Western Wedding
Why hold a Western wedding? In many ways Western theme weddings are the perfect expression of what marriage is all about! The true spirit of the West, after all, is unspoiled natural beauty, adventure, freedom, and the promise of a better future. These qualities are identical to what we experience when we fall in love, and love's allure calls to us the same way those boundless vistas called to the pioneers centuries ago.

It is no surprise, then, that the West remains such an important part of American heritage, and Western weddings are an ideal way to make a visual connection between the West of the American frontier and the journey you will undertake with your spouse-to-be. So whether you love the outdoors and the country, horseback riding and hiking, or just love the spirit of the West that resides in your heart, a country and Western wedding theme may be the one you've been searching for!

Here at Brides Village we've gathered some of our favorite Western wedding ideas below, including hints for Western wedding centerpieces, country wedding favors, decorations, and more. Join as us as we hit the trail to the frontiers of your heart!

Location
There's no rulebook for creating the perfect Western wedding, and that means you can design your wedding any way you choose! Many couples traditionally prefer an outdoor venue for their Western wedding, preferably one with an expansive, panoramic view of the surrounding countryside. Many other couples have gone as far as to create a true country wedding by holding their ceremony in a barn complete with hay bales for seats! When selecting a venue, consider looking into area parks, farms, or local natural areas. Many such locations are actually equipped to handle large gatherings and may prove to be less expensive than more traditional reception halls. Even if an outdoor or barn location isn't feasible, the right decorations can bring the best of the West to your wedding, even in an urban setting.

Arriving at the Wedding Western-Style
Once again there are no firm rules, but at Western weddings horse-powered transport has long been the most popular means of travel to and from the ceremony and reception. If you're not feeling up to an actual horse ride in your wedding attire, horse-drawn vehicles such as a carriage or old-fashioned buggy are also common. And using horses isn't only romantic, it also creates opportunities for a spectacular entrance that no car or even limo can ever match!

Bring in the Western Wedding Colors
One of the things we love best about Western weddings is how colorful they can be. Unlike some wedding themes, Western weddings are vibrant and often lighthearted affairs, and your wedding colors can reflect that sense of life and liveliness no matter where or when your wedding takes place. We recommend a broad palette of earth tones and bright vivid colors to make your wedding stand out, and you should feel free to incorporate orange, brown, tan, yellow, and even green into your decorations.

At Brides Village the selections in our Western wedding collection already feature these colors, but you can take advantage of the colors found in other items as well. Natural and dyed ropes, for example, can be used in place of streamers, while wildflowers and cacti can be used to make unforgettable and colorful Western wedding centerpieces. If you have access to items like saddles or other barn accessories, you can use them too! Any combination of these items or colors can create a natural ambiance that you won't find at other weddings.

Western Wedding Supplies
The more creative you make your shopping, the better! There are so many locations and images to draw from that there's almost no limit to the type of supplies you can use. Whether you choose specifically Western wedding themed items like rustic unity candles or use classic Western decorations like horseshoes, you will find no shortage of material to design your Western wedding any way you wish.

Our number one recommendation, however, is it's never too early to brainstorm your ideas. Take a pen and paper and simply write down places and objects that capture what you like best about the Western countryside. Boots, cowboys, sage, carriages… if it's one of the first things you think of and you feel a connection to it, write it down. You can then use your list to refine your focus as you start planning in earnest.

Once you've settled on a Western theme wedding and have a few ideas, run with them! Brides Village offers Western wedding invitations that make a great start. After the invitations are mailed go wherever your imagination takes you. We've talked to couples whose ideas included decorations and centerpieces with depictions of wild birds, lassos, cowboy hats, boots, spurs, and, of course, horseshoes and bales of hay! Many of these items, including toasting flutes, glassware, cake tops, guest books, pens, and Western wedding favors are available in one central location right here at Brides Village.

Western themed weddings, however, are also ideal venues for homemade decorations and favors, which is why for that special down-home do-it-yourself flourish you shouldn't hesitate to design or paint your own tablecloths, favors, and other decorations. And if you're in need of inspiration then check out local craft stores, farmers' markets, and even hardware stores.

Your Western Wedding Reception: Make It Zesty
Western weddings love a good old-fashioned barbeque and can incorporate everything from Tex-mex cuisine with plenty of chipotle and chili to more familiar (but just as zesty) items like grilled chicken, ribs, and hamburgers.

The food can be as spicy and lively as the rest of your celebration, but the real keyword is comfort. Western theme weddings can create an elegant yet laidback environment, and this presents a beautiful chance to bring people together in a fun and relaxing atmosphere. A selection of good, familiar food presented in a more informal setting will encourage conversation and help everyone have a great time.

It's Your Western Wedding
However you choose to design your Western wedding, the most important thing of all to remember is that your wedding is a celebration of your love. The style and feel of your wedding, no matter what theme you choose, is a reflection of what love means to you, so there's no wrong way to express your feelings. Whether your idea of the West is a classic barn, cowboys on a dusty trail, or just the beauty of open spaces, if you love the venue you've created, your guests will too!