The Best November Wedding Colors

Bride and groom sharing their first kiss in front of a floral arch at their ceremony altar — Photo by Pinnel Photography

November is one of the most exciting times of year to tie the knot. For one, this month kicks off the holiday season, and the anticipation casts a magical glow over any affair. It's also full of change: November marks the transition from fall to winter, which mirrors the impending shift in your own relationship. If you say “I do” earlier in the month, you’ll still see the remnants of colorful foliage in some regions, but if you throw your celebration at a later date, you’ll experience the cozy, comforting feeling that winter brings. In addition to the ambience that November provides, getting married during this month is considered the off-season, so you’ll most likely receive discounted prices. Since November is a slower time of the year to get hitched, your guests won’t have as many wedding invitations competing with yours—so they’ll be more likely to attend your special day.

One of the biggest perks of throwing a November wedding? There are so many beautiful hues to include in your color palette. Vibrant jewel tones, like emerald, teal, and magenta, are a natural fit for a celebration in late autumn. On the other hand, more neutral, earthy shades are also suitable for this time of year, especially if you’re tying the knot at a rustic venue or if your personal style is more minimalist. Although matching your color scheme to the season and the natural landscape is one of the best ways to deck out your big day, it’s important to choose shades that resonate with you. Planner Brídín Clements Cotton suggests identifying a feeling that you want to evoke, whether it’s cozy or elegant, and then choosing colors that accomplish your vision.

Meet the Expert

Brídín Clements Cotton is a day-of wedding coordinator based in the United Arab Emirates.
Deniesha Joseph is the lead planner, owner, and designer of Fun Fete Fabulous Events. She’s been planning weddings for over a decade.
Kia Marie is a destination wedding planner with 10 years of experience and the owner and creative director of Kia Marie Events.

Looking for more inspiration? We tapped a handful of planners, who shared the most popular color combinations for a late-fall fête. Ahead, the best color palettes for a November wedding.

01 of 05

Navy Blue and Cream

Round reception table with white linens, chinoiserie vases with white flowers, and tall centerpieces with greenery — Photo by Twah Dougherty

The combination of navy and cream is one of the most timeless color palettes, and it works for any month—even November. The dark blue shade is a jewel tone that’s reminiscent of autumn, and cream adds a light and airy touch that perfectly complements the former. “A simple and classy color scheme like this can ground the wedding, creating a sophisticated ambience,” Cotton says. Since fusing blue with white can potentially elicit a nautical, summery feel, add emerald to the mix to make sure this palette is fall wedding-worthy. Gray, mauve, and gold are also suitable supplements, according to Cotton. If you’re throwing a traditional affair or if your style is more classic, consider these hues.

There are endless ways to use navy and cream at your wedding. One idea is dressing your bridesmaids and groomsmen in navy attire, paired with all-white bouquets or boutonnières. You can also bring this palette to your décor, whether it’s a trail of anemones growing out of your aisle or chinoiserie vases brimming with white blooms scattered across your tablescape.

02 of 05

Emerald and Burgundy

A two-tier cake with a burgundy bottom tier and a cream and blue sculptural top tier on a table with emerald linens beside emerald taper candles — Photo by Daniel Lopez Perez; Thomas Brodtmann

Burgundy and emerald are two of the more traditional fall colors, making them the ideal accompaniment to a November wedding. Both hues are rich jewel tones, which are typically associated with the look and feel of autumn. This duo is a stunning addition to any type of venue, whether it’s a swanky ballroom or a chic city rooftop. Since both shades are bold, Cotton advises choosing one as the main event and using the other as an accent color, so you avoid an overbearing scheme. Then, mix in white and cream tones to tie your palette together.

To make these colors work, consider designing invitations on white cardstock featuring an emerald-colored font. Then, seal those cards in a burgundy envelope. You can also create a custom crest—stamped on top of your invitations—that pulls all of these hues together. Cotton explains that your floral arrangements are another way to make this palette come to life. Choose bouquets, installations, and centerpieces composed mainly of white flowers and greenery with a hint of burgundy. Planner Deniesha Joseph of Fun Fete Fabulous Events agrees and also loves red roses with lush fall greenery for another iteration filled with romance.

03 of 05

Emerald, Burgundy, and Eggplant

White folding chairs lined with an arrangement of red, purple, and blue flowers and greenery at an outdoor ceremony — Photo by Lulan Studio

We’ve already established that emerald and burgundy are quintessential colors for a November wedding, but if you’re looking for a little more flair, integrate eggplant, too. This deep purple shade is another jewel tone that coordinates well with the season, and it will elicit a lavish and regal feel to any setting, according to Joseph. The same guideline above still applies here: Using all three of these shades in similar increments can create an overwhelming spread, so be mindful of the ratios.

Again, your flowers are one of the best ways to establish this color scheme. We recommend using emerald in the form of greenery and then adding hints of burgundy and emerald through seasonal blooms for an eye-catching display. For your tablescape, choose a statement tablecloth in any of the aforementioned jewel tones, paired with neutral place settings. Your centerpieces will bring all of the hues together.

04 of 05

Brown, Gold, and Ivory

old-world ceramic charger and modern terracotta plate in place setting — Photo by Anya Kernes

If you’re thinking about planning a late-fall fête with a natural aesthetic, choose earthy tones, like brown and ivory with a splash of gold. Joseph explains that using this color scheme at your wedding will produce a comforting, cozy vibe that will make everyone feel welcome. Consider choosing these hues if you’re throwing your affair in an organic setting, like a barn or vineyard, with a rustic design concept.

To start, ask your wedding party to sport shades of brown, like copper gowns for bridesmaids and taupe suits for the groomsmen. For your décor, set each place at your guests’ reception tables with wooden or ceramic chargers, gold flatware, and ivory napkins and menus. Then, conclude the festivities with a buttercream cake adorned with gold flecks, presented on an ivory or wooden cake stand.

05 of 05

Deep Purple, Dark Green, Burnt Orange, Marigold, and Pink

A wooden bar with a pink cocktail menu sign next to a vase with orange, yellow, white, and purple flowers — Photo by Pinnel Photography

There’s no limit to the number of colors in your palette, so why not go all out with a multitude of hues? Planner Kia Marie of Kia Marie Events loves combining deep purple, burnt orange, marigold, green, and pink for a unique and playful result at a November wedding. The deep purple and dark green shades are typical fall tones, while burnt orange and marigold resemble the surrounding foliage that graces the treetops of your venue. Topping it off with a pop of pink will add a light and delicate touch that anchors your color scheme.

To bring these tones to your wedding, give your bridesmaids color swatches and ask them to choose an outfit in one of the shades. At your ceremony, Marie suggests placing arches down your aisle that are brimming with blooms in deep purple, burnt orange, marigold, and pink. After you’ve traded vows, dine at reception tables marked with centerpieces featuring the medley of hues. Then, alternate pink and marigold taper candles down the center.

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