Planning an Idyllic Fall Wedding in Virginia

Insights from a former bride and tips for fall wedding success!

As another beautiful fall season in Virginia draws to a close, engaged couples are buzzing with inspiration to plan their own autumn wedding weekend. While the idea of an outdoor fall wedding is dreamy, it does come with its challenges—predicting the weather, picking a weekend with peak foliage, and nailing the perfect seasonal design. Who better to offer advice than a bride who has done it all?

Married on October 21, 2023, Ali and Jack celebrated their love with a stunning fall-inspired wedding surrounded by the natural beauty of the season. From elegant reception decor to the vibrant colors of the Virginia countryside, their day was a perfect reflection of autumn’s charm. With the help of some of the region’s top wedding professionals and her own passion for Virginia and the Grelen Property, Ali Gregg brought her vision of a flawless fall wedding to life. Their spectacular celebration even caught the eye of Style Me Pretty and Carats & Cake, where their wedding was proudly featured. Keep reading to discover her favorite moments, top tips, and insights to help you plan your own unforgettable fall wedding weekend.

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After seeing The Market at Grelen in all of its seasons, what ultimately made you decide on a fall date?

"Ever since I was young, I’ve always envisioned getting married in the Fall. There’s something magical about the crisp, cool mornings and the sunny afternoons that follow, paired with the coziness that the season brings. The Market at Grelen, with its tree nursery setting, is the perfect venue to showcase the vibrant colors of the Fall foliage and everything I love about this time of year. I was excited to bring that vision to life by incorporating a rich Fall color palette into the flowers and decor, and infusing the menu with seasonal flavors like cinnamon, pumpkin, cranberry, and apple."

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Were there any sources you relied on to choose the date with the best fall foliage and weather forecast? 

"I used the online foliage tracker (Virginia's Fall Foliage Report) along with weather data from previous years to try to pinpoint the weekends with the best chance of peak Fall foliage. That said, it's always a bit of a gamble, and we were incredibly fortunate with the weather on our wedding weekend—it turned out to be absolutely perfect!"

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What were some of the perks and pros to staying at Boxwood Villa and Spotswood Lodge?

"Staying in these homes with our wedding parties was one of the highlights of our weekend, and we received so much positive feedback about the experience. It gave everyone the chance to spend more quality time together, creating lasting memories throughout the weekend. Both properties are also much closer to the venue than other options in the area, making transportation on the wedding day a breeze. Plus, the interior decor in both homes is stunning and perfectly set the tone for the entire weekend!"

Boxwood Villa

Spotswood Lodge

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What is a memory from your wedding day that you and Jack look back on frequently?

"There were so many unforgettable moments, but if we had to pick, we’d definitely say the sunset photos after the ceremony at the top of the tree nursery. Not only were the pictures and lighting absolutely stunning, but it also gave us a quiet moment to ourselves to really take in the fact that we had just gotten married. We also can’t forget our first look at Boxwood Villa—it’s such a breathtaking property, and the peaceful, serene atmosphere made it the perfect setting for such a special moment."

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Looking back on your wedding gallery, what is your favorite backdrop from your wedding day? 

"Our florist created a stunning floral arbor at the end of the aisle, crafted from trimmings and blooms sourced right from the farm. The arch was adorned with vibrant Fall leaves and rich seasonal colors. Some of our favorite photos were taken in front of this arch, with the tree nursery as the backdrop. After the ceremony, we moved the arch behind the head table so we could continue to enjoy its beauty throughout the reception. It added such a lovely touch to the celebration!"

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What advice would you give to another Market at Grelen couple planning a Fall wedding?

"I highly recommend giving your vendors some creative freedom, especially during the Fall when nature offers such stunning beauty that can be seamlessly incorporated into your decor. I’d also suggest pulling inspiration from the deep and vibrant tones of the season—ours were dusty rose, deep yellow, plum, olive, rusty orange, and gold. My overall vision was "elegant cozy," which I feel is especially easy to achieve in Fall, thanks to the soft, warm lighting and the natural gold undertones that the season brings."

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Vendors:

Photography: Ashley Cox Photography | Videography: The Paper Boys  | Event Planning: The Hive Wedding Collective | Floral Design: Mallory Joyce | Wedding Dress: Allison Webb | Cake: Maliha Creations | Ceremony Venue: Market at Grelen | Reception Venue: The Market at Grelen | Catering: Serendipity Catering | Hair & Makeup: Unveiled Artistry | Lighting: Lighting Professors | Band: Affirmative Groove | Ceremony Music: Ninja Strings | Transportation: Central Virginia Wine Tours | Transportation: Quick Bus | Illustrator: Lock and Dale | Rentals: MS Events | Rentals: Paisley & Jade

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Grelen Weddings