Chapelle writes articles for The Knot Worldwide. She covers all things wedding-related and has a personal interest in covering traditions and history.
Before joining The Knot Worldwide, Chapelle was an editorial intern for Subvrt Magazine.
Chapelle has a degree in English writing from Loyola University New Orleans.
Updated Feb 02, 2023
If you're wondering how to blend the best parts of the rustic and country wedding themes, you should consider having a Western wedding. Cowboy boots, whiskey bars and horseshoe escort cards are just a few of the charming Western wedding ideas you can use on your special day. So it doesn't matter if you want to sprinkle in a couple of Western wedding details to honor your roots or fully embrace the theme, we have you covered. Check out 35 of our favorite Western wedding ideas from real weddings that are sure to inspire.
From Western-style shoes to wedding favors, we've rounded up fun and creative Western-themed details you can add to your wedding. We promise you these ideas are far from tacky.
Pendleton blankets are one of the most distinguishing symbols of the Western style. Pendleton Woolen Mills, founded in the early 1900s in Oregon, is known for using vivid colors and intricate patterns inspired by local and Southwest Native Americans. If you know it'll be chilly during your outdoor wedding, offer your guests these iconic blankets to stay warm.
Wedding welcome bags are a nice gesture to make your guests comfortable on your special day. The welcome bag goodie options are endless, but you can start by adding a Western-themed dessert as this couple did.
We love the idea of wearing cow-print heels as a statement piece to complement your Western wedding theme. Spice things up further by getting quirky colors, like pink and white cow-print heels.
At this rustic ranch wedding, the happy couple gave each of their guests silver horseshoes as wedding favors. The horseshoes matched the tone of their DIY wedding invitations and decorations.
To highlight the beautiful natural setting of their outdoor ceremony, the bride designed and hand-painted the rolling hills onto her cowgirl boots. If you love this Western wedding idea, feel free to customize your shoes yourself or commission a talented artist to help with the task.
Western Wedding Invitation Ideas
Let your guests know about your wedding theme before they attend the wedding. Get inspiration from these Western wedding invitation ideas for your stationery.
If you don't know how to start creating your Western wedding color palette, we suggest using muted neutrals, greens, oranges and yellows. We think these colors perfectly match the natural undertones of a Western wedding theme. This tan and ivory wedding invitation flows effortlessly with the horse and wheat details.
You can get creative with your wedding invitation suite by adding pops of color among muted ones, as this couple did with their gray, coral, pale green and navy blue invitations. They set the tone for their Southwestern celebration by putting a personalized cactus logo on the suite and a "Howdy!" greeting on the itineraries.
This couple wanted to host a "hippies and cowboys wedding festival," and this theme was reflected in their wedding invitations. Our favorite part of their suite is the inside of the invitation envelope, also called the throat and seal flap area, which has a drawing of a cowboy riding off into the sunset.
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Western Wedding Escort Card Ideas
Just because they're called escort cards doesn't mean they have to be in card form. We encourage to-be-weds to get as innovative as possible when thinking about their Western escort cards and displays.
No Western wedding is complete without horseshoes. Make your horseshow escort cards stand out by spray painting them gold and hanging them in front of an earth-toned backdrop.
If you're having an outdoor wedding, don't hesitate to take advantage of your surroundings. This couple secured their escort cards to twine weaved between the bars of a horse stall.
At this whimsical wedding, the bride and groom had hand-lettered escort cards attached to vintage cowbells. If you try this idea, consider telling your guests to keep the cowbells handy so they can be used as noise makers during your wedding exit.
We love this Western-themed wedding idea that uses a variety of horse figurines as escort cards. Each horse hung from a white wooden escort card display which had the lyrics from the popular country song, "Take Me Home, Country Roads," written on top.
Western Wedding Table Decoration Ideas
Another way to play around with the Western wedding theme is by incorporating it into your table decorations. You'll love these Western-inspired table numbers and centerpieces.
If you loved the horse escort card display idea you'll love this horse table number. You can keep it simple and have only the horse on the table or add beautiful blooms to surround the tiny figurine.
Let nature take the spotlight with this Western wedding centerpiece idea. Buy pre-cut crystal geodes and hand-paint cacti or cowboy boots on each one for an easy DIY wedding decoration project.
