A rustic country theme for weddings is always popular, both for weddings in the fall and for those taking place in a natural rural setting. There are some clever photographic tricks that ensure that beautiful moments are captured throughout the day.
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Moments that highlight the magical mix of stunning landscapes, rustic charm, and intimate moments. The resulting photographs are images that will be treasured forever.
Golden Hour Magic
"Golden hour" is the hour after sunrise or prior to sunset, when the sun bathes everything in a warm glow of gentle light. The soft golden light is ideal for romantic wedding photographs, as the naturally diffused light is very flattering and adds magic to any shot. Even the simplest pose can look truly stunning.
Walking together hand in hand through a meadow or along a path through trees makes for a beautiful study of the wedding couple.
Wedding photographers encourage couples to slip away from their reception for a few minutes so that the photographer can maximize the soft golden light to create some photographs that will be cherished.
Rustic Barn Backdrop
The backdrop of an old rustic barn with its huge wooden doors adds interest and character to any photographs. The doors can be decorated with lush greenery or with a string of fairy lights. Sitting in front of the doors on a large roll of hay or a pile of straw bales adds more character to the shots, and so does the introduction of a pony.
The barn doors can be used as interesting props for some informal shots of the wedding couple pushing the doors open, one door each, or together pushing one door open as a symbol of beginning their new life together.
Wildflower Meadow
A meadow filled with colorful wild flowers and butterflies is a very romantic backdrop for photographs. There are many possibilities for stunning photographs, including the couple walking hand in hand among the flowers. The couple can sit on a wool rug among the flowers, and the groom can give his bride a posy of wild flowers, or he can kneel behind her, holding her as she looks at her beautiful posy.
Enjoying a slow dance together among the flowers in the golden hour will be a memorable moment for the couple, and the bride twirling in her dress among the wild flowers, her veil caught by the breeze, will result in a stunning shot.
Lakeside Romance
A lakeside setting is a stunning backdrop for photographs, especially during the golden hour. The contrasting colors of the water and trees, both bathed in golden light, add warmth and romance to any photograph.
As well as standing on the lake shore, there may be a small wooden jetty or wooden boat that can be used as props. Adding some lanterns or floral decorations to the location will create a celebratory feel to the photos.
Horseshoe Ranch
Horseshoe Ranch offers a timeless character for wedding photographs. There are dirt tracks, wooden fences, fields, and stables, which all offer plenty of photo opportunities with rustic charm. Photographs include classic shots of the wedding couple walking along a dirt track hand in hand or posing with the horses.
For some fun photographs, the couple can pop on cowboy hats, with the groom wearing suspenders over his shirt and the bride lifting her skirt to reveal cowboy boots! If they both ride, photos of them on horseback will look amazing, but if not, both of them sitting on a wooden fence and sharing a kiss will still prove a winner!
Woodland Fairytale
Lush green woodland or trees with leaves in the spectacular colors of the fall make an enchanting setting for some fabulous wedding photographs, especially if there is dappled sunlight to play with. Shots can include the couple standing facing each other and enjoying a kiss.
They can stretch out on a woolen rug with the bride's dress fanned out on the rug to highlight it. They can pick wildflowers together or walk hand in hand through the trees with a lantern. The scope is as broad as your imagination.
Vineyard Views
Vineyards are naturally romantic places! Endless rows of leafy vines make a lovely backdrop for a fun collection of photographs. The couple can walk dreamily along a row of vines, and the photographer can capture a view of them from behind for added allure.
If it is early in the season, they can pause and admire the growing grapes together. If it is harvest time, they can be captured picking a beautiful bunch of grapes together. The perfect shot is of the couple toasting each other with their glasses held high.
Swing on an Oak Tree
Everybody loves an old-fashioned swing strung from a tree branch, whatever their age! The swing offers a playful setting for some great photographs. The groom can gently push his bride on the swing, and if the swing is big enough, he can sit on the swing with her on his lap.
These shots taken in the golden hour will be extra special.
