Rustic Wedding Decor Ideas (Stylish, Safe, & Budget-Smart)
Putting together the décor for a rustic themed wedding is as simple as narrowing down your theme, picking some anchor materials like wood or linen, and then layering in your rustic-style lighting, greenery, and vintage pieces until you’ve achieved a stunning backdrop that’s exactly what you’ve dreamed of for your wedding day.
Still need inspiration? With guidance from Nicki Wolfe, a wedding planner in Santa Rosa, Calif., here are some of our favorite rustic wedding decor ideas to get you started, plus what you’ll need to keep in mind as far as venue rules regarding décor.
What You Will Learn
Build Your Rustic Look in 5 Moves
- Choose a specific rustic theme, such as rustic-elegant, boho-rustic, farmhouse modern, vineyard rustic, or desert rustic.
- Pick your color palette.
- Pick anchor materials that you’ll incorporate throughout your décor, such as wood, linen, or metal. “It could be mixed metals, or maybe a couple leans towards silver or gold,” Wolfe says. “And sometimes it doesn’t really matter, and glass is the thing that is sort of the shine.”
- Layer in your lighting choices, such as string lights, lanterns, and candle alternatives.
- Mix in vintage rentals and greenery.
Once you have a clear vision for your rustic wedding, ensure that your vision doesn’t conflict with any venue rules, such as those related to whether or not you can have an open flame within the venue, if you’re allowed to use any rigging, etc.
If you’ve yet to choose one, you may want to pick your venue based on rules such as these and whether or not they’ll interfere with your dream day, while also taking into account venues’ requirements for liability and host liquor liability insurance.
Theme & Palette Guide (Rustic ≠ One Look)
Rustic weddings have been popular for years now, but “rustic” means “very different things to people,” Wolfe says. The idea can encompass several various themes and color palettes, such as:
● Rustic-Elegant
Mixes a rustic touch with contemporary elegance. Incorporates an earthy but soft color palette; natural elements like raw wood juxtaposed against metals and textiles; and vintage touches alongside high-end classics. “You can use the rustic as sort of a background for a more elevated experience,” Wolfe says. Think of an upscale, historic ranch or farm.
● Boho-Rustic
Combines the natural world and organic features with Bohemian flair. For some, that means a palette of more vibrant, various colors, but Wolfe “would do probably neutrals and taupes and browns.” Woven materials, fringe, and textiles are common (Wolfe suggests lace), as is lots of greenery.
“I would do pampas grass,” Wolfe says. “I would do dried flowers and cafe au lait dahlias. Those grow really well here.”
● Farmhouse Modern
Contemporary lines meet rustic warmth. The color palette is a play in contrasts, with light whites and creams surrounded by blacks and deep dramatic tones. “My order with the florist would be mostly silver dollar eucalyptus and seeded eucalyptus to keep the green in the gray/green tones,” Wolfe says. “And I’d probably stick to all white florals as far as the blooms go.”
Raw wood might be used alongside industrial pieces. And antiques are a must. “It would be sign-heavy,” Wolfe says “like something that says ‘bar’ on it.”
● Vineyard Rustic
While Wolfe stages weddings in actual Sonoma County vineyards, she says the vineyard rustic aesthetic also lines up with garden-party ceremonies in upstate New York or Nantucket. It’s where a laid-back vibe gets a slightly elegant upgrade, with a color palette inspired by the greens and purples of a vineyard, and rustic textures like burlap and linen.
“It’s very organic in all of its elements and leans into food and beverage being very farm-to-table,” Wolfe says. Actual vineyard elements may be incorporated, such as wine barrels.
● Desert Rustic
A style of rustic that’s distinctly Southwest, with color palettes inspired by terracotta, clay, and cacti. Natural materials that would be found in the landscape, like wood and clay, are central.
“If they were like, ‘I want you to do a desert rustic wedding,’ I’d say, ‘We’re gonna bring in a big old dried animal skull,’ “ Wolfe says. “Maybe there’s a fancier name, but I don’t know it. But I like that being part of the design.”
While all of the above themes offer their own rustic charm, if you’re perusing rustic wedding ideas and one specific theme jumps out at you, keep it in mind as you’re comparing and contrasting venues.
Tables & Textures: Farmhouse Foundations
After you’ve picked a specific theme and color palette that gives you that distinct rustic feel, it’s time to begin layering in textures and materials that play well with your chosen theme — and one easy place to start is by picking your table settings for your wedding reception.
Certain centerpieces and table settings work better with rustic wedding decoration ideas than others, and you may even be able to work rustic wedding decorations ideas into the tables themselves. For example, choose farm tables, living edge tables, or wine barrels.
Wolfe finds that conventional round wedding tables have “an immediate sort of ballroom, indoor elegance that doesn’t necessarily go with rustic. Rustic to me is wooden farm tables. But it’s just so expensive to have those. So somebody might say, ‘Oh, I love wood tables,’ and I say, ‘Great, let’s rent one wood table that’s really rustic,’ and that’s, like, where your guest book is.”
You can set your tables with decor such as:
- Runners incorporating materials that match your theme, such as burlap, linen, or woven materials
- Lighting such as pillar candles or lanterns (consider taper-free LED pillar candles in venues where open flames are restricted)
- Wooden and metal accents, such as wood slices placed under flower arrangements
As you’re planning, consider mocking up several table settings with your rental provider (or at home, if you’re going the DIY décor route) to see what combination best brings your vision to life.
