Falling Leaves: Fresh Wedding Invitations Featuring a Seasonal Favorite

Since I started designing invitations I've watched fall weddings increase in popularity. In fact, when I planned my own November nuptials almost six years ago, I had one wedding vendor tell me "October is the new June!" and I think he was on to something there. While the rest of North America is just starting spring, autumn 2009 brides are already thinking about crisp breezes, warm and rich colors, and of course...falling leaves. Below is a feast for the eyes featuring a variety of interpretations on the seasonal autumn leaf theme beloved by many brides.

A pair of gold skeleton leaves combine with wine-colored hues and a modern horizontal layout in this Wedding Invitation from Bride Design.

This Autumn leaf stationery (at left) from Lasso'd Moon Designs seamlessly coordinates with a gorgeous pocket fold invitation suite (at right) also from Lasso'd Moon. These note cards would make perfect thank you notes for sending after your fall event.

The unexpected pairing of orange and blue adds a punch of color to this invitation suite from Evenstar Paperie, which also features a three-dimensional fall leaf in a subtle bronze.

Often under-used in an autumn wedding color palette, I think green is making a big comeback this year. I love Good Girl Gifts' take on fall leaves which highlights the company's signature stitched look. For me, the graceful stitch pattern evokes a vine at harvest time, or a gust of wind blowing the leaves this way and that.

Speaking of harvest time, I think the inclusion of autumn fruit and the catchy wording on these invitations from Just Another Day, offer another unique twist on the traditional fall leaf theme. They are offered in a variety of colors including this lovely green.

When it comes to themes, I think it's important to carry whatever motif you choose through the entire event. These gorgeous programs from Tulaloo, would perfectly infuse any wedding with a distinct autumn flair.

~Erin, Bride Design and Sweet Talk Boutique

The Anatomy of a Wedding Program- What's in it and Do You Need it?

Wedding programs are what some might consider a necessary evil. Personally, I like them for several reasons. First, it gives you a chance to introduce your wedding party without formally doing so, and even let people know how you know them. Second, it's a nice way to give rememberance to those family members who have passed on. Third, it gives your guests something to do with their hands, and if it's a ceremony many might be unfamiliar with, it also lets your guests know what's going to happen when. Fourth, 15 years later, it may help you remember what actually happened at your wedding without having to break out your wedding DVD (this happened to me recently, though it's only been nine and a half years).

So what should go into your program and how many should you get? Well, it really depends on how much information you want to give out and what your budget is for programs. In considering how many to order, a good rule of thumb is one per couple, plus 15-20% more for singles and keepsakes. As for content, I've done small programs, and I've done HUGE programs. A 6-8 page program, even if it's small in size, could still end up being more expensive than your invitations. There's a ton of time that goes into setting them up, there are many changes that need to be made (because you do NOT want to spell your future grandma-in-law's name wrong) and it's all very last minute. The more time you can devote to them the better. But I would break down your wedding program into the following:

The necessary:
The ceremony:
processional, music, readings, recessional

The Bridal Party:
Your parents, his parents, the officiant, bridesmaids and groomsmen (including your maid of honor and best man )

The nice:
A note of rememberance, or thank you to parents

Directions if reception is at a different site

Information about your ceremony if it is different from the norm (if you are doing a handfasting ceremony for example, it would be nice to give your guests a little history of the ceremony).

If you are considering a wedding program, let your stationer know in your initial consultation that you are thinking of doing them so that she can let you know the approximate timeline for these and when she'll need the information.

~Carey@Lasso'd Moon Designs

Photos courtesty of Lasso'd Moon Designs (top) and paperzest (bottom).