Simple Rustic Wedding Ideas

Rustic weddings have carved a niche in the hearts of many couples looking to celebrate their union surrounded by the serene and homely feel of the countryside. This style of wedding, known for its understated yet elegant charm, draws inspiration from natural elements and rural aesthetics. The rustic theme is not just about incorporating wood and greenery; it’s about evoking a sense of warmth and welcoming that resonates deeply with familial roots and traditions.

We are so lucky in the UK, where picturesque landscapes and historic barns are plentiful, and rustic weddings find a perfect backdrop. These settings naturally exude a relaxed atmosphere, making them ideal for couples who desire a day filled with genuine enjoyment and free from the pomp of traditional weddings. The unique charm of rustic settings often lies in their ability to blend simplicity with sophistication. This harmonious combination appeals to those who appreciate the beauty in the raw, unpolished details that characterise rural life.

Choosing a rustic wedding theme allows couples to celebrate their love in a personalised and intimate setting. It provides the freedom to depart from conventional wedding norms and craft a day that reflects their personalities and values. Whether it’s a quaint barn adorned with fairy lights, a field under the stars, or a cosy woodland clearing, rustic weddings create an inviting space where memories are made and cherished.

Simple Rustic Wedding Ideas - BE Event Furniture Hire

Finding the Right Venue

An authentic rural or barn venue provides a picturesque setting and sets the tone for the entire day. The inherent character of these venues, with their exposed beams, stone floors, and expansive views, effortlessly enhances the rustic theme. The right venue immerses your guests in the tranquillity and beauty of the countryside, making your special day even more memorable.

We wish we could list every rustic venue available. Still, then we would be a venue supplier rather than a wedding furniture hire supplier. So, we have listed a couple of popular wedding venues to give you a small taste of what is available.

Grangefields, Derbyshire

Grangefields by Cripps & Co is a prime example of a venue that marries traditional rustic charm with modern amenities. Situated in the rolling hills of Derbyshire, this venue features exposed wooden beams, high ceilings, and expansive windows that frame the stunning countryside views.

Venue Features:
Grangefields is known for its spacious barn, which accommodates large celebrations and intimate gatherings. The barn’s design highlights natural materials like wood and stone, enhancing the rustic feel while offering a sophisticated backdrop for décor.

Outdoor Spaces:
The venue is set within a picturesque landscape with open fields and curated garden areas, perfect for outdoor ceremonies or guests to mingle during the reception.

Accommodation:
Offering luxurious on-site accommodation, Grangefields ensures that guests can enjoy the festivities late into the night without the hassle of arranging travel. The comfortable and stylish rooms also provide a wonderful retreat for the wedding party.

Cripps Barn, Gloucestershire

Nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds, Cripps Barn is an idyllic wedding setting that combines natural beauty and historical charm.

Authentic Features:
This barn retains its original rustic features, including flagstone floors, an open fireplace, and exposed timber beams. Such elements create a warm and inviting atmosphere that is quintessentially rustic.

Ceremony Options:
Cripps Barn offers both indoor and outdoor ceremony options. Couples can exchange vows beneath an oak canopy in the barn’s woodland glade or inside the barn, with a large fireplace as a romantic focal point.

Reception Perks:
The venue is renowned for its spectacular food focused on local produce and open-flame cooking. This adds an element of theatre to the reception and provides delicious meals that are a talking point among guests.

Eden Barn, Cumbria

Eden Barn in the Northern Lake District offers a contemporary yet cosy setting for those looking for a lighter, more modern take on the rustic theme.

Light-Filled Interiors:
Unlike traditional dark timber barns, Eden Barn features light brick interiors and high, open rafters, creating a bright, airy atmosphere perfect for photographs.

Exclusive Use:
Eden Barn offers exclusive use of the venue, ensuring privacy and intimacy for your wedding day, making it feel all the more personal and secluded.

Nature:
Located near the scenic beauty of the Lake District, Eden Barn allows easy access to some of England’s best landscapes, ideal for unforgettable wedding photos.

The Tythe Barn, Oxfordshire

The Tythe Barn in Launton offers a blend of historical grandeur and contemporary style, making it an excellent choice for those who cherish tradition and modernity. Located just outside Bicester, this 14th-century barn has been meticulously restored to offer a stunning venue without losing its original rustic charm.

Historic Charm:
The barn boasts beautifully preserved stone walls, oak beams, and a thatched roof, which provide a profoundly atmospheric setting for ceremonies and receptions.

