If you’re looking for beautiful rustic fall wedding ideas on a budget, in this post we’ll break down 33 unique ideas that will wow your guests!
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Ever since I was a little girl, I have dreamed of an autumn wedding.
There’s something distinctly romantic about fall to me and it probably comes from my love of The Dead Poets Society or When Harry Met Sally.
I think that unequivocally, October is the best month for a wedding! Between the fall colors, the slight chilliness in the air, and all the yummy fall food and snacks, it makes for the perfect wedding.
Rustic decor pairs beautifully with the natural features of fall as well. Think deep wooden tones and vintage lanterns with candlelight all around.
A rustic fall wedding is my idea of the perfect direction to go for your big day, and I’m here to help you achieve that without breaking the bank.
Here are my 33 favorite rustic fall wedding ideas on a budget that are guaranteed to make your wedding a beautiful, unique, and memorable experience for you and your guests!
33 Rustic Fall Wedding Ideas on a Budget
Related to Rustic Fall Wedding Ideas on a Budget:
- Rustic Wedding Centerpiece Ideas
- Rustic Baby Shower Ideas for a Memorable Shower
- Magical Fall Outdoor Tablescapes
1. Stacked Log Table Assignments
Credit: @upwalthambarns
Trying to figure out how to display seating assignments is always tricky when it comes to wedding decor. For a rustic wedding, I love this idea of using a stack of logs!
Incorporating wood accents adds Earthiness to your decor, plus you can probably find these for free from a friend or even in your own backyard.
This look is beautiful, affordable, and definitely memorable. All the things you want from rustic Fall wedding decor on a budget!
2. Vintage Photo Vignette
Credit: @hooraydeco
If you have extra space to fill in your venue, but don’t want to fill it with something expensive like renting a photo booth, try a vignette!
You can add a ton of rustic charm to something like this by using antique frames, old wooden crates, lanterns, and even a vintage rug.
Everything you need for a beautiful photo vignette can be found at your local thrift and it gives guests the perfect look into your life with your partner.
3. Wheel Barrow Drink Stations
Credit: @michelleflemmingphoto
You don’t need an open bar or to hire a fancy bartender to have good drinks at your rustic Fall wedding!
In fact, this wheel barrow turned ice cooler decor trick adds a ton of rustic charm to an autumn wedding.
Save big on the bar and add a unique decor touch at the same time. Plus, talk about easy clean up afterwards!
4. A Sparkling Send Off
Credit: @eventsbyzeal
One thing about having a wedding in the fall is that it gets dark in the evening much quicker than it would in summer.
That means you’re losing good light for your photos if you plan to have pictures of your send off after the reception.
Solve this problem by providing sparklers for your guests! Not only will it be fun for guests, but the pictures will be way more beautiful and memorable than they would’ve been with bubbles.
5. Beer Kegerator
Credit: @jen_rodriguez
One of my favorite things about Fall as a season in general is all the delicious Marzen and Oktoberfest beers. Feature the drinks of the season at your wedding with a kegerator!
This unique bar idea is far cheaper than having a full service or open bar, plus it looks adorable and is very memorable.
You can hand select the styles of beer you’d like to have, but for a rustic Fall wedding I highly recommend at least one Oktoberfest (and a cider too!)
6. An Outdoor Bonfire Reception
Credit: @emilydelamater
When it comes to rustic Fall wedding ideas on a budget, I cannot think of anything better or cozier than a bonfire at your reception.
In my opinion, receptions don’t need to be fancy or expensive. You just have to curate an environment for guests to begin conversations and have a fun evening.
A bonfire is the perfect solution to both of those needs, plus it’s super budget friendly!
7. Copper Table Accents
Credit: @tracyjadephoto
The most beautiful wedding accent color for fall is copper or brass. It looks beautiful with foliage and is sure to coordinate with any Fall color palette.
Adding these little metallic touches to your table settings or elsewhere in your decor instantly elevates the look.
Copper piping as seen on this table menu above is very cheap and can be used in so many creative ways.
8. Foliage Wrapped Welcome Sign
Credit: @jessyarwoodphotographer
When having a fall wedding, you want to establish that nostalgic and cozy feeling right at the entrance of your wedding.
Having a welcome sign not only lets your guests know they’ve found the right place, but provides another decor opportunity for you!
Set the vibe instantly with some beautiful fall foliage and harvest vegetables surrounding your entrance.
9. Little Log Name Tags
Credit: @kateaspen
When looking for rustic fall wedding ideas on a budget, you’ll want to pay attention to all of the little things like name cards at people’s tables.
These little details are the difference between a standard wedding and a well-curated elegant wedding that guests talk about for years to come.
I’m obsessed with these little log cookie place settings. They’re full of rustic charm and would be very affordable to source!
