Funnily enough the inspiration for this theme came when I was pegging out the washing and I was looking at the wooden pegs. The idea I had for those I will tell you later. But if you are looking for a beautiful outdoor wedding theme, that’s not too prissy, that keeps it simple and has some unique touches, then this one is for you.

I would say this theme best suits a relaxed, informal wedding style, but with some modifications you could adapt it for a formal wedding.

Venue

Outdoor locations such as farms, barns, woodlands and parks. It would also suit gardens, vineyards and ranches.

Colors

It can really suit any colors you want. I have used yellow gingham as the background for the picture and I would use gingham throughout. Red, yellow, white, blue and pastel green are great choices. But this wedding theme also suits a fall wedding scheme, so shades of brown, red, orange and ochre would work well too.

As a guide I would coordinate the colors with the season of your wedding, pastel shades for spring; bolder primary shades for summer and fall colors for a fall wedding.

Decorations

Look for country style crafts, rusty tin ornaments, bunting, straw bales and hanging lanterns.

Remember those pegs? Well the thought I had was that they would make great holders for name cards Choose either the spring type or dolly pegs, paint them if you want to match your wedding colors and add a ribbon or raffia bow. If your guests don’t take them home you will have the best dressed washing line in town

Flowers

Keep with the rustic feel and choose seasonal garden flowers, such as daisies, garden roses, peonies, marguerites and dahlia’s. If you can’t lay your hands on these in your own or someone else’s garden then chat with your florist about getting hold of garden flowers.

For your arrangements I would place bunches of flowers in enamel jugs, jars or simple vases. Mix flower types if you want but remember they don’t need to be too styled or placed in a formal arrangement. Just pick a bunch and stick them in Add some corn dollies for a nice rustic touch.

For your bouquets keep with rustic looking hand tied bouquets.

Wedding Favors

Here are a couple of ideas for rustic wedding favors

Give each guest a lucky horse shoe. Horse shoes are a symbol of weddings and if you can lay your hands on the real thing they will make great favors. Tie on a thank you tag with raffia. Your guests can use them as decorative ornaments or paperweights.

Rusty keys can be found in junk stores and make interesting favors. Again tie a thank you tag onto them with ribbon or raffia, alternatively attach a key tassel to make an interesting decorative feature for your guests home.

This wedding theme has a homemade feel to it but will look anything but. It is this feel that will create a homely atmosphere and make your guests feel at home and relaxed. Oh and finally the wedding music? Well Dixie Chicks of course