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Planning and Decorating for a Rustic Barn Wedding in Central Ohio
- Adrienne Barnes
- Mar 10
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 14
Rustic barn weddings have captured the hearts of couples for years, offering a warm, cozy, and timeless aesthetic. Whether you’re drawn to the natural beauty of wood, the charm of country-inspired décor, or the combination of elegant simplicity, a rustic barn wedding can be the perfect setting for your big day. To help you create a memorable event, we’ve put together tips for decorating and planning your rustic barn wedding, including design ideas, event elements, and ways to highlight the unique barn look.
Why Choose a Rustic Barn Wedding?
Barn venues provide a versatile backdrop for a wedding that blends the beauty of nature with timeless charm. Their open spaces, natural materials, and unique architectural features allow couples to bring their dream wedding to life with endless possibilities. Rustic barn weddings are also ideal for couples looking for a relaxed yet stylish atmosphere.
At The Old Barns at Dry Run Farms, our barn venues feature climate-controlled spaces, stunning ceremony locations, and high-end details like wood farm tables and cross-back chairs with cushions, offering the perfect canvas for your rustic wedding vision. We also have a decor closet (many pieces are featured in this blog) full of items that our couples are welcome to use for free. Take a look at some of our offerings!
Design Ideas for a Rustic Barn Wedding
Highlight Natural Materials
Rustic weddings are all about embracing natural beauty. Barn venues already provide wood textures, high beams, and earthy tones, so enhance these features rather than covering them up.
Decor Tips:
Use burlap runners or linen tablecloths to complement wood tables.
Incorporate wood slices as table chargers or centerpiece bases.
Accent with galvanized metal buckets or copper lanterns for a country-inspired touch.
Incorporate Soft Lighting
Lighting is a key element in creating a romantic barn atmosphere. Utilize a mix of natural and artificial light sources to achieve a warm and inviting glow.
Ideas:
Hang string lights or fairy lights from the rafters to add a magical ambiance.
Use lanterns, candles, or vintage oil lamps for intimate table lighting.
Highlight focal points like the dance floor or sweetheart table with Edison bulb fixtures.
Go Green with Florals
Rustic barn weddings shine with lush greenery and florals. Natural arrangements can soften the industrial elements of the barn while tying your theme together.
Suggestions:
Create cascading greenery runners for long farm tables.
Use wildflowers, sunflowers, or dried florals for a boho-chic look.
Adorn wooden beams or archways with garlands of eucalyptus or ivy.
Include Vintage and Handmade Décor
Rustic weddings embrace a sense of nostalgia and personal touch. Incorporate vintage pieces and handmade elements to add character.
Décor Ideas:
Repurpose old wooden crates, barrels, or ladders as décor.
Use antique doors or windows as signage or seating charts.
Incorporate mismatched vintage plates or goblets for table settings.
Event Elements That Fit the Rustic Barn Theme
Rustic-Inspired Ceremony Spaces
Many barn venues offer breathtaking ceremony locations that complement a rustic theme. Whether it’s under the shade of a tree or in front of a stone fireplace, use natural elements to frame your vows.
Ideas for Ceremony Décor:
A simple wooden arch adorned with greenery and draped fabric.
Rustic benches or mismatched chairs for guest seating.
A petal-strewn aisle lined with mason jars or lanterns.
Farm-to-Table Catering
Rustic weddings pair beautifully with hearty, fresh, and locally-sourced cuisine. Showcase seasonal ingredients and down-to-earth presentation styles.
Catering Ideas:
Serve meals family-style with platters passed around the table.
Incorporate comfort foods like BBQ, roasted vegetables, or cornbread.
Create a dessert bar with pies, cupcakes, or donuts displayed on wood stands.
Unique Drink Stations
Add a touch of charm with creative drink stations that your guests will love.
Options to Consider:
A self-serve lemonade or iced tea bar.
A rustic bar cart with mason jar cocktails or signature drinks.
Use our venue’s stone trough for iced drinks or chilled wine bottles.
Interactive Entertainment
Rustic weddings are often fun and casual, making them perfect for unique entertainment options that get guests involved.
Activities:
Lawn games like cornhole or horseshoes.
A firepit with s’mores kits for cozy evening mingling.
A photo booth with rustic props like cowboy hats or antique picture frames.
Ways to Emphasize the Rustic Barn Look
Make Use of the Venue’s Features
One of the biggest advantages of a barn wedding is the character of the venue itself. Emphasize these elements in your décor choices.
At The Old Barns at Dry Run Farms:
Highlight the sandstone terrace or chapel as a backdrop for photos.
Decorate the barn’s towering fireplace for a cozy indoor ceremony.
Use the spacious outdoor areas for cocktail hour or games.
Keep the Palette Neutral and Earthy
Choose a color palette that complements the barn’s natural tones. Rustic weddings shine with muted and earthy hues, which feel both timeless and elegant.
Popular Colors:
Ivory, blush, sage green, and dusty blue for a soft look.
Deep burgundy, navy, and mustard for a more dramatic feel.
Metallic accents like gold or copper for added warmth.
Incorporate Personal Touches
Add personality and charm by including DIY or personal elements. Rustic weddings often embrace handmade touches, which make the day feel intimate and unique.
Personalized Ideas:
Hand-lettered wooden signs for directions or table numbers.
DIY favors like homemade jam, honey jars, or seed packets.
Display photos of the couple’s love story on barn walls or tables.
Play with Texture
Texture can bring depth and interest to your décor. Incorporate a variety of materials to make the space feel layered and intentional.
Textural Elements:
Pair burlap and lace for a classic rustic vibe.
Mix raw wood with soft fabrics like velvet or chiffon.
Add woven baskets or rattan accents for an earthy touch.
Why The Old Barns at Dry Run Farms is Perfect for Your Rustic Wedding
Our Central Ohio venue is specifically designed to bring your rustic barn wedding vision to life. With climate-controlled indoor spaces, stunning outdoor ceremony options, and a wide range of included amenities, we make it easy to plan and host a wedding that feels both relaxed and refined.
What sets us apart:
Versatile Spaces: From our cozy indoor fireplace to our expansive outdoor terrace, we offer multiple settings to suit your style.
Inclusive Amenities: Our packages include wood farm tables, cross-back chairs, and essential décor items, reducing the need for rentals.
Relaxed Atmosphere: Enjoy exclusive use of our venue, whether you choose our Deluxe Full Weekend Package or our Create Your Own Package.
At The Old Barns at Dry Run Farms, we’re here to help make your rustic wedding dreams come true. From our versatile spaces to our inclusive packages, we’re dedicated to ensuring your day is as stress-free and magical as possible. Many of the images above are of items contained in our decor closet, which couple gain access to for no additional charge upon booking. When you book a tour, you'll be able to take a look at all we have to offer.
Thank you for stopping by our blog! We hope that you will consider hiring a locally owned wedding venue for your big celebration. Locally owned wedding venues provide the best wedding experience, they tend to have little to no turnover, they support the local economy and they are part of the community. In an effort to support locally owned wedding venues, we will feature six small business wedding venues in each of our blogs. Find locally owned wedding venues in the wedding venue map on
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