27 Western Wedding Ideas That Are Anything But Tacky (2024)

  • Wedding Décor Inspiration

Create your own Western wonderland with these tips.

By

Molly Allen

27 Western Wedding Ideas That Are Anything But Tacky (1)

Molly Allen

Molly Allen is a previous bakery owner with expertise in wedding orders, as well as a former event planner. She is now a freelance writer focused on lifestyle, travel, and food and beverage.

Brides's Editorial Guidelines

Updated on 06/28/23 12:24PM

27 Western Wedding Ideas That Are Anything But Tacky (2)

If you’re a couple that loves spending time outdoors, taking country drives, listening to country music, or even grew up in the West, there’s a good chance a Western wedding is a perfect fit for you. Western weddings tend to be a bit more rustic, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be jam-packed with gorgeous details just like any other wedding theme.

Whether you’re saying "I do" at a ranch, in a beautiful barn, or in the backyard, a Western wedding can be entirely charming. And whether you go all out or simply include a few nods to the theme, you can choose to include Western details in any capacity to fit your personality.

If you’re looking for Western wedding ideas that are anything but tacky, look no further. Read on for 27 of our favorite ideas.

23 Wedding Theme Ideas for Any Style

01of 27

Look to Western Fonts

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Kick things off by letting your guests know the theme right away. Theme your invitations with clever illustrations and look to old-time Western-style fonts to deliver the important details.

02of 27

Welcome Your Guests

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Give your guests a proper welcome! Especially if you're hosting a destination wedding, welcome bags are such a nice touch. Design the bag to match your theme and fill it with western-inspired goodies for everyone to enjoy.

03of 27

Wrap Your Bouquet

You can certainly choose a more rustic-style bouquet with wildflowers to boot. To take it one step further? A leather wrap to hold your blooms in place makes for such a charming touch.

04of 27

Welcome With a Friendly Sign

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Mimic the feeling of driving up to the entrance of a ranch with a friendly sign. We love the way this tall wooden sign is dressed up with additional greenery and blooms to fit the theme.

05of 27

Plan a Rodeo

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Not interested in a barn or a ranch for your venue? Throw a rodeo instead! Check out local rodeo grounds as potential ceremony locations. The Pendleton Round-Up is one of the biggest rodeos in the world, with over 100 years running.

06of 27

Set Up a Natural Altar

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Hosting your ceremony outside? Look for simple, natural altar ideas. We love the organic look of this wooden altar, framing the gorgeous mountain views behind it. Of course, dress it up with dried greenery and flowers, and complete the look with a cowhide rug.

07of 27

Bring in a Banjo

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It wouldn't be a Western wedding without a bit of country music. Bring in a live band that specializes in either old-time Western music or modern country music. Either way, you'll have a blast kicking up your boots!

08of 27

Draw a Crowd With a Drink Truck

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Gather everyone around a watering hole and make a statement while you're at it! An old Chevy truck can be turned into a bar with a few kegs and the right equipment. Dress it up even further with beautiful blooms.

09of 27

Get Custom Champagne Glasses

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Want to really flaunt your love for country? Carry it around with you! Commission custom champagne glasses with adorable cow illustrations to use on your wedding day and to keep as special mementos for years to come.

10of 27

Theme Your Bar

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If you're hosting a bar, don't be afraid to get creative. One real couple chose to dress up their wedding bar to look like an old saloon. Feature old whiskey bottles and plenty of wood detailing for a beautiful set-up.

11of 27

Gather 'Round the Fire

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Encourage your guests to enjoy a casual celebration and cozy up. Use your reception space to create a lounge area, complete with a warm fire, hay bales, and plenty of warm blankets.

12of 27

Incorporate Raw Wood

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One of the simplest ways to make your Western wedding feel that much more rustic is to bring wood into the mix. Incorporate clever details such as raw wood escort cards for guests to find their seats. We love the idea of stacking them as if you're reserving wood for a fire.

13of 27

Play With Texture and Color

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A Western wedding definitely doesn't have to mean a drab, brown color palette. Keep things lively by playing with color and texture throughout. This set-up features leather chargers and frayed yellow napkins for a stunning reception table.

