Fall in Love With These Autumn Destination Wedding Venues

Bold, dramatic colors, fresh, sharp scents and brilliant fall foliage make autumn a popular time for couples to plan a destination wedding. Whether you want to go all out in a luxurious, castle-inspired venue or prefer a quiet ceremony surrounded by the natural world, you’ll fall in love with these top autumn destination wedding venues from Brides Magazine.

The Homestead - Hot Springs, Va.

(Photo: Brides Magazine, courtesy of The Homestead)

Ornate curtains, rich upholstery and grand pillars make this masterpiece of Southern architecture a venue Scarlett O’Hara would die for. You and your significant other can exchange vows in quaint gardens, sprawling green lawns or a luxurious interior hall, and then relax in the resort’s mineral-fed hot springs pools.
Fees: Ceremony site fees range from $1,500 to $3,000; receptions cost approximately $175 per person including food, beverages,and wedding cake.

Gedney Farm - New Marlborough, Mass.

(Photo: Brides Magazine, courtesy of Gedney Farm)

Experience the natural beauty of autumn firsthand in the charming spot at Gedney Farm. Don’t let the rustic exterior fool you, though. An elegant manor, spa and a horse and carriage ride await couples tying the knot at this retreat.

Fees: $5,000 site fee for fall weddings, which includes use of the property for an entire weekend. Reception wedding menus from $95 per person.

Blantyre - Lenox, Mass.

(Photo: Brides Magazine, courtesy of Blantyre)

This elegant property built circa 1901 will make any bride feel like a character straight out of a Jane Austin novel. 22 uniquely decorated bedrooms, a carefully arranged picnic lunch and hot air balloon rides over the beautiful fall countryside add the perfect touch to a romantic wedding.

Fees: Couples will have to arrange details and fees with the hotel.

To see the rest of the venues, click here.

Thanksgiving Wedding Inspiration

Thanksgiving is a holiday for gathering with friends and family and celebrating the best parts of life. It’s no mystery why it’s a popular time for couples to tie the knot. Rich seasonal food, warm fall colors and natural accents like twigs and velvety autumn leaves can make a Thanksgiving wedding shine.

If you want a unique Thanksgiving wedding, The Knot has you covered. See below for some of their inspirational Thanksgiving wedding ideas.

Invites and Save the Dates

One of the most important things to keep in mind when planning a holiday-centric wedding is that many friends will want to spend the holiday with their own families. The way to overcome this is to send out your Save the Dates as soon as you possibly can! Thanksgiving weddings, though, do offer the additional bonus of most of your guests already having time off of work for the holiday.

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Location

Thanksgiving is the epitome of autumnal beauty, so choosing either an outside venue—or a venue that can give you plenty of gorgeous fall landscapes—is the way to go. The rich fall colors, the bounty of fallen leaves, and the forgiving temperatures of fall, all make for a perfect outdoor wedding.

http://www.weddingomania.com/

Décor

Let nature dictate the décor for your ceremony and reception! Think of woodsy and rustic themes, allowing yourself to be inspired by trees, feathers, bird’s nests, and fallen leaves. Stay away from cheap Thanksgiving decorations: no miniature cornucopias or turkey designs cut out of construction paper. Evoke the meaning of the season by placing decorative and rustic chalkboards around the venue, allowing people to write down what they are most thankful for. If you are opting for an outdoor wedding, have the chalkboards perched in the middle of the tables. You want your ceremony and reception to look easeful and natural, almost as if it’s an enchanted autumnal forest. Having an elaborately decorated and stuffy reception just doesn’t suit the meaning of Thanksgiving.

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Food

Food is the highlight of Thanksgiving, so make sure that your food is the highlight of your reception! You can always choose a more traditional Thanksgiving meal to serve your guests, or, if you’re concerned that your guests will already have had their fill of turkey from their own Thanksgiving celebrations, you can always serve traditional family dishes with a twist—Gruyere mac and cheese with bacon, apple stuffed pork chops, bourbon chocolate pecan pie, etc. Garnish your wedding cake with a few autumnal touches, and place it atop a tree stump cake stand.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/69857611/medium-8-inch-rustic-wood-cake-stand

Flowers

Don’t be afraid to branch out (pun intended) from using exclusively flowers in your bouquet or centerpieces. Acorns, branches, and fall leaves can all make gorgeous additions to any flower arrangement.

http://www.weddingomania.com/

Read the full list from The Knot here.

Victor Harper Bridal Gown Trunk Show Nov. 15-16, 2013

All Kansas City and Midwest brides are invited to attend Laura’s Couture Collection’s Victor Harper Bridal Gown Trunk Show Nov. 15-16, 2013! Experience all of the gorgeous, elegant and sophisticated dresses from this legendary luxury wedding dress designer. The trunk show is by appointment only and space is limited, so make your reservation soon.

Book Now!

See the latest Victor Harper designs. (Photo: Victor Harper)

According to the designer's website, the dresses are “inspired by the musings of feminine sophistication, elegance and sensuality, the Victor Harper Collection weaves together glamour, refinement and drama in perfect silhouettes to mold and flatter the body.”

In addition, the designs in the collection offer wedding dresses in exclusive fabrics including mikado and organza. All of these will be available to Kansas City brides at the trunk show.

Find out more about Victor Harper.

Fabulous Fall Weddings

Summer and spring weddings are splendid, but fall weddings are a class of their own. Rich and warm autumn colors, cool, fresh air outside and stunning fall fashion trends make autumn the perfect season to have a wedding.

According to Laura Mease, owner of Laura’s Couture Collection, “Brides feel their prettiest in the fall! They still have a healthy glow from summer and are at their thinnest between summer and the winter holidays. It’s also a great time to spend with family and friends.”

Check out the top five reasons to love fall weddings from Bridal Guide:

5. The food! Think apple cider signature cocktails, a delicious soup course and donuts for dessert.

Photo Credit: Photo by: Armando Rafael on Tinsel & Twine via Lover.ly

4. It’s the perfect time to wear your favorite boots under your wedding dress.

Photo Credit: Caroline Lima Photography on Inspired By This via Lover.ly

3. You can create gorgeous décor on the cheap — crunchy leaves, votives, and beautiful branches all make lovely decorations. Plus, they're more budget-friendly than flowers.

Photo Credit: Andi Mans Photography on Wedding Chicks via Loverly

2. Because of the way engagement rings sparkle in the fall sun.

Photo Credit: Kourtney Allyse Photography on Kourtney Allyse Photography via Lover.ly

1. The romance of this season is undeniable.

Photo Credit: Ella Photography on Ella Photography via Lover.ly

Click here for the full list!

Laura Mease Recaps New York City Bridal Market Trends, Wedding Designers & More!

Posted by Laura Mease, owner of Laura’s Couture Collection

We made a splash in the Big Apple earlier in October at the New York Bridal Market! Laura’s Couture Collection owner made the luxury wedding dress designer rounds in New York City, seeing Liancarlo, Victor Harper, Reem Acra, Victoria Nicole and more!

Check out these great photos from the event!

Beautiful bridal tiara and accessories by PARIS.

We got to go behind the scenes at Yumi Katsura!

Another shot at Yumi Katsura.

So many pretty belts and sashes!

Loved meeting wedding dress designer icon Jim Hjelm!