10. Apple Flavored Favors
Credit: @orientaltrading
Wedding favors are the perfect way to make your guests feel appreciated and welcomed at your autumn wedding.
For a rustic fall wedding, apple flavored favors are the cutest way to go. Think mason jars of apple cider, apple flavored honey sticks, mulling spices, and any other cute fall gift item you can think of.
The great thing about doing gift bags made from different ingredients or snacks is that you can buy in bulk and save tons!
11. Towering Autumn Trees
Credit: @thorntonevents
What better way to infuse the essence of fall into your wedding decor than with full sized faux trees?
Often times the place where people struggle with wedding decor is finding height variations. Incorporating taller pieces like these autumn trees creates vertical interest and fills out the space.
We love autumn because of the beautiful colors in nature, so let that beauty become the natural decor of you wedding day!
12. Pumpkin Guest “Books”
Credit: @robynafterschool
Signed guest books have always felt like an outdated feature at weddings, though I totally understand the value behind getting those signatures.
It’s fun to look back and see the people who love you most and came to support you on your special day.
Don’t sacrifice the sentiment, but upgrade the “guest book”! Have people sign a large faux pumpkin so you can have your signatures, but on something you’ll be more likely to display.
13. Pumpkin Seed Presents
Credit: @something_turquoise
Want to hear one of the cutest rustic fall wedding ideas on a budget? How about roasted pumpkin seeds in petite jars?
Pumpkin seeds are such a nostalgic piece of fall memories for me, and probably for many of your guests too.
Watch your wedding guests squeal with delight upon trying these tasty snacks from their childhood once more.
14. Hot Drink Bar
Credit: @@lexusgoldphoto
Especially if you’re planning on having an outdoor autumn wedding, you’ll want to have ways to warm your guests!
This can look like many different things, but my personal favorite is a hot drink bar.
The options for this adorable set up are endless. Whether it’s hot apple cider, classic hot chocolate, or even mulled wine, your guests will love being warmed from within by a tasty drink.
15. Assorted Amber Vases
Credit: @erycpdtweddings
One of my favorite rustic fall wedding ideas on a budget is using assorted amber glassware as decor.
Amber Vases have that perfect fall color that emulates the color changing leaves on trees.
Not only are they stunning, but surprisingly easy to find at local thrift stores and antique shops. This is one decor option that will definitely keep you under budget, but looking expensive.
16. In Season Produce as Table Decor
Credit: @meganhofferphotography
Take a page out of the books of pro dinner party hosts and go au natural with your table decor.
For a seasonal wedding theme, sometimes the best decor options are the things you can find at your local grocery store!
Autumn especially has really stunning seasonal produce. Think apples, pomegranates, pumpkins, and acorns!
17. Sustainable Fall Foliage
Credit: @katelynmallettphoto
There’s a chronic over consumption and resulting waste problem in the wedding planning industry.
Most of the time, there’s a lot of plastic and polyester that goes into small decor items like for table settings. Not only are these bad for the environment, but they add up quick.
Kill two birds with one stone by using nature’s decor for your tables. Pine cones, fern leaves, and all other stunning types of foliage are FREE for those willing to scavenge!
18. S’more Gift Ideas
Credit: @bridalguide
Earlier in this list of rustic fall wedding ideas on a budget, I suggested having an outdoor bonfire to close out your reception.
How adorable would it be to offer s’mores as party favors for the bonfire?
I’m obsessed with this combo for your guests. Plus, you can save on hefty gourmet dessert prices! Trust me, s’mores are so satisfying they won’t leave anyone wanting for more.
19. Miniature Pumpkins
Credit: @peppernix
This one probably goes without saying, but the easiest way to deck out a fall wedding in need of extra decor is with miniature pumpkins and gourds.
You can find these real or fake for pennies at grocery stores and craft stores.
Just load up on them in every shape and color you can find, then place them throughout your wedding space anywhere that looks a little empty!
20. Black Taper Candles
Credit: @the.mclachlans
A great way to achieve a really elevated and expensive look, but without spending too much, is to use black as an accent color.
Black always looks beautiful when paired with fall colors, and looks especially expensive when used with gold.
Lining your tables with black taper candles resting in ornate gold candle holders will create an almost gothic and dreamy look for your fall wedding.
21. Stacked Wooden Crates
Credit: @joaniweddingdecor
Don’t waste your money on decor stands and all different kinds of devices to achieve levels in your vignettes.
Keep things simple and affordable with rustic wooden crates of all different sizes.
These crates will add that desired vintage flare, plus they can be stacked and used in so many different ways to achieve the look you’re going for. They also make clean up extra easy!
22. Pumpkin Card Holders
Credit: @something_turquoise
At weddings or any event where guests are expected to bring gifts and cards, it’s important to have a collection system prepared ahead of time.
Keep things extra cute and on theme by using a fake hollow pumpkin as a card collector!
