by Events • November 3, 2024 • Wedding Planning Guides
Think of a rustic wedding theme, and plenty springs to mind. Bales of hay. Strings of fairy lights. Exposed wooden beams, hessian bows and a stunning natural feel wherever you look.
Combine them all with dozens of other shabby-chic touches, gorgeous backdrops and countryside charm, and it’s not hard to see why a rustic-themed wedding is so popular with couples planning their big day.
Rustic wedding themes have never been more in demand because they capture the natural beauty and intimacy that every couple wants for their wedding.
It’s a wedding style that’s easy to create, simple yet elegant.
It lends itself to sustainability, with natural features, seasonal decor, upcycled place settings, and a way to embrace and connect with nature.
And most importantly, it feels genuine and authentic, a way to celebrate exactly how couples want, with no rigid formats, no ties to traditional practices and a wedding that feels both carefully styled yet effortlessly relaxed.
Yes, rustic weddings can feature hay bales and mason jars and bare light bulbs, but they’re so much more than that.
Perhaps what makes rustic weddings so appealing is their flexibility. Whether you’d like an intimate countryside celebration or a big barn wedding, a rustic theme provides that warm, inviting foundation that can be dressed up or down.
This flexibility and freedom, combined with the theme’s homely, welcoming feel has helped cement rustic weddings as one of the most popular styles in the last decade.
It’s hard to say for certain when rustic weddings became so popular, because at Heaton House Farm, we’ve been hosting them for 25 years.
Our countryside wedding venue has always lent itself to rustic weddings, and our very first celebrations – way back in 1999 – were the true definition of rustic. We literally just opened our barns to a couple who asked if they could get married here, and they used our working farm as their backdrop.
Nowadays we see all shapes and sizes of rustic weddings; some continue to be stripped back, simple affairs like those in the early 2000s, while others are as detailed and intricate as the most extravagant wedding.
There’s no doubt that the explosion of social media has put the spotlight on rustic weddings, showcasing the possibilities to millions of couples.
First Pinterest and then Instagram, the focus on capturing natural beauty, rustic charm and natural elegance has elevated rustic weddings and evolved what the theme and style represents.
In short, rustic weddings have a long-enduring heritage, reinvigorated in the last decade by an authentic, natural beauty that lends itself to insta-worthy wedding photos.
If you want to plan your own rustic-themed wedding, there are several essential elements you’ll want to capture and embrace to bring that charm and authenticity to celebrations.
They include:
The foundation of any rustic wedding is its connection to nature. A town hall in the middle of a city centre, or an ultra-sleek modern hotel ballroom probably won’t lend themselves to the rustic charm you’re trying to capture.
Instead, look for venues that have a natural backdrop – farms with sweeping countryside views, converted barns, woodland clearings or even a beautiful meadow. Ideally, you’ll want indoor and outdoor space, but try to find a wedding venue that blends the two seamlessly. Somewhere like Heaton House Farm – with rustic barns complete with exposed beams opening up onto gorgeous patios with unrivalled views across three counties.
2. Wooden decor
Wood is the cornerstone of rustic wedding styling, bringing warmth and authenticity to your theme. You could focus on wooden backdrops – like oak-beamed barns or gorgeous oak pagodas – or you could bring wooden elements into the detail of your day.
Think log slice centrepieces, wooden pallet signs, bark-wrapped vases or timber seating. Embrace the natural elements of wood, or choose more polished pieces – the choice is yours. Because the rustic theme is so versatile, don’t be afraid to mix different wood tones and textures to create depth, letting imperfections shine through – they add to the genuine, organic feel.
3. Soft Lighting
Lighting sets the mood for your rustic celebration, creating that magical, romantic atmosphere. String Edison bulbs across barn roofs, wrap wooden beams with fairy lights, illuminated tables with mini lights inside mason jars, or create a warm glow with vintage-style lanterns.
Natural light should play a key role too – look for venues like Heaton House Farm with large windows or doorways that flood indoor spaces with daylight. As evening falls, consider the charm of festoon lighting – like those lighting the way across our field to our iconic sycamore tree.
4. Nature-inspired venue dressing
When styling your venue, your goal should be to bring the outside in. Think natural earth-tone colours. Choose wildflowers over traditional options. Source local foliage – branches, grasses, and hay – to bring a seasonal element to your big day.
Ask your florist to create relaxed, natural-looking bouquets and centrepieces with the flowers that you’d only find in the UK, at the time of your wedding. For an extra touch of elegant charm, you could create a stunning floral arch to a living wall of greenery. Make it look effortless and you’ll capture that rustic charm instantly.