Lanterns, Candles, & String Lights (That Pass Venue Rules)
Some venues may have specific rules regarding open flames, ladder work, and power runs. You may need to take special safety precautions, such as using LED candles rather than open flames, weighing down lanterns that could be easily knocked over, or using battery-powered lights in areas of high foot traffic, such as around aisles.
Open flames are highly regulated in wildfire-prone California, where Wolfe largely works. “I personally always make sure that my votive is about an inch tall and there’s at least 2 inches above the flame for every votive,” she says. “Because I want to protect my clients.”
Ultimately, as you choose your rustic, romantic lighting, make sure that you’re following your venue’s rules and not inadvertently putting yourself in a sticky situation with your event insurance.
Let Sun, Moon Be Your Guide
When planning lighting for a rustic wedding, Wolfe always looks up two key factors for the day: sunset and moon phase.
“That sort of determines when they’re off taking photos and how that works with dinner,” she says. “And also, if they say, ‘I want tons and tons of candles,’ I’m like, ‘OK, well, the sunset’s not till 8:45. By then, everyone’s in the barn where you’re not even allowed to have candles. So let’s not waste, you know, $2,500 on candles if we don’t need them.’
“And the moon phase is really important because of how much lighting I need, especially at rustic weddings, when you’re thinking about people heading back to their vehicles. Or the caterers cleaning up at the end of the night. I have headlamps in my emergency kit because I’ve been at so many things where people can’t see anything. It’s black.
“I always say how much the illumination is. And if there’s a beautiful moon that night, it’s free magic.”
Florals & Greenery: Wild-Gathered Aesthetic (Responsibly)
When it comes to florals and rustic decor ideas for weddings, it’s all about making it look as if you just walked out of your venue, gathered the naturally growing flora, and arranged it for your event.
Of course, achieving that look is easier said than done. Try:
- Incorporating as many seasonal and local flowers in your arrangements as possible
- Opting for more meadow, wildflower-style arrangements than carefully crafted displays
- Using unique vase options, such as mason jars
- Compiling a mixture of potted plants, including cacti and succulents
- Incorporating dried elements such as pampas or wheat
For all flowers, but especially for dried elements, be sure that they’re always placed well away from lighting and candles, so as to avoid a fire risk.
Signage & Stations
Incorporate your venue’s functional elements into your theme as well, by choosing signage, seating charts, an escort card display, bar menus, and beverage stations that all align with your broader rustic wedding ideas and decorations.
This might look like:
- Using hand-lettered wooding signs to direct guests
- Painting your seating chart onto a vintage, thrifted windowpane
- Clipping escort cards or similar cards onto a twine display
- Using chalkboard menus at your bar or beverage stations
Any of these ideas can be made budget-friendly through a little thrifting and DIYing.
(As you’re planning your bar décor, keep in mind that some venues will require you to purchase host liquor liability insurance. Confirm if your venue does and, if so, add this coverage onto your existing wedding insurance policy.)
Safety & Exclusions: Quick Reality Check
Many rustic weddings are held in barns, farmhouses, historic properties, or vineyards that may require some extra safety considerations. Prevent costly mistakes by:
- Never using any fireworks or sparklers without your venue’s express permission
- Following any open flame rules
- Working with vendors and your venue to ensure no attachments or rigging will impact historic beams
If you do not carefully follow the safety guidelines set out by your venue, you may find that you’re liable for expenses that arise due to venue damage or personal injury. Be sure that you’re knowledgeable as to what your liability wedding insurance will cover, and exclusions, before your big day.
“I always tell people they have to get insurance,” Wolfe says. “Even if they’re working with a more rustic, more casual type of event space where somebody says, ‘Oh yeah, here’s my farm. You’re welcome to have a party here,’ I’m like, ‘You get a policy for that. For the day.’ ”
FAQs
Are candles allowed in barns during weddings?
Many venues restrict open flames. Ask your venue if you can use candles in enclosed hurricanes or opt to use LED candles instead.
Do I need insurance for my wedding’s setup day?
Some wedding insurance policies include a multi-day window covering rehearsal/setup. Confirm with your provider if this is the case for your individual policy.
Can I hang lights from rafters in a wedding venue?
Only if the wedding venue gives you explicit permission to do so.
Are sparklers or fireworks okay in a wedding venue?
Most venues do not permit sparklers or fireworks. Ask your venue about their policy and, if they give you permission to use sparklers or fireworks, get it in writing.
Can you serve alcohol at barn/vineyard wedding venues?
Oftentimes, yes, you can serve alcohol at barn/vineyard wedding venues, but the venue may need you to purchase host liquor liability insurance.
What are the best budget rustic wedding centerpieces?
Greenery runners, bud vases, lanterns with LEDs, and thrifted bottles/jars styled in threes are all good, budget-friendly centerpiece picks for a rustic wedding.
Make Insurance Part of Your Rustic Wedding
A “rustic” wedding aesthetic shines when it’s cohesive, safe, and venue-compliant. If your venue requests a certificate of insurance or host liquor liability insurance, get an instant wedding insurance quote from BriteCo. Plans start at just $125.
Affordable Wedding Insurance: More Coverage, Less Cost!
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