With the wealth of inspiration and articles about wedding planning in the Philippines, choosing just one theme for your big day can be hard. But whether you’re just casually adding stuff to your Pinterest board or planning your own wedding already, you know that there’s one popular wedding theme that’s stood the test of time: the rustic wedding theme.
The rustic wedding theme remains popular among couples for good reason. Rustic weddings feature an elegant combination of the outdoors and modern decorations that give your celebration a distinctive vibe and look that is sure to leave a lasting impression for you and your guests. In fact, if you pick the right rustic wedding décor, your ceremony and reception might even feel like a fairy ceremony!
Still looking for other ways to do a rustic wedding? Try out our list or rustic wedding and reception theme ideas!
What is a Rustic Wedding Theme?
A rustic wedding theme is typically inspired by nature and the great outdoors. Rustic wedding theme ideas often incorporate many floral and woodsy accents, as well as decorative details that evoke a countryside flair.
Many couples love the rustic wedding theme because it’s warm, cozy, and laid-back. It’s also fairly easy to pull off, as rustic wedding décor focuses on textures such as natural wood, dried flowers, burlap, and various organic materials.
Because of the focus on nature, rustic themed weddings often have a more natural and organic feel to it. Rustic weddings often highlight dainty wildflowers or wood accents that do not look processed. An important part of the rustic theme is that the elements do not look too arranged. This emphasis on the natural gives the rustic wedding theme an ephemeral and otherworldly vibe.
Aside from its quaint charm, rustic wedding ideas also remain popular because of how easy it is to play around with the theme even with a limited budget. With rustic wedding décor, you don’t have to overthink each detail. Even better, you get to have a wedding theme that helps you be environmentally conscious!
Rustic vs Boho: Wedding Theme Ideas for the Free Spirit
Because of the emphasis on the natural and organic, rustic wedding themes are often confused or interchanged with boho wedding themes. Both wedding themes are appealing options especially for free-spirited couples because of its connection to more subtle and natural elements. While both themes heavily feature nature in their aesthetics, there are some key differences between the two.
If you’re feeling a little confused between boho and rustic, here are some differences between the two:
Bohemian Wedding Theme
Bohemian weddings are perfect for creative couples that are looking for a lot of freedom in their wedding planning. Boho weddings are generally more colorful and embrace a variety of materials that don’t usually have to be paired together. Some of the examples of materials usually seen in boho weddings are macramé and fresh flowers.
Boho weddings also feature unusual accessories that stand out. For instance, dreamcatchers and even old photos may be hung on trees to give off a free-spirited vibe.
Bohemian weddings also feature bright colors that are quite reminiscent of festivals and artistic communities. Unlike rustic weddings, boho weddings do not have to conform to a subtle palette.
Rustic Wedding Theme
The rustic wedding theme is perfect for the laid back, chic, and elegant couple. The great thing about rustic weddings is that it combines natural materials with subtle, structured elements that give off a dainty, quaint vibe. If you’re a cottagecore bride, then playing around with rustic wedding décor and reception ideas is perfect for you!
When it comes to rustic weddings, balance and subtlety is the key. Unlike a bohemian wedding, rustic weddings are a bit more demure and exude a vibe of understated elegance. Rustic weddings are naturally polished, without having to try extra hard.
Here are some things to remember when thinking of rustic wedding theme ideas:
- Color Palette: Rustic wedding colors are often demure and subtle. Grays, soft pinks, pastels, and silvers are often picked by couples who want a more ethereal vibe to their wedding.
- Material: When picking out rustic wedding décor, keep in mind that you want to highlight organic materials. Rustic weddings often have hessian and burlap fabrics wrapped around chairs. Another common piece in rustic weddings are wooden crates and flowers. Aside from these materials, mismatched glassware, candles, and fairy lights are also common hallmarks of rustic weddings.
- Flowers: Dainty and elegant flower arrangements are a staple of rustic weddings. While fresh flowers are always a good option, dried flowers also make an excellent choice especially if you’re looking for something a little more unique. With flower arrangements, you might want to keep things simple as rustic wedding décor doesn’t always have to be very polished – in fact the “just picked” vibe adds to its charm!
Rustic Wedding Décor
For rustic wedding décor details, it depends on your preferences as there are various takes on the rustic wedding theme. Some couples like the “washed out” vibe in all white with pops of greenery, while others embrace lush flowers and wooden accents. Whichever you choose, remember that it’s all about creating texture and an atmosphere of warmth.
Aside from wood and flowers, common items used in rustic wedding décor include succulents, candles, mason jars, gingham fabric, burlap, twine, and lace.
Here are some rustic wedding theme ideas to dress up your venue:
Flowers and plants
Flowers and plants are a huge part of the rustic theme. Depending on how polished you want your set up to be, you can select a large array of flowers to be added to your reception. Flowers that seem freshly picked are great options, but if you want to try something a little different, then dried flower arrangements are also excellent choices. Aside from flowers, you can also opt to use faux tree stumps, deep green ferns, and other vintage pieces in your arrangements.
