Image courtesy of Sarah Yates Photography

Country chic weddings have become a popular trend for many couples. No matter what season you have planned your wedding, a country theme provides the perfect setting for your perfect day.

Wedding Attire
A country wedding can lead to a more casual form of dress for the wedding party and guests. Western wear has become very popular as the chosen attire for country weddings.

For Her - As the bride, you can wear a traditional wedding dress or a more casual sun dress with cowboy boots. If you’ve chosen a long dress you can have the dress hemmed shorter in the front and longer in the back to show off your cowboy boots.

Bridesmaids can also wear cowboy boots with shorter dresses. You can choose the color of the bridesmaid’s dresses, but let them chose the boot style they are most comfortable in.

For Him - The groom and groomsmen can wear anything from a suit to jeans and a shirt and tie. Cowboyhats and boots finish off their attire.

If you chose western wear over formal attire for your wedding, be sure to inform guests of the dress code so they can arrive just as appropriately dressed for the occasion as you are.

Jewellery
You can also follow the western wear trend with your jewellery by wearing a turquoise necklace or earrings. For a really unique touch, have your wedding rings made with turquoise in place of or in addition to the traditional diamonds.

Decorations
Country weddings are typically set in the outdoors with a barn or meadow serving as the reception area. Nature provides the bulk of the decorations, but a few simple touches can really bring out the style of your country wedding theme. Many of these things can be made or ordered in bulk by the wedding party to help cut down on costs.  DIY in weddings has become  so popular thanks to websites like Pinterest and other crafty blogs and it is so easy to incorporate country chic wedding ideas in to your special day.

1. During your ceremony, guests can be seated on hay or straw bales covered with burlap pieces, quilts, or wool saddle blankets.
2. An old wagon or a couple of wheel barrows make great collection spots for your gifts.
3. You can use old barn wood and hand paint messages to guests, guiding them to places such as the ceremony, the reception area, the gift table, the dance floor and the refreshments area.
4. Fill an old claw foot tub or several wash basins with ice to store sodas, water and other beverages.
5. Use old cowboy boots to act as vases that line entry areas or for table tops.
6. Mason jars can be left clear, or spray painted and used to hold flowers. Fill them with water and set a floating candle in each one. They can also be used to hold table markers made out of miniature chalk boards.
7. To give mason jars a delicate touch, cover them with lace and tie a burlap bow at the top.
8. Miniature chalk boards can be used as drink labels and placed in front of menus or place holders.
9. Cover tables with burlap table runners and use the burlap bunched together as a garland to hang in front of the wedding party table.
10. Old doors with glass window panes can serve as menu boards. Prop them up at the front of the food line for guests to read.
11. Instead of the tradition guest book, have your guests sign a welcome mat or a horse blanket.
12. Set up an old wagon wheel or two with small card stock tags that guests can write well wishes on and pin to the wheel.

Country weddings take the stress out of decoration and attire allowing for simple yet elegant touches to all aspects of the wedding theme. Give it a go?!

Author Bio: By Vera Mosley, an avid author who works as an event planner with couples and companies worldwide.

 Image courtesy of planningelegance.com

There’s nothing more romantic than outside wedding lighting that is done well.  If you are having an outside wedding this wedding season & want the lighting to be fabulous look no further. I have come up with a few terrific lighting options for the outside wedding ceremony and celebration that are sure to wow everyone involved.

Lanterns

 They are available in all different shapes and sizes, and it’s hard not to be a fan of all of them. They also come in different styles, some being electric, & some being lit by candlelight. I personally believe that the lanterns that have candles placed inside of them are more romantic than the electric lantern, however it is your preference.  Lanterns that have candles in them, will have to be monitored closer than the electric, and may need to be restocked with candles throughout the evening.

