Rustic Weddings vs. Classic Weddings

Classic weddings remain the favorite choice for many couples today, with the classic and fancy white dress and a church ceremony. However, an increasing number of couples are opting for a more understated, rustic, and nature-focused approach.

While both wedding styles undoubtedly have their charm, it's good to go over the main differences to understand which one suits you best as a couple.

What Are the Differences Between a Rustic Wedding and a Classic Wedding?

There are several key differences between the two, starting with the dress code.

Dress Code

Many of us are familiar with the traditional dress code for a wedding: brides wear long white dresses and veils for the ceremony, while grooms wear very stylish three-piece suits.

However, rustic weddings tend to avoid this tradition in favor of a more casual and natural look. For example, it's much more likely that the bride's dress will be earth-toned and feature lace or embroidery details. The same goes for the bridesmaids' attire, which also features natural tones and earthy accents.

The attire for the groom and groomsmen follows a similar theme for rustic weddings, with two-piece suits that are much less formal than their classic counterparts. Sometimes grooms opt for a shirt, pants, and evening jacket combination instead.

Venue

There's a good chance you've already chosen your wedding venue based on its location and appearance. However, it's worth knowing that rustic weddings tend to take place in venues where the environment complements the overall theme of natural beauty. For example, rustic weddings may occur in a barn or a tent with a lush, green backdrop and wooden beams.

Classic weddings tend to take place in similar types of venues: churches and historic castles where stone walls and stained glass windows provide an elegant backdrop for your special day. However, this doesn't mean you can't host a rustic celebration in one of these more classic wedding venues, as they can accommodate both wedding themes.

The Ceremony

There's a good chance you'll have a religious or symbolic wedding ceremony following your official civil ceremony. So, it's useful to know how rustic and classic weddings differ in this regard.

A classic wedding tends to lean on tradition, with the ceremony taking place in a traditional church or another traditional venue. On the other hand, rustic weddings tend to be more relaxed and contemporary, with the service often taking place outdoors or in other "non-conventional" locations.

Reception

Rustic weddings and classic weddings also differ in the style of their wedding reception. Classic weddings tend to follow a more formal meal format, with guests being served a three-course meal. These meals often take place in a grand hall or dining room (depending on the reception venue) before transitioning to another area dedicated to the wedding party.

In contrast, rustic wedding celebrations tend to follow a buffet-style format (although some also involve seated dinners), always in an outdoor space like a courtyard if the venue allows. This space will also host entertainment and dancing. The schedule will also be more flexible, with less emphasis on speeches and first dances.

Rustic Wedding vs. Classic Wedding: The Verdict

There are no right or wrong answers when choosing a wedding style for your special day.

Classic and traditional wedding themes and rustic styles are very much in vogue right now, and there's nothing stopping you from incorporating elements from both to create the perfect event for your couple. For example, you could have a rustic wedding ceremony before transitioning to more formal arrangements for your reception. The choice is yours!

If you're not quite sure yet what you want, you can draw inspiration from experienced planners (such as your wedding planner and event service providers) or explore examples of weddings online through dedicated wedding websites and social media channels.