It has earthy colors, a gritty texture, can be a bit shabby, and maybe a little distressed with a mix of vintage items and mismatched pieces. Though they may seem unappealing, if you put these natural and organic elements together, you’ll have a charming rustic look—a style that’s incredibly relaxed, simple, and approachable. It’s so unpretentious and easy to pull off that any indoor or outdoor space can be transformed into the perfect rustic wedding venue.
A rustic wedding style is all the rage these days and it's here to stay, with many couples falling in love with its simplicity and emphasis on what's natural, raw, and comfortable. And no, you don't have to hold a wedding ceremony in the woods or a log cabin, though they're also fantastic rustic wedding venues. Check out a few indoor and outdoor spaces you might want to consider.
Converted Warehouse
Who says warehouses are only used for storage? With a bit of styling and decorating, a warehouse can be the perfect place to exchange vows. They’re usually bare and offer a lot of space for dancing and socializing. Plus, the large doors and windows allow plenty of natural light in, which can result in beautiful wedding photos.
Industrial Loft
Lofts come in different sizes and shapes, with evident charm and rustic elegance. They’re not as spacious as warehouses, but their open space with high ceilings, polished concrete floors, and exposed brick give you enough area to work with.
Farm House
Many couples dream of a fairytale wedding close to nature, with vast fields and lush greens as their backdrop. If you're one of them, consider renting a farm house. The best thing about a wedding venue located on a farm is that you have access to indoor and outdoor spaces. You can host the ceremony inside a rustic event venue and have a festive wedding party out in the sun or under the stars.
Barn Wedding Venue
Rustic barn wedding venues have a similar vibe as farms—both are like a blank canvas that works well with any color palette or theme. They're suited for intimate wedding celebrations away from the city noise so that couples can focus more on their special occasion and everyone who celebrates with them.
What does your wedding day look like? Do you have a vision for your reception? You probably already have a list of things you want for your venue, but to give you some ideas, here are several key factors that can make or break you and your guests’ overall experience.
Ambiance
You can choose a place that already has a chic, rustic vibe or a more versatile space you can transform into your dream venue. If you don't have much time to prepare or want to save on decor, it's wise to opt for the first option, but if you like to unleash your inner artist or have a specific image in mind, go with the latter.
Location
Couples can be so focused on the venue's style and aesthetic that they forget to consider whether or not it's accessible and easy to reach. Whether it's a secluded farm in New Jersey or a winery in New York, think about how your guests can get to your rustic venue.
Capacity
Always have the number of your guests in mind when searching for the perfect setting for your big day. You don't want it to be too cramped or too big, so determine its minimum and maximum capacity before booking.
Services
Most designated wedding venues like event centers, reception halls, and hotel ballrooms have on-site services, such as catering, decor, photography, makeup, and hairstyling. Others may not have high-end amenities and services but they allow outside vendors and suppliers to set up on-location. Check what options they have and assess their wedding packages to help you decide.
There's beauty in imperfection—that's what rustic weddings have proven time and time again. You don’t have to invest in pricey materials because if you have a vision and use your creativity, you can pull off a magical rustic celebration with whatever item you have at home.
It’s your day, so make sure your wedding is as unique as your love story and reveals your and your partner’s personality and style. You might want to book the restaurant or café where you had your first meal as a couple or recreate the place where you first met.
When decorating for a rustic affair, pick handcrafted items and organic, natural materials like items made of wood, greenery, and antique accessories. For furniture, use farm tables and wooden chairs, or mismatched chairs. Instead of colorful blooms, focus on foliage of various shades, textures, sizes, and shapes but include one or two vibrant flowers for contrast.
Outdoor weddings don’t need major touch-ups because they typically look the part. Everyone can immerse themselves in the natural surroundings and embrace country life. When selecting décor pieces for outdoor ceremonies, you’ll want those items to feel as if they’re part of the natural setting, so think muted tones instead of metallics.
Remember, you don't have to hold your wedding in the countryside to achieve the country feel. Whether it's a reception hall, a restaurant, a hotel, or a house, you can create your dream rustic wedding.
