Getting Married in November
To put it plainly and simply, a November wedding is fantastic for couples on an extremely tight budget.
If you are looking for excellent November wedding ideas on a budget, you have come to the right place.
November is a great month for weddings; it’s almost the end of the fall season and the beginning of winter wonderland weddings.
If a November wedding is your ideal month, keep in mind that the weather is finally starting to get colder.
And even though the temperatures have started to drop, you won’t even see snow for a couple more weeks in some places.
November is also the in-between month for holidays meaning people are not yet too busy, but you know the rush is just around the corner.
People will soon start to make preparations and plans for the upcoming festive season.
Getting ahead is essential if you plan a fall wedding in November.
I suggest you send out save-the-date cards so your guests can make arrangements around planned plans they usually have scheduled.
Most people have these plans scheduled out up to a year in advance.
But, in my opinion, a wedding in November is perfect!
If you are on a very tight budget and are looking for the cheapest months to get married to save on wedding costs, then November weddings are ideal.
Weddings are expensive, and if you looking for ways to cut those costs, you need to think outside the box.
Most couples automatically skip the research part of planning a wedding and go straight to doing DIY wedding decor projects, thinking this is what will save them money.
Instead, there are so many other important factors to consider.
The best way to cut costs is to look at your wedding guest list, budget and everything else that entails planning a wedding, such as the time of year you chose to marry.
So, consider the least popular months for weddings to save money, as they can significantly determine your wedding cost.
But first, create a realistic wedding budget.
As I mentioned earlier, weddings are expensive.
You can have a $10,000 wedding budget if you significantly reduce your guest list and are flexible with many of the wedding planning.
Grab this quick wedding budget checklist such as this one that will help you determine if you can afford a wedding even if you decide to move your date to the cheapest month. I genuinely recommend our Ultimate Wedding Budget bundle for creating a detailed wedding budget.
It’s designed to meet all your wedding planning needs and ensure you cover all your wedding expenses, leaving little to no surprises.
Making a budget will help ensure you can afford the November wedding of your dreams and also help you avoid spending more than you planned.
Consider reading this post to learn more ways to plan a wedding reception on a budget.
Is November a good month to have a wedding?
November is considered part of the fall wedding season (September, October and November).
But as you know, fall weddings are trendy and are slowly getting just as expensive as the summer months.
Even proposing in the fall is a big deal these days.
Look at these cute fall engagement photos; this alone shows how much people love the fall.
And as much as November is considered part of the fall, I feel it is much closer to the off-season months.
Getting the off-season wedding months is ideal for scoring cheap vendors.
So what are the off-season wedding months, and why is this important?
Summer is considered the peak wedding season.
June, July, and August are extremely peak wedding season months.
To save money, you want to go for an off-season wedding month.
Lucky for you, we are going to dive deep into:
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November wedding ideas you can use for savings
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Wedding ideas for November that are easy to implement
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Pros and cons of having a wedding in November
Get ready for our top tips and all the essentials you need to know about November weddings!
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Why Have A November Wedding?
I believe that the cheapest month to get married is November.
If you are a couple struggling to make your wedding budget work, consider moving your wedding to November.
The demand for weddings is low, and vendors will want to fill up these dates with significantly reduced prices.
This goes the same for wedding venues.
With very few weddings taking place in November, a majority of your popular wedding vendors will have the availability to book you for your special day.
Take advantage of this as you can save a ton of money that you can put toward more essential things such as a house and starting a family.
You could also use this extra money to pay for your honeymoon if you are planning one.
Here are my top reasons for planning a wedding in November:
- Prices will be lower
- Low demand for vendors
- More availability
- No major holidays to work around {Thanksgiving, Veterans Day}
- The weather is not too bad
- Gorgeous wedding photos
So what are you waiting for?
You must have a solid budget before proceeding with any wedding plans, whether November is a cheaper month or not.
This means looking for and obtaining wedding quotes from your wedding vendors (here is a list of wedding vendors you should be booking) and defining the wedding theme of your November wedding!
This information gives you a better idea of how much you should spend per guest and if you are in a position to increase or decrease your wedding budget.
Most couples are unaware of many hidden wedding costs associated with planning events and should plan for them.
Be sure to do your research thoroughly.
November Wedding Ideas + Tips
Read the post below to find excellent, unique, affordable November wedding ideas to help you plan your special day.
After reading this, you will fall in love with November weddings.
And if you already have your heart set on November for your wedding, read up for some epic ideas.
1. Best Venue For A November Wedding
I am sure you have noticed that the fall season is my favourite time of year, and although September and October are popular for weddings, I feel like November weddings are just as unique.
Depending on where you are located, it might already be cold; in some cases, you might even have snow on the ground.
