How to Decorate for a Western Wedding
Western-themed decorations are sold in many party supply stores and online. Engaged couples can save a bundle on ceremony and reception decorations by deciding to incorporate a Western theme into their wedding festivities since many decorations intended for children's Western birthday parties can serve as wedding decorations as well. With some thought and creativity, a couple's Western theme can be displayed in everything from the aisle runner and favors to the centerpieces and cake topper.
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Things You'll Need
- White fabric
- Western-themed iron-on transfers
- Western-themed confetti
- Durable tan fabric
- Western bandanas
- Double-sided tape
- Materials for centerpieces
- Materials for wedding favors
- Western-themed party tablecloth
- Western-themed cake topper
Instructions
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Ceremony Decorations
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1
Decide on aisle decorations. For an elaborate wedding, make a Western-themed aisle runner. Measure how long the aisle runner will need to be and then purchase an appropriate amount of white fabric. Check craft stores for Western-themed iron-on transfers and use these to make an aisle runner that fits the theme of the wedding. For a simpler ceremony, sprinkle Western-themed confetti on the aisle. While it may be possible to locate this kind of confetti in craft stores, ordering online will probably save time. Confett.com offers confetti in a variety of shapes, including cacti and cowboy boots, which can be purchased by the half pound (see References 1).
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2
Buy durable tan fabric and cut fringe along one side of it, Instead of wrapping tulle around any posts or thick trees at the ceremony site. Use this fabric, with the fringe facing the ground, as a Western-themed alternative to traditional tulle ceremony decorations.
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3
Use handkerchiefs or bandanas as a simple alternative to floral pew bows. Ziggos, a website that sells party decorations, offers red Western bandanas that can be used as pew decorations (see References 2). Fold each handkerchief into a triangle. Then, use double-sided tape on the back, around the border of each triangle, to adhere the bandanas to the pews.
Reception Decorations
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4
Decide how guests' place cards will be displayed. They can be placed in holders or just laid on a table in alphabetical order. To incorporate the Western theme of the wedding, consider purchasing place card holders like the miniature plastic cowboy hat place card holders sold as of 2009 at ToysRUs.com (see References 3). If such an expense is not in the wedding budget, use Western-themed confetti to add color and decoration to the place card table.
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5
Focus on centerpieces. An easy centerpiece idea is to leave a large cowboy hat in the middle of the table. Affordable hats meant to be used as party decorations or favors can be purchased at most party supply stores. As a fun reception activity --- and an alternative to the "glass clinking" tradition meant to inspire a bride and groom to kiss --- instruct the DJ to tell guests to check under the hat on their table. Under each hat, leave instructions outlining what the guests at each table will have to do to get the bride and groom to kiss. For example, have one table of old friends recount their favorite memories of the happy couple or have a table of college buddies sing "On Top of Old Smokey" or another Western-themed song.
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6
Leave Western-themed wedding favors at each place setting. One idea is to leave Western charm bracelets for guests. Order charms, like those sold by Oriental Trading, and string them onto pieces of fishline (dee Resources 1). Knot the fishline on both sides of each charm so that the charms will stay in place. If that idea does not appeal, Sat'n Spurs, a Westernwear company that sells supplies for Western-themed weddings, offers many other favor ideas that are more elegant --- and more expensive --- than charm bracelets (see Resources 2).
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7
Decorate the gift table with a simple Western-themed party tablecloth.
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8
Sprinkle Western-themed confetti on the cake table and add Western cake topper to the cake. WeddingMountain.com offers an array of Western-themed cake toppers ranging from sweet to silly (see Resources 3).
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Tips & Warnings
Check with ceremony and reception sites about any rules regarding wedding decorations. Some, for example, do not allow tape or other adhesives on the walls.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Photo by Rebecca Nelles