55 Colorful Wedding Ideas to Make Your Big Day Pop

14of 27

Look to Old-Time Lanterns

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Dress up your dinner table with Western flair. We love the idea of incorporating old-time lanterns to transport your guests back to the Wild West.

15of 27

Add a Touch of Leather

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It's all in the details, right? If you're looking to incorporate simple nods to a Western theme, leather is a great addition. Tie a simple leather string around the napkins on your reception table for a charming look.

16of 27

Turn Whiskey Into Water

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Many whiskey bottles can be repurposed and used for other things. One real couple utilized Bulleit Rye Whiskey bottles to serve as their water vessels on a beautiful reception table.

17of 27

Wow With Wooden Chargers

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Incorporate wood into your tablescape to immediately make it feel a bit more rustic. This set-up incorporated thinly sliced wood chargers for each place setting, as well as centerpiece holders complete with kerosene lanterns.

18of 27

Keep Warm With Pendleton

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If there's one textile company that just screams Western, it's Pendleton. Pendleton Woolen Mills opened in Oregon in the early 1900s and has remained a symbol of exploring the West. Incorporate Pendleton blankets to spruce up your reception tables, or hand them out to guests to keep warm during an outdoor ceremony.

19of 27

Trade Napkins for Bandanas

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An easy way to transform a table to match a Western theme? Opt to utilize bandanas as napkins instead of plain linen. It will immediately add a pop of color and aWeestern pattern to your set-up.

20of 27

Set a Sonoran Table

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Channel the desert with your reception table by utilizing unique textiles as a table runner. From there, consider incorporating a prickly pear cactus pad (no thorns, of course!) to make a statement at each setting.

21of 27

Incorporate Terracotta Table Numbers

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Terracotta is prevalent in the Southwest, and it's a great way to bring a Western vibe and a hint of warmth to your table. Consider utilizing broken pieces of terracotta pots as unique table numbers.

22of 27

Brand Personalized Flasks

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Want to give a unique gift to the wedding party? Look to custom flasks, complete with personalized leather brands on each, for a Western nod. Bonus points if they're filled with whiskey!

23of 27

Create a Scene on Your Cake

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Channel the Southwest with a desert-themed cake. With handpainted cacti along with real blooms and thistles, this confection certainly makes a statement.

22 Sweet Succulent Wedding Cakes for a Fresh Look

24of 27

Choose Milk and Cookies

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Sometimes, it's just all about good home cooking, and what could be better than a timeless treat? Offer a classic combo, but serve the milk in mason jars with twine for a rustic look.

25of 27

Serve Cigars and Whiskey

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The combination of whiskey and cigars certainly embodies a Western theme. Put together a special display of multiple whiskeys for your guests to enjoy.

26of 27

Customize Cactus Cookies

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Why not incorporate a nod to the Southwest and the desert? Dish up decorated saguaro cactus cookies with a touch of gold flake detailing to elevate their look.

27of 27

Theme Your Cake

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Think you can't incorporate a Western textile design on your wedding day sweet? Think again. This cake was handpainted to match a Western design, making it the perfect addition to a ranch wedding.

65 Rustic Wedding Ideas for Casual and Cozy Nuptials

27 Western Wedding Ideas That Are Anything But Tacky (2024)

FAQs

27 Western Wedding Ideas That Are Anything But Tacky? ›

A true western wedding is the stuff of fairytales, steeped in tradition, with a blend of romance and country charm. Country weddings are all about celebrating the beautiful union of two souls surrounded by loved ones, dancing under the stars, and eating good food.

What is a western theme wedding? ›

A true western wedding is the stuff of fairytales, steeped in tradition, with a blend of romance and country charm. Country weddings are all about celebrating the beautiful union of two souls surrounded by loved ones, dancing under the stars, and eating good food.

How to have a cowboy wedding? ›

Instead, pot flowers in wooden vases or buckets for a more country-inspired look. Finish off your tablescapes with horseshoe-shaped table numbers and old lanterns to give your reception a truly western vibe. Adding leather and suede details can also make your wedding feel more cowboy-esque.

What is the custom of the Western wedding? ›

Western traditions include toasting the couple, the newlyweds having the first dance, and cutting the cake. A bride may throw her bouquet to the assembled group of all unmarried women in attendance, with folklore suggesting the person who catches it will be the next to wed.

