Let’s be honest that planning a wedding takes a lot of effort, time, and consideration. Every couple wants to express their personalities on their big day. If you are the one who wants to tie the knot with the formal-informal concept, having a western wedding is the best idea. Western wedding decorations are one of the hottest trends lately where it comes with a fun rustic and country feel. It does not mean that you will have a boring celebration, you can select a modern venue and decorate the space with western details to make your wedding looks classy.
Also, one thing that really important to make your wedding stands out is wedding attire. Honestly, the western wedding has changed a lot throughout time. Yet, you can try to use a lace vintage dress for the bride and a coat for the groom. As long as you can combine the modern detail with country-western touches, you don’t need to worry about the planning. To make you easier to plan the western wedding for the first time, keep scrolling down to see our complete guide including wedding traditions, attire, and decorations.
– Western Themed Wedding Attire
– Western Wedding Decorations on a Budget
Western Wedding Traditions
The history behind a Western wedding is centuries old and sometimes filled with odd traditions. Western wedding traditions have existed since the days of Ancient Greece and Rome and continue to evolve according to the times. If you want to stick with the traditions, here some ideas on how to pull it off:
1. Bouquet and Garter Toss
Do you know that bouquet and garter toss are traditions among the ancient societies to protect the newlywed from bad spirits? In ancients times, people are really concerned about preventing misfortune and demons. That is why the wedding bouquet will be filled with herbs, greens, and flowers to ensure faith. All the wedding guests will gather around the bride and groom to catch the bouquet.
2. Rice Shower
This tradition began in ancient times where all the guests throw the dried rice over the newlywed for fertility. As time flies, nowadays the tradition becomes more creative where the couple changes the use of rice with candy, confetti, and flowers. Even, the guests today can use sparklers to bless the couple with happiness.
3. White Dress
During the Victorian era, the white dress is very popular that influences by Queen Elizabeth who dresses in white at her wedding. Also, white is a symbol of purity and the public starts to imitate her style at that time. As a modern tradition, you can go with a lace white or cream dress. Just match it with your style because you have to be confident of what you are wearing on the big day.
4. Wedding Cake
The wedding cake tradition begins with a cake made from wheat which later the groom will smash the cake over the bride’s head as fortune. However, the wedding cake has become the main dish at the wedding ceremony to be enjoyed with the guests. Usually, the tiered cake was used by the rich couple to show their high status. For the cutting ritual, it used to be the only the bride has the duty to cut the cake but today both partners can do it together.
5. Dowry
We know that dowry is a form of property or payment given by the bride’s family to the groom’s. Lately, some couple starts to leave the tradition because they want to make it equal. It’s more common for both families to contribute.
6. Bridesmaids
Basically, bridesmaids are unmarried women who will accompany the bride. Some said that bridesmaids are like guardians who will keep the bride safe from misfortune and bad things. However, nowadays bridesmaids no longer represent that purpose. They just dressing alike to match the bride’s attire.
7. Father Giving Away the Bride
In western weddings, a tradition that is still widely practiced in the United States is the brides’ father giving her daughter away. He walks her down the aisle to her soon-to-be-husband. This tradition is a form of the father’s blessing for his daughter’s marriage. Some said that it represents the transfer of charge from the father to his son-in-law.
Western Themed Wedding Attire
Steal the guests’ attention by wearing wedding attire that reflects the western theme. There are many pretty simple ways how to level up your attire starting from vintage dress to sport coat to match the theme.
Bride Western Wedding Attire
Every bride wants to look perfect since she will be the star on the big day. Especially for a western wedding, a dress with vintage details is the best option. Think of lace and ivory dress with a more romantic look. Choose a neutral color for the attire to match the concept. It can be white, beige, or brown hues. If you want to complete the look, pair it with boots. It does not mean that you can’t use heels, but cowboy boots will highlight your outfit into more western.
Groom Western Wedding Attire
For the groom attire, you can decide whether you will go formal with a tuxedo or you can make it casual with a sport coat, jeans, a white button shirt, and a tie. Some groom chooses to wear white shirts, bow tie, jeans with suspenders, and boots for their western wedding attire for a casual and fun celebration. Don’t forget to add boutonniere as the finishing touches on wedding day ensembles.
Western Wedding Decorations on a Budget
When you choose to have a western wedding, it does not mean that you have to have a wedding in a country barn. You can simply create the same vibes by decorating the venue with western wedding decorations. Little touches of the wedding theme will transform your wedding into a rustic feel.
1. Ranch Wedding
Probably, the ranch is the best wedding venue to celebrate a western wedding. You can embrace the country’s vibes with unique decorations to please the guests. Take advantage of the cart wheel and hay bales to set up the aisle. Get flowers and cow skulls to highlight space as the focal point.
2. Hay Bales Seating
It is really important to set up the reception area with western charm. Hay bales seating is perfect wedding seating arrangement ideas for a rustic romance. Stack the hay bales, cover it with fabric, and add some pillows to make the guest comfort. You will have an elegant space with a country theme going.
3. DIY Rustic Photo booth
To make your western wedding unique, how about creating a rustic photo booth with an old window? Repaint the window and use calligraphy font to decorate the frame. You can write both of your names and the date of the wedding. Hang it on the ceiling and grab the camera say cheese! What a simple yet pretty set up.
4. Beer Barrow
Repurpose your old barrow as a bar station. Just simply clean the barrow and fill it with ice. Later you can put all the beer on the barrow. So, you can save more budget on electricity since you are not using the fridge.
5. Truck
Why not using a pickup truck to feel the empty space? It is a brilliant idea where you can park the truck and place it on as a decorated corner. Simply decorate the car with lush green and colorful flowers. Even you can place an elegant chalkboard menu or wedding timeline to help the guests enjoy the event. Plus, the pickup truck can be great for a photo prop.
6. Boots as Aisle Marker
Aisle marker is a visual interest to your ceremony space that you have to think about. You can level up the moment when you walk down the aisle with creative signs by using boots as a vase for your flowers and foliage. You can elaborate on it or just keep it simple.
7. Cow Skulls Wedding Guest Book
If you want to amaze the guests, you need something new. Have you thought of using decorated cow skulls to decorate your wedding? It is a perfect prop for a western wedding which has meaning as “new beginnings” or birth. You can use it as personalized wedding guest book where all the guest can write their lovely message on it. Some couples also love to use it as a table and ceiling decor.
8. Welcome Sign
Last but not least is the welcome wedding sign. Make sure you design an eye-catching sign to welcome the guest. Their first impression before entering the venue is important. Since we are going to embrace the western charm, go with a wooden board, paint it with a calligraphy font. Then, use wildflowers and greens to decorate the edge. Some additional props like a wooden boxes, lanterns, skulls are necessary.