Whiskey is known as the go-to drink for cowboys, so why not include it in your wedding? Repurpose old whiskey bottles as vases, water vessels or candle holders.
Desert life is a big part of a Western vibe. That's why this couple used bowls filled with sand and various cacti as centerpieces at their Western wedding. We suggest putting a few vibrant flowers in the bowls––if you want to add a pop of color to your reception tables.
Western Wedding Reception Decoration Ideas
We truly believe it's all in the details when it comes to letting your wedding theme shine. Let these reception decorations influence your Western wedding look.
If there are decorations that can't be removed from your venue, steal this couple's idea. To personalize their reception space, the bride and groom added a flower crown to the built-in bull's head decoration.
This couple held their wedding at their family ranch, which means they had plenty of Western items at their disposal. This horse saddle was used as a bridal bouquet holder at the ceremony.
Do you know your way around a toolbox and some wood? Then build your own saloon for your wedding cocktail hour and reception, as this groom did. We suggest offering signature cocktails that speak to your Western theme, like a cowboy cocktail or agua verde margarita.
Go old school with your Western wedding reception. This vintage horse carriage can be a great decoration at an outdoor wedding or a cool backdrop for photos.
At this romantic Western wedding, the couple had their reception at High West Distillery in Park City, Utah. They were lucky because the bar was decorated with a lit-up horseshoe monogram that matched their rustic and Western theme.
Western-Themed Wedding Entertainment
There are numerous things you can do to capture a Western wedding vibe that doesn't involve decorations. Check out these creative Western-themed entertainment ideas you and your guests will love.
Bring animal life into your wedding with a petting zoo or photo booth. The bride and groom encouraged guests to take pictures with the two longhorns that lived at the ranch where the reception took place.
Keep your guests on the dance floor by hiring a live folk or country music band. As long as one of the musicians is playing a banjo, you're on the right track for a good night.
Get ready to say "yee-haw" to this hilarious and fun wedding reception activity. We suggest talking with your venue and wedding planner to ensure a mechanical bull ride fits within the venue's safety protocols.
Whiskey and cigars can definitely bring a Western feel to any wedding. Consider having a whiskey and cigar bar with all your favorite whiskeys at your reception.
For outdoor weddings in the colder seasons, set up a bonfire for your guests to warm up next to you. We suggest adding blankets to make it extra cozy and a s'mores station as a fun sweet surprise.
Impress your friends with your horseback riding skills and ride off into the sunset with your partner on a beautiful steed. You can ride solo or on the same horse as your partner, either way, it'll make a memorable moment and a gorgeous photo op.
Western Wedding Dessert Ideas
Channel your Western wedding theme with your wedding dessert. From wedding cakes to cookies, there are numerous ways to put the taste of Western life on your dessert table.
The bride and groom served a three-tier white buttercream cake at their reception. Each layer was decorated with edible rustic barbed wire and topped with two little cowboy boots. The cake toppers matched the cowboy boots the bride and groom wore at the wedding.
At this couple's wedding, they filled their dessert table with Southwestern treats. They had churros and custom cookies in the shape of cacti, cowboy boots and chiles.
Groom's cakes put a special spotlight on your partner or on the things they love. So if your significant other loves going to rodeos, drinking whiskey or has a favorite pair of cowboy boots, those are the perfect things to make into a Western groom's cake. This groom's cake is a replica of the cowboy boots the groom wore to the wedding.
We are in love with this beautiful wedding cake with cowhide print on the first and third tiers. This design incorporates the Western theme without over doing it.
This Western wedding cake idea was inspired by an ad the bride saw in a Western horse magazine. The wedding cake, created by the bride's aunt, is designed to look like tooled leather, topped with a cowboy and cowgirl on a horse, and is surrounded by wheat clusters and sunflowers.
At this glamorous Western wedding, the bride and her loved ones baked sugar cookies in the shape of cowboy boots. This is one of the many ways the bride honored her Texas roots.
Lean into the colorful and vibrant side of Western weddings by adding magenta, orange and dark green into your color scheme. This four-tier naked Western wedding cake seems full of life with radiant floral adornments and a bright green cactus cake topper.