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Find a "countrytime" location.
Look for alternatives to a traditional reception hall. Does a family member own
a barn that you can use, or are there barns available for rental in your area?
The great thing about Western weddings is they are perfect in backyards, State
Parks, and other areas otherwise not considered for a formal wedding.
Dress the part.
Women's western wear varies depending on just what kind of Western bride you wish
to be. If the Old Wild West is your thing, look for a Victorian lacy gown like
you'd see in old time photos, complete with a parasol and lace-up boots. For a
more casual, modern approach, a denim skirt and white blouse with a wide lace
collar will do the trick. Decorate a cowboy hat with a veil or fresh flowers to
add a wedding touch. Don your cowboy boots, and your Western wedding gown is
complete! For men, dress is much simpler. Vests, bolo ties, cowboy boots and
hats are easily acquired and look great with formal or casual attire.
Invitations that say "yee-haw!".
Print your invitations on heavy Victorian card stock or other rustic paper with
a "scrolly" 19th Century font.
Lassoo some old fashioned transportation.
Hire a horse and carriage to cart you and your honey around instead of a
limousine.
Barbequing over an open pit and other smoky foods.
Serve Western fare to your "hongry" guests. Have an open pit barbecue, complete
with a spit and hickory chips. Serve sides of slaw, baked beans, and potato
salad. Serve beer out of the bottle, piled over ice in big galvanized tubs.
Do some line dancing and two-stepping.
Don't forget the country music! Whether you prefer the modern line dance, or the
sweet rhythm of Western Swing or bluegrass, be sure you complete the cowboy
atmosphere with either a DJ or live band who knows how to swing, country style.
Add unique Western touches.
Give your guests a taste of the country while they're at your wedding. Provide a
hayride to the reception, ring a "dinner bell" to make announcements
or toasts, provide games of horseshoe during cocktails, teach line dancing
before the party starts.
Decorate with country antiques.
There are a million and one options in this area, which is only an antique shop
away. Consider all the decor (that is relatively inexpensive) that suggests the
Old (or the new) West: hurricane lamps, skull heads, tumbleweeds, denim, cowboy
boots and hats, wagon wheels, washboards, pottery jugs, bales of hay, rope,
split-rail fence or railroad ties, Mason jars, and galvanized tubs are just a
few ideas.
Dude up your attendants and wedding party as well.
Instead of taffeta and satin, dress your bridesmaids in Gunne Sax-style Western
skirts and lacy blouses. Save your groomsmen from renting a tuxedo, and have
them wear Western vests and bolo ties instead. How to distinguish your groom
from all his Western henchman? Make sure your honey is the one in the hat.
Quotes and Toasts.
Look for toast and reading material inspired by the cowboys of the old West. For
humorous and touching words of cowboy wisdom on life and love (chock full of
such quotes as "Don't every drink downstream from a herd", check out
Don't Squat With Yer Spurs on:
A Cowboy's Guide To Life. Other quotable
cowboys include Will Rogers, Gene Autry, and John Wayne, all of whom we're sure
have something humorous to say about married life.
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