If you are someone that loves the cold but doesn’t want a Christmas-inspired wedding, you should look into having a wedding in November.
And just because the weather in November is a big grey, it doesn’t mean you should avoid having an outdoor wedding.
You might get the occasional snowfall in November, but the first day of Winter is December 21st.
This means it might not be too cold.
All you have to do is to ensure you and your guests can stay warm if needed.
Are you thinking of having an outdoor wedding in November?
Go for it.
Outdoor fall weddings are not unheard of.
- Use space heaters
- Provide wedding blankets
- Have warm drinks passed
- Have warming stations -fire pits
- Rent a tent
Cute places to host a November wedding are mountaintops, lake areas and even parks.
Don’t be afraid to plan a simple but elegant backyard wedding in November.
Outdoor weddings in November are not as bad as most people make them out to seem.
I think everyone will have a blast if you have a backup plan to warm up the guests in case the weather turns nasty.
Here are a few fall backyard wedding ideas to consider if you are on a budget.
In terms of the best venues for a November wedding, I recommend:
- Barns
- Ranches
- Farms
- Wineries
- Historical Estates
- Lakeside venues
- Forest
- Mountain venues
- Cabins
2. Gorgeous Ceremony in The Middle of November
As I mentioned, the weather in November can be unpredictable.
But this should not stop you from planning an outdoor ceremony if this is your dream.
Having a backup wedding ceremony location is always a great idea.
To save money, consider booking a wedding venue that offers you the option of getting married inside or outside.
In November, I have seen it get pretty windy; sometimes, it rains, and often the temperature drops.
And I have also seen the sun and just great temperatures.
With things looking so unpredictable, having a good backup plan in place will eliminate the stress of planning a wedding in the fall.
Before choosing your wedding venue or booking any wedding vendor, you should grab our vendor payment tracker today!
Planning a wedding on a budget will require you to stick to your wedding budget as much as possible, and tracking it will ensure you are not overspending.
3. Planning A Wedding Reception in November
I encourage you to have a ceremony outside in November but keep the reception indoors.
A typical ceremony lasts no more than 30 minutes unless you have a religious ceremony.
Most people can last outside for about 30 minutes, even if the weather is cold (with appropriate clothing).
But for everyone’s comfort level, I suggest moving everything indoors as soon as you say your “I do’s!”
For this to happen, I recommend having only one venue booked that can accommodate both the ceremony and reception space if you are on a budget and are looking to save some money.
This will be more convenient for your guests who may have difficulty transferring locations, such as elderly people and persons with different abilities.
And because it is November, I will assume that the sun will set much sooner than summer.
This will depend on where you are located.
And because it gets dark and cold early, moving things inside will facilitate the whole process for the rest of the evening.
Warm drinks and food are always rewarding as guests enter your reception hall to warm up, especially for couples planning a wedding in November.
4. November Wedding Attire
We can’t exactly tell you how to dress because once you find THE dress, you will wear it no matter what.
Everybody wants to look their best on their wedding day.
But comfort should always be your priority.
Do not compromise comfort for fashion.
As a November bride, we encourage you to wear a wedding gown with sleeves.
And if your dress doesn’t come with any, you can get detachable separate sleeves to add on, such as these.
It is an elegant style and, more importantly, will be a little warmer.
Get creative with some faux fur wraps for winter weddings, if anything and fancy footwear.
If the temperature is colder, you can put on tights or leggings underneath the dress.
This goes for your maid of honour and bridesmaids if they are also wearing long dresses.
Your wedding party should also dress warmly to avoid getting sick.
You can find beautiful bridesmaid dresses perfect for November over at Azazie.
You can also opt for off-the-rack wedding dresses at your local store or even pre-owned ones!
Take a look at these bridesmaid dresses for a wedding in November.
What do you think?
This chiffon long-sleeve dress can be bought here!
Get this Gwen Velvet bridesmaid dress right here!
Get this Olive Green Gwen Chiffon dress here!
5. Cute November Wedding Themes
Those looking for creative November wedding ideas on a budget should consider working with themes that match the season, so you do not need to splurge on extra decor to make it work.
The best wedding theme for November is anything fall-related or winter-like.
But because this is your wedding, you can choose any theme that best resonates with you as a couple.
Choosing the perfect wedding theme before any wedding planning can take place will help guide and inspire you from the start!
To create a beautiful wedding, having a corrosive November theme can set the tone for the day and your wedding budget.
Your wedding theme will give you the guidance you need when choosing your decor and layout.
When I think of November weddings, I picture colourful fall leaves and warm earthly tone colours.
So what colours are good for November weddings?
