A Western Wedding with a Deep-South Touch
Here's a round-up of some of our best ideas, guaranteed to wrangle plenty of sweet memories from you and guests alike.
A Taste of Things to Come
Give your guests a hint of the fun times ahead with an elegant star-embossed invite, tied up with saddle-stitch grosgrain ribbon. Splurge: pack the invite in a small box with a little shred and a bottle of the greatest barbecue or hot sauce that ever stampeded your taste buds.Plus, rev up the girls by planning a big night in, with a few rounds of Texas Hold'Em, and a whole lot of fruity cervezas.
Scouting Out a Spot
You can hold a great Western wedding in a passel of places: a barn or backyard, log cabin or hilltop park with a view, a working ranch or a great grassy field.But the ultimate setting? We think it's one of America's Old West replica towns. They come complete with coaches, horses, and sooty saloons where low-brimmed gangsters are happy to pour a few pints for your guests.
Roll 'Em Up and Dig In!
Hot and savory barbecue's what they'll be craving at any Western shindig. Fill your guests' bellies with hearty grub like mesquite burgers and garlic mashed potatoes, smoked chicken and pork ribs, ranch beans and coleslaw, German sausages and festively carved watermelon. Don't sweat too much over the plates and cutlery, though — simple is fine. In fact, some of the best-loved barbecue houses in Texas go with paper and plastic!Drinks: sweet iced tea, lemonade, and Big Red, Lone Star beer, margaritas and mojitos.
Sweets (besides the cake!): pecan pie, cobblers, and rich, decadent brownies.
Cowgirl Couture
What to wear for the day's Queen Cowgirl? A gown like Monique Lhullier's 2005 all-over Alençon lace gown would be sweet as sugar ... especially paired with a pair of Sandra Bullock-style white satin cowboy boots.
But if you're more of a denim girl at heart, you've got plenty of options. You're sure to find a seamstress who can sweep you into a long denim skirt with gorgeous lace inlays ... even a denim train. Pair with an oh-so-bridal lace camisole top and a pair of cowboy boots. And if you're feeling super-sassy? Add a brightly dyed crinoline skirt to peek out underneath.
When it comes to florals, go sweet and classic (yellow roses, anyone?) or casual wildflowers. But make your mark with a western bouquet wrap, whether it's a red and white silk bandana or a leather strap. Another popular option for on-the-range nuptials: tie a lucky horseshoe to the bride's bouquet. But tie it upside down so luck can "fill it up!"
But what about bling for the wedding party? Thrill your girls with a pair of gorgeous Southwestern-style turquoise and silver earrings they can wear with their gowns. And for the guys, a sweet custom belt buckle they can wear again and again.
Setting up Camp
Need a few ideas for rolling your hitchin' day back in time? Here's a sampler to get you started: if the site permits, bury a couple of wagon wheels near the entrance and dress up with flowers or ribbons. Use rustic wooden signs to point guests to the chapel, reception area or gift table.
Inexpensive mums are a great way to create a huge punch of color wherever you need: church steps, pathways or your wedding arch.
And speaking of arches, horse lovers can make theirs equine-fabulous by covering the frame with tulle, then setting a handsome saddle on top and hanging a flower garland from the horn. (Hang a few horseshoes upside with ribbon for even more interest ... and lots o'luck).
Serve food and drink from hay bales covered with wooden planks, dress up scarecrows or hay rolls as a hilarious "bride and groom," and set up a romantic wishing well for cards and sweet remembrances.
Use picnic style seating for the guests, and cover the tables with gingham or eyelet cloths. Jazz up tables with casual floral arrangements tucked into thrift-store cowboy boots, mason jars or watering cans. Tie off containers with pretty strips of gingham, and serve thirst-quenching bottled drinks from galvanized ice-filled tubs.
Not Your Average Wedding Album
It's the rare couple who can resist the drama — or one-of-a-kind photo ops — that a Western wedding offers. We've seen some adorable photos like these: the wedding party lassoing a hapless lass or cowboy, the bride wielding a (not hot!) cattle brand, or the best men staging a full-on shoot out with cap guns and holsters. And when the new husband and wife begins their recessional back down the aisle? It's time for the best men to toss their cowboy hats in the air and whoop it up!Full-Out Family Fun
But don't restrict all that horseplay to the wedding party — liven things up for the guests, too, with horseshoe throwing pits and sack races. Pump up the guys with a hand-rolled cigar station, and enchant the kids with star-studded gift bags filled with colorful bandannas and shiny sheriff badges. Tie up a Texas piñata, and set up a face painting station where the kiddies can get gangster-style handlebar mustaches.
