If you want a laid-back, casual vibe on your big day, then rustic wedding style may be for you. This style uses nature-inspired elements and outdoor spaces to create a relaxed atmosphere that encourages mixing, mingling, and having a good time (with a bit of country flair).

Venue

The most obvious venues for rustic weddings are barns, ranches and farms. These types of venues easily lend themselves to rustic wedding style because of their countryside locations and informal settings. Vineyards, mountain lodges, and recreational parks or campgrounds are also suitable for rustic style.

Season

Nature and the outdoors are huge components of rustic wedding style, which means that summer and fall are the most popular seasons for this style. We’re not saying that you can’t have a rustic wedding in the middle of winter, but you’ll need to consider several things first.

This means that you're more likely to be limited to traditional indoor venues during the winter, and as a result, you may need more decor to achieve a truly rustic effect. If you do find a barn or farm that’s available during the winter, don’t forget to create a “Plan B” in case Mother Nature has other ideas. Lastly, barns can be very drafty in the winter, so we better provide space heaters if necessary. 

Color Palette

One thing we love about rustic wedding style is that it's super versatile. It works with many different color palettes, and each one can help you achieve a different look depending on the decor you choose.

Popular rustic color palettes include yellow and navy, burgundy and orange, or coral and turquoise. For a more “rustic chic” look, stick with a softer color palette comprised of pastel hues, such as blush, dusty blue, mint green, or even gold.

Stationery

For rustic save-the-dates and invitation suites, look for nature-inspired elements, such as wood grain patterns, greenery motifs, and floral designs. Watercolor invitations also work well for rustic themes. Wood-burnt accents, burlap ribbons, and lace belly bands are some of the finishing touches you can add to your invites to complete the rustic vibe. 

Decor

Rustic wedding style puts a big focus on handmade details, rugged accent pieces, and repurposed vintage items. Before you choose your wedding decor, you need to decide if you want your wedding to be traditionally rustic (more on that in a second) or something along the lines of a "rustic chic" look instead. 

Traditional rustic decor goes heavy on the outdoorsy elements, like hay bales, twine, raw wood pieces, and antlers. Burlap table runners, mason jars, and baby’s breath are also popular at traditional rustic weddings. You can even add seasonal details, such as sunflowers in the summer or acorns and pumpkins in the fall, to play up the pastoral theme.

Rustic chic style is all about creating a setting that's laid-back yet elegant. This twist on traditional rustic style keeps the fundamental elements but adds romantic and classic details — think loose greenery, whitewashed chairs, muted metallic accents. 

Flowers

Rustic wedding style is all about creating a welcoming feel, so you’ll want the bouquets, centerpieces, and other floral arrangements to have a loose, slightly undone look. In other words, nothing that feels too perfect or overly arranged.

Most types of flowers work well with rustic style, but we particularly love sunflowers, hydrangeas, daisies, roses, delphinium, dahlias, poppies, and lots of greenery (imagine wildflowers you might see growing in a country field). Baby’s breath goes hand-in-hand with rustic style, but Queen Anne’s lace, craspedia, goldenrod, and even cotton puffs are a few other floral accents that look just as lovely.

Dress Code

Generally, rustic weddings allow for more casual dress codes because of the informal atmosphere associated with rustic wedding venues. For example, if your ceremony is taking place in a 200-year-old barn or a field at the edge of a forest, asking your guests to wear tuxedos and floor-length gowns may not be the most practical route.

You’ll also want to consider the venue when choosing your own dress code. If you’re wearing a wedding gown, slimmer silhouettes in lightweight, breathable fabrics are ideal for rustic settings. This will give you plenty of freedom to move around easily — a must if you're getting hitched outdoors. A more casual dress code also means that you should keep your accessories relatively understated, but don’t be afraid to have a bit of fun with them! This is an opportunity to wear things that might seem out of place at more formal venues, like swapping your stilettos for a pair of sandals, flats or even cowboy boots!

If you’re wearing a suit, opt for a more informal style in a lightweight material, such as seersucker, cotton or linen. These options still look polished without being overdressed, and they’re ideal for warmer temperatures. Wool suits are a great option for rustic weddings taking place in cooler weather. For the ultimate laid-back look, skip the suit altogether and sport a button-down with dress pants, a tie or suspenders.

