As someone whose favorite seasons come with crisper air and cozier clothes, the idea of having a fall or winter wedding filled with all the best cold weather staples sounds like the most magical way to be wed. Whether it is falling leaves or descending snow these seasonal wedding inspirations are sure to have you rejoicing over the chillier temperatures. From the perfect color palette to delicate decor, we have gathered everything you’ll need to throw the warmest nuptials.

A Distinctive Dress

As we discussed in a previous entry on wedding dresses, with countless silhouette options a bride can easily become overwhelmed trying to find the perfect dress. One of the hottest trends for fall and winter is the addition of one uncommon dress feature. Many wedding dresses have brides bearing arms, but sleeved dresses are not just practical due to the drop in temps, they bring romance to any silhouette. Although covering up may not have been what you originally had in mind when you dreamed of your wedding dress, you may soon realize that sleeves add a certain sexy that can complete your slay!

MAE’s Tip: Complete your on-trend look with romantic hair & makeup! Steal the seasonal vibe, as seen on beautiful bride Katie (pictured directly above), styled by the wonderful artists at RefleKTion Salon. Side swept hair and a deep lip are must-haves to create a dreamy autumn aesthetic.

Best-Dressed Bridal Party

Fabrics and colors are two foremost elements to keep in mind when deciding what your wedding party will wear. Incorporate the seasonal style that best suites YOU, that will ring true for many harvest moons to follow. The right touches of fabric like velvet and flannel are a great way to create a warmer vibe while making your wedding party look like a winter night’s dream. As for color, try jewel tones as they pair well with every skin tone. Sapphire, ruby and citrine are easy to pair and will go perfectly with holiday time nuptials.

MAE’s Tip: Don’t forget the finishing touches! How about a textured wool or tweed tie for the groom's guys to take the seasonal look to the next level. Need more inspiration, check out the endless options at The Tie Bar to take things up a notch. We are obsessed with their sweater ties!

COZY DECOR

One of the most important aspects of your wedding is the decor. Creating a cohesive theme that each of your planning elements correspond with is essential to bringing your vision to life. What better way to celebrate than by making your guests feel like they've just entered a warm welcoming cabin trimmed to a capital "T". Get creative and incorporate seasonal flowers such as coxcomb or darker calla lily hues. Or even skip the flowers altogether and add cascading greenery such as holly, white pine, or eucalyptus leaves with lots of candlelight.

MAE’s Tip: It's easy to over design when trying to create the perfect aesthetic. If your venue already incorporates holiday decor into their repertoire, don't try to compete! Try slight wood accents and warm twinkling backdrops to create subtle and natural nuance.

Delectable Cuisine

When surveying couples on wedding must-haves, nine times out of ten they will say, “having great food and drinks are a non-negotiable.” You may think that the colder months yield less produce, however this is a time when the most sought after seasonal fruits and vegetables can be incorporated into your special day. Finding a caterer who uses organic, locally-grown food is a great way to ensure that your menu is filled to the brim with the most flavorful harvest staples. Vegetables like squash and brussels sprouts are ripe during these seasons and make great sides to your protein picks. Incorporating seasonal fruit on or in your cake or dessert table enhances your theme. Try topping your cake with caramel apple, hearty nuts or fig that inevitably lend to your trend AND taste amazing!

MAE’s Tip: Pre-Ceremony beverage bars are always a hit! Welcome your guests warmly with options like mulled wine, hot toddies, spiked apple cider and hot chocolate. Chowhound has a great list of seasonal cocktails that will have your guests saying "I Do" before you!

Beautiful Backdrops

One of our favorite aspects of fall are the leaves changing colors! Although subsequent winter brings a lack of those leaves, bare trees can also be striking. Nothing is more stunning than using nature as your backdrop. You may assume that colder weather brings only indoor wedding venue options, but this seasonal trend when executed properly will make you reconsider! Bring your guests closer together (literally) by incorporating the outdoors in your ceremony or cocktail hour. Heat lamps and cozy blankets are the perfect solution to keep your guests engaged and happy. For indoor wedding receptions, try choosing a location with large windows that overlook beautiful landscape. While you may not want to play in the snow, there is nothing more romantic than seeing it fall as you dance the night away!

MAE’s Tip: Think outside the box - NEVER let fall and winter be basic. Look for unconventional venue options and arm yourself with a wedding planning and design team who can transform that beautiful outdoor space properly. Here are some awesome picks from The Knot!