30 Thanksgiving Wedding Ideas We Love

Searching for Thanksgiving wedding ideas that will wow your guests without breaking the bank? You’ve come to the right place.

We’ve gathered 30 of our favorite options in every wedding category that you can use to put together the Thanksgiving wedding of your dreams. Keep reading to discover what food to serve, venues to book, dresses to wear, and much more.

Explore 30 Thanksgiving wedding ideas to help you celebrate in style

Thanksgiving wedding ideas for the menu

We can all agree that the food is one of the most important aspects of a Thanksgiving wedding, right? Cater to every palette with homemade classics and unique twists on all of your holiday favorites by following the Thanksgiving wedding ideas below. 

1. Go for a potluck.

For smaller wedding parties, you may be able to pull off a potluck. Ask guests to make and bring their absolute favorite Thanksgiving treat. The options are literally endless.

2. Make your menu harvest-themed.

Think farmer’s market fresh with veggie-forward main dishes and freshly-picked produce from your local suppliers. Pumpkins, squashes, and nuts are great for vegetarian and vegan entrees as long as no one is allergic.

3. Pump up the pumpkin.

Make your Thanksgiving wedding ideas all about the season’s most iconic treat. Serve turkey chili out of mini hollowed pumpkins, bake brie into the shape of a pumpkin, or whatever else you can think of that includes these amazingly versatile orange delights!

4. Share a grazing table.

Grazing tables are perfect for any holiday-themed wedding, but especially for Thanksgiving. Add cranberry dips, pinecone-shaped cheeses, and plenty of seasonal jam and cheese flavors.

5. Stick with the classics.

Perhaps the most cliche and most necessary of all the Thanksgiving wedding ideas on this list? Sticking to the classics. Serve everything you and your soon-to-be-spouse normally would for your Thanksgiving celebration but in larger quantities. Think multiple roasted turkeys, platters of rosemary mashed potatoes, and a wide variety of gravies, cranberries, and all the other Thanksgiving goodies. 

Thanksgiving wedding ideas for decor

These DIY and thriftable options are perfect for any Fall-themed wedding — especially one that takes place on, or around, Thanksgiving. 

6. Lay out velvet tablecloths.

Burnt orange, teal, and even black velvet tablecloths add texture to your decor and bring in the cozy feeling of Thanksgiving. 

7. Use terracotta and blush flatware.

These shades look amazing together, especially when used in a Thanksgiving-themed decor scheme.

8. Add beige rainbow candle sticks.

Light, medium, and dark beige candle sticks add another vintage twist to your Thanksgiving wedding decor. Use a variety of heights to make tablescapes more visually appealing.

9. Hang a punny banner.

DIY your own “Falling in Love” banner using twine, fabric, and some minor sewing skills. You can also add in faux leaf garlands for a pop of greenery.

10. Go with gold.

Gold tassels hanging from the front of tables, brass candlestick holders, pumpkins spray painted in metallics — no matter what you add gold to, this impactful color can turn a regular Thanksgiving dinner into an elevated decor scheme fit for a wedding!

Thanksgiving wedding centerpiece ideas

Adorn your tables with more than just your main course with these creative-yet-classy Thanksgiving wedding ideas for centerpieces. 

11. Add colorful cornucopias.

What’s a Thanksgiving wedding without showcasing at least one upscale twist on this traditional decor item? Add in pumpkins, large laser-cut letters with your initials, and plenty of fall florals!

12. Try southwestern succulents.

Put a desert twist on your wedding theme with miniature potted succulents and cactuses dotting your tables and walkways. Bonus: these can double as party favors at the end!

13. Sprinkle in some mums.

Mums are an iconic Thanksgiving flower you’re practically obligated to have on at least one of your tables. The yellow and orange petals complement any Thanksgiving wedding theme and can even act as neutrals when you need to fill in some gaps.

14. Combine wreaths with battery-powered candles.

Whether you go pinecones or pumpkins, taking your wreath off the door and putting it on your table is a great way to make a holiday statement. Add in some clear or textured hurricane candleholders and battery-operated candles to the mix to set the mood.

15. Float pumpkins in water.

Tall or short, wide or skinny, there’s just something about a clear vase filled with water and some miniature pumpkins. Add in sprigs of dried herbs, flowers, or floating candles to spice things up.

Thanksgiving wedding cake ideas

Stick with classics to keep your celebration timeless or opt for Thanksgiving-specific colors and adornments to make your cake truly one-of-a-kind.

16. Serve a pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting.

Add on some crispy vanilla pearls for an extra crunch reminiscent of a good flaky pie crust.