Cake and Dessert

For rustic wedding cakes, we love the look of buttercream frosting, which will give your cake a slightly more relaxed look. Dress up each tier with fresh flowers or greenery, or skip the allover frosting and opt for a naked or semi-naked cake instead. Fondant gives a smoother finish to your wedding cake and can be decorated with a burlap ribbons for additional rustic flair.

Rustic weddings are a prime opportunity to try out some alternative dessert ideas — homemade pies, doughnuts, and waffles. Pies are especially festive for fall weddings, since you can incorporate seasonal ingredients like pumpkins and apples. You can serve pies in addition to your traditional cake or send your guests home with pre-boxed slices or mini pies as favors. We also love cupcakes, and candy as rustic wedding treats.

If you're looking to create an event that's luxurious, chic, and timeless, then a classic wedding theme is the way to go. Forget the latest wedding decor trends — this style is all about using elements that will stand the test of time, from soft color palettes to monogrammed stationery, formal attire, and lots of bubbly, natch. We're here to help you ace this elegant aesthetic with our handy guide, which breaks down everything you need to know about Classic Wedding Style from start to finish. 

Considering a classic wedding theme? Check out our list of essential ideas below. 

Venue

With the right decor, you can make a classic wedding theme work for almost any type of venue. If you prefer an outdoor venue, consider a European-style garden, formal courtyard, or a fancy estate (a castle, perhaps?). Try to avoid anything that's overly rustic or rugged. For a unique spin on classic wedding style, host your wedding ceremony at a museum, conservatory, or other space that features elegant decor. 

Season

The great thing about a classic wedding theme is that it's always in style — and in season. As long as you stick to the basic concept of classic style, this aesthetic is versatile enough to work year-round. You can incorporate seasonal accents through your floral arrangements, stationery, and attire if you'd like.

Color Palette

For this style, you’ll want to choose wedding colors that are cohesive and refined. Typically, this means staying away from anything that is too vibrant or neon, but that doesn't mean your color palette has to be boring! 

First, take a look at your venue’s existing decor (the wallpaper, carpet, lighting fixtures, etc.). If there are any prominent colors, try to incorporate them into your palette for a look that won't clash with your surroundings on the big day. 

Neutrals are always a great starting point for a classic wedding theme. Gray, black, white, ivory, and beige can be paired with other colors to create an eye-catching combination — or you can skip the accent hues and go for an all-neutral wedding color palette instead. Incorporate depth by using a variety of textures and metallics, or add drama with colors such as red, blue, coral, emerald, or burgundy. 

You can also switch up your color palette based on your wedding season. In the winter, opt for metallics and darker colors, like gold, silver, navy blue, and black. During the spring and summer, pastels are always a fresh option. We love blush, French blue, sage green, lavender, butter yellow, and peach.

Stationery

In general, stationery for classic weddings should be traditional and formal. You can personalize your invitation suite by adding your wedding monogram (a must-have for any classic wedding), stripes, foil, letterpress script, or laser-cut filigrees. Finish the invitation suite with custom hand-calligraphed addresses for a regal touch.

Decor

While it can be fun to include all the latest trends on your big day, the last thing you want is to look back at your wedding photos in a few decades and wonder what you were thinking. When it comes to choosing classic wedding decor, ask yourself first, “Will this still look relevant in 20, 30, or 40 years?” If you’re not sure, then you might want to pass.

Look for pieces that are inherently classic, such as fine china, candelabras, votives, chair sashes, and luxe table linens. You should also keep the decor relatively understated, and skip anything that is too flashy or extravagant. That being said, classic wedding decor doesn’t have to be dull. Spruce up ordinary banquet tables with sequined runners, swap traditional Chiavari chairs for an upholstered style, or drape fabric swags throughout your venue. Ultimately, you should aim to achieve a vibe that is chic, elegant, and sophisticated.

Avoid mix-and-match elements, which will look too eclectic for a classic wedding. Instead, stick with two or three colors and use the same types of accents (pearl strands, lace, rhinestones, etc.) throughout the wedding to create a cohesive, well-planned effect.

