As September and October speedily approach, the crispness in the air invites us to embrace sugar, ice, and a whole lot of pumpkin spice. Nature itself points toward a breathtaking change, one that pays homage to ripeness, the preservation of life, and the passage of time.
Could anything come close to a couple walking hand in hand through a sun-drenched meadow as acres of rolling farmlands participate in their blissful union? Since it all starts with the proposal and engagement, a weathered wooden barn makes the perfect backdrop for the celebration of love.
Save the wedding date for more contemporary charm. ‘Fall’ in love with seasonal colors and flavors for your engagement, snuggling up against weather-beaten fences and tall grasses. Here’s all you need to know about a countryside engagement party.
Choosing the Right Venue
Once the post-proposal period has arrived, it’s time to plan a party for all to remember. Are you interested in an outdoor venue? The more natural beauty, the better it is to achieve that coveted rustic appeal. Let’s look at some factors you must consider:
- Atmosphere: Visit venues in person to understand if the rustic feel granted by each is up to your liking. There can be various kinds, some near a lake, others featuring a full-blown barn with farm animals.
- Amenities: Consider the services available within the venue fee, including chairs and tables, linen, etc.
- Space: Cross-check against the guest list to assess whether the venue will be able to accommodate the total number of guests besides the decorations and furniture.
- Budget: Make note of all costs, including the ‘hidden’ ones, to understand whether the venue falls within your budget. A slight negotiation to either side should be accounted for.
- Location: Ensure the chosen venue is easily accessible for your guests. This may be a serious consideration for those with people arriving from different parts of the country. Even when you’re in one of the urban counties and wish to relocate for the engagement, accessibility is a prime factor. Accordingly, arrangements for guest accommodations can be made.
- Availability: Check beforehand whether the chosen venue is vacant on your desired date.
- Venue rules: Enquire about any restrictions or special rules around parking, alcohol, and catering.
Creating a Rustic Fall-Inspired Ambiance
If yours is an intimate engagement ceremony, the best way to honor your desire is to infuse a rustic vibe into the backyard, patio, or home in general.
Abrupt changes are not unheard of, and sometimes, mild snowfall may occur as early as October. For an indoor rustic arrangement, start with the elephant in the room – lighting and seating.
Rustic engagements are all about a laid-back yet elegant celebration. Keeping in line with this theme, you can use whimsical lanterns, mason jar lights, or string lights. Using a combination of all three will surely give the impression of a fairytale in the making.
Use the lights around seating areas strategically to create a luminous canopy. The decor should also scream ‘countryside.’ For this, invest in some thrifted vintage photo frames, candles, and mirrors. Include wildflowers or dried wheat stalks all around the space.
Do not forget to light an indoor fire and embrace all autumnal colors. With these little inclusions, you can go beyond burlap and wicker baskets.
Selecting Attire and A Stunning 2-ct Engagement Ring
No matter how eye-catching the backdrop, the star couple will be the objects of focus. This means your attire and the ring should be on point. Men may not have many outfit styles to choose from, but they can surely play with the color.
Given the theme, let the man of the day stick with a dark brown or green suit along with a complementing tie/bow. The lady of the day can don herself in a long, flowy dress of similar colors. She has other options too. These include sundresses, an empire-waist gown in floral prints, or a cottagecore linen dress.
Just pair these with the right accessories in earth tones and get ready to make heads turn and eyes pop. For the ring, what could go better than the classic diamond, which symbolizes eternal love and passion? You can purchase the size based on your needs and budget. Just to give you some perspective, The Knot found that the average cost of an engagement ring in 2023 was $5500.
2-carat diamond rings are a popular choice for engagement. They capture a lady’s delicate charms perfectly. Look at something from Leibish’s collection of 2-carat diamond engagement rings, featuring stones and designs that catch the eye.
When these Fall colors combine with solitaire diamonds, the results are exceptional. From the stunning halo design to the classic cushion and princess cut, your options are endless. We would suggest steering clear of the typical and moving towards the unconventional with a colorful engagement ring.
Setting the Table
Can we speak of a Fall rustic-themed engagement party without bringing up the tablescape? It’s time to collect farmhouse centerpieces, mason jars, rustic lanterns, garlands with blooms, and linen tablecloths.
Since we are speaking of tablecloths, let’s complete the picture with cotton or gauze table runners. There’s scarcely any need for ornamental flowers when you can set up wildflowers. Want to take it a step further? Place wooden disks instead of regular table mats.
Even the food and beverages can align with the engagement theme. We’re hinting at roasted vegetable salads, smoked mac and cheese, wood-fired pizzas, apple tiramisu, and butternut squash ravioli, among others.
Besides the fine wine, enchant your guests with whiskey ginger, apple cider mimosas, and cranberry bliss. When it comes to desserts, your guests wouldn’t want to miss out on the classic pumpkin pie, caramel cookies, and cinnamon rolls.
If you’re ready, we hope this article has given you some ideas to host a memorable rustic Fall engagement.