Just create a thin slit in the side and use paint or a marker to let your guests know what to put in the pumpkin whether it’s cards or money gifts!
23. Orange All Over
Credit: @celebratewithsarah
There’s no denying that orange may be the primary color associated with fall decor. From pumpkins to leaves to candy corn, you see it everywhere.
Don’t shy away from this bright and vivacious color, but instead embrace it with floral arrangements and in season produce.
When you combine multiple different shades of the same color as in the photo above, the effect is beautiful and very elegant!
24. Complimentary Blankets
Credit: @movemountainsco
This may be a controversial opinion, but I truly believe that a wedding is as much for the guests as it is for the couple getting married.
You wouldn’t have a celebration without the guests, so making sure that they’re always comfortable and cared for should be a priority.
If your venue is outdoors in the colder months, offer blankets for guests to use and take home after the ceremony. The display is adorable and many of your guests (think girls in beautiful short sleeved dresses) will be very grateful!
25. Large Vintage Barrels
Credit: @kaylaplouffephotography
I love using barrels as decor for weddings because of the way they effortlessly feel rustic and cool.
You can use them as table props as seen above, or place them throughout your space and layer lanterns, candles, and florals on them as well.
Memorable weddings are all about the details and finding unique decor items like vintage barrels will take your wedding decor to the next level.
26. Primitive Style Seating
Credit: @camillaandreaphotography
One of the biggest and most unexpected wedding costs is the seating for the ceremony.
If your wedding is at a venue where seating isn’t provided as part of the overall package of wedding costs, you might find yourself in a pickle.
Instead of splurging a huge portion of your budget on matching chairs, go rustic with some stunning primitive style wood benches. This look will give your wedding way more personality and save you a ton of money!
27. Chair Sashes and Bows
Credit: @wildfloraleventsdevon
As I was just emphasizing in one of the rustic fall wedding ideas on a budget above, seating can be a crazy huge wedding expense.
One of the ways to combat choosing a more affordable chair option is by dressing up your chairs with fabric!
Placing sashes and maybe even some small florals on your chairs will instantly elevate your ceremony space and it won’t cost a fortune to do it.
28. Rustic Dessert and Drink Wall
Credit: @rebeccacarpenterphotography
Little did you know when deciding upon a rustic design style for your wedding how much you’d be able to save in materials!
These beautiful and trendy drink/dessert walls are perfect for weddings, but the glass or metal versions can be very expensive to rent or purchase.
Instead, build your own out of wood and create the perfect drink wall for your space and needed dimensions, while effortlessly adding rustic flare to your space.
29. Wooden Cake Base
Credit: @foxandharephoto
When thinking of the best places to add decor details to your wedding, think of the places that will be photographed the most.
One of the things that always gets photographed but sometimes doesn’t get decorated is the space around your wedding cake.
Choosing a rustic looking wooden base for your cake will look stunning in photos and will hardly cost you a thing!
30. Ladder Turned Drink Stand
Credit: @ashmacleanphoto
I think the best wedding decor options and the ones that become the most memorable are the ones that are distinctly creative!
I love this use of an old wooden ladder as a DIY champagne stand.
This super cute look would also be super easy to recreate with just an old ladder and some cross boards.
31. Mismatched Wooden Chairs
Credit: @jennifervansonphoto
Sometimes the most charming rustic fall wedding ideas on a budget are those that don’t look perfectly curated and match-y.
Offset the cost of seating in your ceremony and reception by making a design choice to have mismatched chairs! This way, you can spend the time leading up to your wedding purchasing discounted chairs of all kinds at thrift stores, Facebook marketplace, and your friend’s garages.
I suggest going for all wooden chairs for a cohesive rustic look, or you could also consider painting the chairs once you’ve sourced them.
32. Wildflowers and Native Plants
Credit: @kendallrock
It’s no secret that the most expensive floral options are the ones that are the hardest to get and maintain in your area.
Offset what can be an astronomical floral bill by opting for local and native plant options.
Even better, go foraging for some of these flowers yourself! I love the wild look for wedding florals so embrace what God gave you outside and go flower picking.
33. Custom National Park Wedding Sign
Credit: @janeinthewoods
If after all of these beautiful rustic fall wedding ideas on a budget you still have a little bit of spending room, I highly recommend opting for a custom sign.
How adorable is this national park themed sign? Custom signs are great because they create a fun and unique entrance to your space, they’re a great photo op for guests, and you can keep it and display it forever.
Just image this cute sign hanging above the fireplace in your first home with your soulmate! You won’t regret a dime spent on something so special.
Related to Rustic Fall Wedding Ideas on a Budget:
- Rustic Wedding Centerpiece Ideas
- Rustic Baby Shower Ideas for a Memorable Shower
- Magical Fall Outdoor Tablescapes
