When you start wearing your cable-knit sweaters à la When Harry Met Sally and watch the leaves cascade to the ground, you know the most romantic time of the year is near. From the brisk air to the gold and crimson-colored trees, the autumn season is inherently awe-inspiring. Couples are naturally drawn to the idea of marrying under velvet skies and dancing to Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon” at their reception. We’ve compiled a few of our favorite autumn “I dos” on OTM, so if you haven’t already, prepare to fall in love with fall weddings.
OBGYNs Blair and Iman’s Warm and Inviting Wedding in the Hudson Valley Featured Algerian Influences
Once engaged, Doctors Blair and Iman decided to wed at Blair’s family’s home in the Hudson Valley. “Iman’s family is from Algeria, and while we knew many of her family members wouldn’t be able to make it to the wedding, we wanted to bring as much Algerian influence and inspiration as possible, which hugely influenced our aesthetic,” Blair says. The couple were wed by one of their close friends, who sweetly spoke about the women as individuals, their relationship, their community, and their commitment to each other. Two other pals read important texts to the couple: a sonnet by Elizabeth Barrett Browning and a poem by Syrian poet Nizar Qabbani. “They both write about love so beautifully, and it was so special to include them,” Blair says. “Iman and I each wrote our own vows that we also shared with each other.”
Lucy Drummond and Derrick Brown’s Manhattan-Meets-Vermont Wedding
On a sunny day on the Reading Farms Estate near Woodbury, Vermont, guests walked along the shady tree-lined path of Maple Alley while a harpist strummed. “Being mid-October, the foliage was comprised of auburns, deep greens, oranges, and yellows,” the bride shares. “It was spectacular!” When the mid-day chill sunk in, Lucy’s sister, Vogue alum Selby Drummond, brought her an ostrich feather Morgane Le Fay bolero to wear down the aisle. Later that evening, everyone kept warm with Maple Manhattan cocktails.
Louise Piyarat Lai and Hoe Jung’s Intimate Wedding in New York
On November 5, 2022, Louise and Hoe had a traditional Korean pyebaek at home with their family. Once officially wed, they joined their guests at Eleven Madison Park for a private five-course meal surrounded by florals by Designs by Ahn. The couple then had an impromptu first dance to their favorite song, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Hailey Reinhart, while their family serenaded them. The party continued on a rooftop with an eye-level view of the Empire State Building.
Dr. Padmavathi Karri and Dr. Duncan Trimble Wed in a Multi-Day American-Indian Wedding in Austin
The bride turned to Nisha at Bridelan to find a saree that would reflect the bride’s South Indian roots with her own personal flair. Her thoughtfully constructed JADE lehenga in Aegean Blue complemented the Austin sky during their sunset cocktail hour. Wedding guests still rave about the event’s personal touches, like the whiskey and cigar bar and the cake stand made by the owner of the ceramic studio V attends.
Eddie Irions and Ryan Albert’s Classic Wedding
For Eddie and Ryan, it was an easy decision to start planning for an October 2021 wedding in South Carolina. “We wanted our aesthetic to be classic, elegant, and to capture the natural beauty of the Lowcountry landscape,” Ryan explains. After the last song of the night was played, the new mister and mister excitedly exited through a sparkler tunnel and off into newly married life.
Hannah Stefanek and Cameron Reehl’s Feminine Fall Wedding in Alabama
When Hannah and Cameron could not secure their original reception venues, Hannah called Cameron’s former baseball coach and asked if they could use his alma mater for their wedding. Just like the the throwback venue, the rest of the day’s aesthetic was similarly very 90s-esque. Cameron’s mother suggested Hannah go to New Orleans to search for fabrics and place orders for yards of a vintage silk velvet burnout and a vintage Chanel remnant that would make her unique rehearsal and grand exit dresses. The reception was a fall night to remember. Cameron’s uncle, country singer-songwriter Walker Hayes, sang his single “Fancy Like” and television was wheeled in to show the tail end of the Alabama football game.
Marja Harmon and Charles McCullough Jr.’s Autumnal Nashville Nuptials
“When we met with Mary Love Richardson [of Rosemary & Finch], we discussed the wedding feeling like golden hour in the fall, specifically in Paris,” the bride shares. “Paris is one of my favorite cities, and the autumn light as it hits the cream-colored Haussman buildings is such a mood.” Maria wore her deep gold off-the-shoulder chiffon dress and “felt like a walking golden hour” as she strolled down the aisle. Her second look of the day was a Vince liquid sequin dress in the shade garnet—a nod to her birthstone.
Shannon McNulty and Michael Lange’s Classic Film–Inspired Wedding in California
The newlyweds left the church to see Elizabeth Taylor’s legendary Green Goddess Rolls-Royce waiting for them. After several photos and hellos, they absconded in their getaway ride and drove past the famous Father of the Bride house from the Nancy Meyers remake—not the Elizabeth Taylor original, it should be noted.
