6 Ways to Pull Off the Perfect Rustic Wedding
6 Ways to Pull Off the Perfect Rustic Wedding
A chilly outdoor wedding ceremony in Iowa in October
Throughout our years of service to the Quad City area we have encountered a number of different wedding environments. Because of the placement of our region in the lovely Midwest, specifically Iowa, a common wedding environment for us is barn weddings, tent weddings, and other rustic wedding environments.
Here are the top 5 things that we thought would be worth sharing for any lovely couple as they plan their dream rustic wedding!
Check Power
In Iowa and Illinois, rustic weddings often take place in areas that are somewhat off the grid. This means there may not be immediate access to electrical outlets. Electrical access is an essential need for many of your vendors! Make sure that you discuss where your power access is at your reception and ceremony sites so that you can convey this information to your vendors. If your wedding ceremony site is extremely remote you may need to consider renting a (quiet) generator for your vendors to use! We have some available to rent :)
Provide Water
This isn’t an episode of Survivorman, however, outdoor wedding celebrations can leave you parched! Don’t be that couple that asks guests to come sit (or dance!) in the hot, dry sun and not provide them with some hydration. Fill up coolers around your ceremony and reception space to ensure guests stay hydrated and happy throughout your event!
Develop a Cool-off Zone
In the midwest, many rustic wedding celebrations take place in the dead-heat of summer. This often means 90°+ temps. This kind of heat can be troublesome for the elderly folks at your wedding event. Be sure to have somewhere at the venue where your guests can go to find shade and cool off. Including a small air conditioner or a few fans in this area will sweeten the deal for Grandma Betty and Grandpa Bruce ;)
Provide Blankets
If you’re considering an outdoor wedding in the Fall, it may be a bit chilly (see above picture). It’s always a great idea to provide blankets for your guests to use if they get chilly! There are a number of cute ways to present a collection of small blankets for your guests to use during your wedding ceremony and beyond.
Develop a Back Up Plan
In Iowa, one never knows whether it’s going to rain, snow, or be sunny. Having a back up plan should their be inclement weather on your wedding day (knock on wood) is an essential part of the planning process. Be sure to discuss Plan B with your wedding venue coordinator and wedding vendors so everyone can be thoroughly prepared.
Provide a Shuttle Service
The vows have been spoken, the cake has been eaten, and the Busch Latte’s are depleted! Country wedding celebrations are some of our favorites because they are some of the biggest parties (que Luke Bryan). However, having a bunch of intoxicated guests at your wedding venue that’s located 30 minutes from the nearest town presents a problem. Help your guests be responsible by providing a shuttle service (provided by friends or professionals) that transports them from your wedding venue to their hotel at the end of the night. This ensures there is nothing but happy, beautiful, and wonderful memories of your wedding day!
Still looking for a Rustic Wedding venue space?
Here are our top 3 favorites:
The Barn at Bunker Hill
The Barn at Fairview Acres
The Barn at Brophy Creek
A beautiful set-up at The Barn at Bunker Hill