Wedding

I was passing a church last weekend when I saw the perfect bride standing in the gardens amidst the late summer flowers. She was dressed in strapless gown with a dark brown velvet sash tied around her waist. Standing near her – holding bouquets packed with foliage and rich yellows, oranges, golds, copper – were three bridesmaids dressed in dark brown satin.

It is true that the most traditional time for a wedding is during the summer months, but with summer being so short, and already packed with happy couples it does make sense for brides and grooms to look to early autumn for their perfect day. Autumn, with its crisp weather and bright foliage, seems to me an ideal time to tie the knot. September brides don't have to contend with the sweltering summer months of running makeup and frizzy hair or the unpredictable storms common in winter months.

And autumn brides have the best of both worlds because the weather is still mild enough to wear a strapless gown and take pictures outside the church, but cool enough that they can dress their wedding party in velvet or incorporate metallics and jewels into their colour scheme. And for dinner? Think candles and brick, velvet and satin, with a scattering of rose petals and in my opinion you have the perfect venue. And what better food than autumn fare for a celebration banquet? The rich flavors and spices are always seasonally appropriate for autumn weddings.

My personal favourite for this time of year is chef’s Irish Beef Roll stuffed with smoked bacon, onions and gherkins served with rocket mash and wild mushroom sauce. Since it is your day, you should always tailor your menu to your tastes. Consider using harvest vegetables such as squash and pumpkins in your menu as not only do they represent the autumnal feel of your celebration, but they are also in season, so they are packed full of goodness. A fun addition to traditional dessert options can include gingerbread cookies or pumpkin cookies for a taste of spicy, authentic autumn fare. Or give your guests an alternative to wedding cake and offer them pumpkin cheesecake or apple, blackberry pie.

But no matter what food, décor or flowers she chose, the bride standing in the church gardens last week looked to all the world like it was the perfect day. Just as it should be.