It’s no wonder you are thinking about having rustic wedding ideas. What’s not to love about a natural, earthy and back-to-basics wedding style? But just how do you make a wedding rustic? In this article, I will share my top tips and inspirational rustic wedding ideas to ensure your day hits your brief.
So what actually is a rustic wedding theme? Well a rustic wedding is imperfectly perfect, incorporating warm natural decor made from elements such as:
- Wood
- Flowers & Foliage
- Rattan
- Hessian
- Twine
- Kraft Paper
- Wicker
- Terracotta
- Galvanised Metal
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Rustic Wedding Ceremony Decor Inspiration
1. Let The Location Shine
Allow your outdoor ceremony location to do the talking and simply enhance it with coordinating rustic pampas grass aisle decor.
Photo: Mollie McAusland Photography via Yurt Village Wedding
2. Wooden Furniture
This barn venue looks all the more rustic bursting with wooden seating that complements the wooden beams.
Photo: Three Flowers Photography via Autumn Harvest Wedding Stylist: Starry Eyed Weddings
3. Don’t Be Afraid To Add Softness
Soft fabrics and romantic candles can really soften a rustic wedding theme. Use chair sashes and drapes as well as beautiful wedding backdrops.
Photo: Louise Barry via Venue Bowers Mill Wedding Décor: Emily K Weddings
4. Mix & Match Chairs
Mix and match rustic chairs for a stunningly unique style look. Keep to your budget by renting, borrowing, scavenging and picking up freebies online or at car boot sales.
Photo: Babb Photo via Indie Back Garden Bespoke Party Wedding
5. Outside In
Use trees to bring the outdoors in, this is a great way to compensate for not having an outdoor ceremony as well as bringing rustic vibes.
Photo: Olegs & Rita Photography via Old Kent Barn Wedding Décor/Hire: Light of my Life
6. Scatter Petals
Scattering flower petals or paper confetti down your aisle is a simple and rustic decor idea.
Photo: White Stag Wedding Photography via Fairy Lights Barn Wedding
7. Budget-Friendly Rustic Aisle
Yes, this greenery aisle decor can be achieved on a small budget! Forage for greenery in your garden, tie them together and add to chairs. Rustic beautiful.
Photo: HannaMonika Wedding Photography via Crete Wedding Flowers & Décor: Oneiranthi
8. Bring Drama With Foliage
To create a really rustic look, layer flowers, greenery and fairy lights on your barn ceremony venue.
Photo: Danielle Smith Photography via Ruscus Wedding Florist: Millie Richardson
9. Hay Bale Seats
Hay bales make for great inexpensive, natural chairs. Cover bales with blankets for a more comfortable and rustic style.
Photo: Photography34 via North Yorkshire Barn Wedding
10. Rustic Rings
Even your wedding rings or wedding ring box can be perfectly rustic!
Photo: Eloise & Mitch via Park Wedding Ideas Rings: Eco Wood Rings
Rustic Wedding Reception Decor Ideas
11. Use Wooden Props
Wooden props such as old ladders and wooden crates make for fantastic structures to add candles and flowers.
Photo: Jenna Kathleen Photographer via Autumnal Garden Wedding Stylist: Emily K Weddings
12. Confetti Bar
How stunning is this rustic confetti station? Grab an old wooden pallet and fasten your confetti envelopes to it for a cost-saving yet striking decor option.
Photo: Terri & Lori Photo and Film via Boho Rustic Barn Wedding
13. Make A Focal Point
Create a show-stopping focal point with a rustic wedding backdrop!
Photo: Jenna Kathleen Photographer via Autumnal Garden Wedding Stylist: Emily K Weddings
14. Enhance Wooden Beams
Highlight rustic areas in your venue such as wooden beams with beautiful blooms. This is a spendier option, but it could be made cheaper by foraging or growing your own wedding flowers.
Photo: Hayley Baxter Photography via Woolas Barn Wedding Florist: Daisy Hoban
15. Have A Grazing Table
Ensure your wedding food looks as good as it looks with a feast fit for a rustic celebration.
Photo: The Enlight Project via Autumn Boho Wedding Ideas Grazing Table: The Graze Girls
16. Choose Earth Tones
Go for earth tones such as brown, rusty orange, sage green and neutrals to embrace the rustic look.
Photo: Fox and Bear Photography via llyn Gwynant Barns Wedding Venue: Llyn Gwynant Barns
16. Wooden Guest Book
Guess what?! Even your guest book can be wooden!
Photo: Thyme Lane Photography via Hall Farm Events Wedding
17. Rattan Table Plan
Rattan placemats can not only be used on tables but hung on table plans.
