Rustic wedding decor ideas for a country wedding in France

Rustic wedding decor comes down to a handful of ingredients: natural materials such as wood, linen and jute, seasonal or dried flowers, plenty of candles and festoon lights for the evening. The aim isn't to fill every corner but to build on the setting you already have, whether that's a barn, a country estate or a garden. The good news is that the style lends itself to DIY and hiring, which helps keep costs in check.

In France this look is known as champêtre, and it's one of the most popular wedding styles, especially at the farmhouses and domaines (country estates) that many international couples choose. Here are our ideas, element by element, plus advice on what to hire, what to buy and when to bring in a professional.

Choosing a rustic colour palette

Before thinking about objects, settle on two or three colours. They'll guide your choice of flowers, table linen and stationery, and tie everything together.

A few combinations that work well:

• Sage green, ivory and natural wood: the most timeless option, soft and fresh.
• Terracotta, ochre and rust: warm and ideal for late summer or autumn.
• Dusty pink, cream and eucalyptus: romantic and lovely in spring.
• Lavender, white and olive green: a nod to Provence that suits high summer perfectly.

Keep one main colour, one accent and one neutral. Let the natural textures do the rest.

Table decor: wood, linen and seasonal flowers

The tables are the centrepiece of your decor, as guests spend most of the evening sitting at them.

Materials

Long trestle tables in bare wood need very little dressing. On standard tables, a linen or cotton gauze runner, or a crumpled linen tablecloth, gives an instant country feel. Fabric napkins tied with a sprig of rosemary or lavender make a pretty finishing touch.

Flowers

Go for local, seasonal flowers: peonies and ranunculus in spring, wildflowers and grasses in summer, dahlias and coloured foliage in autumn. Dried flowers (bunny tails, statice, eucalyptus, gypsophila, wheat) can be prepared in advance and cope well with the heat of a French summer. Rather than one large centrepiece, line the table with mismatched bud vases or glass jars.

Candles

Tealights in glass holders, tall taper candles in brass or wooden candlesticks: the more points of light, the better. If the venue doesn't allow naked flames, LED candles are surprisingly convincing.

Lighting: festoon lights and lanterns

Country weddings often spill outside after dark, and lighting sets the whole mood.

• Festoon lights strung above the tables, between trees or inside a marquee.
• Lanterns in metal or wood placed along paths.
• Hanging tealight holders in the branches.
• Fairy-light jars on the drinks reception tables.

Think about power points and the weather. Outdoors, a sound and lighting supplier or your decorator can set up lighting that is safe and evenly spread.

Signage, ceremony arch and finishing touches

Signage

A welcome sign on an easel, a seating plan on a pallet or an old mirror, chalkboards for the menu and bar: signage guides your guests while adding to the decor. Chalk or white paint lettering on wood fits the style perfectly.

Ceremony arch

For an outdoor symbolic ceremony (the legal part takes place at the mairie, the town hall), the arch is the focal point. A wooden or metal frame draped with light fabric and an asymmetric floral arrangement looks beautiful without being overdone. Alternatives include a simple metal hoop with flowers, or two large floor arrangements either side of the aisle.

Details

Hay bales topped with blankets for ceremony seating, old wooden crates to display favours, a ladder hung with photos of the two of you: these small touches give a country wedding its charm.

Hiring vs buying your decorations

This is the big budget question. According to Mariages.net, couples in France spend around €950 on flowers and decoration on average, although the figure varies widely by region and by how ambitious the project is.

Hire the large pieces you'll only use once: the arch, furniture, easels, big lanterns, vintage crockery, linen tablecloths. You avoid storage and transport, and furniture hire often includes delivery, which is especially useful if you're organising from abroad.

Buy small, inexpensive items you can resell or reuse: jars, tealight holders, chalkboards, ribbon.

A few ways to keep costs down:

• Choose a venue that's already beautiful (old stone, an orchard, exposed beams): it needs far less decorating.
• Stick to seasonal flowers and foliage, which cost less than imported blooms.
• Move the ceremony flowers to the drinks reception or the tables afterwards.
• Start collecting jars and bottles from friends and family months in advance.

For the bigger picture, see our guide to the average wedding budget in France, and add decor to your wedding planning checklist.

Working with a florist or decorator

DIY is rewarding, but setting up on the day takes hours and someone has to take it all down again. A professional saves you that time and brings an eye for the overall look, which matters all the more if you can't visit the venue often.

• A florist creates the bouquet, buttonholes, table arrangements and arch. They know what's in season and will steer you towards the flowers best suited to your date.
• A decorator handles everything: design, hiring the items, set-up and take-down.

To get started, put together a mood board with a few photos, your palette, guest numbers and pictures of the venue. Ask for a quote that separates flowers, hire and labour. On Eventéo, every supplier is checked (SIRET business registration and RC Pro professional liability insurance) before appearing on the platform.

Browse wedding decorators in Lyon or florists in Nantes, or simply post your decoration request: it's free, with no commitment, and you'll receive up to five quotes to bring your country wedding to life.