Simple Guide to Planning a Country Wedding

You think a country wedding is a nice alternative to the high-end and frenzied city-style wedding that most of the people you know have had before. Here is a simple guide on how to have a simple yet stunning country wedding.

Attire

Since the atmosphere of the countryside promotes ease and relaxation, the best kinds of attire are those that speak of comfort. Sundresses, khakis, cotton dresses, kaftans and anything casual and laidback can be the perfect way to dress up for a countryside wedding. However, if you still want to have a formal event with the tuxedos and the works, it is still all right to do so.

Venue and Decor

Ideal locations for a country wedding can be a barn, a farmhouse, a wheat field, plantation, rustic church, valley, or a country inn. For an outdoor wedding, you can use picnic tables covered with checkered tablecloths or quilts. You can also make use of candles and lanterns to light up the place if the event will be held at night. Flowers like daisies, gerberas, dahlias, and sunflowers can be a nice way to decorate the table centerpieces. Use one or two colors as the wedding motif to unify the look of the venue and the decoration.

Invitations

A country-style wedding invitation would be a nice preview for your lovely wedding event. An embroider invitation would be a good option. Another type of invitation that would be suitable for this type of event would be one that comes with a nice dramatic photo of country scenery.

Music

Contra or bluegrass bands as well as country singers are the perfect providers of music for the wedding. It would also be a wonderful idea to have a square dance. Guests would surely have a grand time dancing the night away.

Favors

Bake cookies and wrap them in country style floral gift wrapper. You can also gather local fruits or vegetables, put them in wicker baskets and tie the baskets with raffia ribbons. Also, you can make handmade soaps or handmade candles and then put them in beautiful mason jars. Do not forget to add a gift tag and scribble personal messages for the guests.

More Tips

These tips below are general wedding tips you can use even if you are not going to have a country wedding.

1. Plan your budget and stick to it.

2. Get everything in writing especially when transacting with wedding vendors and service providers.

3. Do not force yourself to do everything. Get as much help as you can. Do not forget to say thank you to all the people who help with the wedding preparations.

4. Be flexible. Remember, not everything you want can be done.

5. Do not be a bridezilla!

Planning a wedding, whether it is a country wedding or some other theme, can truly be time-consuming, exhausting and sometimes exasperating. But once you walk down the aisle and say "I do" to your beloved, all your exhaustion and emotional turmoil will be worth it.

About the Author:

Janet Plunkett is a wedding planner and a professional blogger in the Canadian wedding market. She writes on many topics, i.e., wedding favor ideas and in unique wedding favors.

What You Need To Know About Wedding Thank You Speech

Weddings just seem to be full of speeches; you've got the best man's speech that wreaks havoc on the nerves of that poor guy. Then there is oftentimes a speech given by a parent or two, although these tend to be impromptu. Here we will look at the all-important Thank You speech that the bride or groom, or both, will give at their beautiful reception.

There are enough things to think about when planning your wedding, so do all that you can to find time to sit back and relax every now and then. When you are relaxed and calm, coming up with a wedding thank you speech can be a much smoother process. The tips included here may help you to come up with the best possible things to say in your wedding thank you speech.

Above all, do not succumb to the stress of giving a speech in front of your friends and family. Your speech is your own; it doesn't have to compete with anyone else's wedding thank you speech. It is your message to those you feel closest to, and those who have participated in helping your wedding go off without a hitch. A wedding thank you speech does not have to be long and drawn out. It doesn't even matter if you make your mom and dad cry. Really. What matters is that you come prepared with the right things to say so you don't leave anyone out.

Wedding speeches can be given by both the bride and the groom, or by both together. It is helpful for you both to discuss what you feel most comfortable with and come up with a format that will be followed in order to alleviate any stress involved in this public speaking engagement. Keeping the following in mind when you prepare your wedding thank you speech can get you a well spoken work that will be remembered.

First, WHO do you want to thank? Is it your parents? Your siblings? Friends? Don't forget your new spouse! Think of those who have made an impact on either your wedding day specifically or your relationship in general. Perhaps you want to thank the friend that introduced you, or the father that gave solid advice.

This brings up the next point, which is to be specific about WHAT you are thanking people for. If your speech is general, it will not be interesting and special; it's that simple. Being specific about what you are thankful for can include what a persons input, advice, or help meant to you. A wedding pulled off without help from friends and family could be extremely stressful, so there is certainly a lot you can say thank you for!

If you are worried that you won't remember what you want to say come the big day, you can right important points on a small card that will jog your memory. Thank you quotes can be found online and placed into your wedding thank you speech in just the right spot to make it extra special. Whatever you do, just remember that it's your day and everyone of those eyes looking your way as you stand up and take the mic will be filled with love and joy for your special event.

Source: Janet Plunkett, a wedding consultant and writer, specializes in wedding planning.