Brides: if you want to plan the perfect DIY Fall Wedding, this is the post for you! I always think it’s one thing to see fall wedding inspiration, but it’s another to see it in action. Today we’re sharing a real DIY Fall Wedding wholly planned by Irene and Blake, the duo behind Sparkvites. Armed with a creative vision, expertise in graphic design, and a little elbow grease, they set to work. The result? A perfect DIY fall wedding with personal, handcrafted touches throughout. The invitations, ceremony flags, programs, escort cards, centerpieces, mason jar glasses, and more were crafted as a labor of love… and it shows! Check out our favorite details (with photos by Noelle Ann Photography) and get inspired for your very own wedding. Enjoy!

DIY Vintage Fall Wedding

Irene tells us, “We are both graphic designers (and the co-owners of Sparkvites) so we were stoked to be able to create all the stationery and details for our own wedding. Since I am an Indiana girl, we chose Pokagon State Park because we knew the trees would be beautiful in October and perfect for our fall wedding. Our only other goal for our day was to have a great party, and to celebrate with all our closest friends and family.”

Here’s how they did it…

1. Pick a perfect fall color palette.

Irene and Blake chose a palette of green, orange, red, and yellow. Bridesmaids wore green dresses and carried bouquets of coordinating colors.

The bride, Irene, carried a coordinating bouquet…

… she even wore orange shoes.

Blake and his groomsmen donned boutonnieres with hints of orange and green.

2. Use burlap-wrapped floral arrangements for the ceremony.

Flower arrangements wrapped in a burlap bow complement the color palette. Plus, the burlap is functional as it can be tied to ceremony seating, like church pews in this example.

3. Create a rustic dessert bar.

This dessert bar was created by placing cupcakes atop reclaimed tree slices. Irene and Blake constructed the owl cupcake toppers and signs so guests knew which cupcake flavors from which to choose.

4. Give guests caramel apples as wedding favors.

Caramel apple wedding favors are one of my favorite diy fall wedding ideas! Guests are sure to take them home to enjoy later. Plus, since they’re pre-wrapped, there’s no sticky caramel spillage on the car ride home.

5. Use two ladders and twine as an escort card display.

This idea isn’t limited to fall weddings, but it worked beautifully for Irene and Blake’s reception. They used ladders to suspend escort cards on twine, custom escort card tags (they designed themselves), and mini clothespins.

6. Give guests refillable mason jar drinking glasses to use.

Give guests a refillable mason jar drinking glass they can use during the reception for punch, beer, or apple cider. Instead of place cards, use a sticker (like this fun owl sticker they made) and write the guest’s name on the glass. Include a striped straw and place the glass at the guest’s seat. Once they arrive to the reception, they’ll be greeted with a glass ready for filling right at their seat. (They used jelly jars to create these.)

7. Decorate with hanging lights and paper lanterns.

I love to use hanging lights to decorate any space. Clear party lights like these set a cozy atmosphere, while the orange paper lanterns (and yellow) coordinated with the overall color palette.

8. Create centerpieces with flowers, vintage tea tins, and mason jars.

Irene and Blake searched for months to find the vintage tea tins and mason jars used in their centerpieces… and it was well worth the time! Flowers were added to the tea tins as makeshift vases, while a tea light candle in a mason jar made for romantic table lighting.

9. Use a vintage suitcase for a wedding card box.

And, last but not least, they found this vintage suitcase and crafted the burlap banner as a place for guests to place their cards. You can find vintage suitcases by scouting out estate sales in your area. I found a set of mustard yellow suitcases last year and still love ’em.

More DIY Fall Wedding Ideas We Love

Irene and Blake kicked off the wedding planning with these handmade invitations they designed themselves. I love the owls, bright colors, and the typography.

The same owl pattern was used throughout the ceremony and reception, from ceremony flags to programs — even this clever seating sign.

And there you have it! Irene and Blake, happily ever after.

We wish you all the best!

Where Can I Get These Details?

For the paper products you see here, including the invitations, escort tags, ceremony programs, love story sign, stickers, flags, and more, visit Sparkvites to inquire about a custom order.

Vendors

While Blake and Irene did most of the wedding themselves, it wouldn’t be possible without the help of other fantastic wedding pros in the biz! Check out these vendors who helped bring their vision to fruition.

Gown – Paloma Blanca, from One Fine Day
Shoes – Born
Veil – Mikeala, borrowed from a bridesmaid’s September 2011 wedding
Bridesmaid Attire – Wrap dresses from ChristinTina
The Groom & Groomsmen – American Commodore
Photographer – Noelle Ann Photography
Florals – Rose’s Bouquets
Ceremony – St. Gaspar Catholic Church
Reception – Potawatomi Inn, Pokagon State Park, Angola, Indiana
Reception Music – Quattro Systems
Cupcakes – The Cake Lady
Caterer – Potawatomi Inn
Hair + Makeup – The Red Stiletto
Rentals – A Party Apart
All Stationery and paper details – Sparkvites

Happy Planning!

♥
-E.