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21 Fresh Ideas for a Beautiful Fall Wedding Tablescape

Turn up the fall charm at your reception with these colorful, autumnal tables.

Updated on 08/19/21

Fall Tablescape — Photo by Carina Skrobecki Photography

There is a multitude of reasons why more and more couples are saying "yes" to a fall wedding. Not only is the weather (and the light) totally amazing, but couples that say "I do" during autumn have a fresh color palette of warm reds, bright oranges, and pale yellows to work with. While there's plenty we love about fall nuptials, one of our favorite aspects has to be the harvest-inspired reception tablescape.

After a summer filled with bright pink and white centerpieces, there's something downright magical about a warm-colored reception and cozy seating. So how do you turn your space into one brimming with fall-inspired details? There are a few surefire ways to give your guests a taste of the season. Among our favorites are seasonal flowers and greenery in warm hues, wooden details, plaid linens, and plenty of pumpkins.

There's no wrong way to create a fall tablescape, but there are a lot of ways to do it right. Here, we share 21 favorite reception tables for a fall wedding, with countless ideas you can incorporate into your own party.

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Make a Statement Installation

Make the head table the real focal point of the reception by hanging a special display up above. We're especially into this install because it incorporates fall foliage and mirrors the arrangements on the table below.

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Hang Bistro Lights

outdoor reception — Photo by Gianluca and Mary Adovasio

If you want to share the love and make every table feel special, consider hanging bistro lights across the top of the entire reception space. This idea works to create a romantic, well-lit ambiance and can even add a casual touch to your event decor when done in a rustic, outdoor setting.

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Use a Dark Linen

It's no secret that we're all about warm-toned hues for fall, but that doesn't mean we're totally against moody dark tones. The two palettes can be paired together, as demonstrated with this navy-backed tabletop. We're into this particular combo because the dark tablecloth doesn't overwhelm the tablescape. Instead, the contrast makes the whole thing pop.

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Add a Statement Runner

papel picado — Photo by James & Schulze; Art by Karina Puente; Planning by Bluebird Productions; Florals by Mindy Rice Design

If a dark linen isn't your jam, do no tablecloth at all. If you opt for a rustic wooden table, consider dressing it up with a statement down the middle. This can be done with a garland of greenery, sheer draping, or even a sheet of papel picado (perforated paper) as artist Karina Puente did at this Aspen wedding.

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Provide Comfy Seating

Do you want your guests to be comfy? We thought so. Ensure happy wedding guests by providing comfortable seating at the ceremony and reception. This can be accomplished in a number of ways, from spacious benches to cushioned bistro chairs—or even banquette seating à la your favorite restaurant.

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Choose a Unique Palette

table setting — Photo by Birds of a Feather; Design by Vanessa Noel Events; Florals by Felisa Funes of Of The Flowers

We know we've already discussed our love of warm tones and dark accents, but we haven't quite hit on our favorite new color concept: the one that combines two vibrant hues in a completely unexpected way. Take this yellow and blue display as proof that, sometimes, the most unexpected color pairings can create one pretty place setting.

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Set the Mood With Color

Once your color palette is decided on, spread it throughout the table decor in a way that doesn't feel too matchy-matchy. You can accomplish this by using shades of your favorite tones (rather than an exact match) splashed around the table's linens, paper goods, vessels, candles, and, of course, en masse with the flower arrangements.

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Incorporate Unique Textures

place setting — Photo by Josh Gruetzmacher; Design by Shannon Leahy Events; Menus by Yonder Design; Florals by Bows and Arrows

Nothing says fall like layering suede, leather, and knits. Do this on your tabletop by pairing a nice cognac leather menu with burlap linens and something unexpected, like this bone napkin holder.

