Theme: Farm/barn
Inspiration: fields of sunflowers
Trend: Green installations, high floral arrangements, relaxed and informal, metals – red and yellow copper
Colour: sunshine yellow, copper, deep green
Venue: a barn! Or a farm
Dress: understated elegance, plain and simple dress, or even a suit!
Groom: khaki chinos with a vest
Flowers: sunflowers, lots of ferns and other foliage
Decor: copper bowls with lemons, copper vases with sunflowers, textured runners on naked wooden tables
Cake: plain and simple – decadent sponge with an exciting flavour, covered in white buttercream with huge sunflowers on top
Favours: seeds that guests can go plant themselves
Entertainment: caricature artists, a blues or country band
Farm or barn weddings have lately received a bad rep. We don’t know if it is because they were all the rage a few years ago, or because they became synonymous with low budget DIY weddings, but we feel the negatives associated with this theme is uncalled for. Some couples just want to share their love of family, farm and each other with their guests, and no better way than to host their nuptials on a farm. The farm can be theirs, their family’s or even a rented venue, doesn’t matter, as long as the ceremony and reception is handled with class, attention to detail, and a bit of practicality. Remember to think of the guests’ comfort and safety when making certain decisions. If you want to have hay bales as seating, remember to make provision for a cushion or blanket to cover the seat. Nobody wants to party the night away with straw in their bottom! Keep in mind the venue might be cold at night, even in summer, and remember to ask guests to pack in a shawl or light jacket. Have a big dance floor, and serve the food directly from big fires as it is ready. And for dessert, do passed cake bites (your wedding cake cut into bite-size pieces and then passed around on platters for guests to take as they wish). This way they don’t have to stop dancing to enjoy dessert!