The swing can be decorated with flowers. It is the ideal prop for some fun group photos of the bride being pushed by her bridesmaids or the groom by his groomsmen. A lovely impromptu shot is of the bride's parents gently pushing her and then the groom's parents doing the same.
If you are unlucky enough to have it rain on your special day, no worries; these photographs will look just as much fun with a brightly colored umbrella too!
Vintage Pickup Truck
A vintage pickup truck is a fun backdrop for a rustic wedding, and the photographs look particularly appealing if they are shot in the golden hour. The couple can cuddle up in the back on soft blankets in muted rustic colors. A fun shot is of the couple sitting on hay bales in the back, holding a 'just married' sign.
Good extra props include glasses and homemade lemonade, plus a guitar.
A fun study of the couple is to get them to stretch out in the back of the pickup with their feet dangling over the tailgate. This, of course, is the part captured by the photographer!
Sunflower Fields
The vibrant color of a field of sunflowers is perfect for rustic wedding photographs. The bright color of the sunflowers contrasts with the blue sky above and the couple's outfits.
A photograph of them holding hands or snuggling up is romantic, or a rear shot of them holding hands and walking through the sunflowers looks spectacular. A fun shot to take is of them sitting on a plaid rug with a picnic basket, surrounded by the towering flowers.
Rolling Hills
Rolling hills can add a romantic touch to photographs capturing a country wedding. Lighting is really important, and during the golden hour, the gentle curves of the hills are portrayed at their best.
The couple can be captured walking hand in hand or sharing a kiss. Sitting on a rustic wooden bench or fence together adds depth, and incorporating wildflowers will accentuate the theme of the countryside.
Old Stone Wall
Old stone walls add character and texture to any photographs. They can be old walls on a building, probably half-covered in ivy, an old stone wall surrounding a field, or some bare rock close to the wedding venue.
The character of the old stone with its weathered texture adds to the rustic feel of the wedding. The bride's dress contrasts perfectly against the rugged stone, as will the groom's clothes, and the aesthetics work seamlessly together to create some beautiful photographs.
Country Lane Stroll
What better way to begin married life than with a romantic stroll along a leafy lane together? This is the perfect setting for intimate photographs. For added nostalgia, an old wooden sign, farm gate, or old bicycle will add charm.
Once again, these studies will benefit from the golden glow of sunlight, which will cast a magical feeling on them.
Boho Picnic Setup
This is a fun way to get some relaxed photographs of the couple. Choose a lovely natural setting, add a colorful rug and some delicious-looking food such as cheeses, crusty bread plus craft beer or wine.
These are the basic elements, but you can add a teepee, low table, comfy cushions, fairy lights, and lanterns to create a really magical ambiance.
Horseback Riding
This is definitely not something to try for the first time on your wedding day, but if you both enjoy horseback riding, this provides a unique photo opportunity! You can ride together side by side and enjoy a few relaxed moments. This shot works particularly well in a beautiful open field or along forest trails.
Holding hands while on horseback adds romance to the scene too. The classic shot is of the couple riding towards the sunset.
Other good photographs include the groom leading his bride's horse, with her in the saddle. Some fun shots can be taken of the couple saddling up or giving their horses bowls of horse feed as a thank-you treat afterward.
Antique Tractor
An antique tractor adds nostalgia and rustic charm to any wedding photographs. Its rusty bodywork, worn paintwork, and huge black tires contrast perfectly with the clothes of the bride and groom – and particularly emphasize the detail and texture of the bride's dress.
Some lovely candid shots can be achieved of the couple either sitting on or standing beside the tractor. The tractor can be decorated with ribbons, flowers, and a 'Just Married' sign. For a fun shot, the bridegroom can sit at the wheel, while his bride pretends to push the tractor!
Another fun idea is for the bride and groom to sit on the tractor with their bridesmaids and groomsmen pretending to push it! Great fun!
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Candlelit Field
Imagine a wide-open field in the golden hour before sunset. The field is decorated with dozens of lanterns and strings of fairy lights lying on the grass. In the center of this totally romantic scene stands the couple.
