Farm and Country Weddings - Boots, barns, paddocks and a whole lot of country charm

There’s something wonderfully relaxed about a country wedding.  Maybe it’s the open paddocks, the big skies, the smell of the earth after rain, or the fact that nobody seems too worried if there’s a little dust on their boots.

Perhaps you’ve always dreamed of getting married on the family farm. Or maybe you don’t own a farm at all, but love the idea of a big shed, a paddock, a country hall or a little patch of land with a spectacular view.

Either way, a country wedding gives you plenty of opportunities to create a wedding that feels like you - without needing everything to be shiny, matching and perfectly polished.   In fact, a few things looking a little homemade might be exactly what makes it special.

Find your patch of country

Think about a family farm, a friend's property, a paddock, a community hall, a big shed or even a lovely piece of countryside where you can set up a marquee.

Maybe there's a hill with a beautiful view across the fields. A dam, an old windmill, a line of gum trees or a big, shady tree that would make the perfect ceremony backdrop.

Country areas around Western Australia can give you plenty of inspiration, from the Swan Valley and Chittering through to Bindoon, Dardanup, the Ferguson Valley, Harvey, Waroona and further out into the Wheatbelt.    And don't forget to look closer to home. You might be surprised by what is hiding just outside your own backyard.

The reception shed

Forget the ballroom. Give me a big shed!

 A large farm shed or open-sided lean-to can make a fantastic reception space. Hang some fairy lights, add tables and chairs, bring in a few decorations and suddenly that working shed has a completely different job for the weekend.   You could even embrace the old-fashioned Bachelor and Spinsters Ball feel.

 Long trestle tables. Lots of food. Music playing. People wandering around chatting. Maybe some bunting, flowers in old jars and a few bits and pieces you've collected along the way.   It doesn't need to look like a wedding magazine.  It just needs to look like your party.

Bring on the country feast

Country weddings and fancy little canapé towers don't necessarily have to go together.  How about a great big spread of country favourites instead?

 Think:

A lamb or pig on the spit

Big bowls of salads

Fresh bread and crusty rolls

Dips and nibblies

Cheese and crackers

Homemade slices and cakes

Pavlova

Apple crumble

Fruit pies

Lamingtons

Chocolate cake

Whatever your family considers a proper country feast!

 And if you have a family full of enthusiastic cooks, why not ask guests to bring a dish?  A shared feast can be incredibly special. You could even make a note of who brought what, so you've got a little collection of family recipes and memories to keep after the wedding.

 Of course, you'll need to make sure your arrangements work with whatever venue, council and food-safety requirements apply - but the idea of everyone contributing something delicious can be both practical and wonderfully personal.

Fire, fairy lights and a little bit of magic

 For a winter wedding, there's something pretty lovely about gathering around a fire.  If your location and local regulations allow it, you could have a few 44-gallon drums set up as rustic fire pits, giving everyone somewhere warm to gather once the sun goes down.  Winter only, of course!

 Then add fairy lights.  Lots of fairy lights.

 String them between trees, around the edges of the shed, along tent poles or across the reception area. They can make even the simplest space feel magical once the sun disappears.  Add flowers in jars, old wooden boxes, enamel jugs, native greenery, bunting, handwritten signs or whatever other treasures you've found along the way.

 And remember, you don't have to buy everything.

 Ask family and friends what they have tucked away in sheds, cupboards and garages. You may discover that Auntie has a collection of old milk cans, someone has a stack of timber crates and Dad has been waiting thirty years for somebody to finally find a use for those old enamel buckets!

Marquee on the hill

 If you've found a beautiful piece of land with a view, why hide it?  Set up a marquee or picnic-style reception right out in the paddock, or on a hill overlooking the countryside.  Imagine sitting down to dinner while the sun goes down over the fields.  

 You could keep things really relaxed with picnic rugs, low tables and cushions, or go for traditional trestle tables and chairs.  And don't worry if the scenery isn't perfectly manicured.  A little wildness is part of the charm.

Country games — because adults need to play too

 A country wedding is the perfect excuse to bring out some silly games.  Have a little competition going with:

 Cornhole (or corn bag)

Giant Jenga

Quoits

Bocce

Horseshoes

Three-legged races

Sack races

Egg and spoon races

And then there's Pin the Tail on the Sheep.

 Is it ridiculous?  Absolutely.  Will people remember it?  Probably!

 You could even create your own country-themed wedding games. Give them prizes such as a packet of lollies, a chocolate bar, a bottle of something local or a homemade jar of jam.  The aim is to give people something fun to do while they're waiting for dinner - and give everyone a few things to laugh about.

And how are you getting to the ceremony?

 Now this is where you can have some fun.  How about arriving on the back of a ute?  Or in an old truck, tractor, buggy, on a horse or another suitably country form of transport?  Just make sure whatever you're riding in is safe and legal.

What does a country bride wear?

 There really isn't one particular "country wedding dress".  You can go in all sorts of directions.

 For a softer, relaxed look, a flowing or peasant-style dress can work beautifully. Think comfortable, floaty fabrics, lace, embroidery or a simple bohemian feel.

 Or perhaps you'd rather go for a classic country look.  Brown boots, a white shirt, jeans or camel-coloured pants and a great hat can look fantastic — and might be much more you than a traditional wedding dress.

 And of course, you can mix things up.

 A beautiful wedding dress with a pair of cowboy boots.

A flowing dress with boots and a denim jacket.

And perhaps a change of outfit after the ceremony so you can dance, wander around the paddock and actually enjoy yourself?

 Your Partner doesn't have to be in a traditional suit either. A relaxed shirt, chinos, vest, braces, boots or even a hat can work beautifully with the country setting.

The best outfit is the one that makes you feel comfortable, confident and like yourself.

And don't forget the hay bales!

Hay bales can make great country wedding seats.  They look fantastic but are also surprisingly good at reminding you that hay is, in fact, made of very scratchy stuff.

So, if you're using them for seating, cover them with blankets, throws or tablecloths. Your guests will thank you, particularly anyone wearing a lovely dress!  You can use different fabrics to add colour and personality — checks, florals, lace, denim or whatever fits your style.

Your music, your way

Country music is an obvious choice, but you certainly don't have to play country music just because you're getting married in the country.  Create a Spotify playlist filled with songs that mean something to you.  Maybe you want country classics. Maybe it's rock. Maybe it's 80s music. Maybe it's a completely random collection that makes absolutely no sense to anyone except the two of you.

Or bring in live music.

A country band, acoustic guitarist, folk musicians or even a friend who plays guitar around the campfire can create a wonderful atmosphere.

Because really, the music needs to fit you.

And that's the beauty of a country wedding...  It doesn't have to be perfect.  It can be muddy boots and fancy dresses.  It can be a little bit rustic, a little bit romantic and a whole lot of fun.

And if you're dreaming about a farm, country, backyard, beach, bush, themed or completely unconventional wedding, I'd love to hear about it.

I'm an authorised marriage celebrant and I'm available for all types of weddings - big, small, traditional, quirky, relaxed – and above all, completely your own.