Naimah Jennings and Keith Murray’s Vibrant Destination Nuptials in a Tropical Oasis
Naimah Jennings and Keith Murray’s autumn wedding highlighted the lush flora and fauna of the Yucatán, ensuring that its rich history was reflected throughout the weekend. The bride incorporated the non-traditional full-time colors with Amina Muaddi Gilda sandals in kiwi green to pair with Oscar de la Rena Fern dress. She glided down the aisle that was lined with seasonal offerings of ferns and pineapple.
Kelsey Smotzer and Emily Nahas’s Thoroughly New York Nuptials
New York was practically a featured guest at Kelsey and Emily’s autumn wedding. Emily discovered their ceremony violinist Susan Keser at the Union Square subway station four days prior to the wedding. After saying “I do,” the newlyweds and their families went to Carbone for a wedding lunch of Michelin-star Italian food and wines. That evening, the festivities continued with a cocktail party at Gilligan’s at the Soho Grand Hotel. Then, both brides changed into two very different black minidresses. “We were in downtown Manhattan, after all!” Emily exclaims. The after-party kicked off at The Django jazz club at The Roxy Hotel with a smaller group. Kelsey affirms, “It was the perfect NYC day and night.”
Megan Maquera and Nathan Day’s Wedding at Haiku Mill on Maui’s North Shore
The ceremony began with the Hawaiian tradition of blowing the “pū,” which is a conch shell trumpet, and the exchange of lei between the bride and groom. The officiant, Sean Keli’ipono Aquino, is also a friend of Megan’s cousin and a fire dancer in the first season of The White Lotus. He led a ceremony that blended Hawaiian tradition, Filipino culture, and modern taste. After the reception, guests were invited to Mr. and Mrs. Day’s oceanfront villa for an after-party that kept the buoyant revelry going all night long.
Mary Reinehr Gigler and Taylor Byrne’s Butterfly-Filled Wedding in North Carolina
“We wanted everyone to experience the magic that is North Carolina. Where better than the Biltmore Estate?” the bride-to-be stylist Mary Reinehr Gigler explains about the wedding venue. She also collects butterflies, her favorite symbol of hope. She incorporated these beautiful creatures as a recurring motif at her wedding to Taylor Byrne.
Stylist Chloe Engelhardt and Daniel Engelhardt’s English Wedding
Chloe and Daniel Engelhardt’s romance went from a West Hollywood Soho House to the Four Seasons Hampshire Hotel. “I wanted to find a venue that had a quaint, English garden to host our ceremony in but also a ballroom on property for a more glamorous black tie evening transition,” the bride explains. Everyone gathered in the ballroom for a seated soirée featuring smoked salmon, crispy poached egg, truffle risotto, and center-cut Beef Wellington.
India Blue Severe and Jackson John Dunford’s Intimate Wedding in Montecito
With just 25 guests in attendance, the couple spent quality time with each and everyone present. The newlyweds shared a first dance to their favorite song, “Lady May” by Tyler Childers, and then cut their old school tiered wedding cake by Babinka Treats. “It just felt like the party of my dreams,” Indy says. The night ended with a collective wedding party jump in the pool.
Michael Masco and Nicholas Marco’s Wedding Admist The Changing Seasons at Cedar Lakes Estate
“A friend of ours has a connection with Dolce & Gabbana that designed our suits that were custom-made down to a special label and fabric. Each night featured a different D&G ‘look,’ and each day leveled up the attire,” Michael Masco says of he and Nicholas Marco’s tailored wedding wardrobe. It all began lakeside with a softly lit soiree in the garden surrounded by pastel florals, flowing wines, and delicate fare. The night entailed shared toasts and countless laughs. On the following afternoon, Nick and Mike spent the day in the water, boating, swimming and soaking it all in. For the ceremony, guests gathered beneath sparkling chandeliers in what could only be described as an immaculate escape. Hand curated arrangements of coppers, emeralds, and rustic hues lined the aisle and ultimately cascaded into an arch at the head of the scene where the couple said “I do”.
POPUPFLORIST Founder Kelsie Hayes of course let seasonal blooms dictate when she’d say, “I do.” “October in my opinion is the peak month for local flowers,” Kelsie notes. “With all of my designs, I like to create something that complements and enhances the space…At Dante, it’s such an iconic corner, and we’ve done countless installations at the entry of the restaurant, so for the reception, I wanted to do something larger than we’ve ever done before.” The couple, who took to all of the wedding planning themselves, always knew they’d wed in classic New York fashion, hosting all of their guests in the city.
This Sea Island Wedding Weekend Ended with an After-Hours Speakeasy in the Men’s Golf Locker Room
Savannah Borders always knew she’d be married at Sea Island. “It is our second home and holds so much meaning to me and Kyle as a couple,” she shares. “During the early days of the pandemic, the beach was our escape. It is where we first decided to be a couple and exchanged our first ‘I love yous.’” Savannah imagined a ceremony in the Cloister garden underneath the oak trees followed by a sunset reception overlooking the ocean at The Lodge. On her wedding day, the bride dressed in her Monique Lhuillier dress and as a string quartet played, Savannah walked with her father toward Kyle at the head of an altar.