Now that you're engaged, it's time for you and your spouse-to-be to sit together and plan your big day. Take note of these steps you shouldn't skip when organizing your wedding.
Set a Budget
No one wants to start a married life paying debts, so set a budget early in the wedding planning process to avoid overspending. You must have your budget in mind when choosing a venue, making a guest list, or hiring a caterer and event planner.
Book a Venue
Securing a venue shouldn't be a last-minute decision. Once you've determined how much you can spend for the occasion, set aside money to rent a venue that aligns with your theme and vision.
Decorate the Space
With so many rustic design inspirations you can find, you shouldn't have to struggle looking for ideas to decorate your chosen venue. Not much of a decorator? Hire a wedding decorator and a florist to turn your vision into reality.
Plan a Menu
Is it a buffet, plated dinner, or a banquet style? No matter how you want to serve the food, the menu should be well-planned and cater to the guests' dietary needs.
Find a Stylist and Makeup Artist
You'll want to look your best on your big day, so hire a team of makeup artists and stylists instead of worrying about your own hair and makeup. Not only will they help enhance your natural beauty but also ensure you look amazing in person and in photos.
With their recent glow-up, rustic weddings have never looked amazing. And if you're looking to incorporate this look into your ceremony, reception, or cocktail hour, here are some ideas to speak your imagination:
Country-themed Rehearsal Dinner
The celebration doesn't start at the bride and groom's first look or the wedding ceremony but the day or night before during the rehearsal dinner. Restaurants are great but lush lawns, patios, and rooftop lounges with scenic views offer a picture-perfect backdrop for rehearsal dinners.
Outdoor Ceremony
Impress guests with an outdoor ceremony at an enchanting forest setting, by the lake, or at the park filled with fairy lights and fresh flowers. Create a focal point like a decorated arch or exchange vows under a large tree with the sound of singing birds as your music background.
Garden Cocktail Hour
If you're getting married in spring, there's no better place to say "I do" than a beautiful garden. Here, you'll have vibrant blooms as your decor and colorful butterflies as your additional guests. Set up a cocktail hour lounge with vintage rugs or picnic blankets, mud cloth pillows, and wooden chairs.
Log Cabin Wedding
We can't talk about rustic spaces without mentioning log cabins. They're unique wedding venues with incredible backdrops like rolling hills, lakes, and vast fields, so you'll feel closer to nature. Once the party is over, the newly-wed couple can extend their stay for a romantic honeymoon.
Mountain Elopement
Some couples want many guests for their wedding while others prefer a more intimate gathering with only a few family members and their closest friends. If you want to tie the knot in a minimal, more casual way, why not have an elopement ceremony atop the mountain? With Mother Nature as your decorator, your wedding is bound to be ethereal.
Perhaps, you're convinced you should have a country-themed wedding or still debating whether or not this cozy and casual style is right for you. Knowing how much rustic wedding packages and venues cost can assist you in making an informed choice.
You should understand that every venue's rate differs, and it can change based on the location, wedding season, services available, size, capacity, and more. Some places may charge an hourly rate between $100 to $500 for just the event space, while others may require you to pay around $5,000 to $20,000 or more, which includes the venue, AV equipment, catering, decor, etc. When you compare fees, pay attention to details and what additional services they can provide.
Since a rustic aesthetic focuses on simplicity, comfort, and raw, natural materials, you can save a lot on decor by using items you already have at home or in your garage. If you need to rent furniture or decorative items, they're usually not too pricey, perfect for couples on a budget. Even those low-budget linens, artificial plants, and flowers can work wonders in enhancing the look of your venue.
Rustic outdoor spaces like parks, community gardens, and parks don't cost much to rent. You can also rent a house with a backyard where you can do all activities from ceremony and reception to honeymoon. Aside from the traditional venues, don't be afraid to explore one-of-a-kind spaces to find the perfect location that aligns with your theme and meets your budget.
A rustic wedding venue that's used to hosting events is a good choice, but try to imagine your special day in a setting you probably haven't considered before like a converted warehouse, a loft, a barn, a vineyard, or a farm. If you're running out of ideas, Giggster has an extensive list of wedding venues you can book no matter your theme or budget.