A Ring to Remember
Make this the party that never ends with intimate music (anything from a cowboy singer on a steel guitar to a full bluegrass band, complete with fiddles and banjos). Pile up a giant bonfire, with hay bale seating in a circle, and burn the home fires even brighter with sparklers for the kids ... or even overhead fireworks, for a fun and memorable splurge that caps off the night.You Might Also Like ...
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I am looking for the cake plateaus like is show in the collage under the rustic wedding, with the silver horse shoes, any ideas where I can find them?
I’m getting married April 18th, 2010. I’m using Mason jars as center pieces with pink flowers and brown ribbon around the jar. I’m looking for horseshoes to hang from the ribbons. 2 on each center piece. Looking for them to be kinda rustic looking. Not to large or 2 small. Also looking for them to be used as tie backs for the sheers that will be hung from the barn. Any help on where I can find something like this would be so great!
shana,
*horseshoe wedding decor
*horseshoe wedding
you might want to check out your local feed and seed. i use to work at the one in my hometown. you might be surprised what you find.
I am getting married in July of 2010 and some of these ideas ARE WONDERFUL!!! We are having hay bales (from our farm) as seats, and we are doing sunflowers for the flower of our choice, what I cannot decide is, on colors for the best men and bridesmaids…chocolate? Red (since we thought about using bandanas to decorate mason jars for centerpieces with sunflowers in them) or does it matter? We have the saddles, chaps, and own a wagon and team that we could use to ride away in…I just cant decide what would look best for a color…PLEASE PLEASE any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
dusty,
sounds wonderful! why not have the guys in brown and the girls in a red? but i am partial to neutrals, so i would prefer brown dresses and guys in brown suits or slacks and white shirts depending on the formality. another idea if it is casual, is have the guys wear jeans with the jackets.
check out this great wedding…
*wedding
dusty
my wedding was just like yours my girls wore white eyelit dresses i found with red and white sash that was more of picnic table print than bandana, but chocolate would look great you dont want to much red and since your using sunflowers the chocolate will even it all out., make sure to through some brown and yellow elsewhere to even it all out, but sounds good hope you have a wonderful wedding!!
how about blue jeans with navy westernshirts and have them wear red bandanas around the neck for the guys for the girls have them wear white eyelet peasant tops with silver concho belts and long denim skirts either straight or broomstick style
I am having the men wear kakis and black shirts(their choice long or short sleeve) and the ladies got to pick their own dresses and will be wearing boots. just give them a swatch of the color or colors that you prefer, the length and ask them to show you their choices so that you can approve. the mix of the colors will make beautiful pictures!!
Hi,
I’m getting married in the summer and my fiancé and I chose to have the reception outdoor in an old replica town/village.
We’ll have a BBQ, and I’m thinking about citrus fruits as centerpieces or sunflowers…any more ideas? Can’t figure out the cake design.
michelle,
since you are marrying in an old replica town/village ( which is so neat!!) i would harken back to a time of what the real cakes would have looked like. simple homemade frosted cake (it would look like one you would do at home with the simple swirls) these are often the most savored and dreamy looking cakes!! the simple look will make your mouth water! now, add simple wild or that just picked look flowers or greenery around the base. simple centerpieces in mason jarsand/ or pitchers will do the trick. i wouldnt worry about picking any particular flower, i would go with an assortment of wildflowers blended with old fashioned roses(roses optional). you will want it to look right, in the replica town, sunflowers would be great but flowers that “look” like you picked them that morning with the help of loved ones will make the wedding look super sentimental. here is some inspiration:
*dr. quinn wedding
*more dr. quinn
*dr. quinn
sorry if its kinda blurry on some but that is all i could find!! remember have a use what you have on hand look and it will fit this just perfect! they didnt have florists etc. back then so you can mix and match and really have fun with this!! good luck!!
Ok - so I’m getting married in September and my colors are turquoise and coral (red). But I’m having trouble with center pieces that aren’t going to break the bank (there will be 350 guests eek!).
And I really need some decorating ideas for a venue that holds 1000 and well we are only 350. All i can think of are white lights.
susan,
350 in a 1000 person venue, can look a little empty, if you aren’t careful. i would look at where the tables are gonna be for my wedding; talk to the venue and see if you can put up some type of wall-even if its fabric. Otherwise i am afraid it can come across as unwarm or uninviting which is not what a wedding should be. white lights are a great and inexpensive item to use! love those! i noticed your on the western website, are you having a the western theme? if so buy up cases of mason jars in 2 different sizes ( pint and quart) these are cheap:quart : $7-8 per case (12 in a case) pint jars: $6 per case ( 12 in a case). fill with greenery, branches, floating candles, or wildflowers which are so reasonable!! or buy silver pails at your local feed store and fill with anything edible or edible favors like cookies in turquoise and white gingham cloth tie with twine or white ribbon, it will show up on your tables.
