What is a Rustic Wedding?
When you think of a rustic-style wedding, the first thing that comes to mind might be cowboy boots or an intimate barn setting—but there’s so much more to a rustic wedding than burlap and leather.
Rustic weddings have an emphasis on nature, focusing on textures, organic fabrics, earthy colors, and effortless beauty. They tend to be more casual and simple, focusing on romanticism and vintage elements. Barn wedding venues, candle-lit receptions, boho decor, and whimsical florals all fall under this category.
10 Wedding Trends You Need To Know
If you’re planning a rustic-style wedding in 2024, there are 10 trends you should consider.
1. Documentary Style Photography
Posed pictures will always stay in style. Of course, you’ll want to capture all the families together and take portraits of you and your partner, but documentary-style photography is gaining rapid popularity this year.
This type of photography focuses on capturing an accurate representation of the people and atmosphere of your wedding. Your photographer will prioritize more authentic and candid moments instead of posed shots.
2. Intimate Weddings
The days of 500+ person weddings are quickly coming to an end. With inflation and the current cost of weddings, couples are moving toward more intimate-style celebrations.
An intimate wedding is similar to a traditional wedding, but everything is downsized. The guest list for intimate weddings is anywhere from 10-70 people instead of 200+. Couples are gravitating to intimate weddings for several reasons:
- Budget-conscious
- Greater wedding venue selection
- Flexibility in destination
- Quality time with wedding guests
- Less stress to plan
3. Sustainability focused & Eco-conscious
Environmental consciousness is at the top of everyone’s minds. In 2024, couples are trying to reduce their carbon footprint in their shopping and eating, and it’s starting to impact how they plan their weddings. You can have a more sustainable wedding by:
- Limiting single-use plastic
- Using recycled items
- Sending digital invitations and RSVPs
- Donating decor
- Renting items instead of buying new
4. Florals to mark the aisle
If there’s one thing that will never go out of style, it’s flowers, but how we use them in weddings is constantly changing. 2024 is the year to add floral arrangements to mark the aisle. Focus on greenery and whimsical flowers such as wildflowers, peonies, gardenias, freesias, and hydrangeas. What’s more, you can repurpose the flowers for centerpieces at your reception, so you don’t have to worry about wasting them or going over your flower budget!
5. Vintage-style wedding cakes
The perfect addition to a rustic wedding is adding vintage pieces where possible, starting with the day’s centerpiece: your wedding cake. To embrace this trend, decorate your cake with old-time wedding toppers or discover ways to incorporate texture like with piping or lace. You can even add real flowers or floral appliques to marry the vintage and rustic styles together!
6. Higher budget, fewer guests
Intimate weddings are certainly in style, but they don’t always have to be low-budget. With fewer mouths to feed, couples don’t have to be on as tight of a budget when it comes to food, flowers, apparel, decor, and venue. You can truly make your dream wedding come to life!
7. Bold Colors
Typically, rustic weddings have a more muted, neutral color palette. Earthy neutrals like beige, brown, sage green, and soft pastels are commonly found at rustic weddings. But in 2024, there will be a greater emphasis on vibrant colors. Don’t be afraid to go bold for your wedding colors and incorporate rose gold, deep reds and purples, and emerald shades.
8. Statement veils
The “in” style of wedding dresses has changed drastically over the years. From puffy sleeves to sleek trumpet dresses, popular wedding dresses have taken many forms, but 2024 is the first year we are seeing statement veils come to light. A statement veil is a one-of-a-kind piece that can be adorned with anything from sparkles to lace to applique to florals. You’ll be sure to command the room with a statement veil at your rustic wedding!
9. Smaller bouquets
Again, flowers will never go out of style but this year, brides are opting for smaller bouquets for themselves and their bridal party. Smaller bouquets are not only easier to carry (a 10lb arrangement isn’t easy to walk down the aisle with!), but they can also be reused as centerpieces at the reception.
10. Private last dance
The first dance as a newly wedded couple is one of the oldest traditions, but what about at the end of the night? A private last dance with just you and your partner is the perfect way to end the night.
Planning a Rustic Wedding in Ann Arbor?
At the end of the day, trends come and go, but the memories you create on your wedding day will last forever. Capture the perfect rustic wedding at Zingerman’s Cornman Farms in Ann Arbor. Get in touch with our team to schedule a tour today!
