Wedding Gazette

Western Wedding Decorations

By Jennifer Baumann

Want to decorate your nuptials like the Old West, down to the last bale of hay? Here are some great ideas on how to add some sure-shootin' western flavor to your wedding day!

Whether you're getting hitched in Texas, or just want it to look like you are, here are some Western decoration ideas and inspirations to cause your guests to hollar "Wheeeew, doggies!"

Centerpieces and Tabletop

• Use picnic tables covered with checkered oilcloth or gingham tablecloths instead of traditional catering, reception hall tables.
• Fill old or new Mason jars (they're available in clear or light blue glass) with bunches of wildflowers, wheat, or wild greenery.
• Use baby galvanized tubs for flower arrangements, fruit, or a candle. Instead of ribbons, use rope to tie a bow around the tub.
• Use blue or black spackled enamelware as containers, and fill with wild herbs and berries.
• Wrap rope around plain glass votives and place candles inside.
• Use cowbells, tied at the handle with stems of wheat and ribbon or strips of bandana or denim.
• For the true cowboys, purchase ceramic cowboy boot planters to fill with flowers or greenery.
• Make placecards out of heavy Victorian cardstock, or burn edges of card paper for a "branded" look.

Outdoor Decor

• Place antique pottery jugs and washboards around ceremony and reception area.
• Tie pieces of split-rail fence with strips of denim or gingham in bows; adorn ceremony or reception with skull heads and wagon wheels.
• Put beer and bottles of soda in large galvanized tubs for an outdoor Western feel.
• Take photos on stacked bales of hay.
• Use an old-fashioned "dinner bell" to get guests' attention.
• Tie the knot under a lattice trellis woven with pieces of wheat, tumbleweed, or other wild greenery.

Western Accents

• Find small cowboy boots made of glass or plastic to fill with Jordan almonds or other favor candy.
• Give personalized bottles of birch beer, microbrew, salsa, or barbecue sauce as favors.
• Paper flowers, fashioned in bright colors, make great thank-yous with a Southwestern flair.