillwater River Valley near Troy, Ohio, Canyon Run Ranch is a sustainable outdoor destination wedding venue for those who value the natural beauty of Ohio’s wooded hills and sparkling waterways.
Outdoor lovers experience magical weddings in the shady forest on the ridge, get photos beside the creek above the waterfalls, and celebrate with their guests in the warmth of the authentic, historic bank barn under 1,000’s of twinkle lights, all powered by solar energy. The perfect setting for your eco-friendly, green wedding celebration.
Secluded and private, Canyon Run Ranch is a gorgeous setting to celebrate a woodland wedding with an authentic American barn, lush botanical gardens, beautiful stone home, pristine woodlands, and acres of native wildflowers.
Wedding ceremony location within the woods 395 N. Rangeline Rd. Pleasant Hill, OH 45359
/ pampas grass/ lost and found event rug rentals /1121 E 2nd St, Dayton, OH 45403
