rustic wedding 101 & ideas

A beautiful barn is typically the first thing that comes to mind when you think of rustic wedding venues. The exposed wood and vaulted ceilings of most barns perfectly capture a rustic vibe, and offer nearly endless possibilities for couples to decorate. For example, you can add charm to a barn venue with homespun details like heritage tablecloths and seating areas made up of miss-matched vintage furniture. Or, you could go for a more elegant vibe by wrapping the beams in layers and layers of greenery.

As you tour barn venues, consider details like the grounds surrounding the barn. Will it be easy for cars and elderly people to make their way in and out? Is the barn big enough to host both the ceremony and reception indoors? Or will you need to have one of them outside? How will you handle bugs or potentially chilly evenings?

For couples on a budget, consider reaching out to your local Parks & Recreation department to see if you can purchase a permit for a scenic public outdoor facility. Some park venues have covered amphitheaters, charming gazebos, or large pavilions that can be reserved for the afternoon. This venue option is also a sound choice if you are planning to welcome guests of all ages. Children will be able to play in the large open spaces or even nearby jungle gyms. When speaking with Parks and Rec., ask how much flexibility you have to decorate. Usually they just ask that all decor and trash be taken down once your event is complete.

If you and your spouse-to-be are nature lovers, take the park idea one step further by choosing a national park as your venue. This is a great option if you plan to have a smaller destination wedding, as most national parks have picnic areas or even hotels that can accommodate intimate ceremonies and receptions. Just be sure to do your homework — the permit requirements for hosting an event vary from park to park. Because the park’s main goal will be to preserve it’s natural beauty, most will also have limitations on the type of decor you can bring in. So staging an elaborate tent (or anything that has to be staked into the ground) may not be allowed.

If you’re planning a rustic wedding during the summer months, an outdoor venue with sweeping views and rolling hills is a great way to create a stunning atmosphere for your big day. Meadow venues can require a bit more planning, because you’ll have to consider things like if you’ll need an indoor space for your reception. But once you decide the type of set-up you’ll need for hosting your ceremony and receptions, there are endless rustic wedding decor ideas to experiment with. One of our favorites is to bring in a pergola-style arch made from wood and covered in florals. Another is to use wooden crates or barrels as cocktail tables where guests can rest their drinks or appetizers.

Getting married by the water is especially romantic as far as rustic outdoor wedding ideas go. When it comes to adding extra charm to a lakeside venue, we recommend leaning into rustic summer camp vibes. Set up a canoe filled with ice for drinks, use plaids, light blue accent colors, and a few custom-made flotation rings (with the newlywed’s names printed on them) to decorate the grounds.

As you look at lakeside venues, be sure to ask if chairs, tables, and extras like heat lamps are included with your venue rental. Added expenses like these could derail you from your planned budget before you even get into the fun side of the decor.

The charm of wooden walls and high beams make for a cozy take on rustic weddings, no matter the season. Cabins and lodges are great for weddings that need both indoor and outdoor space because most venues will offer grounds like a large yard or beautiful deck where you can host an intimate ceremony as well as indoor space for dining and dancing. While you’re touring venues, keep an eye out for the room or area on the grounds with the best views, and think how you can take advantage of that focal point during your ceremony or reception.

Once you’ve found your perfect venue, lean into the rustic mountain vibe with decor like antlers, skis, and old wooden toboggans. If snow is on the ground as you tie the knot, consider having blankets and hot cocoa available for guests.

Vineyards and wineries are ideal for couples looking to put an elegant spin on a rustic wedding. These venues offer plenty of natural beauty and a wide range of options where you can host your ceremony and reception. For a smaller, more intimate wedding, serving dinner in the vineyard itself will create an experience of a lifetime for your guests. Or, to accommodate more people, look for a venue with open, grassy areas that offer up sweeping views of the grapevines. Vineyard venues also tend to be full-service, so they are a great option for couples that are looking to streamline everything from catering to table rentals.

Choosing a hotel, resort, or glamping property surrounded by natural beauty is a great way for couples to balance the convenience of a traditional wedding venue with a more rustic feel. When touring locations, look for venues that offer both indoor and outdoor space for your reception and ceremony — this will help you channel a rustic feel and keep your big day connected to nature. Be sure to also ask how much you’ll be able to decorate each space, as you’ll want to use plenty of natural and vintage accents to help a space like a ballroom feel more rustic.

Ranches are another great rustic wedding venue, especially if you are drawn to the wild west or the desert. When touring ranches, pay attention to the field and barn spaces you’ll have access to. If your ceremony will be held outside, preserve the ranch feeling by opting for bench or hay-bale seating. Decorate indoor spaces with soft lights and fun western accents — you could even set up your bar area to feel like a wild west saloon. Have fun with it!

• Colors: blush pink + sage green
• Venue: meadow, barn, or a local park
• Details: This color palette works best for spring and summer weddings, as it calls to mind the soft pinks and greens of a blooming meadow. Weave in pretty blush roses and soft sprigs of sage and eucalyptus throughout your florals and choose to decorate rustic wooden tables with sage linens for a sophisticated feel.

• Colors: burgundy + gold
• Venue: wooded national park, lakeside, cabin, or vineyard
• Details: There’s a reason burgundy and gold never go out of style. This color palette is an ideal way to add a touch of glamor to a rustic fall or winter wedding. Look for wedding invitations and stationery that feature gold-foil pressed details, go for dark and dramatic florals, and keep the red wine flowing. You can also amp up the elegance by choosing flatware, charger plates, and glasses gilded with gold.

