This week I’ve been picking out elements for the perfect fall wedding. I’ve brought all the elements together in this inspiration board – you really should start making these. Seeing everything together just feels complete, looks gorgeous and seems infinitely better than the individual parts.

For the do-it-yourself instructions and sources of all this goodness, check out the previous posts from this week! Purple, green and brown are such a modern twist on the traditional fall wedding color palette and adds a little bit of surprise to what your guests may have been expecting. Also, your bridal party will likely appreciate your color choices – who doesn’t look good in at least one shade of purple?

kate spade purple heels

And it allows you to sneak in these amazing, non-white wedding shoes

I love flowers – I mean who doesn’t. If they tell you they don’t, they’re probably lying. They smell pretty, they look pretty and it always helps if they come from an equally pretty boy. Nonetheless, I think plain flower arrangements for wedding reception tables are a bit boring. There are just so many more modern options today that you shouldn’t let those flowers stand alone.

fruits and flowers

This purple and green centerpiece incorporates limes, which add such a fresh edge to an otherwise traditional bouquet. I also love that they skipped roses – there are so many other pretty flowers out there that are so much more reasonably priced. And purple hydrangeas, sign me up please. The dark purple and bright greens have such an inviting contrast I can’t look away. Add in that this couple outfitted the reception hall with bamboo chairs and you’ve combined all three of my wedding colors with natural elements. I might add in a few candles (and obviously escort cards and dinnerware) to finish off this purple, brown and green reception table.

I know it’s the heat of summer so it may seem too soon to be thinking about bundling up with warm beverages. But as many brides know, you need to be picking out all your wedding details at least a season ahead of the actual ceremony so you have a chance to order it and put things together (and order a backup plan if necessary). So in the spirit of my purple, green and brown fall wedding plan I have chosen two very simple and do-it-yourself wedding reception elements.

truffles instead of wedding cake

I absolutely love the idea of having truffles in lieu of a wedding cake. They are easy to eat, simple to clean up and even more delicious to eat. Plus these truffles come with do-it-yourself directions to keep within your wedding budget. You can also make these a few days ahead of time so you don’t have to worry about assembling these cuties the night before your wedding. I love the modern bride option of skipping a huge, tiered wedding cake and these tiny delectable bites offer so many shades from my wedding color palette.

hot cocoa packet favors

And once you’ve started incorporating rich chocolate into your ceremony, why stop? Send your guests home with another easy do-it-yourself project – hot chocolate mix and red wine hot fudge favors. Check out Nonpareil’s online magazine for other great wedding tips and ideas.

Pomander – this is a new word to my vocabulary today. Have you ever heard of one? Well if you haven’t, you should because these huge scented flower balls are adorable. A pomander is traditionally a fruit that has been poked with cloves all over the outside, then dried and covered in pretty smelling things making a huge pretty potpourri ball. Flower pomanders are inspired by the original and are still great smelling pretty balls but are actually flowers stuck into a styrofoam ball center. This wedding ceremony set-up is perfect for an outdoor wedding and features these little balls of goodness.

outdoor wedding with pomanders

Hanging a few at the beginning of the chairs defines the beginning of your space, much like a door would do if you were having an indoor ceremony. They also look great hanging with ribbons down the aisle.

pomander arch perfection

And this altar is absolutely stunning. I love the idea of things hanging overhead and am a sucker for paper lanterns, which is why I fell in love with this flower pomander altar. It adds structure and tradition to your outdoor wedding while retaining that whimsical, organic feel you want when getting married outside.