You have been dreaming about your wedding since you were young and now it’s about to become a reality. First, Congratulations on your Engagement! You might be feeling a little overwhelmed because there are so many things that go into planning but you don’t have to do it alone. Most venues have an on-site wedding coordinator, and the Hudson Valley has many amazing planners to choose from, to alleviate any unnecessary stress during one of the most memorable days of your life.
If you have your wedding with us at the Preston Barn, then you REALLY have nothing to worry about! (We can prove it! Just check out our testimonials!)
The Preston Barn will assist with all your needs. Planning weddings and hosting full weekend events is our specialty and we will guide you every step of the way. Our coordinator, Helene, and our staff go above and beyond for each and every wedding with personalized service throughout the entire planning process and wedding day or wedding weekend!
Melanie Ruth Photo
Do you picture a rustic, barn wedding, twinkling lights surrounded by enchanted woods, and historic buildings, with a little mix of old country charm? Sounds like The Preston Barn at Old Drovers Inn might be the perfect fit, but there are so many venues to look into. So how do you know, “This is the One.”? This step-by-step guide covers all the basics to help you get started with planning your wedding.
1. Finding Your Venue
The first step is to start booking venue tours. This allows you to see the venue in person and to make sure it checks off all of your boxes. Each venue offers different pricing and packages. Some are more hands-on whereas others leave you most of the work. When trying to find the perfect rustic wedding venue, here are some things to consider:
● Is the ceremony space outdoors or indoors?
● Does the venue have a backup plan if it rains?
● Are there options for onsite lodging and is it included in the price?
● What is the maximum number of guests the barn can accommodate?
● Is AC/Heat available in the reception areas?
We can’t speak for the others, but the Preston Barn is a full-service venue featuring country charm which includes an enchanting outdoor ceremony space with backup options for a good luck rainy day. We also have AC/Heat for all types of weather, allowing us to host weddings all year round! An added plus is that we have a backup generator, in case the worst should happen. If you think that is amazing, just wait till you hear about our three historic country lodging accommodations on-site for you and your guests. Everything you need for your dream wedding is all in one place, including an exquisite culinary menu for your selection.
2. Choosing The Right Attire
Once you choose your wedding venue (and you may also want to lock in other major vendors as well such as your planner. photographer and DJ/Band), the next step will be choosing the right attire. If you are planning on wearing a traditional gown, it is recommended that you order your dress six to eight months prior to your wedding date. This is why it’s important to start searching for your amazing Gown/Tux to match your wedding theme after you book your venue. How do you choose a style that will fit into your individual theme? Here are some popular trends to give you inspiration.
● Blush Gowns
Opting for a blush gown instead of ivory is very popular right now for rustic weddings. Why do you ask? Because they bring in soft tones that work well with country wooden elements, candlelight, and twinkle lights that are strung across exposed wooden beams.
● Full Lace Gowns
A lace wedding gown is always a classic. It’s a statement-style dress that combines old charm with upscale glam. Most lace dresses offer beautiful see-through trains that add an extra elegant touch to your overall look.
● Organza or Tulle Gowns
Are you looking for that dreamy, whimsical wedding dress? An organza or tulle material might be the way to go, especially if you are planning a spring or summer wedding. This type of material is light and airy. You will feel comfortable and beautiful at the same time.
We haven’t forgotten about the boys! Tuxedos and suits can also be used to tie a theme together. Instead of choosing a classic black tux, consider some other options. Dark brown to light brown suits provide a natural look that incorporates warm earthy tones which complements any country venue. If you are looking for a little color to brighten up your special day, consider going with rustic orange or burgundy colors, both are sure to look incredible in photographs on your wedding day.
3. Enhancing Your Venue
The decor you choose for your ceremony and reception is going to be what makes your wedding unique. Think of it as setting the mood, what do you envision? Maybe walking down the aisle with a greenery-lined path with organza ribbon bows on the end of each chair. Then, as you both enter your reception area, the entire place welcomes you and your guests with sparkling lights that create a soft glow with the wooden backdrop. No matter what you're dreaming about, you can make it a reality by adding the right touches.
Ideas to enhance your wedding venue:
● Incorporate wood and earth-colored elements
● Consider using vintage and colored vases
● Floating candles in tall glass cylinder vases or crystal bowl centerpieces
● Greenery, succulents, and ferns
● White birch and rose gold colored tones
Find more ideas here: How To Decorate For Your Barn Wedding
4. Rustic Floral Arrangements:
Are you looking for creative ideas for your bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces? With so many different types of flowers available sometimes it can be difficult to determine what type of arrangement will be the best fit for your rustic wedding venue. Here are a few examples that will be sure to impress your guests.
Daisies
Daisies are great for any summer wedding and symbolize love’s purity. You can combine white and yellow daisies in any floral arrangement. They look absolutely stunning in a bouquet. If you are having a fall wedding consider red or orange gerbera daisies which symbolize romantic love and joy. To complete your bouquet you can add a sprinkle of baby’s breath symbolizing everlasting love.
Ferns
That's right, ferns are also popular for a country wedding. They bring in a light earthy element that will wow your guests. Fern bouquets also give off an incredibly rustic feel with their rich green shades. If you would like to add flowers to your fern bouquet, peonies will complement the geometric shape of the ferns and will soften the overall look.
Succulents
Succulents are beautiful and unique to use in flower bouquets. They showcase a wide variety of colors from green, blue, and purple that will fit in with any season and color scheme. Once your wedding has ended you can save your succulent plants and they can be replanted to symbolize your everlasting love.
Also Great Options: Mixed Wildflowers, Greenery Runners, and Sunflowers (the yellow looks so beautiful in our barn!). Here are some recent looks we loved:
Finding your one-of-a-kind wedding venue is the first step to planning your wedding. Once you find a few wedding venues that you are interested in, schedule tours to get the full experience. Take with you a list of important questions such as accommodations, backup plans, and if they provide air conditioning/heat. Your wedding attire, decor, and flower arrangements will fall into place as you plan your rustic theme wedding.
Just to remind you… the Preston Barn provides once-in-a-lifetime services that will exceed all of your expectations. We are always excited to meet with couples who are in the starting phase of planning their wedding. We invite you to schedule a tour to see how the Preston Barn can make your elegant rustic wedding dreams become a reality. Just remember to breathe and have fun while planning your wedding, you are creating memories that you and your guests will always remember!
Here are some other helpful blogs for the early stages of planning your rustic wedding in Upstate NY:
Choosing Wedding Venues: What are the most important questions to ask?
Wedding Venues: 5 Important Things You Need to Know Before You Tour
Your Stress-Free Planning Guide For Your Hudson Valley Wedding
All-Inclusive vs. DIY Wedding Venues: Understand Their Value and Which Is Best For You
The New York City Couple’s Guide To An Unbelievable Upstate Weekend Wedding