10 Tips For Planning The Rustic Wedding Of Your Dreams

You got the man of your dreams, the ring of your dreams, now it's time to plan the wedding of your dreams.

If you want to keep things relaxed and simple all while incorporating your love for the great outdoors, you can't go wrong with a rustic wedding. Of course, there's more to it than getting tons of wildflowers and wood pallets (although you will be needing plenty of those).

Do you want to know how you can create the perfect rustic wedding that will wow your guests? Keep reading to discover our 10 tips.

1. Pick the Right Venue

Choosing the venue is arguably the most important decision any bride has to make. At the end of the day, you can get as many decorations as you want, but you'll be hard pressed to make a ballroom look like a rustic paradise.

On the other hand, choosing a barn venue or an outdoor wedding by the woods sets the tone of your wedding immediately. While you'll still want some decorations, you won't need nearly as much since your venue is acting as part of the decor!

2. Decorate with Fairy Lights

Who says you can't decorate with lights? Fairy lights make the perfect addition to any rustic wedding, both inside and outside.

They offer soft lighting to create a romantic atmosphere. And when hung on trees or inside a wooden barn, they look amazing. You and your guests will feel like you're surrounded by fireflies.

3. Utilize Wooden Pallets

As you get deeper into wedding planning, you'll realize you need quite a few signs. You may need one pointing the way to the ceremony and reception, to offer a fun welcome message at the ceremony, to designate a place for gifts and cards at the reception, and more.

You could just print out your message on regular paper and slip it into a frame, but what's the fun in that? Instead, use wooden pallets of varying sizes to make all your signs.

4. Go for a Semi-Naked Cake

Why does every wedding cake seem to be overly fancy? If you just want something simple that ties into your theme, you can't go wrong with a semi-naked cake.

What's that, you ask? Well, it's when the baker uses a very thin layer of icing around the cake, so some areas are covered, and others are peeking through (like distressed paint, but for cakes).

Of course, there will be plenty of icing between the layers of the cake, so everyone gets their sugar fix. You can decorate these cakes with some fresh berries or a few flowers to add a natural touch.

5. Let's Roast Some S'mores

If you and your partner have a serious sweet tooth, you may be tempted to add an extra dessert option. While some couples opt for candy or ice-cream bars, you can incorporate that country feel by offering a s'mores station.

Set up a portable firepit outside, so your guests can roast marshmallows and sit by the fire as a late-night treat. Of course, you can also do this inside by using a planter box and gel cans.

6. Deck Out Your Arch

If you plan to get married outside, you can't go wrong with a ceremony arch. They add a little extra decoration and help frame you and your husband as you say, "I do."

Although many aspects of a rustic wedding focus on keeping things simple, you will want to decorate your arch a little.

The best way to do this is by draping some linen around it and adding a bundle of flowers to each of the upper corners. You can even add another bundle halfway down one of the front posts, so it doesn't look too perfect and neat.

7. Don't Be Afraid of a Little Mess

When choosing flowers for your wedding bouquet, you'll want to make them look like you've picked them yourself.

Opt for flowers, such as roses and hydrangeas, that don't sit perfectly and add in plenty of foliage. You'll end up with the perfect "messy bouquet" that looks natural and beautiful.

8. Stick with Low Centerpieces

Of course, the flowers mentioned above would also look great in your reception centerpieces. But you'll want to trim the stems quite a bit first.

Low centerpieces are perfect for a rustic wedding because they give off a homey feel and your guests won't have a problem seeing and holding a conversation with the people across the table.

Consider using a short, rectangular planter box filled with flowers that are overflowing just a bit.

9. Think Natural with Place Cards

Place cards do more than tell your guests where they'll be sitting. They can also help add to your decor.

So, don't just settle for boring paper place cards. Instead, take inspiration from nature. You could write your guests' names and table number on small log slices or on slips of paper attached to pine cones.

10. Ditch the Frames

Do you want to display pictures of you and your soon-to-be husband at your reception? You may even want to include some pictures of your loved ones, too.

But most frames will take away from your rustic decor. Plus, picture frames can take up a lot of space, so if you can find rustic picture frames you like, you'll have to worry about where to put them.

Instead, go for the hassle-free option of hanging pictures using clothes pins and string. All you need to do is use a little tape to secure a few strings to the wall, and voila! You'll have tons of room to include all the pictures you want, and you'll decorate an otherwise plain wall.

Planning the Perfect Rustic Wedding

Pulling off that stunning "effortlessly beautiful" rustic wedding can be harder than it looks. But don't worry--we're here to help! Just follow our tips to ensure you have the wedding of your dreams.

Of course, it all starts with having the perfect venue. If you're looking for a rustic barn wedding venue in Dawsonville, Georgia, book a tour with us today!