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Consider Copper Flatware

Consider Copper Chargers — Photo by Lacie Hansen; Planning by Callista & Company; Florals by Studio Mondine; Rentals by La Tavola Fine Linen, Chic Event Rentals, Casa de Perrin

When choosing flatware for a fall wedding, we say skip silver and opt for a warmer-toned copper or gold. Copper feels especially elevated yet rustic—i.e. perfect for fall weddings—this time of year. Go for it with copper chargers, mugs, and utensils.

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Use Colored Candles

We're obsessed with taper candles in all colors, but we especially love them when they blend in with the rest of the wedding palette. Take this design as inspiration: Nude taper candles are woven between pale blue linens, a garland of spirea branches, and more votive candles for one curated, cohesive finish.

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Go Big With Candelabras

At fall weddings, there's something especially great about mixing styles. So don't be afraid to do that with your table decor. Here, we're into how the fancy gold candelabras contrast with the rustic wooden tabletop and centerpieces of fresh foliage.

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Decorate With Fresh Foliage

This one's a given, but consider bringing in a bit of nature into your reception display. Do this by adding leaves, grasses, and berries into your existing centerpieces or go all out by making a show of foliage on its own.

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Focus on Statement Blooms

Fall calls for statement blooms, like dahlias and mums, so embrace them by incorporating the season's finest into your flower arrangements. Focusing on a few statement blooms (rather than an abundance of flowers) can even cut down your floral budget if you pair them with (free) foraged fillers.

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Incorporate Seasonal Produce

Fall is harvest season, so add some fruit to your floral centerpieces for a feast-like feel. We love fruit spread throughout the table, whether it's placed neatly in small compotes or scattered about on its own.

The Ultimate Guide to Fall Weddings

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Add Pumpkins

pumpkin table — Photo, Design & Rentals by Casa de Perrin

Of course, you can't forget about pumpkins when setting the table. Underscore your fall vibe by putting them front and center.

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Accentuate with Feathers

pink and gold tablescape — Photo by Anna Shackleford

Add texture and height to table centerpieces with faux feathers. As with this arrangement, feathers can also add a necessary rustic touch when paired with blush blooms and gilded accents.

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Incorporate Snacks

bread for the table — Photo by Laura Gordon

Complete your table by giving guests what they really want: food! As guests wait on dinner, they'll be pleasantly surprised to find a chic breadbasket or next-level charcuterie board (complete with meats, cheeses, figs, and nuts) on the table for pre-dinner munching.

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Add Intimacy

Long tables topped with handmade beeswax candles and greenery arrangements — JENNY FU

Proof you don't have to pull out all the bells and whistles to achieve a perfectly subtle fall vibe. For a tented reception in the mountains, this couple lined long tables with handmade beeswax candles and gorgeous arrangements consisting of geranium leaves, chrysanthemums, scabiosa, and chocolate cosmos. Place cards with calligraphy by the bride added a personal touch to their table.

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Add a Candlelit Glow

Table decorated with nude votive candles and textured fall arrangements — PHOTO BY LUCY CUNEO

When designing your tablescape, simple votive candles can be incorporated to create a warm, cozy feeling. The soft glow from these candles not only feels inviting, but it serves as the perfect juxtaposition to textured arrangements of peppergrass, lisianthus, heuchera, sage, scabiosa, and honey dijon roses.

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Use a Rustic Table

Fall tablescape decor — PHOTO BY CARINA SKROBECKI PHOTOGRAPHY

Channel a fall cottagecore aesthetic with none other than wooden farm tables dressed to impress. Allow woven gold runners to anchor the tables alongside brass candelabras and gold vessels filled with locally farm-grown dahlias, zinnias, cosmos, and golden fern.

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Set the Scene

Autumnal arrangements with copper flatware and pillar candles — PHOTO BY KYLE JOHN

No detail goes unnoticed here. From the beautiful autumnal arrangements (think textural garden roses, delphinium, dahlias, lisianthus, clematis vine, and amaryllis) to the copper flatware and dove gray pillar candles, each place setting stayed true to this couple's vintage botanical theme while acknowledging the season.