Here are a few November wedding colours I love:
- Silver + Gray
- Navy Blue + Cream
- Dusty Blue + Sage Green
- Mustard Yellow + Natural Greens + Gray
- Forest Green, Black and White
- Purple Shades + Grey
- Dark Turquoise + Burgundy
- Rust + Teal + Ivory
- Gold + Plum + Blush
- Sea Sage + Palomino
- Hunter Green + Gold
- Burgundy + Pink
These are all awesome November wedding colours.
Don’t feel restricted.
You can pick any November wedding colour you feel will match your theme perfectly.
Copy and paste any of these colours on Pinterest and see what wedding inspiration you come up with.
- Ice blue wedding theme
- Winter Wonderland
- An affair with nature
- Rustic country
- Woodland forest theme
6. Wedding Decorations + Centerpieces
I am so excited to share a few November wedding decor ideas.
These ideas are great for couples looking for November wedding ideas on a budget.
When looking for unique wedding reception ideas, keep your venue in mind, and see what is already provided.
Use what is already available to you.
Everything else you can try to DIY or purchase.
Finding cheap November wedding ideas that won’t do a number on your wallets is what we strive to share with you.
It’s time to look at creative wedding decoration ideas on a budget that will make your dream wedding feel and look magical.
Check out our DIY wedding decor from the dollar store right here to help you save more for your November wedding.
You will be surprised at what you can make, especially if you want a few DIY wedding ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
To all my DIY couples, you will love our epic list of homemade wedding decor ideas made to simplify your craft project.
Your wedding day is already stressful enough.
We want to take the stress out of it.
And for wedding table decorations, check out these elegant wedding tablescape ideas.
Your November wedding decorations will set the mood for your entire day!
To keep things simple, I would use lots of lighting, such as uplights, candles, and string lights, to give you a cozy ambiance.
Simple lighting can enhance the atmosphere of your wedding, and it is also highly affordable.
You can find affordable string lights on Amazon for those on a tight budget.
These globe string lights would also work perfectly.
Greenery is also much cheaper than floral centrepieces.
The easiest way to decorate your reception tables is to use tablecloths provided by the venue.
For tablecloths, stick to ivory or white, as they are often cheap or included with some rentals and use your accents colour to bring out the look.
For example, coloured napkins in navy blue, mustard yellow, burgundy, rust or sea sage.
You can also opt to use coloured tablecloths on focal tables such as the head table, cake table, guest signing table and dessert or candy buffet table if you have one.
For cheap wedding centrepieces, find vases of various heights (check your local dollar store) and either fill them with water and floating candles or use pillar candles!
You can also use geometric gold candle holders or grab some in silver, but they would look gorgeous on champagne tablecloths!
Another option is to have a few silver or gold mercury glass votives on your tables with these lanterns as the primary focus.
Don’t forget to use greenery, such as a greenery garland table runner.
You can grab affordable table numbers here.
Don’t forget little details such as place cards and unique fall gift favours such as cute cozy blankets, coffee grounds, custom mugs, wedding ornaments or seasonal lip balm.
Here are a few more examples of ways to decorate your November wedding:
Via Apotheca Flowers // Photos by Lindsay Hackney
Via: Cedarwood Weddings
7. Wedding Flowers in November
Now I will talk about a few wedding flower ideas for November.
Floral arrangements are great for making your wedding theme come to life.
It is best to work with seasonal blooms to save money on flowers.
Because November is the fall season, some popular flowers would be mums, Dahlias, sunflowers and hydrangeas.
Roses are also primarily available all year round.
You can also use other elements, such as fall leaves, acorns, pumpkins, and branches.
Using a bit of dried phalaris brown grass or pampas grass in your arrangements might give it the finishing touches it might need.
Your November-inspired wedding flowers can be found in your fall colour palettes of orange, red, yellow, purple, and even brown hues.
Whatever wedding theme or colour palettes you choose to use, make sure you let your florist know.
They may be able to incorporate some of your colours into the type of bouquet they use, even if it is just adding a simple floral ribbon.
Don’t forget to ask your wedding florist for cheap November wedding ideas for your flowers.
They are more knowledgeable.
Via Wedding Chicks
8. Fall Food and Drink Ideas
Every season has its flavours, and a wedding in the fall season is just perfect.
Think comfort foods.
With chilly weather, you want to serve your guests hearty, cozy, delicious comfort foods.
November means that days become shorter and colder and our appetites change.
Food is one area where you should try to serve the best meals without spending much money.
Comfort food for a November wedding can be incredibly nourishing to the soul!