Flowers

When it comes wedding flowers, you can’t get more classic than roses. We love roses for their timeless, romantic appeal and the fact that they’re available year-round. Not only do they smell oh-so-pretty, but roses come in dozens of different sizes, colors, and varieties. Peonies are also quintessentially classic, although they’re only in-season for a short time each year, so you can expect them to be more expensive than roses and most other wedding flowers as a result. Hydrangeas, phalaenopsis orchids, stephanotis, ranunculuses, and anemones are all great floral options for classic weddings as well.

If you’re carrying a bouquet, avoid anything too trendy, like oversized arrangements or an abundance of loose greenery. Instead, have a more symmetrical bouquet that sticks with a few types of flowers and accents. Finish the bouquet with satin ribbons, lace, or a sparkling brooch for a personal touch. 

Don’t forget about your ceremony space! Floral arches look beautiful at the altar, or you can line the aisle with flower petals for a romantic effect. Just be sure you don’t go overboard with the floral decor—too much will take the focus away from you.

Reception centerpieces should be relatively uniform, although you can add visual interest by alternating between tall and short arrangements on each table. It’s also important to choose the proper centerpiece vessels. Anything too informal or distracting can take away from the actual flowers and change the look of your centerpieces. A few of our favorite options for classic weddings are glass cylinder vases, rose bowls, and candelabras.

Attire

Depending on the formality of your venue, you should expect the dress code to be on the fancier side. Ballrooms and country clubs are more likely to require black-tie, while you might have the option to be more informal at a garden, or a museum wedding.

A ball gown is the perfect option for brides who want that traditional classic look. Choose a minimal satin gown, or go for something more glamorous with tulle, beaded embroidery or intricate lace details. If a ball gown silhouette isn’t for you, fitted gowns and sheath gowns are equally classic alternatives. Accessorize with pearl jewelry (so timeless!), understated shoes, and a polished hairstyle. Finish your bridal look with a sash that’s tied in a neat bow around your waist.

If the venue requires a black tie dress code, men will need to wear tuxedos. For more casual attire, stick with a suit in a darker color, although don’t feel limited to the standard black. Navy blue and charcoal gray are both classic with a twist.

Cake and Dessert

It wouldn’t be a classic wedding without a traditional wedding cake. You can keep it simple with just the frosting and a topper, or you can add subtle decorative accents. Hand-piped icing, Swiss dots, monograms, and fresh flowers are just a few of our favorites. Fondant icing will give your wedding cake the cleanest look, but buttercream icing is oh-so-chic when paired with a few subtle flowers. 

A glam wedding theme is the perfect decorative aesthetic for couples who are looking to embrace a little bit — or a lot — of wow factor on the big day. This dramatic wedding style speaking to those with a "more is more" mindset, since opulent details are key to nailing the right vibe. Metallic color palettes, fancy dress codes, and celeb-worthy decor ideas are just some of the elements that we use in a glamour wedding theme. 

Season

Glam wedding style isn't tied to just one season — it's adaptable for any time of the year depending on the color palette, decor, and dress code that you choose. If you're thinking about incorporating seasonal elements, do it in a subtle way so that your wedding still feels sophisticated and high-end rather than overly thematic.

Venue

The first step when hosting a glam wedding is choosing a venue that's relatively formal — this will instantly elevate the vibe of your event. Ballrooms are a great starting point, since they're usually adorned with glitzy decor like chandeliers, marble flooring, and gorgeous window drapery. Look for historic venues (for example Manial Palace) to give your wedding an even stronger sense of grandeur. 

If you're feeling especially glam, have a castle wedding. And no, you won't have to travel to a faraway European destination to find the perfect location! There are castle wedding venues all over the country that make gorgeous backdrops for a swanky affair. 

Color Palette

Glam wedding style is all about luxury, so your wedding color palette should be refined and elegant — we have to include a hint of drama! We suggest starting with one or two neutral colors, like gold, white, black, gray, etc., and then adding a bold accent color to tie everything together. Red, emerald green, and amethyst are just a few of the glam wedding accent colors we're into right now. 

