How to Throw an Unforgettable Rustic Barn Wedding

If your goal is to throw an unforgettable wedding, it’s time to ditch the old-school church setting and go for something new and creative. A rustic barn wedding is a great option to put a unique spin on a country-style wedding.

Perfect for any season, a rustic barn offers an excellent venue option to tantalize your guests and make your or your loved one’s special day a cherished memory for the rest of their lives. A well-planned barn wedding captures the essence of Southern charm and ensures your wedding stands out from cookie-cutter wedding venues.

The following article is your ultimate guide to throwing a completely unforgettable rustic barn wedding that captures the essence of the rural southern countryside.

Choose Your Perfect Venue

Firstly, choosing the right barn venue is paramount. The venue setting is the canvas where your wedding masterpiece transpires. Look for barns that showcase the innate rusticity of weathered wood, large open spaces, and high ceilings. These characteristics contribute to the country aesthetic, providing you with a base on which to build your design. Of course, you don’t want to get married in a rotted-out bat-filled barn, so we recommend finding a professional wedding venue that specializes in Southern country style weddings. To ensure your guests’ comfort, double-check the barn’s amenities, such as heating or air conditioning depending on the seasonal temperature. Consider the lodging options nearby for out-of-town guests, and provide information on accommodation options along with your invites.

Also, consider the surrounding area. Are there beautiful fields, forests, or ponds nearby that will enhance the scenery? Keep in mind the practical aspects such as accessibility, parking, and facilities for guests as well.

Select a Color Palette

A rustic wedding palette typically revolves around earthy hues and soft, muted tones. Sage green, cream, dusty blue, blush pink, and taupe are popular choices that blend well with the surroundings. Incorporate these into the invitations, decorations, and other wedding accessories. Consider incorporating seasonal colors as well, such as the following:

Spring Colors

• Mint Green
• Cherry Blossom Pink
• Sky Blue

Summer Colors

• Marigold Yellow
• Ocean Blue
• Bright Orange

Fall Colors

• Burnt Orange
• Burgundy Red
• Golden Yellow

Winter Colors

• Icy Blue
• Snowy White
• Evergreen

Remember, the goal is to complement the natural beauty of the barn and its surroundings, not overshadow it.

Create Perfect Invitations

Once you’ve selected a venue with the perfect barn, the next step is setting the tone with the right invitations. Go for invites that give a hint of what’s to come – earthy colors, floral prints, or a touch of burlap or wood-grain texture will convey the rustic theme from the start.

Plan Your Decorations

Decoration is where the fun begins. Focus on simple, natural elements that enhance the beauty of the barn. Create a cozy atmosphere with strings of fairy lights, vintage chandeliers, or lanterns.

If the barn has exposed wooden beams, make the most of them by hanging floral arrangements or greenery matching your selected color palette.

For table centerpieces, consider using wooden crates, mason jars with candles, or rustic flower arrangements. Reclaimed wooden signs directing guests around the venue add a fun and practical touch.

Consider floral decorations that feel relaxed and fit the rustic theme, such as daisies, sunflowers, lavender, and wildflowers.

Personalized touches like name cards written on leaves, slices of wood, or tied to tiny potted succulents can give your rustic barn wedding a unique and memorable vibe.

Find the Right Furniture

Comfortable, farm-style seating such as wooden benches or mismatched vintage chairs can add to the ambiance. For table settings, consider burlap table runners paired with lace overlays for a vintage feel.

Wear Country-Themed Wedding Attire

In terms of attire, brides and grooms can consider incorporating a touch of rustic charm into their outfits. Lace dresses, floral crowns for brides, tweed suits, or cowboy boots for grooms can harmonize with the overall theme.

Serve a Farm-to-Table Style Dinner

The food and drinks should also reflect the rustic vibe. Think about a farm-to-table menu featuring local produce, comfort foods, and homemade pies or a naked cake for dessert.

Serve drinks from a vintage bar cart or a makeshift pallet bar to keep the rustic theme consistent.

Country style drinks like craft beers, local wines, and a signature cocktail menu can add a rustic touch to the festivities. Out-of-the-box spirits like high-end moonshine can add an additional unique twist to your drink menu.

Hire Country-Themed Entertainment

Entertainment is an essential element of any wedding. A folk or bluegrass band can create a relaxed and lively atmosphere, or you could hire a DJ with a carefully curated playlist.

Depending on the barn’s size and regulations, you might even consider a square dance or line dance session to add to the fun and get everyone involved.

Send Your Guests Home with Themed Wedding Favors

Send your guests home with a piece of your rustic wedding. Mini jars of local honey, homemade jams, or carved wooden trinkets make excellent country wedding favors.

Don’t Forget the Photography

Finally, don’t forget the importance of photography. Choose a photographer who is experienced in barn weddings and can capture the unique charm and details of your special day.

Use the surroundings to your advantage – a sunset shot in the nearby field, an intimate moment by the barn door, or a group photo in the hayloft can all make for memorable photographs.

The Bottom Line for Your Unforgettable Rustic Barn Wedding

Remember, the beauty of a rustic barn wedding lies in its simplicity and authenticity. The most memorable events are those that genuinely reflect the couple’s unique love story and shared interests.

Stay true to yourselves and let that shine through every detail of your rustic barn wedding.