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By Louise Baltruschat Hollis
Photos by Sophie Mort
It’s no wonder you are thinking about having a rustic wedding. 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:
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Even your wedding rings or wedding ring box can be perfectly rustic!
Photo: Eloise & Mitch via Park Wedding Ideas Rings: Eco Wood Rings
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
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
Create a show-stopping focal point with a rustic wedding backdrop!
Photo: Jenna Kathleen Photographer via Autumnal Garden Wedding Stylist: Emily K Weddings
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
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
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
Guess what?! Even your guest book can be wooden!
Photo: Thyme Lane Photography via Hall Farm Events Wedding
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
A cult classic at rustic weddings, introducing the wooden pallet wedding sign!
Photo: Martin Venherm Photography via Falside Mill Wedding
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
Use wicker baskets as vessels for decor like confetti, sparklers, blankets or flip-flops.
Photo: James Green Photographer via Whimsical Countryside Yurt Wedding
Add rustic to your wedding invitations and stationery by switching to brown kraft paper.
Photo: Sally T Photography via Wrays Barn Whinstone View Wedding
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
Pop your centrepiece flowers in a wooden box for a rustic wedding idea.
Photo: Hayley Baxter Photography via Woolas Barn Wedding Florist: Daisy Hoban
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
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
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
Find mini milk churns and fill them with flowers or foliage.
Photo: Photographer Liam Gillan via Willingale Village Hall Wedding Flowers: Abridge Florist
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
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
Drape tables with hessian table runners for a rustic yet sophisticated style.
Photo: Wyldbee Photography via Rousham House Wedding
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
Create a natural wedding bouquet filled with greenery and earth-tone blooms.
Photo: Amy Cutliffe Photography via Sage Green Wedding Ideas Bouquet: Bloomantic
Create sweet bouquets for maids with a willow wreath!
Photo: Dhw Photography via Rustic Christmas Wedding Ideas Florist: Twigs & Twine Floral Design
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
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
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
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
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!
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