*wedding table ( oh this is so pretty!!)
another idea is to simple group candles together with twine or gingham ribbons wrapped around them and let ribbons tails gracefully flow onto the tables.
heh have you thought about small bushel baskets (from the feed store) fill with oranges? or glass containers and float oranges.
if you want something different , consider simple rose petals and votives or better yet lengths of grapevine or greenery with votives nestled amongst it.
*Good Thing} Tea Tin Centerpieces also google image mason jar wedding( for more pics)
you could also use plants as centerpieces.
*Wedding by Lyndsey Hamilton( this or the glass jar centerpiece below is what i would use, mainly cause its warm and inviting and guests will get a kick out of it and tell everybody what you had for centerpieces!!)would fit any venue, the tiered plate with cookies, candlies or cupcakes. you could even have plastic bags of cookies with gingham ribbon setting on the tiers. your guests would love that!! at the end of the night you have reusuable cake plates without anything to throw away!! put a flower sprig in the folded napkin. the weddings i have attended weddings with edible centerpieces and they were sure winners, memorable. those are the centerpieces that stand out to me. not so much the florals. and last: candy jar centerpieces( these are so reusable) filled with turquoise m&m’s and a scoop to be eaten onthe spot! or filled with cookies( with small tongs) immediate consimption!! like a cookie jar with a wreath of flowers around it. how cute would that be!?!( just google image cookie jar then candy jar) lots of pics!! these containers can be bought at target or online. you can even rent them!!
google image rustic wedding centerpiece
susan,
here is a pic, can you imagine each as a centepiece!!!( same cookies of course) have the printed recipe wrapped with a twine or gingham ribbon, instant favor with the cookies meant to be consumed straight away instead of bagged favors for the road!! i really hope you use this with the greenery or floral ring at base of canister. if you do can you post a pic afterwards! i would love to see how it turned out. this can be a western/southern twist to todays wedding. maybe it will catch on. youmay have alot of canisters left but use them to their fullest and give some to family for the kitchen.
oh yes!! print a cookie label with names and date for jar, with Enjoy Right Away! so they know they can be eaten then.
my wedding colors are maroon and orange and my fiancee would like it sort of a western style wedding… any thoughts or ideas would be amazing!!
ashley, hi !! okay, first and foremost you need mason jar centerpieces. or container with twine wrapped around it. wildflowers would work best in this theme, however, you can do a gardeny mix. i am assuning the bm will be in maroon which will be great for thier skintone! if not then think about a shade of green or brown or plum ( i love the deep plum), your colors would pop against this!
think small paper bags tied with twine and a cowboy boot trinket or rustic name card for favors, with great homespun candy inside. think buckets, wagon wheels decorated and proped up against trees. clotheline with pics attached by old style clothepins ( the ones with round top), wagons filled with greenery and flowers, grapevine wreaths, or grapevine arch( which would be perfect) have an old wood sign that reads getting hitched and arrow pointing way. think plaid tablecloths or plain( i would go with plain with plaid napkins) have a saddle and cowboy hat, gloves and rope set up in corner of venue. use greenery everywhere in garlands, if you come across different metal pitchers etc. use it in places here and there with flowers to add western appeal. consider a cowboy dinner bell and have someone ring it when its time to announce the bride and groom! i saw one the other day for 10 bucks and reuse it at your home later.
a western wedding wouldnt be the same without a bbq or potluck style food reception. google search cowboy wedding and cowboy wedding theme, and cowboy wedding reception for more ideas. let groom and gm wear denim and cowboy hats. go to brides.com under real weddings look at rustic and view all.
Also see:
* Board #75: Rustic Cranberry and Orange
* Real Wedding: Davida & Chris ( there is parts to this wedding and i really hope you get some decor ideas here cause hands down it is THE best wedding! lots of beautiful details, rustic and simple, just gorgeous! not to mention budget friendly items.)
* Danielle’s gorgeous Rustic, Chic wedding ( i love this by the way so gorgeous and easy!)
have a handmade ringbearer pillow with horseshoe charm, and plaid ribbon, google image western wedding invites ( to many pics to pos, lots of ideas) also image… western wedding cakes
And finally a few more inspirations:
* Board #261: A Bushel and a Peck
* Board #175: Ranch Romance
* TheKnot Destination Weddings: Natasha & Brian in Golden, British Columbia
* Western Invitations of Love
Hello,
Do you happen to have a creative poem to tie onto cowbells for the “ring for a kiss”? We are looking for something fun not traditional.
