Understated
Elegance
Conjuring images of wood, lace, country flowers and stunning foliage, rustic weddings are becoming a favourable choice for the modern-day couple. Using only a few intricate details and clever styling, it is possible to transform your special day into a unique and refined affair. Here, Emma Warner Allen speaks with Sarah McPherson, owner of Forever After Weddings & Events, to discuss how to successfully utilise beautiful décor and styling to create the ultimate rustic wedding.
Image Credit: Nicole Geri, via Unsplash
As many couples choose to deviate from more traditional weddings, the humble rustic wedding has become a popular option for those looking for a theme that celebrates rugged, natural beauty. Offering unlimited options and flexibility, gorgeous rustic weddings can be achieved with carefully considered decorations – making them also the perfect option for those wanting an economical affair. “There are so many options to create a gorgeous rustic look,” McPherson explains. “I love the natural aspect of rustic styling. The warmth and neutral tones are so inviting and comforting. I love that you can create a stunning rustic themed wedding on a small budget.”
Working alongside you to achieve your vision, a stylist will eliminate the stress that accompanies planning a wedding by negotiating with suppliers to ensure your dream event goes off without a hitch. McPherson is always overjoyed to help make this momentous day run smoothly for her clients and help craft their day to their exact liking. “Weddings are always so beautiful and it’s such a happy occasion, not only for the couple getting married, but for the guests as well,” she affirms. “I feel honoured to be asked by so many couples to help them make their wedding visions come to life.”
Lovely Locations
When it comes to choosing a spot for your wedding, McPherson attests that “a true rustic feel starts with the venue”. Therefore, while it is possible to achieve a rustic themed wedding in a more unconventional, modern location by adding natural furniture and décor, “the venue is the starting point of your styling” and should act as a solid foundation for you to then build upon with decorations, adding further depth and colour.
Style And Substance
Whether it’s a quick trip to the Victorian Marriage Registry, or a lavish escape to the locale of your dreams, regardless of what type of elopement you settle on it’s worth having it documented for yourselves to reflect on in years to come. Besides, even if you do take a simple approach without much fanfare, it will still be unique to you and for that reason it’s worth recording.
That being said, don’t feel obligated to take a simplistic or clandestine approach to your elopement just because it’s what has been historically expected.
For McPherson, choosing a rustic venue is essential. “Wooden beams, wood floors or even concrete floors, high ceilings, exposed brick walls… these are all things you can’t change or hire,” she explains. By carefully selecting a location for your wedding, it is possible to incorporate the destination’s natural structural features to help create a sophisticated and homely feel, helping you and your guests to feel welcome and relaxed. In order to achieve the perfect rustic theme, you will likely be decorating your venue regardless, so choosing a rustic venue can really elevate your wedding and take it to the next level. “If you are wanting a true rustic look and feel for your wedding go for a rustic style venue,” McPherson advises.
Delightful Décor
According to McPherson, current trends have seen an increased demand for “long natural wooden tables, fabric draped as table runners – with native greenery and floral elements – and wood slabs on tables with candles on top”. A great way to enhance the styling of your venue is to allow the theme to guide other decisions you make. A long table can act as an excellent alternative to a traditional bridal table, allowing you to enjoy your time as you sit amongst friends and family, while remaining true to the rustic theme. Perfectly complementing the alluring ambience a rustic theme naturally exhibits, long tables are a great way to enhance the communal and intimate atmosphere of your wedding.
When working with couples to deliver a rustic theme, McPherson notes “lanterns, bunting and aged wood tables” as popular choices to deliver this theme into fruition, and emphasise the theme’s natural warmth. While trends may come and go, true elegance is timeless, so it is important to keep this in mind when choosing decorations for your wedding.
Rustic weddings can be an endless source of understated elegance, with nature-inspired textures, and a strong emphasis on bringing the outside, in. “When it comes to styling and décor, anything natural can be considered rustic… wooden furniture and décor, old wooden crates, native florals and foliage, natural lighting and candles, natural fabrics and colours – the options are endless,” she says.
Given the abundance of styles available at your disposal, it can be easy to get carried away. “Don’t go overboard by adding too much décor, this can clutter and look over the top. Simple is best to keep your wedding look refined,” McPherson advises couples. “Make sure what you are using in terms of décor and styling actually works together and looks good together. Stick to a colour palette and avoid clashing colours and fabrics. And importantly, have a plan and an idea of what you want to achieve.” Her take-home statement to couples is “simple is always best – less is more!”
A Personal Touch
As with decorations, there are endless opportunities to personalise your wedding so that it is truly a unique, special affair and representative of you and your partner, and the love that you share. “There are many small little details that couples can add to their weddings… sentimental items for example. Perhaps love poems that have meaning to the couple, or photos of the couple’s journey of love together, and they can be tied into the couple’s overall theme,” she notes. This is your day, and you get to do it however you like. Staying true to yourselves should always be your top priority. If you choose to travel down the path of rustic weddings, keeping your styling choices simple and natural, with aged wooden furniture, stunning florals, nature-inspired fabrics and candles are an effortless and effective way to implement such a theme.