12 Pieces of Decor Every Rustic Wedding Needs

Rustic weddings have been popular for years now, and they don't show any signs of slowing down. With their blend of traditional elements, inspiration from nature, and vintage touches, rustic weddings are the ultimate romantic occasion. Rustic weddings are versatile, allowing couples to show their personalities with as many — or as few — rustic elements and decor as they want. Add to that the number of DIY options and ability to adapt to any season, and it's obvious why so many couples choose to go rustic!

01
Hand-Printed Signs
Dave Shilling Photography

Hand-Printed Signs

Signage is a popular decor element for any wedding, but what really makes it rustic is having them hand-printed. The key here is for it not to look perfect, so that each sign is unique. You can incorporate signage into almost all aspects of your wedding, from signs that show people where the ceremony and reception will take place to hand-printed table numbers and everything in between.

02
Flowers Everywhere
Chandra's Collection Photography

Flowers Everywhere

One of the keys to a rustic wedding is lots of natural elements, and that means incorporating flowers into as many aspects of your wedding as you can. These hanging jars with wildflowers are the perfect addition to a ceremony or reception, and the beauty of them is that they take hardly any time to put together. The secret to maintaining that rustic look is having them look as thrown together and unplanned as possible!

03
A Suitcase For Cards
Swanky Fine Art Weddings

A Suitcase For Cards

Most rustic weddings incorporate some vintage elements into them, which is why suitcases for cards are a great option. You can add to the rural vibe with a burlap banner, like this one does, and floral accents. If you don't have an old suitcase lying around, they're fairly easy to find at flea markets and antique stores. Choose a suitcase with an interior that's still in good shape, as this is the part that will be on show.

04
A Natural Ceremony Backdrop
Chandra's Collection Photography

A Natural Ceremony Backdrop

This stunning tree is the perfect ceremony backdrop for a rustic wedding. If your venue has a great tree in an ideal location, make the most of this and use it for your backdrop. But don't worry, there are alternatives if you don't have this option! An arbor made out of willow branches is the perfect rustic wedding backdrop.

05
Delicate Wildflowers
Joshua Rainey Photography

Delicate Wildflowers

Flowers are one of the defining elements of your wedding, so it's crucial to get it right. Wildflowers are an easy choice for a rustic theme because they give off that pastoral feel. Choose as many different types of wildflowers as you like, but try to have a wide variety of colors to really bring that country vibe to each arrangement.

06
A Barn Reception
The Light and Color

A Barn Reception

Nothing says rustic like a reception in a barn! Barns are the perfect setting for rustic weddings because they can be dressed down for a more casual event and dressed up for an elaborate affair — the possibilities are endless! They also usually offer the perfect outdoor setting, surrounded by trees as they're often out in the country. If you want to have your reception inside the barn, hold the ceremony outside so you have more options for space.

07
String Lights and Paper Lanterns
Whitney Fletcher Photography

String Lights and Paper Lanterns

String lights and paper lanterns offer the perfect ambience for a rustic wedding. Whether you use them inside or outside — or both! — they add just the right amount of lighting to make the occasion romantic. They're also an excellent DIY option, as both string lights and paper lanterns are reasonably priced, easy to come by, and easy to hang. Plus, they're understated and simple — perfect for that rustic feel.

08
Wood Cookie Centerpieces
Tony Gambino Photography

Wood Cookie Centerpieces

Wood cookies are popular at rustic weddings, and for good reason. Not only do they add to the woodsy feeling of each centerpiece, but they also add a bit of height to your centerpieces, which is easy to build on. Whether you keep it simple like this wildflower and mason jar centerpiece or decide to add some more elements like table numbers and lanterns, your options are endless.

09
Favors in Mason Jars
Joshua Rainey Photography

Favors in Mason Jars

Mason jars are quintessentially rustic, and they're the perfect container for wedding favors! For the best rustic wedding favor, fill your mason jars with homemade jam, your favorite honey, or maple syrup. Try to pick something that means something to you as a couple or something that's local to your venue. Top them with adorable labels, and you've got an unforgettable souvenir for your guests.

10
Burlap Table Runners
Sarah Bradshaw Photography

Burlap Table Runners

One of the easiest ways to make your wedding feel rustic is to use burlap. Burlap is a really versatile material that you can use throughout your wedding, including for your table runners. It works best as a table runner with some white table cloths underneath, so it really stands out. The best part: it's easy to buy burlap in bulk and it's a great DIY option!

11
A Naked Wedding Cake
VignotoPhoto

A Naked Wedding Cake

Not all couples have traditional wedding cakes these days, but if you decide you want to go that route, naked wedding cakes are a delightful alternative to a fully frosted cake. They look beautiful surrounded by the rest of your rustic decor, and they make a statement. You can take it to the next level of rusticity by having your cake decorated with real flowers.

12
A Sparkler Send-Off
Tony Gambino Photography

A Sparkler Send-Off

Close out your big day with a bang. Sparkler send-offs are fun, make for great photos, and bring all of your guests together for that one final event of the night. Sparklers also have a lot of associations with the outdoors, making them the perfect choice for a rustic wedding.