Is a Rustic Wedding Theme for You?

When planning your special day, one of the first things you’ll need to decide on is a theme. For some people, the them is simply a classic ‘wedding’ feel. For others, the theme is an intricate, crucial piece of their planning. Regardless of how much thought you’ve put into this aspect of your planning, consider a rustic wedding theme to make your day unique and memorable!

What is a Theme?

Fist things first! A theme is a an over-arching connection of various aspects of your celebration. Colors, setting, food, and clothing all join together to form a cohesive vision for your marriage. Some themes are more elaborate, such as a medieval wedding. Others are less intricate. Nonetheless, this is an important aspect to consider. How casual do you want your guests to dress? Do your colors fit in well with your venue? These questions are critical for the aesthetics of your ceremony.

Venue

Your venue will be an important part of your overall theme. Classic settings for a rustic wedding theme are barns, farmhouses, and ranches. Obviously, aged wooden structures(as long as they’re still visually appealing) fit well with the rustic look. However, with a little work, a more modern venue can be a suitable choice as well. A beautiful modern building in the background of an outdoor ceremony, for example, can make a really interesting visual contrast.

Palette

A rustic wedding theme can work well with a wide range of color palettes, as well. It works best, however, with a softer palette. Consider lighter, softer pastels. These colors complement a beautiful outdoor setting, or the wood colors of an older structure, extremely well. If you want a rustic look, keep the colors simple!

Dress Code

Want a causal dress code? Even for your bridal party? Given the outdoor aspects often related to rustic wedding themes, allowing a more casual dress code goes hand-in-hand. If you’re concerned about your wedding dress options, don’t be? There are a variety of gowns which will still work well with a simpler theme. Plus, the softer color palette will work well with almost any dress you choose.

Decorations

Feeling crafty? Rustic weddings focus on handmade(or at least apparently handmade) decorations for your ceremony and reception. It makes sense, given the overall aesthetic you’re likely trying to achieve. Consider decorations with a bit of roughness: hand-painted place holders, hand-woven flower decorations, etc. These small touches will give that country feel to your party.

Food

If you want a rustic theme, consider simpler food choices. Not only can it save you money, but it also fits well with your vibes. No one will bat an eye if you have a buffet-style food spread. Having tables with a spread of meats, cheeses, and crackers, as an example, will seem right at home in a barn reception.

If you want to take it a step further, consider a self-serve drink bar. Set up a table(with some of those handcrafted decorations and signs) with glasses, drinks, and ice. You’ll save yourself work while contributing to the theme!