Fall wedding colors are honestly one of my favorite things to talk about because there is just so much to work with. Iowa in the fall also gives you the most beautiful natural backdrop to build a palette around! The Melohns’ September wedding at Timbers Edge in Steamboat Rock, Iowa has been one of my favorites for a reason. They chose the most gorgeous burnt orange as their main color, and seeing it all come together at such a stunning venue was so special. If you are an Iowa couple trying to nail down your fall wedding colors and feeling a little overwhelmed by all the options, this is the blog for you!

Why Fall Wedding Colors Hit Different Than Any Other Season

Fall gives you a color palette that no other season compares to (although I do love me a good summer color palette). I think that is genuinely why so many couples choose a fall wedding! The landscape in Iowa is already doing so much; I love how the afternoons feel like golden hour here! The couples whose photos feel the most cohesive and alive are always the ones who chose colors that complemented their surroundings rather than competed with them.

The other thing about fall wedding colors is that they tend to age really well! I’ve noticed that oranges, burgundies and reds, terracotta, plum, etc. are all colors that are naturally toned, and they don’t have an expiration date the way some trend-driven palettes do. You’re not going to look at your wedding photos in fifteen years and think ‘that looks very 2025’. You’re going to think ‘that looks like fall in Iowa’ and it always will!

The Melohns’ Fall Wedding Colors at Timbers Edge

The Melohns’ September wedding at Timbers Edge was so intentional and thought out — every single detail went together! With the burnt orange as their main color, it was the perfect touch for this venue and season. The darker outside of Timbers Edge, wooden tables, and antique chandeliers against their palette was so rich, warm, and stunning!

What I enjoyed most about this wedding, though, wasn’t just the colors; it was the people. The Melohns were surrounded by their family all day, and you could just feel how much love was in that room. Those are the days that remind me why documentary style photography matters so much.

Those genuine family moments and the warmth of a room full of people who love each other are the things worth capturing most. I also got to shoot their engagement session, which made showing up on their wedding day feel so special already! You can read more about that over on my blog, When to Take Engagement Photos: What Nobody Actually Tells You!

Choosing Your Fall Wedding Color Palette

Okay, now here is the practical guide part because I talk to so many Iowa couples who feel really overwhelmed by this decision, and I want to make it feel easier! Here is what I always tell them:

Start with your venue.

Your venue is the single biggest factor in whether your fall wedding colors feel cohesive or chaotic. Timbers Edge has that beautiful dark grey exterior, warm wood tones, and white and grey walls inside. Which makes it an incredible canvas for almost any fall (or any) palette. Burnt orange, burgundy, dark greens, ivory — all of it works because the venue already has that warm modern feel built in. Before you commit to any color, look at your venue! Make sure your palette is talking to all of those things rather than fighting them. Luckily, most venues stay pretty neutral so that couples can decorate it themselves, but it’s also good to check!

Anchor with one main color and build around it.

The Melohns did this so well with burnt orange as their main color. From there, everything else just supported that main color without competing with it. Three to four colors maximum with a neutral holding it all together is the sweet spot for fall wedding colors that feel intentional rather than overwhelming.

Don’t be afraid of a pop of unexpected color.

Some of the most stunning fall weddings I’ve seen have had one unexpected color woven in. Sometimes a deep navy, a soft blush, a darker yellow alongside the more traditional fall tones. It adds dimension and personality and makes your palette feel uniquely yours. I also love when couples get inspired by the flowers that grow during that time of year and then make their wedding bouquet and wedding colors based on those!

Consider mismatched bridesmaid looks.

This is one of my FAVORITE wedding trends, and it’s so good for fall wedding colors. Different shades of the same color, or a few complementary colors across the wedding party, it all looks so good and gives your gallery so much more visual interest and depth. Plus, the bridesmaids always end up adding their own flair that looks so good all together!

Think about how your colors photograph in different light.

This is the photographer in me coming out, but it matters! I think rich fall colors look incredible in golden hour light. I love that they pick up that warm glow and just come alive in a way that lighter colors sometimes don’t. If you’re scheduling portraits during golden hour, lean into deeper, richer tones, and you will be so happy with your photos.

Fall Wedding Colors That Work Beautifully at Iowa Venues

Since I shoot a lot of Iowa weddings, I have a pretty good sense of what fall wedding color palettes do best based on venues. A few combinations I love and see photograph really well:

Burnt orange, deep green, and ivory

Which is exactly what the Melohns did, and it’s always stunning. It works really well at rustic modern venues like Timbers Edge where the warm wood tones are already doing so much.

Burgundy, blush, and gold

This is such a classic fall combination that feels romantic and timeless. And it works at almost any Iowa venue and photographs beautifully in both natural and indoor lighting.

Terracotta, sage green, and cream

Earthy, warm, and I swear it pairs well with everything! This palette feels very intentional and modern and ages so well in photos.

Deep plum, dusty rose, and champagne

I love moody and romantic color palettes. It’s absolutely gorgeous for evening fall weddings when the light is low and warm.

Bright Orange, Dark Pinks, and Browns

It sounds crazy, but I love a random bright and “late summer” style color palette that’s unique and fun!

For more on how color choices affect your wedding photos, you can read my blog, How to Choose Wedding Colors for a Summer Wedding That You’ll Love Forever!

The Best Fall Wedding Colors Are the Ones That Feel Like You

At the end of the day, the most beautiful fall wedding color palettes I’ve seen weren’t the craziest ones. They were the ones that felt like the couple who chose them. The Melohns’ burnt orange felt so warm and genuine, and it matched the energy of their entire day. The family, the love in the room, the way everyone showed up for them. That’s always what makes a gallery feel truly special, and it has nothing to do with which colors are trending.

Just ask yourself which palette actually feels like you two on your best day together and then trust that answer! Think about what flowers you want too! Some brides build their color palette around their bouquet because they care about that more than anything. Fall in Iowa also gives you the most beautiful colors to build around. I genuinely never get tired of local weddings. Just remember the day is all about you two, so choose what feels right to you!

Ready to Book Your Iowa Wedding Photographer?

Whether you are deep into planning your fall wedding or just starting to pull together your vision, I would love to be part of it! If you’re looking for an Iowa wedding photographer who genuinely cares about your experience just as much as the final gallery — and wants to help you bring your fall wedding color vision to life, reach out and let’s chat!

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Brooklyn G Photography | Fall Wedding Photographer

You can see more from this gorgeous fall wedding below!