Think that planning a fall wedding has to mean resigning yourself to a color palette of burgundy, gold, and orange? Not so fast; there are many other colors that are just as nice for an autumn wedding, especially one that does not have the typical rustic fall harvest theme. One of the most elegant colors for a fall wedding is classic navy blue.

Navy is actually a great color for a wedding. It is not trendy, meaning that while it is not one of the "it" colors, nor will it look completely dated the following season. Navy is dark, but has none of the somber funereal associations of black (important if you come from a traditional family). It is also a neutral, and therefore combines beautifully with a huge variety of colors, ranging from cream (better than white for the fall), Kelly green or pink (for preppy brides), lavender, or metallic colors like silver or gold. With all of these possibilities, it is no wonder that navy is such a terrific color for a wedding.

The rich color of a dark navy is particularly nice for a formal wedding in the fall. Pair it with cream or ivory for a high contrast color palette with some drama. Choose bridesmaid dresses in a classic silhouette, like a strapless A-line. If it is an evening wedding, select dresses in a rich satin, and pair with silver shoes and crystal tin cup necklaces for the bridesmaid jewelry. For an autumn afternoon, a navy fabric with some texture like a silk shantung or a faille would be ideal. Finish it off with tin cup necklaces made from ivory pearls. Bridesmaid bouquets in shades of lavender and ivory which are tied with a navy grosgrain ribbon would be the perfect accent.

A great look for navy and cream is to use it to highlight bold patterns, such as a large modern damask. This is a fantastic way to take a classic color and design and use it in with a contemporary interpretation. The result will be pure style and elegance. If you prefer to keep your color palette cool, silver accents are marvelous, or create a richer effect with touches of gleaming gold. (Think of how great navy and gold look together in nautically inspired fashions.)

One thing that is not easy to come by in navy is your wedding flowers. This is why it is smart to have a secondary color in mind. Whether it is pink, ivory, lavender, or even a contrasting color like orange, use the accent color in small doses throughout the rest of the wedding so that the floral designs feel like a cohesive part of a unified design scheme. For instance, if pink is your accent color, you could choose navy ties with a small pink motif for the groom and groomsmen. Give each bridesmaid a gift of a navy and pink striped silk clutch handbag to further bring the look together (gorgeous with navy dresses and pink flowers). Or if lavender is your accent color, set your reception tables with navy tablecloths, lavender napkins, and lavender centerpieces. You get the idea.

There are many additional ways in which navy blue can be used to design a fantastic fall wedding. From invitations lined with navy paisley to cakes with crisp navy fondant patterns, there is no end to the uses for this classic color. With its timeless appeal, and classic style, navy is an excellent choice for a signature wedding color.