Autumn continues to grow in popularity for weddings, as evidenced by The Knot’s latest survey of wedding couples. September and October were the most popular months to get married in 2023. The wedding website also predicted that the most popular wedding date of 2024 will be in September. 

 

And why not have a fall wedding? The weather is usually mild and predictable. Fall foliage and natural beauty, along with seasonal harvest elements, provide great backdrops to say I do.  

 

Here’s a look at five places in the U.S. that are ideal for fall weddings.  

 

Maine 

Maine

 

Autumn in Maine runs from September through November. September and October feature warm, sunny days and cool evenings, while November has crisper days and frosty nights. Then there’s the Pine Tree State’s romantic charm and natural beauty. Starting in September, leaves begin to turn. Maine’s shoreline offers crashing waves and quiet coves providing a contrast to fall hues. Maine’s tide coastline, which includes all the inlets and bays, measures 3,478 miles – longer than the coast of California. An ALHI property known as a wedding destination is the Cliff House Maine, perched on a private 90-foot cliff on the coast 60 miles north of Boston. 

 

Park City, Utah 

Park City

 

The ski resort area 45 minutes southeast of Salt Lake City is popular for fall weddings because of stunning fall foliage and comfortable weather. In the fall, aspen groves turn gold and maple trees show orange, red, and yellow. Park City Mountain and fall colors can serve as a backdrop for unforgettable wedding photos. Colors start to show in mid-September with a peak in early to mid-October. September and early October are considered the shoulder season. Park City has two ALHI properties steps from the world-renowned Deer Valley Resort. Stein Eriksen Lodge is an authentic European ski lodge and The Chateaux Deer Valley is a Forbes Four-Star hotel.   

 

North Carolina 

North Carolina

 

Fall is the most popular wedding season in the Tar Heel State thanks to near-perfect weather for outdoor venues and fantastic scenery from the Appalachian Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean. The fall wedding season in North Carolina can last into November because color usually doesn’t peak until late October. The late growing season also features an array of flowers like dahlias and marigolds with fall wedding hues.  

The state is home to three ALHI properties:  

  • The Umstead Resort and Spa in a woodland setting in Cary is an AAA four-star Diamond Resort and Forbes Five-Star hotel 

 

Colorado 

Colorado

 

“Colorful” Colorado lives up to its nickname in the fall and can provide spectacular backdrops for an autumn wedding. Aspens in higher elevations start changing color in mid-September, while lower elevations may see colors into October. But be prepared for cooler weather. If you’re getting married in the mountains, even in September, there’s always a risk of snowy weather. A bonus for budget-conscious wedding planners is the cheaper fall shoulder season. 

Colorado has multiple ALHI Members, ranging from mountain resorts to cosmopolitan city hotels: 

 

Hudson Valley, New York  

Hudson Valley

 

The Catskills, rivers, lakes, orchards and farms are among the many backdrops for a fall wedding in New York’s Hudson Valley. The fall foliage, pleasant weather and rural vibe attracts many couples in the fall. Colorful foliage may last through November in lower elevations. Closer to the Catskills, color usually peaks in October. The area also is a favorite wedding destination for New York City residents because it’s only an hour’s drive north of the city.


Learn more about Destinations Weddings by ALHI and subscribe to our newsletter.