Thank you
today we’ve been joined in wedded bliss now ring this cowbell for us to share in a big ole’ kiss!!
thank you for sharing this day with us!!
your names and date
My fiance wants an old west theme but elegant and he actually picked out some pretty cool vests online to go with a longer style tux coat. I like the idea but cannot find anything online like how I want it all to look. I want it to be that romantic lacy old west and not the barn like wedding, although those are sooo cute! I’m looking for like a modern twist on it I think. Any ideas or websites that have what I’m looking for? I’m sorry it is all so vague, I’m in the pre-first stages.
Any help would be so wonderful. Thanks.
I was wondering when your wedding is. I am hoping that it hasn’t happened yet. We are just finishing things up for our western wedding & it is elegent so if you need some ideas. I also found a great place to purchase a western wedding gown. You can email me or you can call me 308-991-6066.
I am also looking for some elegant western wedding ideas, do you have any pictures you could send me? I would really appreciate it.
a crowder, go to brides.com and look under real weddings and rustic theme, theres one with garlands on front of church. i hope these help!!
this pic from the ranch is soooo beautiful!! i love the colors!!
hang saddles with chiffon bows tied to them and set them on a fence (focal point)
* Point 16 wedding reception ( scroll wayyyy down … all the way below the navigation to see all the pics.)
google image ranch wedding ( you’ll get more results)
* A cowboy wedding
* Weddings at Red Corral Ranch
* A Rustic Wedding
* Vintage Cowboy…
* Trevor & Jade… A Cowboy Wedding
Thanks for the info, but we actually found a place just north of dfw that is perfect. Now all we have to do is set the date… Good luck on yours I know it wont be long before its here. I look forward to hearing what you have planned and then the pics….
well ours is 11-1-08, and yeah you would think you could find an old barn, you might try like farms or ranchs or even county property and just get a tent and set up.
i did some searching to the best i could
http://www.paradiseonthehill.com/Paradise_Event_Center/Home.html
http://www.gatheringguide.com/event_directory/tx_texas/event_venue_1765.html
http://www.dallasweddingcenter.com/churches.asp
http://www.decidio.com/local-businesses/v-45-wedding%20locations/texas/North+Richland+Hills/creating-memories-68515.html
i hope these maybe help, just google in outdoor country wedding spots in…….tx
good luck!!
I live just north east of dallas/fort worth, TX. You would think that you could find an old barn around here that would hold 200-250. Well we did find a place that we are going to go and look at next week, but still not sure its what we are looking for. Its a event location that has a large barn and a small chapel for outdoor weddings, but we have to let them do all but the flowers and cake, and Im not sure I want to give up that much control to someone. We will see.. So how are things coming on your wedding.. I am just in the beginng stages of mine.. We havent even actually set the date yet..
WOW I REALLY LIKE THAT IDEA, THANKS!! I UNDERSTAND HOW HARD IT IS TO FIND A WEDDING SPOT, I REALLY LUCKED OUT WITH MY SISTER AND HER HOUSE, WHAT STATE DO U LIVE IN?
Madison, You might have “Places of Honor” in the front row, and when you reach that spot when walking down the isle spot and put a rose/flower of choice, on the seat reserved for them. Its a great way to honor them with your beautiful day. I also am doing the same for my brother.
Wanted to say that I have gotten some wonderful ideas for the cermony and reception from everyone. keep the ideas flowing…. Now I just have to settle on the spot… Who would have figured it so hard to find an old barn to hold the reception in!!!…
patty i REALLY like your sign you had(pic below) i was wondering did u make it ur self or buy it? i want something like that b/c the ceremony, reception, and “Outhouse” is scattered on a 11 acre land.