There is also a matter of how you can arrange these flowers and plants. You can use vintage pieces, mason jars, old elegant vases and bottles, and even wooden crates are usual options for rustic themed weddings.
These make great centerpieces for a rustic wedding reception with the right combination of stemmed flowers, deep green ferns, and elegant looking vases set up. You can also opt to hang these flower arrangements in subtle places to offer a more elegant look for your wedding.
Warm colors
If you have an indoor wedding reception, then using warm colors for your palette might be a good option. This gives your wedding a cozy and festive vibe. Pair these warm tones with quaint floral arrangements and you have a wild and whimsical garden dinner for your rustic wedding reception. Add in a couple of wooden barrels and crates and you can have yourself a rustic barnyard wedding theme too!
Handwritten calligraphy
Part of the appeal of a rustic wedding theme is that it feels more natural, warm, and organic. This should also translate to your wedding invitations and seat cards. Instead of opting for bold, printed text, go for an elegant handwritten piece.
Handwritten calligraphy notes add a touch of whimsy, warmth, and magic to your already magical rustic wedding.
Ideas for a Rustic Wedding Theme in the Philippines
Choose a venue that’s close to nature
If you choose the right venue, you can achieve the ultimate rustic wedding look with less décor. That said, garden wedding venues suit this particular style best. Other beautiful venues for a rustic wedding theme include a lake ranch, a private resort, a farm, or any outdoor area that offers fresh air and stunning mountain top views.
Although outdoor venues are ideal to ace the rustic wedding theme, you can still opt for a hotel ballroom or an indoor reception area. You can just dress it up with rustic wedding décor to achieve a natural feel. There are many affordable wedding venues in Manila that are perfect for a rustic wedding theme, be it indoor or outdoor.
Here are some ways to style an indoor rustic wedding reception venue:
- Add in fairy lights: Lighting can make a huge difference to the vibe of your rustic wedding reception. Nix the harsh lights and go for a softer and more subtle vibe with fairy lights. Keep the romantic atmosphere and make things more ethereal with the right fairy lights.
- Keep things “shabby”: A common theme for rustic weddings is to keep things shabby or unpolished. Pick out natural and unprocessed materials for tablecloths or chair wraps. If you’re sticking to a neutral or warm color palette, this works extremely well as the warmth of the colors perfectly compliment the interiors of a modern building.
- DIY notes: Part of a rustic wedding theme is adding in a touch of the natural. Add a touch of coziness and home to your wedding reception with DIY placeholders or notecards for your guests. It’s a cute and heartfelt touch for an indoor wedding reception that’s simple and easy to make.
Let your wedding attire define the theme
There’s no hard rule when it comes to the perfect rustic wedding dress. Similar to rustic wedding décor, it’s all about texture. The easiest way to go about this is to wear a lace wedding gown or a ruffled cotton dress fringed with eyelet fabric. Layers of tulle and sheer lace are also perfect for the romantic effect of a rustic wedding theme. Don’t be afraid to top off your look with a dainty floral crown.
As rustic weddings tend to be more laid-back, that vibe also applies to your guests’ dress code. For the ladies, think lighter fabrics and shorter hemlines. Floral, linen, gingham, and silk crepe are all perfect to evoke the spirit of the theme. For the gentlemen, they can ditch three-piece suits in favor of polo shirts paired with blazers. They can even wear a waist coat or suspenders to achieve that rustic feel.
Carry a beautiful rustic bouquet
When we’re talking about rustic wedding theme ideas, a bride should never forget about the design of her bouquet. In the case of a rustic wedding theme, the bouquet is crucial to amplifying that woodsy aesthetic.
As opposed to classic-themed weddings that feature fresh florals, rustic bouquets tend to look a little withered and wild. It’s part of a rustic wedding’s old-world charm. For instance, many brides incorporate dried flowers and succulents, while some use berries for a pop of color. For a pale green look, eucalyptus leaves are also typically used.
As for flowers, thistles and dahlias are bride favorites. Throw in some berries and pine for a beautiful contrast and you’ve got a beautiful rustic bouquet.
Flower Arrangements for Your Wedding Party
Rustic bouquets don’t have to stop with just the bride!
Give your wedding party a beautiful flower arrangement to carry as well. To stay true to the rustic wedding theme, give your bridesmaids a mini-version of your bouquet or have each bridesmaid carry one arrangement that highlights one flower from your bridal arrangement.
For your flower girl, keep a wicker basket and have her walk down the aisle with flowers from your bridal bouquet. It’s a nice nod to your wedding bouquet and the wicker basket is a classic rustic wedding touch.
Rustic Wedding Ideas for Your Ring Pillows
Although often overlooked, the right wedding ring pillow design can actually tie your entire rustic wedding theme together.