Some wonderful photographs can be achieved at different angles, with close-ups of the couple holding hands or kissing and wider-angle shots that capture the beautiful scene bathed in the light of the sinking sun and the candles.
Red Barn Charm
Red barns exude rustic charm, and their red doors make a colorful backdrop for many photographs of the wedding couple and their guests. The contrast between the colors of the bride's dress and groom's suit contrasts perfectly with the color of the doors. Of course, the door can be decorated with pretty flowers and fairy lights and can be the perfect backdrop for shots with hay bales as casual seating.
Some great photographs can be achieved by leaving the doors slightly ajar so that the sunlight from outside streams through onto the couple. Or the doors can be pushed open, and the couple is framed by the opening with the farmyard behind them.
Rustic Photoshoot Ideas
It is well worth spending time before your wedding day with your photographer to discuss ideas for your rustic wedding photographs. There are just so many things you can do to create gorgeous, romantic photographs that everyone will cherish. We hope that our article inspires you!
Barn Door Backdrop
Whether there is a red barn door or a plain wooden one at your wedding venue, it will add vintage charm to your photographs. Wedding couples can stand in front of the open or closed doors and pretend to open them, which symbolizes starting their new life together in the future.
The texture and warm tones of the wooden doors add a new dimension to the wedding photographs and complement the colors and textures of the couple's clothes perfectly. If the doors seem too rugged, this can be softened with the addition of some flowers or a string of fairy lights.
Vintage Lace Parasol
Add elegance and romance with one clever move – add a lace parasol to some of your photographs. Beautiful parasols are elegant and hint at a bygone romantic period. Choose a style that complements your style and the design of your dress.
There are intricate designs with floral motifs, while others are available in classic designs that are very simple. All parasols shed a soft and flattering light on faces.
They are lovely and versatile props and can be used in a number of ways – the bride can shelter from the sun under one, and the couple can share a kiss under the parasol. The couple can shelter under the parasol while the bridesmaids scatter confetti.
Wooden Swing Decor
Everyone loves a swing, and they bring whimsical romance to your rustic wedding photographs. Decorate the swing with flowers, greenery, and fairy lights to make it extra special. Is the swing large enough for two?
Perfect! Swing gently together while sharing a kiss or a loving glance.
The groom or the bridesmaids can gently push the bride, and she can gently push each of her bridesmaids in turn. The groomsmen pushing the groom is a fun photo too.
Hay Bale Seating
Hay bales make great seating for a rustic reception but are perfect for some informal shots of the wedding couple. They can be covered with a soft rug to make them more comfortable.
A rear view of the couple snuggled on a bale and looking to the future is very special. Likewise, a front shot of the couple sharing a relaxing moment sitting on the bale works well too. To make the bales extra special, they can be decorated with ribbons and flowers, and the couple can hold a lantern together.
Rustic Wooden Arch
A rustic wooden arch is ideal for a rustic wedding. The couple can be married standing under the flower-decorated archway, and later, it can provide the perfect frame for many of the photographs.
The archway can be decorated with flowers, greenery, and fairy lights to make it extra special. As well as being a beautiful addition to photographs, the archway symbolizes the couple's union and how their life together has just begun, and how they have moved from their individual pasts to their new life as a married couple. The archway also represents how the couple will shelter and protect each other.
Old Pickup Truck
An old pickup truck is certainly a rustic addition to the wedding photographs. The couple can enjoy plenty of relaxed photographs with the truck. They can sit together in the cab or on cushions, rugs, or hay bales in the back.
They can lean against the side of the pickup or open its hood to check if it has engine trouble! There is so much that can be done with an old pickup, and the shots they choose will let the couple's personality shine through.
Wildflower Arrangements
Wildflower arrangements are perfect for a rustic wedding as they ooze with natural color and beauty. They can be large, informal, and hand-tied in design and mirror the natural outdoor surroundings perfectly. Photographs taken in a meadow with the bride holding her wildflower bouquet are extra special.