You can’t have a glam wedding without a little bit of sparkle, so don’t forget to factor that in when you’re choosing your wedding colors. Silver and gold work great as accent hues for most color combinations, but a completely metallic wedding color palette is another option we love. Alternative metal hues, like copper and rose gold, bring a modern spin to a glamour wedding theme. 

Some of our favorite glam wedding color palettes include: red, black and silver; ivory, pink and champagne; emerald, black and gold; and navy blue, silver and white. Another favorite of ours? All-white wedding decor à la the queen of glam, Kim Kardashian.

Stationery

Your glam wedding invitations should be all about fancy accents. By adding decorative extras like crystals, laser-cut filigrees, letterpress script, and custom calligraphy, your guests will know that the wedding is going to be a glam affair to remember. For a fashion-forward approach, consider sending out acrylic wedding invitations like the suite pictured above. 

Decor

The key to glam wedding decor is choosing extravagant, opulent pieces. From sparkling table linens to multi-tiered chandeliers, you should look for luxe elements that stand out from everyday basics. No detail should go unnoticed, no matter how small it seems — this is essential when it comes to achieving a celebrity-inspired vibe. 

An instant way to transform your space into a glamorous setting is by using fabric swags on the ceiling and walls. This creates a dramatic effect, especially when it’s combined with string lights or other accents that draw the eye upwards, like hanging floral arrangements or chandeliers. Some venues might have the swags in place already, but if not, we should be able to do it for you. You can also play around with unique lighting options to easily change the look of your venue. Uplighting, pin-spotting, and gobos add a modern spin, while dozens of candles in varying heights creates a romantic ambience.

Glam weddings are also a fun opportunity to incorporate decor that might be too avant-garde for other styles. Ghost chairs are a modern alternative to the more traditional Chiavari or folding chairs, and they’re available in a variety of colors. Velvet chairs or chaises are super-glamorous, especially for winter weddings.

To avoid going overboard with your decor (yes, there is such a thing as too much), decide where you want to put the focus. For example, if you have tall, overflowing centerpieces on all of your banquet tables, then you should keep your place settings and other tabletop decor relatively simple. Lastly, stick to your color palette. Too many different colors will look busy and confusing to the eye if you have a lot of decor in one space.

Flowers

If you’re having a glam wedding, think of your flowers as an extension of the decor. Create arrangements that will not only stand out to your guests, but also in your wedding photos.

Choose flowers that exude luxury, such as calla lilies, orchids, roses, peonies, and ranunculuses. If you’re carrying a bouquet, a cascading style adds an instant splash of drama to your look. You can also add sparkling brooches, pearl strands, rhinestones, greenery, or long ribbons to your bouquet to make it truly one of a kind.

Tall centerpieces are popular for glam weddings because of their eye-catching effect. Display the blooms atop candelabras that are dressed up with crystal strands. If you prefer lower centerpieces, place them in clusters on each table for added impact.

For the ultimate celeb status, create custom installations for you. You can exchange your vows in front of a floral-covered wall or dine beneath a lavish floral chandelier. The more outside the box, the better!

Dress Code

Depending on the venue, most glam weddings will require a formal or semi-formal dress code.

If you are wearing a wedding gown, accentuate your figure with a curve-hugging silhouette that’s fit for a red carpet, or walk down the aisle in a princess-style ball gown. Look for a dress with intricate details, such as beading, embroidery, and lace. Feeling trendy? Illusion bodices and colored gowns are a few glam options we love. Glam weddings are also an opportunity to play up your accessories. Opt for glittery stilettos, statement jewelry or a beaded hair clip to add a touch of sparkle to your look.

Suits and tuxedos should be darker in color. If you don’t want to stick with traditional black, you can opt for dark blue, which is still formal but a bit more modern and fashion-forward.

Cake and Dessert

When it comes to glam wedding cakes, bigger is better. A multi-tier cake at a glamorous wedding isn’t just a cake, it’s a work of art. dress up the tiers with metallic fondant, edible gold leaf, cascading flowers, or elaborate hand-piped icing designs.