Have you tried the Talbots and TJMaxx websites (not stores)? Last spring when looking for an affordable prom dress for DD, I discovered that TJX has a fair number of well-priced bridal, bridesmaid and MOB dresses, and Talbots can have nice "event" dresses.

I think the centerpieces are lovely, but I'm not much for stiff and formal, especially at a joyous occasion, I think those are lovely.

Love the maple leaf STD, understated and seasonal.

Love, love your fall ideas - just be sure to keep them natural and not over the top. Also commend you for not falling for any of the dresses you've seen. Sometimes I tune in to the Yes-To-The-Dress shows and am really disappointed at what they have to offer. EVERYONE seems to want a strapless dress and unfortunately not everyone wears them well. You may want to consider having one made. If you don't want glitz and glitter - it may not be as expensive as you think. Congratulations and best of luck to you!

I love the centerpiece, jojo!

Personally, I like things very simple.

It's hard to find a centerpiece picture on the web that really says what I want to do. I want to look that is both uncluttered yet warm. It's a difficult balance, but I think I can do it. This one is another example. It's a little cleaner as I don't like the twiggy look.

That table setting is so pretty. It's set low to allow for conversation, It's not taking up the whole table so as to allow room for drinking glasses and room for women's purses when they're dancing (I hate hanging mine off a chair when dancing), the colours, while fall colours, are still bright and vibrant and joyful.

I'm however not all that taken with the maple leaf in a beige colour for the save the date. I would. if possible have it done in a variegated colour or a scheme where the colour goes from red through orange to yellow - exactly like a fall leave.

Just make sure the printing is dark enough to be read.

ETA - the last photo that you just posted shows a much more structured arrangement than your first one. The first one reminds me more of an old inn - less formal.

I like both the centerpiece idea and the STD leaf (as is, without color).

Is Oct 14 on the long weekend? If so, you're in luck because I'll be in your area that weekend so you can add me (and DH and kids) to your list! :-)

When I got married I didn't want a traditional, formal dress and I actually found the perfect dress in the regular dress dept at Lord and Taylor. That was 26 years ago, but you never know what you might find if you take a spin through the dress departments at the non-bridal stores.

What are your colors? Black and white, amber, green, yellow, orange?

I do calligraphy writing and have some awesome contacts.

Um, colors? Well, i'll be wearing white, and my guy will be in a tux. We're not doing bridesmaids or a church wedding or anything like that. I just figured fall colors for the flowers.

Jojo, Have you thought about the flowers you would like to carry? If there are colors in your bouquet, that could be a jumping off point.

I love the lantern idea, but not a fan of the black. I think for fall I would look for bronze or copper. Possibly you could include some preserved maple leaves on you tables to hearken back to your STD's. I got married in October so I know how beautiful it can be!!!

Mtn, I forgot about that. . Oops. I guess I need one. I'm open to any ideas...just no mums.

Congratulations - what fun you will have planning this wonderful event! I love this site for wedding inspiration ( for my 23 yo DD who has no plans to get married yet..I am a momzilla in waiting).

Enjoy!

http://weddingswithzsazsa.tumblr.com 

Oh I am not the one to ask --- i like white! Do you have a favorite flower?

My favorite flowers are peonies. I adore them.

I carried white peonies! The ones with just a tiny little splash of hot pink. They are such show stoppers.

http://bridalmusings.com/2014/09/expert-guide-peonies/

omg these are fab too

http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/269166/peony-wedding-bouquets#136642

Omg those are beautiful! I'm rethinking fall flowers...but it is an October wedding.

Going in a slightly different direction now to focus on peonies. Here's what I think would be a beautiful bouquet, with a tad less pink and a bit more coral

Jojo, your last two pictures are simply gorgeous!

I just love peonies.. but they are a late spring flower (May-June here). You'll want to check with your florist to see what their experience is with getting them in the fall. Of course you can get anything any time, but they may not be as glorious as they would be in season.

My bff also bought her dress-- an elegant but simple ivory gown-- off the rack at a local boutique.

My nephew and his fiancé are getting married a week after your wedding. Their ceremony will be outdoors along a river. She's going with coral and deep purple as her colors.

It might be too early for you to want to incorporate white pumpkins-- but I thought this was very pretty and very elegant for table décor.

Funky, the first one is stunning.

Local peonies are summer, but I think they can be flown in any time.

The last several pictures are beautiful. I like the idea of subtle fall colors instead of literal....unusual and unexpected.

Funky, those are both beautiful. I love the white pumpkins, and that first bouquet is stunning.

If you want to (or have to) stick with seasonal flowers, sunflowers always speak 'happy' to me. My DGD had a sunflower bouquet for her homecoming flowers last year. It was really quite beautiful with the dress she wore.

Of course you can get any flower any time of the year-- however, there are some trade offs. They are more expensive off season and you may have limited colors and quality. It's really just something you'll want to discuss with your florist. They'll know what they can reliably expect from their sources.

The flowers above are from google images-- but, yes-- stunning!

If you have selected a florist I would ask them what they have good success with during October. While anything is 'possible' it can be expensive. I had a small wedding in a small town. I got a call the day before my ceremony that the bouquet I had my heart set on would not be possible due to the way the flowers came in. I should have paid more attention to what was going to be more readily available. On the bright side, I actually rented plants to decorate the wedding venue, tons of ferns and potted white daisies it was a great way to have a slew of plants for very little (relative) cost.

I'm of the mindset, "less is more". Simple, elegant. Tend to go off the beaten path...tire easily of trends, what everyone is wearing. Gravitate towards different, even though others might not approve. It's your day!

Have you seen any other gowns that you find interesting and to your liking other than the first one you showed us?

My daughter got married 4 years ago at a small inn in the Finger Lakes. Small wedding, small venue - she wanted a simple dress. We tried the big box wedding dress stores and didn't find anything. She went to a small bridal shop in Henrietta NY (outside of Rochester) and found the absolute perfect dress for her. No Kardashian would even consider it! I am not sure where your wedding is but try small bridal shops. and for you colors - pick what you love and the florist will work with you.

Thank you everyone for your great ideas and practical suggestions. I will speak to a florist in the next week or so and get an idea of what is available in October. As far as the dress goes, there is a good chance that I will be able to find something relatively inexpensive through a friend of mine who owns a dress shop. Any money I saved, will go towards flying in those expensive peonies. When I told my guy that I was leaning towards pennies, he smiled and said he didn't like the autumn pallet. It was to "kitschy " I asked him why he didn't say anything, and he said it was because it seemed like I loved it. He's a keeper. Kmarchese, what are the chances that your daughter and I picked the same inn? Mine is also on the finger Lakes, but I doubt it's known as a small inn. Although the lake is. :-) if I strike out with my friend and the dress, I will look in Rochester and or Philly. I know where Henrietta is, I will add that store to the top of my list in Rochester.

jojoco - she got married at the Sherwood Inn in Skaneateles. And I think she got her dress at Bridal Belle on Henrietta Rd. Good luck!

jojoco I am so in love with the peonies too! They can be beautiful, rustic and elegant!

Unfortunately I've spoken with three different florists who have all confirmed that Peonies in October is a bad idea. It's not that you can't get them, you can, (flown in from Alaska) but the quality is spotty since they are grown in fields and are easily affected by weather . They are often smaller and have erratic budding times. All confirmed they are not comparable to their spring and summer versions. It was suggested that I move my wedding to May. :-) instead, I'm thinking cabbage roses and ranunculous.I think the last vase picture I posted will still work as a bouquet just without peonies in it.