5 Tips For Planning Fall Weddings

Fall is a fantastic time to be wed in Southern California. Those long summer nights turn into those crisp romantic evenings. Like all the other seasons, there are a few things to note when planning a wedding in the fall.

Read about the best tips and tricks for planning your special autumn day. 

1.If you’re planning a wedding in the Fall in Southern or Northern California, there are a few things you should consider. September, October, and November all very busy wedding months with the most popular dates in October. If you have your heart set on a specific date, you should definitely consider booking your wedding venue 12-15 months in advance. The high demand for October also increases the rates and decreases the availability of hotels so if you plan on renting a VRBO or a room block be sure to do that well in advance. 

2. Our beautiful Southern California weather is well sought after, but it can be a bit tricky. The days can still be warm well into December with evenings being on the cooler side. When choosing a venue ask specifics about heating options, indoor options and be sure to put on your wedding website that guests should bring a light jacket. If getting married at a winery, the vines can vary quite a bit in the color and look between September and November. Ask to see photos of the venue during the month in which you want to get married so you can get a more realistic idea of what the landscape and vines will look like during the Fall season.

3. Anytime your planning a Fall wedding, consider the time change in regards to your ceremony time. We Fall back on the first Sunday in November so you will want to take that into consideration when choosing your ceremony time. You will want to consider time for photos and daylight as well. Most Fall weddings will start and end a bit earlier than the summer weddings and I always encourage brides to consider a first look so you have plenty of time to capture all of the beauty that Southern California has to offer without being rushed!

4. Develop a wedding website. This is a great tool where you can list local information such as weekend itineraries for your guests (there a ton of fun things to do in Southern California, just ask your planner) shuttle arrangements, welcome dinners, rehearsal dinner information or Sunday brunch. Your website is also a great place to add the local accommodations and encourage them to book hotel stays early on.

5.Book a local planner! San Diego is a dynamic area with many wonderful wedding professionals and venues to offer. It is always changing and new venues and restaurants are popping up all the time. By booking a local planner (find out more information under our services tab) you can get the inside scoop on what different venues have to offer such as wineries, ranches, private estates and more! Your local planner will know the best vendors in the area that will suit your needs and style plus they have great insight into the local wine, food and weekend activities.