Apple Picking but Make it a Wedding
There is something about an apple orchard that already feels romantic—the rich colors, the overflowing baskets of fruit, the changing seasons and that cozy, slightly nostalgic feeling. So why not take all of that inspiration and turn it into an entire wedding aesthetic? Apple orchard, but make it wedding. Instead of leaning too rustic or overly themed, we love the idea of pulling inspiration from the colors, textures and feeling of an orchard and translating them into elevated wedding details.
Start with the color palette. Bold apple red can be absolutely stunning for a wedding, especially when it is layered with deeper burgundy, wine, soft blush, ivory, greenery and touches of antique gold. Bring those colors into the florals with dramatic red roses, ranunculus, hydrangeas and textural blooms, then let actual apples become part of the design. Bowls overflowing with glossy red apples, apples tucked between flowers and greenery, or fruit incorporated into a statement tablescape instantly gives the design that orchard-inspired feeling without becoming too literal.
And don't be afraid of pattern! A red wedding does not have to mean solid red everything. Patterned linens covered in florals, stripes or vintage-inspired prints can make the entire design feel layered and collected. Pair them with bold red napkins, gold flatware, vintage brass candlesticks, crystal glassware and overflowing floral arrangements. Mixing pattern, fruit, flowers and candlelight creates a look that feels more like an intimate European dinner party in an orchard than a traditional "fall wedding theme."
Then carry those little pops of red throughout the rest of the wedding day. Think red-bottom bridal heels peeking out beneath a white wedding gown, deep red flowers tucked into an updo, a red floral clutch, burgundy stationery, red velvet ribbon or even a wedding cake decorated with fresh apples, grapes, berries and dark red blooms. These smaller fashion and detail moments help connect the entire design without requiring every single element of the wedding to match.
Of course, you can't have an apple orchard-inspired wedding without apple cider. A cider station is such a fun welcome drink or cocktail-hour detail, especially for a fall or holiday wedding. Serve classic apple cider for everyone and add a playful sign letting guests know they can head to the bar if they'd like theirs spiked. Add cinnamon, sliced apples or a signature bourbon or whiskey option to make it feel even more special. It's interactive, seasonal and gives guests something they'll actually remember.
The biggest takeaway? A theme doesn't have to mean covering your wedding in obvious decorations. Take the feeling of apple picking—the rich reds, fresh fruit, cozy cider, natural textures and romance of an orchard—and use those elements as inspiration. Layer bold red wedding flowers with patterned linens, apples, vintage gold details, candlelight and unexpected red accessories, and suddenly "apple picking" becomes a sophisticated, colorful wedding aesthetic that feels romantic, personal and completely unique. 🍎
Elissa & Brian | Andaz Savannah
For Alyssa and Brian's wedding on the pool deck at the Andaz Savannah, the red palette took on an entirely different personality. Their fall wedding incorporated those gorgeous deep reds and burgundies, but softened them with ivory and the palest touches of blush.
One of our favorite elements was all of the fall foliage and texture incorporated into the floral designs. Instead of relying solely on traditional wedding flowers, the arrangements featured interesting shapes, branches, leaves and unexpected botanical elements that gave everything movement and dimension. The combination of rich autumnal tones with softer romantic colors kept the palette from feeling too heavy and created such a beautiful interpretation of a fall wedding in Savannah.
Nicolle & Ben | Crane Cottage at Jekyll Island Club
Nicole and Ben's wedding at Crane Cottage was for the couple who isn't afraid to do something different. Their design was bold, modern, edgy and incredibly fashion forward, with florals that felt more like pieces of art than traditional wedding arrangements.
Their ceremony design might be one of our favorite examples of this. Rather than creating two perfectly matching floral installations, one side featured bold red blooms while the other incorporated both reds and whites. The intentional asymmetry made the entire ceremony feel modern and unexpected.
Throughout the rest of the wedding, greenery and other organic elements were mixed into the red palette, but nothing felt overly traditional or predictable. It was creative, artistic and a perfect example of how wedding florals don't always have to follow the rules. Sometimes the most memorable designs are the ones that don't.
Rebecca & Kevin | Ships of the Sea
Rebecca and Kevin's wedding at Ships of the Sea was lush, romantic and almost dreamlike. Their reception took place surrounded by the venue's gorgeous gardens, with abundant florals, glowing candlelight and fruit incorporated throughout the design. Apples were only the beginning. Grapes, cherries and strawberries added even more color, texture and an organic quality to the tablescapes and wedding cake.
We especially love the idea of using fruit alongside flowers because it creates this overflowing, almost still-life-inspired feeling. Paired with deep reds, greenery, antique gold details and plenty of candlelight, the result felt incredibly rich and romantic. It was garden wedding meets decadent dinner party, and we are still obsessed.
Dalyn & Travis | The Mackey House
Last but certainly not least, Dalyn and Travis celebrated at The Mackey House with a wedding that was technically Christmas-inspired, but included so many details that fit perfectly into our apple orchard wedding inspiration.
Their florals featured bold reds alongside pinks and ivories, giving the traditional holiday palette a softer, more romantic wedding feel. But our favorite detail has to be the story behind the apples.
Travis proposed to Dalyn at an apple orchard, where the two celebrated afterward with apple cider. When it came time for their wedding, they brought that memory into the celebration by serving cider to their guests, complete with a sign sharing the story of their proposal and letting everyone know they could have their cider spiked at the bar. It was such a simple detail, but one that made the wedding feel incredibly personal.
And that's exactly why we love using something like "apple orchard" as wedding inspiration rather than treating it as a literal theme. Rebecca and Kevin showed us the lush, romantic side of fruit and florals. Alyssa and Brian paired deep reds with soft autumnal colors and foliage. Nicole and Ben took red in an artistic, modern direction. And Dalyn and Travis showed how apples themselves can tell a piece of a couple's love story.
Same family of colors. Four completely different weddings. And about a million reasons to stop being afraid of RED. 🍎❤️
VENDOR CREDITS
[ELISSA & BRIAN - FLAT LAYS; BRIDAL HAIR; CLUTCH & HEELS] Photography: Ale Santana; Venue: Andaz Hotel; Cake: C3 Confections; HMU: Lauren Getz [NICOLLE & BEN - CEREMONY FLOWERS] Photography: Jenna Leigh Photo; Venue: Crane Cottage at Jekyll Island Club Hotel; Planner: Behind the Veil with Kayla [REBECCA & KEVIN - CENTERPIECES WITH APPLES; BOUTONNIERE; RED ROSE WITH RING; WEDDING CAKE] Photography: Ale Santana; Venue: Ships of the Sea; Planner: Sutlan + Co; Catering: Coastal Kitchen; Cake/Dessert: Wicked Cakes; Officiant: Family Friend; Rentals: Amazing Event Rentals; HMU: The Blushing Belle; Music: DJ W. Smith; Cocktail Hour Music: Savannah Philharmonic Quartet; Lighting: Advanced A/V Rentals [DALYN & TRAVIS - BRIDE IN RED & WHITE; BAR SIGN, APPLE CIDER BAR, CENTERPIECES WITH CANDLESTICKS, PATTERNED LINENS, INVITATION SUITE, RING BOX] Photography: The Hulls; Venue: Mackey House; Planner: Emerald & Ivy; HMU: Beyond Beautiful by Heather; Catering: Thrive Catering; Cake: Blushed Bakes; Transportation: Old Savannah Tours