Planning a Rustic Wedding: Charming and Chic Details Not to Forget

Planning a Rustic Wedding: Charming and Chic Details Not to Forget

If the words "rustic," "chic," and "vintage" are in the description of your dream wedding, you've come to the right place. A rustic wedding theme makes for a romantic and unforgettable day. If you're looking for ways to bring your vision to life, we have your back. Keep reading to find our tips on planning an unforgettable rustic wedding.

Choosing Between Rustic Venues
Finding a rustic chic wedding venue can be a breeze or very difficult depending on where you live. If you live in a  city like Miami or urbanized San Francisco, you may need to look outside the city for appropriate venues. This isn't the worst news, as weddings in bigger centers are more expensive anyway. You'll be able to save yourself some money by choosing a smaller city or town to hold your nuptials. Though many rustic-themed weddings are in barns or farmyards, it's not impossible to find the perfect backdrop in the city. You'll need to be a little more creative with your thinking to find the ideal space, though. Old mills or warehouses could be a perfect venue with a little imagination and patience. Historical manors or estates often make for a romantic location. Flower gardens could set the scene for a chic and rustic wedding. Finding the perfect venue might be easier you live in a rural area of the country. You might even know someone who has the perfect barn or farmyard. Don't worry if you don't have connections. There are plenty of venues available to choose from that will be perfect for your day. Not every bride has a barn or farmyard in their wedding vision. A forest or other wooded area could provide the perfect rustic elegant wedding backdrop and make for incredible photos, too.

Invitations
Once you know your date and venue, it's time to start thinking about your rustic wedding invitations. The invites will set the tone for your wedding and let your guests know what to expect for a theme on your big day. You should put a lot of thought and consideration into what message you want your invites to convey. If you're getting married in a garden, your invitations could set the mood by including wildflowers. A forest wedding could be hinted at using an invite with leaves and ferns. If you prefer a more minimalistic style, a Gatsby-esque invite might be up your alley. Burlap, lace, and string are all great rustic materials to use to further personalize your invites. Decor Never underestimate the power of strategically-chosen decor accents. If you don't book your dream wedding venue, the decor choices can completely transform the space you're working with.

Flowers
There are two key places where flowers are essential in most traditional weddings. The bride and her bridesmaids will usually carry bouquets down the aisle and the centerpieces often focus on floral accents. Wildflowers are a great pick for both bouquets and centerpieces. Don't be afraid to think outside of the prim and perfect classic bouquet style we're all used to seeing. Let your flowers cascade down. Have a few sprigs of greenery sticking out from the top or sides. Non-traditional accents like wheat, eucalyptus leaves, and even leafy greens can be stunning. If you're going to DIY your flowers, be sure to do research beforehand. Resist the urge to pick unidentified flowers from a field in the days leading up to your wedding. You don't want wilted flowers adorning your tabletops or your bouquet falling flat before your big day. Though beautiful, not every wildflower is meant for picking. Some can cause painful skin reactions, something you'll want to avoid before your big day. Instead of using traditional vases for your centerpieces, think outside the box. Display your flowers in mason jars, jam jars, bottles, vintage tins, or old watering cans. A little brown string, lace, or burlap tied onto your makeshift vase adds even more of a rustic touch.

Seating
You may or may not be limited to your seating choices, depending on where you're holding your wedding. Ceremonies held in venues like gardens, manor, or estates may have to use the provided seating. That doesn't mean you can't gussy up white chairs to liven up their look, though. Line the aisle with shepherds hooks with mason jars overflowing with flowers. Use burlap table runners affix bows onto the backs of the chairs. If your venue is in a barn or its yard, you'll have more freedom over your seating options. Lay hay bales out in a row with a piece of board over the top for your guests to sit on. You can even use longer hay bales and cover them with fabric if you prefer your guests to have a more sturdy seat. You can use tree trunk portions for a forest ceremony. Cut a trunk into several portions and lay a board over top. Rent wooden chairs and hang tins or mason jars with flowers from the corners lining the aisle. If you're handy with a table saw or know someone who is, consider DIY'ing wooden bench seats. You can sell them after the wedding to recover some of the costs.

Lighting
Lighting can be a tricky thing to deal with if you're opting for an outdoor or barn wedding. The right lighting will help set the mood and make your venue even more romantic. Barns are dark even during the daytime, so once nightfalls you'll definitely need back-up lighting. The good news is that you have plenty of options for getting a romantic glow even in the darkest of spaces. String lights are our favorite choice as they can transform almost any space into something out of a fairy tale. They'll take some time to hang just right, but it'll be worth it when your venue is aglow. If your budget allows, chandeliers are another great option. You'll need to buy quite a few of them to get the desired lighting, though. You might consider mixing string lights and chandeliers to achieve the right light. Hanging lanterns come in different sizes, shapes, and colors, and can also transform your space. They'll provide a soft and warm glow similar to string lights.

Rustic Wedding Ideas on a Budget
You can still plan your dream wedding even if you're trying to do so on a tight budget.

Choose Your Flowers Wisely Flowers can eat up a huge part of your wedding budget if you're not careful. They can cost anywhere between $1,400 and $11,000 if you're going all out with floral decor. Thankfully, you can cut corners in several ways. Your florist can help guide you towards more affordable blooms for your arrangements. Carnations and gerbera daisies are cheaper options that will still look great. Wildflowers are a cost-effective choice and can be even more so if you grow them yourself.Savvy brides (or those with friends and family members with green thumbs) can DIY their arrangements. Take a flower arranging class online to get inspiration for your decor and bouquet.

Call for Back-Up
If you're tight on cash, the best way to save money is to ask family and friends with talents to lend a helping hand where necessary. The venue accounts for around 45% of your wedding budget. Save yourself thousands by choosing to have your nuptials outside of a traditional space. Ask your Uncle with the beautiful farmyard if he'd let you hold the wedding on his property. Is your cousin a seamstress? Perhaps she could help with the alterations to your wedding dress. If you know someone who's handy with a make-up brush or curling iron, ask for their help. You could save a few hundred dollars and your guests won't even know the difference.

Reuse and Recycle
One of the best ways to save money on your wedding is by using what you already have for decor. Think outside of the box when it comes to vases for your flower displays. Ask your grandparents if you can use their old mason or canning jars. Tell your friends and family to save their jam jars leading up to the wedding.

Scour garage sales and Craigslist for vintage tins or glass soda bottles. People having estate sales will often sell these types of items for cheap to get them off their hands. Don't forget about using online resources to find secondhand decor for cheap. Married couples will often sell their used decorations as they don't have a need for it anymore. We recommend checking Facebook Marketplace or a wedding-specific site like Wedding Recycle. You'll find more rustic wedding ideas and inspiration as your scour these sites for affordable decor, too.

There's nothing quite like a rustic wedding. They're romantic, beautiful, and filled with lovely homey touches that make them unforgettable. If you're serious about going all out with your theme, you need to set the scene for your wedding early. Check out our site to learn how we can help you create the perfect Save the Dates and rustic wedding invites for your big day.