Farms make for gorgeous settings in which to have your dream wedding day. The natural beauty of the landscape, the scent of fresh flowers and wild grass and the warmth of the sun on your affair create a fanciful portrait of flirty romance against a tranquil backdrop. While there are numerous décor options for your [...]

Farms make for gorgeous settings in which to have your dream wedding day. The natural beauty of the landscape, the scent of fresh flowers and wild grass and the warmth of the sun on your affair create a fanciful portrait of flirty romance against a tranquil backdrop. While there are numerous décor options for your farm wedding, the setting alone makes for an effective theme, allowing you to minimise your décor and rely on the natural elements around you. A farm-themed wedding does not necessarily need to be held on a farm, but this certainly helps to make your theme more authentic. Ask friends or local farmers if they are willing to hire their farm to you for your wedding. Sometimes, farmers actually support their income by hiring their property out for such celebrations. You need consider the following things:

• You might need to get a liquor licence to sell alcoholic beverages to your guests.
• Can the farm accommodate the kitchen, bathroom and service requirements of your wedding?
• Will loud music and speeches affect or annoy the neighbours and / or animals?
• Is there a building in which you can have your reception (even if it is as a Plan B option in case of bad weather)? If not, you will need to consider a marquee. Barns are fabulous, both in terms of space and your theme.
• Whether you want farm animals (such as sheep and cows) to be in the background or not, you will need to discuss this with the farmer so that he / she can put them in the correct grazing field on the day of your wedding.

Attire and Accessories
A farm-themed wedding allows you to adhere to very classic, chic looks without being very formal at all. So, your wedding dress can be very feminine, while doing without very large skirts and formal high heels. The men in your entourage (groom included) will look fabulous in open-necked cotton shirts with elegant waistcoats instead of formal jackets, or in light day suits. Denim, cotton and leather will create a fun, casual look. Bridesmaids will look really cute in short denim dungaree dresses and Stetson hats.

If you want to carry a bouquet, use wild flowers commonly found in the local countryside. Alternatively, try to carry a basket of freshly picked flowers, an arrangement of straw, etc… Brides may even abandon the bouquet all together and walk down the aisle with a sheep or a calf alongside them.

It is vital that you wear comfortable shoes, as you will almost certainly be walking on soft ground, especially when having your photographs taken. Wellingtons now come in a myriad colours and designs, and can quite a feature underneath your elegant attire.

Décor
Nestle your dance floor beneath an old oak tree or next to a stream to create a really romantic retreat for the couples at your wedding. Use candles and lanterns to set the scene effectively.

Centerpieces for each of the tables may include fresh fruit and vegetables, freshly baked farm breads in woven wicker baskets or a collection of homemade preserves for a slightly different twist.

If you can have your wedding outdoors, place the tables in one of the fields so that guests are surrounded by wheat or corn stalks, for example. Provide plenty of shelter from the sun using large umbrellas so that your guests are always comfortable. Make warm knee blankets available for the evening, when the air cools.

Try to incorporate these into your farm-themed wedding décor:

• Wine barrels
• Hay bales
• Aluminium crockery
• Old fruit crates
• Vintage features (such as teapots, birdcages and antique, mismatched tables and chairs)

Image Courtesy of Green Wedding Shoes