Country Chic Weddings

What is your wedding theme going to be?

I had no idea how to answer this question when it came to me. Weddings have a theme? I asked some of my fellow bride-to-bes what their theme would be and got some interesting answers... such as "Fashion" (sounds expensive). I had an idea what wedding themes, are, but still wasn't sure what mine would be.

I know that my wedding will be during the summer, outdoors in the wine country - yet I don't want it to be a "country" wedding with cowboy boots and old bells. Still, a theme was not quite apparent to me yet.

Then it came to me while I waited at the Red Cross to give blood. I saw a People magazine with photos of Reese Witherspoon's most recent wedding and fell in love. Light, washed-out, pastel colors, delicate flowers, vintage decor... it was just what I was thinking of for my own wedding. I read further and saw that they described her wedding as "country chic."

Country chic! That's the theme for me.

I like it because it can look beautiful, sophisticated, and elegant while remaining simple and possibly even affordable. It can be cute without being too gushy. It has a classic look that is timeless and natural. It's something that you can do yourself rather than hire someone else to do. However, I can see how one should be careful that it doesn't cross the line into shabby, junky, haphazard and cheap.

It is so easy to incorporate this into every aspect of the wedding, from the dress, to the decor, and the music. I look forward to "country chic" table centerpieces and settings at the reception. I see canning jars on the tables, white birdcages to hold cards, and vintage furniture. There are lots of ideas to find online, and you can discover the perfect accessories at small-town boutiques and antique stores. It's great because you don't have to do a lot, as you can keep it natural and let Mother Nature do a good amount of the work.

I know this will be perfect for me - it will fit with what I want and what I've already planned. I wanted green and white as my wedding colors (not a bright green), I wanted to keep it simple, and I wanted to make it my own and not be pretentious. I'm excited rather than stressed out by the possibilities!