What do you wear to a western wedding? ›

For the Guests: Dresses

In the spring and summer, floral patterns and pastel colors make a great choice, while darker browns, leather, suede, and dark denim are better options for fall and winter Western weddings. Alternatively, you can pair a skirt (or nice pair of pants) with a dressy blouse and a denim jacket.

What are traditional Western themes? ›

Some of the most common themes in American Westerns are:
  • Self-reliance—don't expect others to fight your battles for you.
  • Courage counts—wimps should head back East.
  • A town is only as good as its sheriff.
  • Hookers have a heart of gold!
  • Few problems can't be handled with a six-shooter.
Jan 16, 2017

Can you wear black to a western wedding? ›

As a general rule, "wearing black is totally acceptable, as the hue is very versatile," says bridal stylist Julie Sabatino of The Stylish Bride. Make the shade work for you—at any type of wedding—with these ideas for choosing the right fabrice, length, and accessories.

Who pays for the wedding in Western culture? ›

Traditionally, the bride's family pays for the wedding, but that custom is rapidly changing. Couples are increasingly choosing to handle at least half of the wedding expenses on their own. Early planning and a written budget can help avoid miscommunication when deciding who pays for what.

What is cowboy etiquette? ›

When being introduced to a lady, remove or tip your hat—but never to a man. (That's an insult.) Keep your hat on at the bar, in public buildings, and at the theater, unless it's blocking someone's view. Many rodeo cowboys believe it's bad luck to lay their hat on a bed.

Is $50 at wedding enough? ›

The average wedding gift amount ranges from $50 to $100, according to online wedding planner and retailer Zola,1 so stick to the lower end of that range for a distant co-worker or college friend you haven't kept in touch with. Spending above that average—say, $150 or more—makes more sense for closer friends.

Why do Western brides wear white? ›

As reported by The Washington Post, in 1849, Godey's Lady's Book (reportedly "the Vogue of the Victorian world") decreed "that white is the most fitting hue" for brides to wear. It noted that it is an "emblem of the purity and innocence of girlhood, and the unsullied heart she now yields to the chosen one."

What is garter in Western wedding? ›

A wedding garter is a piece of bridal lingerie worn under a wedding dress (simple enough, right). During the reception, it's tradition for the bride's partner to remove the garter from underneath the bride's gown (with their hands or teeth) and toss it into the crowd.

Who pays for a traditional wedding? ›

Who typically pays for a wedding? Traditionally, it was the bride's parents - they are hosting per the invitation, they pay the majority. These days, the groom's parents often kick in - they might pay for flowers, booze, the rehearsal dinner. The groom usually pays for the rings.

What is cowboy chic? ›

At the heart of Western Chic lies a selection of traditional Western pieces. Cowboy hats, denim jeans, leather belts, and fringed jackets serve as the foundation.

Can I wear red to a Western wedding? ›

Summary. To answer the main question of the article, yes you can wear red to a wedding in most circ*mstances. However, in some situations you may want to check with the marrying couple that red is acceptable to wear as a guest and it won't go against their culture or distract from their big day.

What is Western black tie? ›

Black tie is a semi-formal Western dress code for evening events, originating in British and North American conventions for attire in the 19th century. In British English, the dress code is often referred to synecdochically by its principal element for men, the dinner suit or dinner jacket.

What is a country themed wedding? ›

Country wedding decor takes inspiration from rural life, heritage and traditional rustic style but with a unique country flair. Elements such as hay bales for seating, farm equipment as decorative pieces and cowboy boots filled with flowers can add a playful touch.

What is the meaning of wedding themes? ›

A wedding theme is simply an idea or concept that flows throughout the events and ceremonies. Every wedding has a specific theme that ties different aspects of the wedding together—and that theme goes way beyond just colors and patterns.

What theme is best for wedding? ›

10 Popular Wedding Themes
  • Whimsical Wedding Theme.
  • Bohemian Wedding Theme.
  • Rustic Wedding Theme.
  • Modern Wedding Theme.
  • Vintage Wedding Theme.
  • Tropical Wedding Theme.
  • Garden Wedding Theme.
  • Modern Filipiniana Wedding Theme.

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