17. Host a pie buffet.

Include a variety of flavors that include at least one fruit option and one caramel or chocolate option. Add a bunch of different whipped creams and ice creams for anyone who wants to make it a la mode. We also love these mini pies on tiered trays.

18. Go with fall berries.

If traditional cake or pumpkin isn’t your thing, why not serve a blackberry cake? Add some texture with granola crunch garnishes or try a mix of local berries from the farmer’s market.

19. Try a creative tiramisu wedding cake. 

We can’t explain it but there’s just something delicious about tiramisu in Autumn! Serve with high-quality coffee, pumpkin spiced tea, and red wine for a truly flavorful after-dinner treat.

20. Be fig forward.

Figs for fall? How original. And yet we can’t get enough of figs in wedding cakes.

Thanksgiving wedding dress ideas

Not sure if you’ll have rain, snow, or sunshine on your big day but want to stay on theme? These Thanksgiving wedding dress ideas are here to help.

21. Go with romantic lace.

You simply can’t beat lace for a wedding dress. And if it’s thick enough, it will be perfect for your Thanksgiving wedding dress. See how this Wes Anderson-inspired wedding dress looks comfortable, warm, and lovely?

22. Add lush velvets.

A deep neckline combined with a draped waist and long sleeves make a lush velvet dress perfect for a Thanksgiving wedding. If you’re looking for totally unexpected Thanksgiving wedding ideas, amaze your guests with a jewel-toned velvet dress instead of traditional white.

23. Try a bold silk dress.

If you’re getting married in an area where Thanksgiving tends to bring warmer weather, a silk dress is ideal for keeping you cool but also sticking to the theme. This silk and velvet wedding dress is just too pretty to not at least consider.

24. Try an elegant black dress.

Thanksgiving wedding themes allow plenty of room for bold choices like black or dark purple wedding dresses. This floral patterned one with tulle takes the concept of a basic black dress you might wear on any old night out to wedding-worthy with just a few key details.

25. Mirror fall foliage.

Burnt oranges, rich amber, and even deep forest greens are great colors to use as accent pieces for your Thanksgiving wedding dress. Wear burnt orange pumps, cover up in an amber peacoat, or simply fill your bridal bouquet with a healthy mix of forest-inspired foliage.

Beautiful Thanksgiving wedding venue options

Whether you’re looking for banquet halls or fall foliage views, use these gorgeous wedding venue ideas to inspire your own — or book one of them directly on Wedding Spot!

26. Exchange rings at Oxon Hill Manor.

Location: Oxon Hill, Maryland

Enjoy spectacular views of fall foliage over the Potomac River in a gorgeous brick manor before you dance the night away with friends and family.

27. Carve the turkey at your wedding reception in Canoe Place.

Location: Hampton Bays, New York

Enjoy breathtaking views at these luxury suites and cottages that offer a combination of wedding venues and accommodations with unbeatable East Coast designs.

28. Add leftover spooky season vibes at the Winchester Mystery House.

Location: San Jose, California

Quirky, vintage, and just the right aesthetic mix of everyone’s favorite fall holidays, the Winchester Mystery House is a great place for a themed wedding.

29. Say ‘I Do” at Stonebrook Manor Event Center and Gardens.

Location: Thornton, Colorado

Enjoy a garden ceremony (weather permitting) and a Thanksgiving banquet feast inside at this all-in-one wedding venue.

30. Tie the knot in Twelve Midtown, Autograph Collection.

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Book this venue or a similar one near you if you’re looking for beautiful fall-colored decor, views of color-changing treetops, and heated patios.

Explore answers to frequently asked questions about Thanksgiving weddings

Can you have a wedding on Thanksgiving?

A Thanksgiving wedding can be an unconventional way to celebrate your love for the entire family. Hey, you’re all going to see each anyway, right? Thanksgiving can be a great opportunity to take off from work and get everyone together in one place on a day they’re almost guaranteed to be free.

There are some cons to consider though. Travel is more expensive just before or right after the holiday itself. And if you plan to invite friends, they might need to prioritize their own families and/or prepaid vacations instead.

Is November a good month for a wedding?

Some people say yes! Not only is November the first month of the holiday season, but it’s also the time of year when we already get to enjoy gathering with family and friends. And if you live or plan to travel somewhere with warm weather, it’s practically a no-brainer.

Should your wedding be the weekend before Thanksgiving or the weekend after?

It really all depends on how many must-have people on your wedding guest list have to travel out of town for the event, as plane ticket prices might be the make-or-break for many.

Put these Thanksgiving wedding ideas to good use!

Next up, take an even deeper dive into your Thanksgiving wedding menu with these 24 fall wedding food ideas your guests will love.