| If you are planning an autumn wedding, now is the time | | | | many of the more popular colors for bridesmaid |
| to get all of your décor elements decided and | | | | dresses and jewelry, like chocolate, russet, or deep |
| ordered. One of the most wonderful themes for a fall | | | | gold. A pretty detail for your attendants would be to |
| wedding is "rustic elegance". Here are some ideas on | | | | give them sets of bridesmaid jewelry to wear that are |
| how to decorate an autumn wedding using warm | | | | handcrafted in Swarovski pearls in a warm bronzy |
| seasonal materials like wheat, straw, and hay. | | | | tone to complement the wheat color. |
| Wheat has very powerful symbolism for autumn, | | | | Straw and hay are natural companions to wheat |
| which makes it a wonderful motif for a fall wedding. It | | | | when you are creating a rustic elegance design |
| represents the bounty of the fall harvest, as well as | | | | scheme. Greet your guests with escort cards standing |
| fertility and the cycle of life. As one of the most | | | | in a bed of straw. If you are the diy type of bride, you |
| elemental foodstuffs in history wheat (in the form of | | | | can make your own escort cards by creating a rubber |
| bread) also is attached to the concept of nourishment | | | | stamp of a sheath of wheat to stamp on one side of |
| and plenty. How could you do better than this when | | | | a heavy card stock. Write the name of each guest in |
| looking for a motif to use in decorating for a wedding | | | | simple calligraphy next to the motif. You can easily |
| reception? | | | | build a shallow box to contain the bed of straw. In fact, |
| One of the great things about wheat is that it has a | | | | this could be a terrific project for a handy groom. |
| rustic and natural appeal that makes it well suited to | | | | If you are having an outdoor wedding, haybales make |
| receptions in places like farms and barns, and yet, it | | | | for great informal ceremony seating. Simply line them |
| also looks very elegant when neatly bundled. A large | | | | up in rows facing the altar. Because hay is scratchy |
| group of wheat stalks gathered into a fat bundle look | | | | and can snag fine fabrics, you will want to cover the |
| amazing when tied with a wide satin ribbon for a | | | | bales with a pretty fabric to prevent damaging your |
| contrasting texture and a touch of elegance. This | | | | guests' clothing or scratching their legs. A thick bed of |
| wheat stalk bunch can stand up on its own when the | | | | straw makes a nice alternative to a petal-strewn aisle |
| stems are trimmed to one length, which is a very | | | | for the bride. |
| attractive effect. You can place your be-ribboned | | | | You can use wheat, straw, and hay to decorate in |
| wheat on buffet tables, the guest book table, or use it | | | | many, many more ways. A rustic chandelier can be |
| as a part of the centerpieces. | | | | festooned with wheat. A simple straw wreath in a |
| Individual stalks of wheat make a nice seasonal | | | | horseshoe shape would make a lovely decoration for |
| addition to the wedding bouquets. Wheat combines | | | | the door of your venue. You can even have your |
| beautifully with other rustic elements like mums, berries, | | | | wedding invitations designed around a wheat stalk |
| dried grasses, and seed pods. Tie with a satin ribbon | | | | motif. These simple natural materials are a wonderful |
| or a gingham one for a true touch of country style. | | | | addition to a fall wedding, and you are sure to have |
| The soft color of wheat works very well against | | | | fun designing around them. |