Image by Eyeronic Love. Keep scrolling to see chic Western wedding ideas you’re sure to love
Planning a wedding can be an exciting but overwhelming experience. If you and your partner are looking to add a touch of Western charm to your special day without going overboard, you’re in luck. Whether you’re tying the knot at your favorite mountain escape in a destination wedding or you’re Western at heart, these 20 Western wedding ideas are the epitome of chic.
20 Western Wedding Ideas
A Rustic Venue
Choosing the right venue is crucial for setting the tone of your Western-inspired wedding. Opt for upscale barns or ranches that blend rustic charm with modern amenities. Look for venues with stunning landscapes, such as vineyards or the mountains, that can serve as a picturesque backdrop for your celebration.
Western Wedding Invitations
First impressions matter–and what better way to kick off your Western celebration than to incorporate invites that have a Western theme? Whether they include illustrations of cowboy hats or boots or simply old-timey fonts, there are countless ways to hint at your love for all things Western from the get-go.
Shop Western Wedding Invitations: Western Wedding Invitation Suite Template; Modern Western Save the Date; The Rodeo Suite; The Wrangler Suite; The Yellowstone Suite
A Themed Welcome Party
If you want your wedding to be overly Western but you still want to embrace the attire, decor, and food, host a Western-themed welcome party instead. You can invite all of your friends and family to dress up in their best Western clothing, enjoy BBQ food, and get comfortable before the big celebration.
Image by Foxtails Photography
Welcome Bags
As more and more couples opt for weekend-long weddings, we’re seeing a big push for welcome bags complete with goodies that help guests survive a weekend-long party. Get Western-themed tote bags and fill them with items like snacks, drinks, medicine, and other survival necessities.
Image by Emily Klarer
Shop Similar Western Tote Bags: Howdy, Howdy, Howdy Natural Canvas Tote Bag; Custom City Name Bucking Horse Tote Bag; Cowboys and Western Tote Bag; Wild Like the West Tote Bag
Refined Western Attire
Upgrade the traditional cowboy boots and denim attire to a more refined look. For the groom, a well-fitted tailored suit (in shades of brown or white, perhaps) with cowboy-inspired accessories like a bolo tie can strike the perfect balance between Western and elegant. Brides can opt for lace or embroidered dresses that capture the essence of the West without sacrificing sophistication. Customized denim jackets, cowboy boots, and cowboy hats also make for really cute accessories that you can wear later into the night as the party continues and the weather cools. Not to mention they make for some really cute photo ops.
Images by Emily Klarer, Billie Jo and Jeremy Photography, Erika Diaz Photography, and Brooke Taelor
Turquoise Accessories
Speaking of attire and accessories, there’s nothing that says Western more than incorporating some turquoise accessories. Whether you opt for subtle pieces like earrings or rings or you opt for a large squash blossom necklace, there are countless options out there.
Western Wedding Parties
Who says the newlyweds should be the only ones dressed for the Western theme? Having your bridal party wearing casual mismatched bridesmaid dresses along with cowboy boots helps them fit in with the theme. The same goes for the groomsmen. Matching bolo ties, anyone? They’d make the perfect groomsman gift.
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Fringed Reception Outfit Change
There’s a good chance that you’ve seen the reception outfit change trend that has taken the wedding world by storm. If you want to dress in a traditional wedding gown for the ceremony yet still want to make a little nod to the Western culture, change into a fringe dress for the reception. It’s easier to dance in, and it pairs really well with that cowboy hat and boots we mentioned earlier.
Image by Lauren Apel
Shop fringe dresses:
Wildflower Bouquets
Replace over-the-top floral arrangements with wildflower bouquets. Choose native blooms and greenery to create organic, natural-looking arrangements that complement the surroundings. This not only adds a touch of rustic elegance but also reduces the environmental impact. That’s what we call a win-win.
Natural Backdrops
Your flowers aren’t the only way to incorporate a sophisticated yet rustic look. If you’re choosing to have a ceremony backdrop other than nature or flowers, consider a natural backdrop made of wood. From there, you can decorate it with more wildflowers or dried florals for a bohemian look.
Image by Elisa Lopez Photography
Romantic Lighting
Enhance the romantic atmosphere with candlelit decor. String lights, lanterns, and candles in elegant holders can transform any space into a warm and inviting setting. Consider incorporating vintage candle holders or lanterns to add a touch of nostalgia.
Recommended Reading: The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Lighting
Customized Western Signage
Create custom signage with elegant calligraphy to guide your guests while adding a personalized touch. From welcome signs to table numbers, infuse Western elements into the design to maintain continuity with the theme while keeping it refined.
Elevated Southern Cuisine
Upgrade your wedding menu with gourmet comfort food inspired by Southern cuisine. Consider incorporating regional specialties like shrimp and grits, barbecue sliders, and cornbread.
Al Fresco Dinner
Many Western weddings take place outside, so why not continue to enjoy the great outdoors with an al fresco dinner? Take notes from this real couple, Liz and Jamie, and surround yourself with string lights to take things up a notch.
Image by Liz Osban
Live Music
You can never go wrong with a country band as your musical entertainment for the evening. Acoustic renditions of classic country songs can infuse elegance into your celebration while maintaining a nod to the Western theme.
An Evening Bonfire
There’s something unexplainably magical about ending your evening surrounded by your loved ones while you sit around the giant bonfire. Create a lounge area in your reception space to enjoy a fire. Consider including haystacks as seating and warm blankets guests can cuddle up with. You can pass out these blankets during your ceremony as favors if you want to take it up a notch.
A Mechanical Bull
We’ve seen our fair share of unique wedding entertainment, but one of our favorites is a mechanical bull. There’s nothing your guests will love more (especially after a drink or two) than hopping on the bull and seeing how long they can hold on.
Image by Caroline’s Collective
Post-Ceremony Portraits With Horses
We’ll never get tired of seeing couples include animals in their big day, and what says Western more than horses? Now, we’re not saying you have to go on a horseback ride after you say “I do” (although that would be pretty epic), but taking portraits with the beautiful animals is one way to some Western flair to your big day. Oh, and if you don’t have horses nearby, donkeys make another great choice,
A Mobile Beer Cart
Mobile bars are all the rage right now, so include one at your celebration by bringing in a beer cart. Choosing this over a stocked bar can help save you a lot of money–especially if you pair it with other canned drinks. Not to mention it makes for a great decor piece and conversation starter.
Image by Emily Klarer
Break Out the Disco Balls
Okay, so this one isn’t technically Western, but there’s something about a Western theme that just goes so well with all things disco. In fact, it’s one of the biggest wedding trends that we’ve seen in the past couple of years, and it’s an absolute party.
Image by Diana Ascarrunz
A Western-inspired wedding can be done extremely tastefully, and these couples nailed it. By incorporating these chic Western wedding ideas, you can create a celebration that beautifully blends rustic charm with sophisticated elegance. Ready to get your planning started? Our vetted vendors can help. Check out our directory of wedding vendors from all around the world to make your dream Western wedding come to life!
Image by Mikayla Renee Photography
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