To complement her choice of a wildflower bouquet, the bride may like to add a wildflower floral hairpiece in front of her veil. Such a delicate accessory will complement the natural beauty of her bouquet perfectly. To develop the theme further, the bridesmaids can carry wildflower posies, and the groom and his groomsmen can have small wildflower boutonnieres to match.
Rustic Milk Can
Who would think that a milk can would be a good prop for a rustic wedding? These vintage containers are perfect as they evoke nostalgia and a farm-fresh feeling. The milk cans can be decorated with wildflowers and greenery.
For a light-hearted shot, the couple can enjoy glasses of fresh milk with their milk can! Photographs taken in the golden hour work well as the setting sun is reflected off the metal of the milk can.
String Lights
String lights are romantic and magical and create a warm ambiance as darkness falls. They are the perfect backdrop for capturing a relaxed, intimate moment between the bride and groom.
The lights can be strung across the ceiling in barns and between trees and wrapped around tree trunks outdoors. A shot of the couple in each other's arms and silhouetted by the lights is very special. The twinkling lights add depth and interest to all the photographs.
Wagon Wheel Decor
A large wagon wheel immediately adds a rustic touch and sense of history to any photograph. The couple can either stand in front of the wagon wheel for a classic shot, or for fun, they can crouch down and peep through the spokes of the wheel. If the wagon wheel can be suspended, it makes a very romantic swing for two.
A smaller wagon wheel can be decorated with flowers and is the ideal surface on which the couple can rest their hands and showcase their new wedding rings.
Rustic Lanterns
Rustic lanterns provide the perfect cozy golden glow for romantic evening photographs of the bridal couple. The lanterns can be grouped together in varying heights to create a romantic ambiance, and the couple's faces will be in silhouette as they hold hands or hold each other as they enjoy the soft flickering light.
One clever shot is a close-up of one of the lanterns with the silhouette of the couple standing behind.
Galvanized Wash Tub
An old-fashioned galvanized wash tub is a fun prop for rustic wedding photographs. The tub can be filled with wildflowers and used in romantic shots, used as a drink cooler with the bride serving everyone drinks, or used for an amusing photo!
The couple can sit in the tub together, with their legs dangling over the side! During the golden hour, the wash tub filled with water will create some stunning reflections, and what better than a silhouette of the bridal couple sharing a kiss?
Tree Stump Seats
Tree stumps are really appealing as they are old, rustic, and feel as though they have a story to tell. They are perfect as seats for the couple, and other ones can be used as stands for lanterns. Surrounded by the glories of Mother Nature, they are beautiful.
Some fun photographs include the couple crouching and looking at their wedding rings lying on a tree stump, or them trying to count how many rings the tree stump has, and having plenty of fun doing so.
Rustic Picnic Setting
A rustic picnic setting is a great way to capture some more informal photographs of the bride and groom. They can sit at a vintage wooden picnic table or spread a plaid rug on the ground, and they can sit surrounded by mason jars filled with candles and wildflowers. Wooden crates topped with cushions in rustic tones make great seats too!
The couple can share some special food, including vibrant strawberries, and a shot of them toasting each other in beautiful glasses filled with Champagne or wine will be perfect. An old-fashioned radio is an amusing prop to add too.
The rustic picnic can be enjoyed in a meadow, woods, or lakeside, as these all make wonderful natural backdrops. The golden hour before sunset will provide soft, golden light, which will be perfect.
Barn Loft
A barn loft sounds unusual for rustic wedding photographs, but works really well because of the charm of its old wooden beams and rafters and the beauty of golden sunlight streaming through the windows. The photographer will want to play with different angles that maximize the contrasting effects of the sunlight and shadows, as these will showcase the unique setting of the barn loft.
Wooden Frames
Large ornate wooden frames are a clever way to add rustic charm to wedding photographs. They can be used in a number of ways. The frames can be used to frame a portrait of the couple or other guests, as well as outdoor scenes.
The frames can also be propped against walls or hung from beams to encourage guests to enjoy an impromptu photo opportunity.
A wooden frame can also be the perfect way to showcase the bride's bouquet, the wedding cake, or a fun moment such as the youngest bridesmaid blowing everyone a kiss.
