A Fresh Take on Fall: Evelyn & Chad’s Wild Rock Farm Wedding
When most people picture a fall wedding, they imagine pumpkins, deep burgundy blooms, and maybe a few maple leaves for good measure. But Evelyn & Chad’s September wedding at Wild Rock Farm in Sanford proved that autumn can be something else entirely — light, joyful, and naturally refined.
Evelyn came to me wanting a wildflower-inspired look that still felt intentional and elevated. She loved the warmth of fall but wanted something beyond the usual rust-and-burgundy palette. Together, we built a color story that blended burnt orange and lavender, grounded with olive greens and soft neutrals — a mix that felt both familiar and fresh.
It was the perfect pairing for Wild Rock’s rustic-meets-modern feel. With the fields still green and a soft golden haze in the air, this palette caught the season at its very best moment — right between late summer and early fall.
Flower Color Plan vs Reality
Burnt Orange Meets Lavender
Burnt orange is one of those shades that instantly signals fall, but it can easily feel heavy or predictable. Lavender brought in the surprise — a light, floral counterbalance that softened the entire design. The result felt like sunset light filtered through a meadow: warm, airy, and full of movement.
Her bouquet featured a mix of dahlias, chrysanthemums, ageratum and garden roses, with sprigs of sage and olive foliage to add that gentle, silvery green contrast.
For the bridesmaids, smaller hand-tied versions echoed the same mix — just a little simpler, keeping the color gradient intact. The effect was cohesive but relaxed, like the flowers had all been gathered from the same hillside just moments before.
“We wanted fall to feel romantic, not rustic — sun-warmed and garden-soft.”
The Setting: Wild Rock Farm
Wild Rock Farm is one of those rare venues that feels both wide open and deeply personal. With its soft rolling landscape and natural wood architecture, it already sets the stage for something timeless. We let that beauty lead the design.
The ceremony space looked out over open fields, framed by a simple wooden arbor adorned with greenery. Nothing too structured — just enough to echo the motion of the breeze. Inside, wooden tables and neutral linens gave the flowers room to glow. A scattering of bud vases and candles carried the same colors in smaller gestures — understated, seasonal, and full of life.
It’s exactly the kind of setting where farm-grown flowers shine — perfectly at home in their surroundings.
Movement and Texture
My favorite part of Evelyn’s design was the way it moved. The bouquets were built for that garden feel she loved. Stems layered in color waves astrantia danced above the main structure. A few tendrils of eucalyptus trailed like ribbon.
This kind of design works best when you trust the flowers to do what they do naturally. The dahlias carried the color weight, while the ageratum and astrantia gave a bit of whimsy. Olive foliage connected everything — earthy yet elegant.
It’s a look that’s distinctly Hen House Flowers — flower-forward, seasonally grounded, and full of natural movement.
Effortless and Seasonal
By the time golden hour arrived, everything glowed. The soft purple tones caught the last bits of light, and the burnt orange blooms deepened into a warm amber glow. Guests lingered outside, glasses in hand, surrounded by flowers that seemed to belong exactly where they were.
Evelyn later shared that her flowers “were even better than she imagined — so natural and full of life.” That kind of response is why I love designing with what’s in season. It never feels forced. When you let local color and texture lead, everything just fits. Like these two lovebirds.
Evelyn & Chad’s wedding was the perfect reminder that fall doesn’t have to look heavy or predictable. It can be graceful, unexpected, and full of quiet joy — a celebration of the season at its most beautiful point of transition. Relaxed, enduring and North Carolina at its finest.
Vendor Team
Venue: Wild Rock Farm
Photography: Jessica Carr
Florals: Hen House Flowers
“Jennifer is incredibly sweet, patient, and professional — you can tell she genuinely cares about her clients and their special day. I couldn’t be happier with my experience and would recommend Buck Naked Flower Farm to any bride-to-be! 💐”
Ready to Plan Your Own Seasonal Wedding?
If you love the look of natural movement, layered color, and flowers that feel freshly gathered, you might be the perfect fit for a pickup or full-service wedding with Hen House Flowers.
We design with what’s blooming — creating florals that are timeless, personal, and rooted in the beauty of North Carolina’s seasons.
Explore our wedding flower options or book a consult to start a conversation.