Flexible Spaces:
With both indoor and outdoor spaces available, The Tythe Barn can accommodate a variety of wedding plans. The picturesque gardens and the barn offer versatile options for both summer and winter weddings.

Additional Amenities:
The venue provides a luxury bridal suite known as The Nook and accommodation in the Farmhouse, making it convenient for the bridal party and close family to stay overnight. The focus on exclusive use allows for a personalised and intimate celebration.

Hazel Gap Barn, Nottinghamshire

Set in the heart of the countryside, Hazel Gap Barn is a lucky find for couples looking for a venue that combines rustic aesthetics with an element of drama. This barn is on the Welbeck Estate and is framed by two imposing towers, providing a unique and picturesque setting.

Distinctive Architecture:
Two watchtowers flank the barn, featuring courtyards and a stunning fireplace that adds to its character and romance. Modern lighting and design touches complement the traditional red brick walls and oak beams.

Exquisite Dining:
Hazel Gap is renowned for its exceptional catering. Its focus is on traditional British cuisine cooked over open flames, which provides a feast for the palate and the eyes.

Outdoor Celebrations:
The barn is surrounded by beautiful woodlands and lawns, ideal for outdoor ceremonies or cocktail hours. The venue’s dramatic entrance and the rustic courtyard are perfect for creating memorable photographs.

Floral Decorations

What’s a wedding without flowers, especially in rustic settings where they can add colour and fragrance? In rustic weddings, the beauty often lies in simplicity and the natural elegance of the elements used.

Table Settings

Little Pots of Flowers or Herbs

Using small pots of flowers or herbs as place markers is a delightful way to add a personal touch to your rustic wedding table settings. These can double as thoughtful, eco-friendly wedding favours guests can take home and nurture. This makes for a memorable table feature and promotes a sustainable ethos.

Herb Varieties:
Consider herbs like rosemary, thyme, or lavender, which offer a wonderful fragrance and practical use in guests’ kitchens.

Flower Selections:
Opt for small, hardy flowers such as pansies or succulents that can withstand a day of festivities without wilting.

Terracotta Pots with Herbs and Heathers

Terracotta pots filled with herbs or heathers can create a charming and rustic look for a more understated table centre. This option is particularly suitable for couples who prefer not to use traditional floral arrangements but still want natural elements as part of their decor.

Design Tips:
Group different herbs together to create texture, or use uniform pots for a cohesive look. Adding moss or wood chips at the base of each pot can enhance the rustic feel.

Floral Accents

Wild Flower Seed Packets as Favours

Wildflower seed packets make for unique and environmentally friendly wedding favours. These can encourage guests to “let love grow” in their gardens as a reminder of the special day. Personalise the packets with the wedding date and the couple’s names to add a bespoke touch.

Packaging Ideas:
Use small kraft envelopes or tiny glassine bags with a custom stamp for a rustic and personalised look.

Flower Crowns and Gypsophilia Circlets

Flower crowns for the bride and simple gypsophila circlets for bridesmaids can beautifully complement a rustic wedding theme. These floral headpieces add a whimsy and nature-inspired beauty to the wedding party’s attire.

Bride’s Flower Crown:
Opt for a mix of wildflowers, baby’s breath, and greenery to align with the rustic theme.

Bridesmaids’ Circlets:
Gypsophilia, also known as baby’s breath, is delicate and subtle, perfect for creating ethereal and minimalist headpieces that don’t overshadow the bride’s crown.

Rustic Signage and Decorations

Rustic weddings are all about incorporating elements that feel both charming and personal. Signage and decorations are pivotal in setting the tone and guiding guests through the venue.

Handmade Signage

Old Wooden Pallets

Old wooden pallets can be transformed into beautiful, rustic signs that add character and functionality to your wedding. Here’s a simple guide to creating your own:

Salvaged wooden pallets, sandpaper, paint or wood stain, stencils or freehand paint brushes, and a weatherproof sealant if the event is outdoors.

Disassemble the pallet and sand down the wood to remove any rough spots and splinters.
Paint or stain the wood in a colour that matches your wedding theme. Whites, greys, and natural wood tones work well for rustic weddings.
Use stencils or freehand painting to add your message — whether it’s a welcome note, directions to different event areas, or the bride and groom’s names.
Once the paint has dried, apply a sealant to protect the sign from weather damage.
Install the sign at your venue, supporting it with stakes if necessary.

Vintage Bicycle

A vintage bicycle with a basket of fresh flowers serves as a delightful welcome decoration. Position it strategically at the entrance or near the ceremony space to greet guests as they arrive.