Pair an elegant wedding pillow with a beautiful bouquet or floral arrangement, a rustic outfit for your ringbearer, and the right ambiance for your ceremony venue and see how magical your rustic wedding gets to be.
Use lots of greenery and neutral brown shades
When it comes to a rustic wedding theme and ideas that you can play around with, there’s a multitude of possibilities. However, it’s best to go for brown tones and creamy hues with splashes of greenery. Having this color scheme guide your aesthetic choices will help you pull off the classic rustic look.
For a rustic wedding theme, stick with a more demure or understated palette. Since you want to highlight the elements in your décor, pick colors that are subtle enough to go with other rustic elements like fresh flowers and wooden crates. Avoid picking overly bright colors such as neon hues or oranges as they can clash with some of your rustic elements.
Wooden furniture is also best for seating. You can switch it up by having a long wooden table with benches on one side of the venue, and then having wine barrels as chairs on the other.
You can even get a little more creative with your wedding seating plan. After all, the fun of rustic wedding reception ideas and unique wedding themes is you can let your imagination run wild. For instance, you can purchase pallets to use as tables and spread pillows all over the grass to act as seats. This fun seating style will create a more carefree and woodsier feel to the celebration.
Low and soft lighting is ideal
One of the best rustic wedding reception ideas is to opt for lighting that emits a soft and warm glow. Harsh lighting is an absolute no-no. After all, coziness and warmth are the epitome of a rustic wedding theme.
String some fairy lights and Chelsea lights around the trees, nailing them in crisscross patterns. You can also set up vintage-style lamps or paper lanterns.
For the tables, place candles in small jars and place them right next to the centerpieces. You can even buy scented candles that come in scents such as pine, bamboo, or clean cotton – anything that evokes warmth and nature. If you want to steer clear of fire hazards, battery-powered candles sold in department stores will do the trick too.
Don’t forget about the food
Like the rustic wedding reception ideas for decor, the food also depends on your preferences. The venue should also be taken into account. For instance, if you have an outdoor venue for your rustic wedding theme, it’s best to create a buffet setup that offers comfort food. Think pasta salads, roast chicken, mashed potatoes, freshly-baked bread, and apple pie.
Other common rustic wedding ideas for food include a charcuterie section, coupled with drinks like lemonade or strawberry wine for the ultimate countryside vibe. For desserts, you can opt for those trendy naked cakes topped with berries like the ones from Naked Patisserie. But a good slice of pie is great too!
Instead of the typical chocolate fountain, why not set up a s’mores bar station? It’s quick and easy to do. You just need marshmallows, chocolate bars, graham crackers, barbecue sticks, and a small earthen pot with charcoal. The smore’s bar is sure to be a hit with your guests, especially the young ones and the young ones at heart.
Send your guests off with beautiful wedding favors
To cap off the night, thank your guests for coming with rustic wedding giveaways. From crowd favorites such as succulents and jars of honey to unique ones like artisanal soaps and teacup candles, you have a plethora of options available.
Here’s a list to help you out:
- Succulents – these little potted plants make for classic rustic wedding giveaways. You can re-plant them from their usual plastic pots in mason jars or mini metal pails to truly fit your rustic wedding theme. You can buy succulents in bulk from Dangwa Cactus and Succulents.
- Hand sanitizers – this is one of those novel rustic wedding ideas that your guests will appreciate. Hand sanitizers are now must-haves, especially if you want to spread love, not germs. Bonus points if they come in nice scents and pretty bottles.
- Hot cocoa mix – this is a rustic wedding theme idea that guests of all ages will love. The upside is they’re DIY giveaways. You can easily shop for the ingredients in your nearest supermarket, order small mason jars in bulk online, and then package the ingredients on your own.
The great thing about rustic wedding giveaways is that you can be as creative as you want to be with them. They don’t cost a lot too, especially if you know where to hunt for affordable wedding giveaways in the Philippines.
Celebrate Your Big Day with a Rustic Wedding Theme
The rustic wedding theme is popular in the world of nuptials, and for good reason. They’re not only appealing to couples who want a more laid-back celebration, but the vintage and old-world charm it evokes is a beautiful aesthetic that looks stunning in photos. Plus, there’s a myriad of rustic wedding theme ideas that you can jump on and explore.
Rustic wedding decor also doesn’t have to be expensive. Flea markets and online shops are often the options for hunting down items that are perfect for a rustic wedding theme. You can also pretty much DIY your décor and giveaways, giving your big day a style of human touch that drips with character.
Now that you have an arsenal of rustic wedding theme ideas, it’s time to get out there and start planning! I promise it will all be worth it and you’ll have a romantic celebration to remember forever.
Author: Chryss Segovia
Chryss loves ice cream, literature, and East Asian pop culture. She would like to pet your dog.
