Photo: Caroline + Ben Photography
While summer is typically touted as the time of year for all things wedding, there’s no denying that the surrounding seasons of spring and fall are just as perfect to say “I do.” Fall foliage, spring flowers, to-die-for weather, countless seasonal menu ideas… the list of perks goes on and on! But planning a wedding during these transitional times also comes with its own unique sets of issues and challenges. Here are 10 things all brides and grooms you should keep in mind when planning a wedding in the spring or fall.
Spring
It’s not going to be as warm as you expect it to be.
Spring always starts later than hoped for, especially in certain parts of the country, with temperatures often not hitting the 70s until late May. If you’re a March or April bride, be kind to your bridal party and try to choose dresses and accessories that will keep them both stylish and warm!
Be careful where you step while taking outdoor photos.
Even though April showers bring May flowers, in between melting snow and rainy downpours, the odds are high that the ground and grass will be soggy and wet, so be careful where you step while taking engagement and bridal party photos.
Use lots of fresh flowers!
The fun part about getting married in the spring is that everything is in bloom, so you’ll have much more variety in terms of choice for your floral decorations than you will at any other part of the year, except for summer. Take advantage of it and fill your venues with as many fresh flowers as possible.
If you’re outside, there will be bugs.
When the world blooms once again, the unfortunate side effect is that insects wake up as well, and if your wedding is being held in an outdoor venue, the odds are quite high that they are going to be uninvited guests at your wedding. So if you’re outside, make sure to keep insect repellent and mosquito nets handy, choose flowers that don’t attract bees, and try to keep floral perfume at a minimum.
Be aware of spring allergies.
If you’re planning a spring wedding but you’ve got members of your family or bridal party with pollen or other springtime allergies, try to make things easier for them by choosing a venue that both fulfills your vision for a dream wedding but won’t exacerbate their symptoms — and at the very least, include a tiny bag of portable tissues with the wedding favors!
See More: 32 Knockout Dahlia Wedding Bouquets
Photo: Emily Wren Photography
Fall
See if you can get an off-season deal from your vendors.
Since your wedding is following the summer wedding rush and you’re likely to have less competition from other brides, see if your wedding vendors would be willing to negotiate on their prices.
Take advantage of the fall foliage.
Don’t forget to take this natural phenomenon into account when booking your venue. You’ll want to choose a spot that highlights the stunning natural background of oranges, reds and yellows that comes with autumn.
Don’t rule out the chance for snow.
In certain parts of the country, once October 1st rolls around, it could snow at any time. And even if snow is off the table, like in Florida, it can still get super chilly come November, especially at night. So if you’re planning to get married at the tail end of fall, consider choosing an indoor venue, just in case the weather doesn’t cooperate.
See More: 42 Fall-Inspired Wedding Cakes
Choose a seasonal menu for your reception.
Fall is harvest season, which means that there will be a lot of tasty options to choose from for your wedding menu. Bring some autumn spice to your reception dinner with things like apple cider, pumpkin bread, and apple pie!
Choose the right honeymoon destination.
As a fall bride, you’ll have less to worry about in terms of competition from other couples and tourists, but because you’re heading into the off season, make sure to check what the weather will be like in your preferred honeymoon destination. Depending on where you want to go, the weather might not be exactly what you expected! For example, October is still considered hurricane season in the Caribbean and other surrounding areas. The silver lining? Going during the off-season means you might get a better deal overall.