Events & Weddings In New Braunfels, Texas

As we all know here in Texas, the first day of Fall never actually feels like the first day of Fall. So, while everyone up north starts to enjoy the lower temperatures come beginning of September, we here in Texas and the Hill Country still have another month or so of summer to soak up.  But we did get a lovely little taste of cooler weather this last week here in New Braunfels, Texas which has inspired us to write about all things “Fall Weddings”. If you’re a fall bride, today’s post is all about you!

Did you know one of the most popular months to get married is October? With all the beautiful colors and favorable temperatures – we can see why! We’ve got you covered with everything you need to plan the perfect fall wedding – including the best colors, what flowers are in season, accessories for the groomsmen, unique décor for the reception, and even what to wear if you’re going to a wedding as a guest this fall. 

Fall Weather

Fall is known for being a bit-more-brisk than our scorching summers; however, the beginning of Fall will still bring warmer-than-average weather here in Texas, making it the perfect time for an outdoor wedding! Here at Gruene Estate, we have the most perfect open-air chapel and a modern farmhouse covered pavilion that is great year-round but Fall here in Texas is our sweet spot. One piece of advice we always share with our brides, being as we are an outdoor venue in Texas, if you’re planning a wedding during this season, remember that the weather can vary greatly during this season. So, whatever your wedding date may be, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on weather predictions, and inform your guests if they should bring a sweater, jacket, or umbrella.

Holiday Season

Another reason to love fall? It’s the start of the holiday season! From Halloween to Thanksgiving, there’s no shortage of reasons to celebrate during this time of year. Whether you host your wedding on a holiday weekend is up to you, but in general it’s a good idea to steer clear of major holidays such as Thanksgiving. Fall is also the start of football season, with NFL games on Sundays and college football on Saturdays. If you are a diehard Texas fan, you may want to avoid a weekend with the big game you are planning to attend. But if you do miss the game, no worries! Fall is the perfect time to get creative and incorporate football into your wedding. Putting your favorite team’s logo on you wedding desserts or naming a signature cocktail after them is a good way to get your team spirit on.

Fall Color Palette

Fall weddings are truly unique and special because it’s the perfect time of year to incorporate the natural colors of the changing seasons into your “theme”. As a fall bride, we say never say no to color! Go bold with pops of bordeaux, burnt orange, natural greenery, and blush pink in your bouquet or with your shoes and accessories. Although this color palette mimics the changing of the leaves and provides natural warmth to any style of décor, don’t feel boxed in by the “fall foliage” feel! You can always go a bit more modern with your colors. Consider using gold or copper for a bit of glitz and glam, or as we here at Gruene Estate like to call it “Sparkle and Hay”. Also, you can add deep plum and emerald green for elegance, or neutral shades like champagne, cream, and slate gray. All of these deep colors and gorgeous neutrals can make for the most enchanting Fall color palette.

Wedding Party Attire

Having your wedding in the fall opens up so many more options for bridesmaids dresses. Deep jewel tones, darker florals, glimmering metallics, flowy silhouettes, and long-sleeved bridesmaid dresses are all lovely options for Fall attire that you generally avoid during summer months. Bridesmaid jewelry is the perfect place to make a statement! (*This could be a perfect gift for your girls and allows you to incorporate your colors into their accessories) If you are here in South Texas, just remember that even late November can be warm, so you may be doing your ladies a favor to steer clear of any thick fabric and find a lovely pashmina, maybe in a bold fall color, for the girls to wear if they get chilly. The groomsmen can get creative with their fall wardrobe, too! How about argyle socks or plaid ties? Sleek navy or gray suits are a sophisticated choice with these bold accessories.

What’s In Season

Here’s a fun tip, when you buy what’s in season, you get food and flowers at the peak of their supply when costs are normally lower. Plus, when they’re locally grown, they don’t need to be shipped halfway around the globe. So not only do you save money, but you save the worry of stuff not arriving on time.

Fall Food

The fall harvest brings about a new selection of fruits and veggies that can be crafted into the most delicious, comforting dishes.  In-season vegetables during the fall bring all sorts of squash, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes. How does a cozy bowl of butternut squash soup sound for a starter? Colorful fruits like apples, cranberries, pears, and pomegranates are also available in abundance. Besides incorporating these fruits into your menu, consider decorating your cake with them, or creating a signature cocktail that incorporates them. Who doesn’t love a pomegranate martini? Or a sangria infused with cranberries? You get where we are going with this. For dessert, you may want to consider a coffee or hot cocoa bar with cinnamon-sugar donuts, a dessert table with seasonal fruit pies, or our personal favorite, a s’mores bar! Gruene Estate has an incredible fire pit right outside of the reception venue where the bride, groom and guests can roast up a perfect s’more. It’s one of our favorite unique details about Gruene Estate.

Fall Wedding Flowers

While many flowers bloom year-round, there are some in-season fall flowers that are pure wedding perfection. Dahlias are gorgeous in a wedding bouquet, and deep burgundy dahlias are especially beautiful in the fall. Garden roses are the perfect alternative to peonies this time of year and marigolds come in festive fall colors of gold, orange, and red. Fall is the harvest seasons, so adding wheat and leaves to inspire the rest of the blooms really adds to the theme. Dried flowers and pampas grass are becoming more and more popular, and they are just perfect for fall weddings! We also love the idea of seasonal berries, or even acorns as part of your floral arrangements or table décor. You may also want to check out in-season fillers such as scabiosa pods, which lend a modern yet rustic touch.

Fall Décor

Fall décor can be so fun and unique. You can take a step away from glam and add some boho rustic charm to your elegant event. Grab some of your favorite fall florals (see above for recommendations) and put them in a mason jar.  Add a rustic wood slice and put your mason jar atop and carve the table number into the wood and there you go! Your centerpiece not only acts as décor but also as your table numbering. Candles and lanterns can help to tie the fall look together and set a beautiful, cozy ambiance to your reception. And finally, our favorite addition to any fall décor, incorporate seasonal fruits and pumpkins wherever you can. This will add a unique touch that will make your décor pop.

Fall Wedding Cake

Your cake is the perfect opportunity to tie the beauty of fall into your wedding ceremony.  Fall wedding cakes are taking on a more rustic style, with drizzles of caramel, “rough” buttercream icing, or no icing at all! Naked cakes are completely without outside icing, and look stunning decorated with fall fruits, such as pomegranates or cranberries like we mentioned above. We also have seen cake decorated looking like wood bark, which we think is just so creative! And don’t forget about the inside of the cake. Seasonal flavors include apple spice cake, gingerbread, or, you guessed it, pumpkin spice cake. Red velvet would also be a stunning choice to complement a deep red color palette.