Photo: Sara Ribera via Boho Tipi Wedding Ideas Stationery: Quiff & Ginger
18. Wooden Pallet Sign
A cult classic at rustic weddings, introducing the wooden pallet wedding sign!
Photo: Martin Venherm Photography via Falside Mill Wedding
19. Choose Twinkling Lights
Create a subtle glow and magic to a rustic barn wedding reception with lighting.
Photo: Camilla Andrea Photography via Whimsical Boho Wedding Lighting: Dream Wave Lighting
20. Wicker Hampers
Use wicker baskets as vessels for decor like confetti, sparklers, blankets or flip-flops.
Photo: James Green Photographer via Whimsical Countryside Yurt Wedding
21. Kraft Paper Stationery
Add rustic to your wedding invitations and stationery by switching to brown kraft paper.
Photo: Sally T Photography via Wrays Barn Whinstone View Wedding
22. Honey Favours
Creating a rustic wedding favour can be simple. Make an edible favour such as sauces, condiments, drinks and sweet treats. Alternatively, have something crafted from natural materials such as wood.
Photo: Janine Kirkwood Photography via Family Farm Wedding
Rustic Wedding Centrepieces
23. Wooden Box Flowers
Pop your centrepiece flowers in a wooden box for a rustic wedding idea.
Photo: Hayley Baxter Photography via Woolas Barn Wedding Florist: Daisy Hoban
24. Logs & Bark
Add logs and bark to your centrepiece decor for a showstopping table piece.
Photo: Olegs & Rita Photography via Old Kent Barn Wedding Florist: Chic Weddings & Events
25. Terracotta Pots & Herbs
How rustic are these gorgeous terracotta plant pots? Adding herbs adds to your wedding day scent as well as making for a perfect wedding gift for guests to take home.
Photo: Richard Skins Photography via Hornington Manor Wedding
26. Hoop Decor
For a modern yet rustic centrepiece, use a hoop with candles and flowers.
Photo: Emilie May Photography via Holmes Mill Wedding Flowers: The Rose Boutique Wigan
27. Mini Milk Churns
Find mini milk churns and fill them with flowers or foliage.
Photo: Photographer Liam Gillan via Willingale Village Hall Wedding Flowers: Abridge Florist
28. Floating Tea Light Table Decor
Floating tea lights have an airy feel, and adding pine cones create a rustic touch.
Photo: Dani Nicole Photography via Cedar Creek Ranch Wedding Flowers: Petal Shoppe of Monroe
29. Feathers & Wheat
Feathers or wheat can work so well as centrepieces and can also be super cheap if you forage for them.
Photo: Ellie Gillard Photography via Voewood Wedding
30. Hessian Table Runners
Drape tables with hessian table runners for a rustic yet sophisticated style.
Photo: Wyldbee Photography via Rousham House Wedding
Rustic Wedding Flower Arrangements
31. Twine Buttonhhole
Sunflowers may be the happiest and most rustic summer wedding flowers. Tied with twine, these flowers will look spectacular on any wedding suit.
Photo: Becky Bailey Photographer via Burley Manor Wedding Flowers: Concept Flowers
32. Natural Bouquet
Create a natural wedding bouquet filled with greenery and earth-tone blooms.
Photo: Amy Cutliffe Photography via Sage Green Wedding Ideas Bouquet: Bloomantic
33. Hoop Bouquets
Create sweet bouquets for maids with a willow wreath!
Photo: Dhw Photography via Rustic Christmas Wedding Ideas Florist: Twigs & Twine Floral Design
34. Woodland Style Flower Arch
Does it get any more rustic than a woodland wedding?! Enhance the setting with a dramatic wedding arch.
Photo: Amy Cutliffe Photography via Sage Green Wedding Ideas Flowers: Bloomantic
Rustic Wedding Cakes
35. Log Stand
Add a naturally beautiful cake to a log slice cake stand to add rustic flair.
Photo: Hayley Baxter Photography via Woolas Barn Wedding Florist: Daisy Hoban
36. Dried Flower Cake Topper
Keep your rustic wedding cake simple and allow the topper to shine.
Photo: Rockrose Photography via Ashridge Great Barn Wedding Cake & Props: Rebecca Wedding Hair
37. Log Cake
Does it get any more rustic than a wedding cake that resembles a tree?!
Photo: Olegs & Rita Photography via Old Kent Barn Wedding Cake: The Cake Witch
38. Dessert Table
Serve your wedding dessert in style with a ladder stand with shelving for rustic cool.
Photo: Lorena Erre via Mountain Wedding Spain
And there you have it! All the rustic wedding ideas you’ll ever need to create your dream wedding vision. Yay!