THANKS SOOOO MUCH DAWN,
I HAD SEEN SOMEWHERE THAT FOR THE CEREMONY THEY LOOKED LIKE LOGS BUT WERE RAISED AND DESIGNED FOR SEATING BUT I CANT REMEMBER NOW,
I AM PLANNING ON USING BOOTS WITH FLOWERS, AND I CALLED AROUND FOR SOME “STRAW” ITS $11 SO , I JUST MAY USE SOME JUST NOT ALOT
WOW, I GOT ALOT FIGURED OUT THANKS SO MUCH EVERYONE….I SURE DO APPRECIATE IT, IM SURE I’LL NEED IT,
ALTHOUGH THE ONE THING I CANT SEEM TO DECIDE ON IS, MY MOM, 3 GRANDPARENTS,UNCLE AND THEN 2 OTHER PEOPLE HAVE PASSED ON AND WONT BE THERE AND I WANTED A UNIQUE WAY TO “HONOR” THEM, I DIDNT WANT TO DO IT IN THE PROGRAM, SIMPLY B/C WE ARENT HAVING ONE, BUT I WANTED TO USE PICTURES AND I DONT TO DO CANDLES HAY, GRASS, HEAT=FIRE!!!!
I SURE DO APPRECIATE IT…THANKS~~
Oh yes, there’s more!! Pics #1 and 2 on the top row. I grabbed these from a Western wedding in a backyard, on picnic tables. Whoever designed this had a very lyrical eye. Wagon wheels and haybales and all … but the overall effect is strangely elegant, even mysterious. I love it! (from Carol Vesecky). #3, another cowboy boot centerpiece, this time with more formal flowers. (from fountainbiker77).
On the second row, pics #1 and #2 are from a stunning ranch wedding with a cobalt blue scheme. This couple let the overwhelming natural beauty carry their wedding. I was struck by the simplicity of the altar. If you click around you will see it is under a breathtaking tree. This wedding is pretty much a joy to browse. (by agehriger.) Pic #3 is an adorable "Wrangler" invite by a creative custom stationery designer. (Don’t you love that stitched label?) By Beth Flick.
Last row: cool drinks in galvanized pails are awfully inviting! At the same wedding, flower seed favors in mini pails, by bigfatlilo. Last pic, a handsome ringbearer in a fringed leather vest, Tracy Weber Samonds. Hope these spark some ideas!
PS Patty, when you get a chance PLEASE post more pics, your wedding sounded unbelievable even in the planning stages and I would love! to see! more!
Ok, Madison, I did some looking around, and most people keep things simple with the seating at ceremony & reception. For dinner you see maybe some gingham-covered tables, or people dine on picnic tables or something simple. Or course, "hay" (straw! lol) bales are popular.
If it were me, for the ceremony, I think I would just put something nice behind the last row of the chairs in the back. Maybe some hay bales topped by sunflower arrangements in galvanized pails. A bit of tulle swag between them. I’m not sure when your wedding is (oh wait .. you said fall … perfect!) but something simple down the aisle looks very nice. Maybe check out the simple pumpkin aisle liners here, they look great: Fall pumpkin ideas Or pots of mums, easy & not too thanksgiving.
I found a few cute pics that might be good for other ideas. #1 if I remember right is some hay bale seating around a bonfire — always a great end to a western wedding, you can have a gourmet s’mores bar if you want to rev this up. #2 is from a cute reception shot, just really simple decor that works. (pics #1 and #2 from flavorflanks). #3, brand cakes are everywhere, but I liked the sweetness of combining this with girly flowers! (from Herbert Harper)
On the bottom row, #1 is a killer wedding arch, with great rope and horseshoe details, horseshoes painted in bride’s wedding colors.
(from ckrtx). Pics #2 and #3 are tantalizing details from an orange & brown western wedding, I love the colors of the boots — and the engraved horseshoe! From h_sons.
Okay, I’m still working on seating pics, but how adorable are these chocolate-dipped oreo cookie favors from Karen’s Edible Art? She also made the custom tag and tied those cute gingham bows with the wedding rings. Plus, I even like the idea of a special table linen or two made of denim.
PS, Madison, Patty is totally right … straw costs a little more than it used to but it is WAY cheaper than hay, check around!
Yes hay bales are expensive BUT bales of STRAW are really cheap. I did not know there was a difference, surprise, surprise! Also, for chairs, dress them up with bows or bandana print seat covers or??? Hope this helps.
HELLO
OK SO I NEED SOME IDEAS ON SEATING DURING THE CEREMONY? I WANT SOMETHING UNIQUE AND COUNTRY, I THOUGHT HAY BUT HAY BALLES HERE ARE LIKE $14 FOR ONE AND I WOULD NEED ENOUGH FOR 75 PEOPLE, THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE DOUBLE STACKED SO THATS: WAY TO MUCH TO SPEND!! SO WE ARE GONNA USE THE HAY AS OUR “ARCH” AREA. WE HAVE CHAIRS BUT NOT SURE WHAT I COULD DO TO COUNTRY THEM UP, ALSO ANY OTHER IDEAS OR PICTURES WOULD BE GREAT.
THANKS