5. Vintage table settings and accessories
Another key element of a rustic wedding theme is the vintage or upcycled accessories and table settings. Yes, mason jars are a popular choice – as vases, centrepieces, candle holders or drinking glasses. But there’s so much more you can do.
Hessian, burlap or lace table runners and chair decorations? Tick. Mismatched antique furniture? Tick. Recycled farm and barn equipment, repurposed as focal points, seating options or Insta-worthy photo spots? Tick.
Embrace your personal preferences and get creative – whether that’s wooden crates used as tables, old ladders used for cake displays or vintage suitcases opened up to hold a seating plan, there’s almost no limit on what you can use to bring your rustic theme to life.
6. Farm-to-table dining
Embrace local, seasonal cuisine that reflects your rustic setting. Again, you want to bring the outside in and capture a natural elegance in an effortless way – that means simple, delicious food that your guests will love.
A traditional three-course, sit down, formal wedding breakfast might not fit with your theme, so don’t be afraid to ditch it. Work with your caterers to create a stunning farm-inspired menu, prioritising home-grown produce. Or keep things casual with food stations, cheese boards, and sharing platters – our Stable Yard Catering team can deliver any dish, any way you like.
7. A naked wedding cake
Talking of food, one of the most iconic elements of any rustic-themed wedding is the naked or semi-naked wedding cake. These understated beauties – with their visible layers and natural decorations – perfectly embody rustic charm.
Ask your baker to decorate with fresh fruits, edible flowers, or herbs rather than traditional icing. Then choose a wooden stand or vintage cart to display your stunning cake, perhaps surrounded by smaller treats like cupcakes or cookies. This relaxed approach to wedding cake styling fits perfectly with the informal, natural feel of a rustic celebration.
8. Charming Entertainment
Complete your rustic theme with entertainment that enhances the natural, relaxed atmosphere you’ve created. Perhaps that means acoustic musicians playing folk or country music during your ceremony, or a string quartet for elegant background music?
If that’s to your taste, don’t worry. You can always adapt to your venue – if you want a heavy rock band to play in your wedding barn – why not? That brings its own type of charm.
For reception activities, think traditional wooden games on the lawn, or a cocktail bar inspired by nature. Fire pits for guests to gather round and chat are always a popular option, but don’t underestimate simple lanterns and cosy blankets on the patio either.
The key is choosing entertainment that encourages interaction and creates that warm, community feeling iconic of rustic weddings.
Focus on each of these elements (and a few others) and you’ll soon see your rustic wedding plans brought to life. Each of the points above will give you countless opportunities for those mesmerising experiences, unforgettable moments and picture-perfect memories.
Seasonality can often become a focal point for rustic wedding planning, but it really doesn’t need to.
Sure, a summertime wedding lends itself to outdoor weddings, warm evenings, gorgeous sunsets and the ideal time to be out in the countryside, but every season brings its own unique charm that can enhance a rustic wedding.
In the spring, you’re embracing nature at its finest – in full bloom, fresh with the potential of new life and erupting with wonderfully bright colours wherever you look.
In autumn, colours dominate too. Golden yellows, deep oranges and luscious reds make for an illuminating rustic theme, while there’s plenty of natural forage to bring inside.
And winter is simply magical, whatever the weather. There’s nothing more gorgeously rustic than the log-burning fires or crisp evening walks. And who wouldn’t love a hot chocolate or hot-toddy, wrapped in a cosy blanket as the stunning winter sun sets on the countryside?
Plus, our heated floors add that extra level of comfort in the winter! At Heaton House Farm, we host rustic weddings all year round – so just decide which season you love best, and
It goes without saying that finding the right venue – the right natural setting with a breathtaking backdrop – is essential if you’re considering a rustic-themed wedding.
You’ll want somewhere that effortlessly captures the charm and the elegance of a rustic wedding – typically a farm or barn or outdoor area – while still letting you put your own stamp on the design and decor.
At Heaton House Farm, we deliver the perfect venue for a rustic wedding – oak-beamed barns, effortless outdoor seating areas, sweeping vistas all on a working farm – while giving you a blank slate inside to style anyway you like.
Keep it simple, go big or opt for somewhere in between – however you want your rustic wedding to look, we give you the freedom and flexibility to bring your vision to life.
And of course, we’re always here to help – with Experience Events for inspiration, personal wedding coordinators to support with planning and plenty of ideas from our real wedding stories.
Download our wedding brochure today and see what your dream rustic wedding theme could look like at Heaton House Farm.
