Dried flowers, unbleached linen tablecloths, and wavy-haired brides: if all this makes your heart sing, you’re probably in the market for a rustic wedding! Going rustic is all the rage at the moment and the perfect choice for nature-loving couples. But, there’s no denying that to achieve the au natural wedding of your dreams takes a fair bit of planning.
If you’re throwing a rustic wedding, it’s time to start thinking about it, and we’re here to help. We’ve got a bunch of great tips to ease you into the wedding planning process. Let’s dive in!
Start With an Inspiration Board
Some brides have been dreaming of their perfect wedding day for years, whilst others are new to the idea and coming at it like a blank canvas. No matter which category you fall into, an inspiration or mood board is a must. This is a physical or virtual board that you can throw everything you love onto, regardless of cost or whether the aesthetics go together. The aim isn’t to think too much, and nothing you put on the board has to stay, but you’re getting down plenty of ideas in one place. If you love it, it’s going on your inspiration board!
For mood board newbies, start by using Pinterest. It’s super easy to navigate, and you can collect lots of different images from around the web, keeping all of your favourite ideas in one place.
Narrow Your Vision
When you’ve exhausted your inspiration board, it’s time to narrow it down. Pick out a few aspects that you absolutely love and couldn’t go without at your wedding. Now choose other ideas that compliment these central themes and ditch anything that just won’t work.
For example, you might be set on having a wedding in a barn with tons of haybales, which means that huge candle display is probably a no-go (fire risk, anyone?), but the cowgirl boots are a definite yes.
Find Your Dream Wedding Venue
Now things are starting to get real, it’s time for venue hunting. Rustic wedding ceremonies are often held in outdoor locations, such as in fields, gardens, or farmlands, where nature takes centre stage. If you choose to have the ceremony inside, be sure to bring plenty of the outdoors with you in the form of flowers and greenery.
You also need to find a spot for the reception. This could be tied in with your ceremony venue, or it could be somewhere completely different! Once you’ve found it, book as quickly as you can to avoid disappointment.
Prepare Your Wedding Outfit
Planning your wedding outfit is one of the most exciting parts of the preparations. If you’re getting married outside, be sure your dress is suitable for the season you’re marrying in and can deal with any rough terrain. A lot of rustic brides opt for beautiful boho dresses with a flowy, laid-back feel.
But, it’s not just about the dress. Consider your accessories too. Perhaps you’d like flowers in your hair or gorgeous boho jewellery to match your engagement ring and add a touch of rustic chic to your look. Don’t forget to plan your lingerie and makeup, either!
Design Your Invitations
Your rustic theme should continue in your invitations, which you’ll need to design and send out early if you want everyone to make it. Focus on natural materials, like unbleached paper, wood, and burlap, and keep the designs simple. Dried flowers and leaves won’t go amiss, either, emphasising the natural theme of your day.
Implement Your Aesthetic
You’ve got the venue, the dress, and the invites, now it’s time to bring your aesthetic to life. Start sourcing decor for your venue, working with the space you have to create a beautiful, natural wedding.
Rustic centre pieces, fairy lights, and candles are all popular choices. Look back at your inspiration board for plenty of ideas and head to vintage and antique markets, where you’ll find plenty of charming treasures.
Secure the Right Photographer
The right photographer should capture the theme of your day perfectly. If you can, find a professional who’s used to photographing rustic weddings and matches the aesthetic that you love. As with your venue, once you’ve found someone, book them in quickly to avoid any disappointment.
Create Your Rustic Wedding Menu
What’s on your dream wedding menu? Now’s the chance to bring it to life! A rustic menu can be anything you want it to be, though it often steers clear of the traditional three-course meal.
Charcuterie boards, deconstructed foods, and street food trucks are all great options. Some rustic weddings will also have long, wooden tables covered in antipasto that’s designed to be shared. Not only is this a fantastic way to bring a sense of community to your day, but the feast can also look amazing on the table, becoming part of your decor.
Finally...
If you’re getting married next year, now is definitely the time to start planning. These ideas should help you create the gorgeously rustic wedding of your dreams, but they take time to implement! Begin now, and don’t risk missing out on your perfect venue.