Candles in jars

 Mason jars aren’t a new thing when it comes to weddings.  People seem to gravitate to the mason jar when decorating their wedding.  A very cute idea in my book, is using the mason jar for simple lighting.  Place tea candles in each individual mason jar for starters. Whether you decide to string the mason jars together after that is up to you. They look fine as individual lights and centerpieces at each table.

Tiki Torches

This is absolutely perfect as an outdoor wedding lighting idea for summer a wedding, beach weddings etc.  I have seen some bride-to-be’s line their aisle with tiki torches to make the ultimate  grand entrance.  Tiki torches are great because they not only provide lots of light, they last a long time, and keep bugs away.  What more could you ask for? Did I mention they are fairly inexpensive as well?

Christmas Lights

Whether you like them in white, or are having your wedding close to the holidays and want to bust out the colored lights, these lights are fun for everyone.  These lights typically run in a few different sizes. Drape them around trees, tables, chairs etc.  I have seen several beautiful pictures that show strands of white lights around trees that look super romantic.  Don’t hold back with these. In my opinion, the more the better.

Wish Lanterns

 Who doesn’t want these at their wedding, seriously? All you do is light the fuel cell, wait for the lantern to fill up with hot air and then let go.  You and your wedding guests will gaze with awe as the wish lanterns float up to the sky.  Wish lanterns will be in the air for about 12 minutes, and go up over a mile in the air.

Pull out all of the stops for your lighting. This is a great opportunity to create the perfect ambiance for your perfect day.  Make sure you have a wedding photographer that knows how to use a flash!

Wedding cake by a cake to remember and Dress by Ellie Saab

The theme of your wedding should coincide with your dress.  Whether you decide on your theme first with your fiancé or you pick out your wardrobe first, just make sure they go together.  Between stripes & dots, confetti, floral fabric, & western weddings, all of the ideas below are sure to have your guests gasping.

Stripes & dots

Many fashion-forward wedding designers are designing wedding gowns that incorporate stripes and polka dots. Stripes can be both romantic and subtle, especially when paired with feminine hair and makeup. To play up the stripes, have your groom wear a neutral suit, and top it off with a striped tie.  Your bridesmaids can also wear neutral colours  yet carry a small striped clutch, or a bouquet of flowers with pleated striped/polka dot ribbon. Have the liner of your wedding invitation envelopes be lined with striped or polka-dot paper.

Confetti inspiration.

Get the party started before your guests even get there. Send them spotted confetti wedding invitations, with bright envelopes such as hot pink. As your guests walk into your reception hand them a brightly coloured cocktail with a candy garnish that matches your palette & screams celebration. Cocktail hour will never have looked so good! Add pops of color to your white cake, and incorporate champagne flutes & you’re all set to dance the night away.

Floral fabric fun.

Think floral tablecloths, floral linen napkins, floral ribbons, floral lined wedding invitation envelopes etc.  Everything about this wedding is going to be based around flowers. Have your actual flower bouquets be based off the floral ribbon that is holding them together.  Let guests take part in the fun, by letting them take a small gift home in a paper mart gift box finished with a floral bow. Guests could also leave the wedding with a vase holding a small arrangement of flowers to remind them of your special occasion & celebration.

Western theme.

If you’ve decided that you’d like to wear cowboy boots with your wedding dress, then you need a true cowgirl vibe to your wedding.  Have your wedding party wear cowboy hats and boots in your wedding photographs.  Incorporate BBQ food or gamey entrees for your reception, along with serving a signature lemonade cocktail, perhaps. Use checkered red and white tablecloths, or variations of classic plaid. Liven things up with a game of horseshoes, or roast smores around a bonfire outside. Think designer Ralph Lauren for classic western looks.

Hopefully these ideas have given you some newfound inspiration for your dress, & the wedding’s theme. Take your time looking for your dress, and discussing your wedding vision with your fiance and everything will be fabulous! There are so many fun themes to choose from, and so many more that haven’t been tried out. It is up to the both of you to find something that you adore wearing, and a theme that you are passionate about & combine the two.  Good luck and have fun!