Choosing a wedding theme can be really hard – there’s so
much inspiration, it’s hard to pick just one!
Here at The Cow Shed we love all things rustic, and rustic,
country style weddings are our specialty, so we don’t think you could go wrong
with this theme for your big day. It’s pretty, simple to style and works at any
time of year, from sunny summer days through to frosty winter ones.
Pick a barn venue
One of the
most important parts of the wedding planning process is choosing your wedding
venue – and picking one that complements your wedding theme makes all the
difference. Barns are the ideal choice for a rustic themed wedding, with their
beautiful settings, neutral colours and natural, romantic feel creating a
perfect backdrop and relaxed atmosphere.
Use pretty props for styling
There are so
many objects you can use to style your rustic-themed wedding; hay bales, jam
jars, barrels, logs, apple crates and candles can be given extra finishing
touches to turn them from everyday items into pretty wedding props. And they
don’t have to be expensive! You can find pieces at flea markets, car boot sales
and charity shops for a reasonable price, and get creative with upcycling and embellishments
etc. to create your own unique pieces. If you’d prefer to hire them, local
florists and wedding hire companies stock most items which they will happily
hire to you and also help you with styling.
Make mealtime fun
Rustic
weddings and a relaxed, laid back atmosphere go hand in hand, and allow for a
little more fun too. So serve up something a little less formal than the
traditional three-course wedding breakfast, and opt for a hog roast or
barbecue. Dessert could be a selection of classic home-made cakes so guests can
choose a slice……or three…… of their favourites. Here at The Cow Shed, Sarah’s
repertoire of classic dishes and delicious comfort food is always a winner with
our guests, no matter what time of year it is.
Add a twinkly touch
Fairy lights
are a must for adding subtle, romantic lighting that perfectly complements your
rustic wedding and adds a little touch of magic to your big day. Hung as a
backdrop from the ceiling, wrapped around the beams or strung between the
eaves, twinkling fairy lights set among beautiful seasonal flowers and foliage
are the perfect addition.
Keep it natural
A rustic
wedding always has a natural overall finish, neutrally coloured in browns,
creams and greens that works well with many colour schemes. There’s no need for
chair covers, tablecloths or chair sashes; in fact at The Cow Shed, we use hay
bales covered with cosy blankets and wooden trestle tables with simple linen
runners, although you could always use burlap or lace depending on your taste.
Weave your theme throughout
Keep your
rustic wedding theme in mind when choosing each element of your wedding. Choose
wild flowers for simple floral centrepieces and bowers, and have a naked or
lace-style cake as your wedding cake. In terms of your dress, add a rustic
touch by opting for a simple dress style or a lace design, while your groom
could choose a less formal suit with a touch of tweed, or even braces and a
flat cap!
Give homemade favours to guests
Everything
about a rustic wedding is natural, simple and homemade, so you can be really
creative and bring a touch of this to your wedding favours for your guests too.
Jars of homemade jam, honey or sweets are good choices, or you could put
together hot chocolate and marshmallow jam jar kits for a winter wedding; the
possibilities are endless!
If you’re
stuck for inspiration, Pinterest is a great place to look for ideas on
everything from décor, to dresses to homemade crafty touches. Whatever ideas
you have in mind, make sure you discuss them with your venue co-ordinator who
will often have plenty of tips and advice to help make your day perfect.