Choose flowers that match the wedding’s colour scheme.
Intertwine greenery around the bicycle frame for an added rustic touch.
Use the bicycle to display a small sign with a welcoming message or directions.

Creative Seating Plans

Creative seating plans not only help guests find their seats but also serve as a focal point of wedding decor:

Luggage Labels:
Write guest names and table numbers on vintage-style luggage labels, hang them from a decorative frame, or set them on an antique suitcase to add a travel-inspired twist.

Vintage Mirrors:
Write or print the seating arrangement directly onto an oversized vintage mirror. This can be a stunning piece that combines functionality with elegance.

Shabby-Chic Ladders:
Repurpose an old wooden ladder by decorating it with flowers and hanging small frames or tags with the seating information from each rung.

Textile Accents

Textiles play a significant role in defining a wedding venue’s visual and tactile aesthetics. Combining natural materials like hessian (burlap) with delicate fabrics like lace can create a charming and elegant atmosphere for rustic-themed weddings. Here’s how to effectively use these materials in various wedding decorations.

Hessian Table Runners

Table runners made from hessian provide a rustic yet refined look to your reception tables. The rough texture of the hessian, paired with the intricate patterns of the lace, creates a perfect balance between country charm and classic elegance.

Measure your tables and cut the hessian to the desired length, allowing a few inches to hang over the edges. Overlay the hessian with a narrower strip of lace, either down the centre or along the sides.
Complement the table runners with simple china, rustic wooden place settings, and mason jar centrepieces filled with wildflowers to maintain a cohesive rustic theme.

Top Table

Usually reserved for the wedding party, the top table can be distinguished from the other reception tables with unique textile accents.

Create a distinctive look for the top table using a full hessian cloth overlaid with a larger piece of lace. This differentiates the top table from the others and is a beautiful backdrop for photographs.
Enhance the hessian and lace theme by incorporating elements such as lace-wrapped votive candles, hessian bows on chair covers, or lace-edged napkins to unify the decor.

Tip: Rustic trestle tables can save a lot of time in creating the desired rustic effect.

Bar Coasters

Custom coasters at the bar are a small but noticeable touch that can tie your rustic theme together. Coasters made from hessian and trimmed with lace are not only functional but also add an element of rustic decor to the bar area.

Cut the hessian into small squares or circles and edge these pieces with a thin strip of lace. If you’re concerned about durability, consider backing the hessian with a stiffer fabric or applying a sealant to prevent fraying.
These coasters can be used throughout the event and even given as favours at night’s end. Pair them with rustic bar signage or complement a feature like a whiskey or cider bar, which often forms part of a rustic wedding.

Finishing Touches

The finishing touches to a rustic wedding can often be the most memorable, offering both fun and functionality for guests.

Garden Games

Adding garden games to your wedding provides a laid-back, interactive element that can engage guests of all ages during the reception. These games serve as entertainment and as icebreakers for guests who may be meeting for the first time.

Hoop-La:
Set up a hoop-la station with various difficulty levels and prizes for winners. For an authentic country feel, use rustic wooden posts as stands.

Giant Jenga:
A life-sized Jenga set made from wooden blocks can be a hit at outdoor receptions. It’s a simple game that draws a crowd and encourages teamwork and laughter.

Hook-a-Duck:
This classic fairground game, where guests try to hook floating ducks from water, can be incredibly charming if you have a pond or a large barrel to use as the setting. Customise the ducks with numbers corresponding to small prizes to add an extra element of surprise.

Preparing for Unpredictable Weather

While outdoor elements add to the charm of a rustic wedding, the weather can often be unpredictable.

Funky Wellies:
Providing a stash of colourful Wellington boots with outdoor elements for weddings can be a whimsical and practical touch. Guests might appreciate slipping on a pair of wellies before heading out to garden games or during a countryside photo shoot.

Umbrellas and Blankets:
Have umbrellas at hand for sudden showers and blankets for cooler evenings. These can be presented in decorative baskets or crates that align with your rustic theme.

Indoor Contingency Plan:
Always have a backup plan with an indoor or covered area where outdoor activities can be quickly moved if the weather turns. Ensure this space can also accommodate the garden games and other elements planned for outdoor enjoyment.

By integrating interactive garden games and preparing for all weather eventualities, you enhance the guest experience, making your rustic wedding beautiful, incredibly thoughtful, and guest-centric. These finishing touches add a layer of comfort and enjoyment, ensuring that your wedding is fondly remembered and cherished by all who attend.