Here are a few of our favourite fall wedding ideas for food and drinks you might enjoy:
- Creamy Mushroom Soup with Rosemary and Garlic
- Rosemary Chicken Thighs and shallot served over Whipped Ginger Sweet Potatoes
- Classic Chicken Marsala served over creamy polenta, mashed potatoes
- Butternut Lasagna with Mushrooms and Sage
- Fragrant Lamb Meatballs with Indian Curry Sauce served with white rice
- Butternut Squash Gratin with Leeks, Sage and Walnuts (side dish)
- Stuffed shells with Pumpkin Sauce
- Turkish Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
- Classic Chicken Pot Pie
- White Chicken Enchiladas
- Homemade Tomato Soup
- Stuffed Acorn Squash
- Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Recipe source: Nourish Plate
Use these savoury dish examples to create a flavourful menu for your wedding guests to enjoy.
Using fall-inspired foods such as pumpkin, butternut squash, sweet potatoes and turkey -all perfect for a November wedding.
When it comes to beverages, you can’t go wrong with any of these simple fall wedding signature drinks or these tasty winter signature wedding drinks.
And for my Halloween couples, these spooky Halloween wedding cocktails will work for you.
Offering guests some sparkling apple cider as a beverage right after the ceremony and some hot cocoa after dinner is a perfect touch.
It’s ideal, especially if you plan on hosting an outdoor wedding in November.
9. Wedding Cakes, Desserts & Pies
As you know, the fall season and colder months are all about comfort foods.
Incorporating fall flavours in your wedding cakes is a big win.
This list would not be complete without mentioning our top recommendations for cakes, desserts, and all the pies your guests can enjoy if they attend your upcoming November wedding!
You can never go wrong with fall flavours, from pumpkin to cinnamon to apple spice.
Please remember that wedding cakes can get expensive quickly.
It will depend on the following:
- The number of guests
- Your fall cake design & flavours
- Cake supplies and setup elements
A quick wedding budget checklist will help you stay on budget.
Instead of buying an enormous wedding cake for your wedding in November, maybe have a simple single-tiered cake for the cutting and serve your guests inexpensive fall wedding cupcakes, complete with other desserts such as pies.
Check out these classy Halloween-themed wedding cakes or these elegant black wedding cakes for ideas and inspiration.
And my personal favourite is this excellent list of rustic fall wedding cake ideas.
For your dessert table display, I suggest including the following:
- Mini pumpkin pies
- Caramel apples
- Churros
- Donuts
- S’mores
- Mini cheesecakes
- Pies (pecan, apple, caramel or pumpkin)
- Pumpkin macarons
- Cinnamon rolls
- Apple cider donuts
- Mini peach cobblers
- Pumpkin cookies
These all make for the perfect fall wedding dessert selections.
To save money, you can opt not to have a wedding cake and stick to fall-inspired wedding desserts.
Dessert: Pumpkin Turtle Cheesecake
10. Affordable Wedding Favour Ideas
If you are on a tight budget and looking for affordable ideas for November weddings on a budget, then skip the wedding favours.
This is usually on my list of unnecessary wedding expenses worth not purchasing, as they always end up in the trash.
I recommend you skip out on having wedding favours.
Favours are small gifts given as a gesture of appreciation or gratitude to wedding guests from the couple during the wedding ceremony or the wedding reception.
If your mind is set on wanting to offer your guest something, I suggest first ensuring it works with your wedding budget and then getting something that they can use.
For November weddings, scarves, hand warmers and throw blankets would work perfectly.
These will be appreciated, especially if you plan an outdoor wedding in November.
Here are a few more November wedding favours that might work:
- Warm wedding blankets
- Wedding tea favours
- Wood coasters favours
- Coffee beans
- Personalize hot chocolate favour
Don’t forget to grab these epic wedding money-saving tracker worksheets.
It will assist you with saving additional money each month to pay for your wedding.
There you have it, our best November wedding tips!
Knowing that you can choose a November wedding date, we encourage you to take advantage of this and negotiate with your wedding vendor rates.
Because it is an off-season month, most vendors will have the space to book more weddings.
You can expect to save thousands of dollars and use the extra funds in other aspects of your new life together as newlyweds.
Your guests are also most likely to RSVP (although I recommend keeping your numbers to the small side to save even more) because most people don’t have big plans during November.
The only downside of planning a wedding in November is the one major holiday (Thanksgiving weekend) and the football games.
Other than this, saving more money just for choosing a November wedding date is a big positive in my books.
Before you choose the cheapest month to get married, ensure that this aligns with your dream wedding.
Saving money where you can is always ideal and recommended.
But you also want to ensure that you are planning what should be the best day of your life.
Make sure the day you choose is unique, and you picture yourself celebrating this day forever, as it will be your wedding anniversary.
Will you be planning a November wedding?
Tell us in the comments below.
We do want to hear from you.
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Read:
- Romantic Christmas Wedding Songs
- Romantic Winter Proposal Ideas
- 12 Month wedding planning checklist
- Biggest Wedding Trends For Brides
- Tips For Planning An Anniversary Party
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Fall Wedding In November… {Should YOU Get Married in November}?