Outdoor October wedding in New England?

I wouldn’t risk it. I love Mass in the fall and there could very well be an amazing day for it, but it’s too much risk for me!
To paraphrase Mark Twain - if you don’t like the weather in New England, wait a minute!

So risky. It could be sun or snow… I’d try for an indoor venue.

I will say that I am really envious. I grew up in the Berkshires and it’s so tempting to have wedding there at a lovely bed and breakfast!
We are doing one close to home. But the foliage, the crisp air, the mountains…

During the day it would usually be in the very low 60's. Evening colder. I have attended the Topsfield fair in shorts and t-shirts and winter coats. Its so hard to say. But, most tented wedding venues in MA have heaters just for this reason. As long as the pavilion has sides to hold in the heat, you should be okay. Open sides...wouldn't risk it.

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Thank you for your comment!

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Thank you for your comment. I really prefer outdoor more rustic venues and this venue is free...so I think I should try for the 9/10 date. However, my preferred caterer and wedding planner are not available that date. And I really want to use "fall" colors. It is a tough choice!

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Jessa,

Thanks this is super helpful. The pavilion has 2 sides but can't be fully inside. My potential wedding planner is going to visit on Friday and give me some feedback.

Personally I think it would be fine, and you could always do it a little earlier in the day to take advantage of daylight/warmth as long as possible. I think peak foliage and fall colors would be worth it! I’m getting married in western MA on 11/6/21 and while our reception will be inside a barn, our ceremony will be outside and cocktail hour will be on a tented deck with heaters if needed.

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Corinne! I am in western MA too...where is your venue? Best of luck and hopes for beautiful weather! Thanks for the comment.

I’ll be the oddball here and say go for it! We had an outdoors ceremony and reception on October 11th. The weather was 60s for the ceremony (my ideal) but it for cold at night (40s). We rented a heater for the reception and it kept people warm. Def rent some of those, but hopefully the venue has some to rent. A friend of mine got married the same weekend a year prior to us, and it was warm! 80s during the day and cool (but not cold) at night. October goes either way. Just have the things in place for coverage and warmth and you’ll be good. It’s worth it for the foliage for sure. If you have people dancing around, the cooler air may be a perk! I also sent you a message

View Quoted Comment Thanks! We’re going to be at the Red Barn at Hampshire College in Amherst. Good luck to you as well!

View Quoted Comment Oh! Where in the berkshires? We’re getting married at Bascom Lodge atop Mt Greylock!

I attended an outdoor ceremony near Boston in October and it was pretty chilly. We survived but it was a short ceremony and then we went inside for the reception. I would say your guests would appreciate a wedding in September the latest if you’re going to be having the reception outdoors unless you have a lot of fire pits to hang out by and lots of hot beverages!

Sounds cold to me, but if you offer heater and blankets maybe... But that sounds cold...