• Colors: dark green + white
• Venue: National parks in the northern part of the country, lakeside, or cabins.
• Details: Deep greens and crisp whites are a timeless way to invoke the beauty of a winter wonderland. Because it is so simple, this color palette works well across a huge range of details and styles. We especially love seeing unique twists on it — think a groom wearing a deep green suit instead of classic black or green-and-white tartan style textures.

• Colors: cobalt blue + gold
• Venue: ranch, lakeside, or rustic resort
• Details: If you plan to celebrate under the stars, go for a color scheme that gets guests excited for the night to come. Cobalt blue and gold are a sophisticated way to pull in the colors of the night sky throughout your big day. Brides can get their something blue by opting for cobalt shoes. These two colors can also be woven throughout table decor and featured in typography for signs and stationery.

• Colors: burgundy + dark green
• Venue: vineyards, mountain cabins, lakeside, or national parks
• Details: These two rich colors can help give your rustic wedding a bit of a formal flair. They are especially pretty for vineyard weddings, as they call to mind the natural color of the grape vines you’ll be surrounded by. The palette is also a great way to warm up a wedding located in the mountains, especially if there will be snow on the ground during your big day.

Show off your love of nature — and your love for each other — by choosing a wedding invitation featuring an image of the two of you spending time together outside. Be sure to choose a picture that highlights the same type of environment where your wedding will be held. For example, if your wedding will be held at a beautiful cabin, select an image of you and your spouse-to-be surrounded by the forest.

Watercolor is a beautiful way to capture the spirit of the location where you’ll be celebrating your wedding. Minted offers watercolor invitation designs that work for nearly any type of rustic venue, and we love how they give your stationery a keepsake feel.

It’s not a stretch to envision a rustic wedding with a dancefloor assembled under a moonlit sky. Preview the party and celestial touch to your wedding stationery by picking a design with stardust that gently sprinkles the night sky.

These are a classic choice and you can also ask the ring bearer to wear them for a cute touch. Look beyond the standard styles and go for stripes, plaid, leather, or mix-and-match looks among the wedding party. Just ensure it will be warm enough for those in the wedding party to skip suit jackets so they can show off their fun suspenders!

The relaxed look of rolled-up sleeves looks great whether they’re wearing a vest or suspenders.

Nothing highlights the sweet side of a country wedding like lace! Opt for gowns made out of ivory or cream lace for a vintage feel, or outfit others in the wedding party in lace dresses dyed to match their color scheme.

This pattern is often associated with all things country. It is also a great option to add a layer of coziness to a lakeside or mountain wedding. Try tweed plaid vests, plaid bow ties, wrapping the bouquet stem in a plaid fabric, or featuring a plaid garter.

Yes, you can wear jeans to a rustic wedding! This is a great way to keep a ranch or barn wedding feeling authentic. More casual couples opt for a crisp pair of deep blue denim jeans instead of classic trousers. Or, stick to a classic suit while those in the wedding party go for dark denim.

Velvet suits are a great option as well if your wedding will be hosted in the fall or winter. That said, we recommend skipping velvet for summer weddings, as the fabric can be too warm for hotter temperatures! Keep in mind that classic black velvet can read very formal, so opt for velvet in unexpected colors like rich rusty oranges, natural browns, and dusky blues for a more rustic feel.

A floral crown is a great alternative to a traditional veil if you’re looking for a more bohemian take on the rustic wedding. Work with a florist to select fresh flowers that can be woven together with berries, feathers, or other natural items. Consider using ornate crowns for the wedding party as well.

Cowboy boots have become a hallmark of rustic and barn weddings. After all, a pair of boots is definitely more practical for a dusty dancefloor than a pair of heels! Lean into the western theme and request the entire bridal party (bridesmaids or groomsmen included) wear cowboy boots. You can also incorporate other accessories like bolo ties and custom-made cowboy hats, which can also double as a special “thank you” gift to those in the wedding party.

Spring weddings have no shortage of options, as most popular wedding florals are in season during this time of the year. Go for lush and big bouquets that feature pastel petals and lots of soft green foliage.

• Forsythia
• Lily of the Valley
• Peony
• Poppy
• Snap Dragon
• Sweet Pea

Summer florals are all about vibrant colors and cheerful arrangements. Couples getting married during this season will also have no shortage of florals to choose from, but we especially love sunflowers and bouganvilla to capture the spirit of warmer temperatures.

• Cornflower
• Cosmo
• Iris
• Sunflower
• Queen Anne’s Lace
• Bougainvillea

Fall florals are all about making the most of drier textures and warm, dusty colors. Go for pampas grass and accents of sage green to offset deeper blooms.

• Pampas Grass
• Sage
• Chrysanthemum
• Amaranthus
• Celosia
• Gerbera Daisy
• Pansy
• Yarrow

You may have to get a little bit creative if you’re looking for in-season flowers for a winter wedding. We recommend leaning heavily on foliage like leaves and evergreen branches to fill out arrangements and bouquets, and featuring blooms as accent pieces to keep things feeling natural.

• Berried eucalyptus
• Anemone
• Hellebore
• Poinsettia

There are many seating options for rustic ceremonies, but we love the casual and communal feel of long bench or hay bale seating. You can either leave the benches and bales bare, or use this as an opportunity to layer in additional textures with blankets and other textiles. Just keep in mind that this type of seating works best for shorter ceremonies!

Rustic weddings are supposed to be full of fun! Give your guests an opportunity to play by laying out wooden lawn games like cornhole or giant Jenga. Just be sure you have enough space to give everyone room to get competitive safely.

If you’re going to be hosting your ceremony and reception outside, it’s a good idea to have a place where guests can warm up when the evening gets chilly. Try setting up one big bonfire area or a few smaller firepit vignettes for guests to cozy up next to if you are hosting your wedding at a lakeside, ranch, or barn venue. Just be sure to keep some warm blankets and s’mores makings on hand!