Recently, I got to style a barn wedding in the country. It took two and a half days all up to do – from my end anyway. This included half a day shopping for supplies, and a day and a half to turn an old hay barn into a wedding venue. The couple had literally 3 weeks to plan the whole event, so it had to be done quickly and be cost effective.
Calico was purchased in 2 bolts ( for about $2.25 a meter) to drape from the ceiling, with 1000 warm white fairy lights to hang in rows of two between each length of fabric. Small fairy lights run by batteries were purchased to put into old glass jars the bride had on hand, which were scattered about the venue for soft lighting. Two hula hoops were purchased for about $5 each, so I could make my signature large wreaths.
The area where this large wreath was was to be the backup venue where the couple would get married in case of rain.
I also made one of the large wreaths to be a chandelier of sorts to hang above a setting area we made for people to sit at. I strung my trusty copper wire fairy lights around it for ambient lighting, and it was hung from the old wooden beams. The boys put some hay bales together in the shape of a sofa, and it was covered with fabric and cushions were added to soften the space. The addition of a few stacked pallets made for a great “coffee table”.
In some glass jars of different heights, I added the small battery powered lights, wrapped in white paper, to hide the cords and help project more light. This is also a great way to hide the battery packs.
Large bunches of greenery was wrapped in strips of calico ribbon I’d made to be placed on rack beam, and section of wall, tying it all in.
All up the decorating came to a few hundred dollars. I’ve never understood why people spend a fortune on Weddings. The best ones I’ve ever been to have been done on a tiny budget – including our own wedding that guests still talk about 22 years later! As you can see, the Bride looked stunning, the venue was relaxed and beautiful, but it didn’t cost the couple the earth….and it was a wonderful evening!
~ Ness x
Comments (2)
This is just stunning Ness! Your beautiful touch made such a difference – beauty in simplicity.
Love an old country barn wedding! And no need for a big budget, using man power and onsite greenery! And who doesn’t like calico. We did something similar for my sister’s wedding, held in a Scout Hall in a huge park.
Well done to you all! It looked like an awesome wedding!
Thank you Wendy.
It was a hard slog getting it all together in a day and a half, but it came up so well. Can’t beat an unfussy wedding. People seem to relax more and enjoy themselves.
Ness x