Today’s post was sparked by a segment I saw on Rachel Ray this morning.
Actress Amy Smart and HGTV host Carter Oosterhouse shared their favorite DIY green wedding tips on the show.
Personally, I had a destination wedding where we were barefoot on the beach in the Bahamas, but if I would’ve had a wedding locally, these are exactly the types of things I would have done for a rustic wedding!
Using things found in nature is a fun (and eco-friendly) way to decorate your wedding and your home.
Following are the famous couple’s favorite DIY green wedding ideas, plus some of my own favorite rustic ideas for a simple nature-centered wedding.
I love how it has a casual and really organic feel to the decorations. And it just makes people feel a lot more relaxed if things don’t look too precious or staged. — Rachel Ray
3 Ideas For A Nature-Centered Wedding
These first 3 ideas are from Carter Oosterhouse and Amy Smart…
#1 – A Fun Seating Idea
If your wedding happens to be when apples are in season, try this! Put some apples into bushel baskets — just 6 apples per basket, propped up with moss. Write the names of all your guests on brown paper “leaves”. Have all the baskets of apples underneath a rustic looking sign that reads: Pick Your Seat. Here’s another centerpiece idea using apples. (I like this idea of using river rocks as place cards too.)
#2 – Make Your Own Display Stands
You can make your own display stands by using a jigsaw to slice a little piece out of the top of birch tree branches. Then slide informational cards into the slit and your guests are fully informed of what their choices are for food menu items, table numbers, etc. (Like this and this.) Birch tree stumps also make great candle holders!
#3 – A Creative List Of Menu Items
For the bar area, find an old window sash (choose one with multiple window panes and the glass still in it) and write in each “window” all items that are available at the bar — like this. You can actually use this idea for anything that you need to make into a list for your wedding guests!
Watch this video to see the entire segment on Rachel Ray with details from Amy and Carter on how they did each one.
More Nature-Inspired DIY Wedding Ideas
The rest of the ideas are some of my favorite tips for making rustic-looking wedding decorations yourself…
- A Rustic, Old-Fashioned Popcorn Stand
- 5 Ways To Green Your Wedding
- Simple Ideas For The Green DIY Bride
- Natural & Organic Wedding Reception Ideas
- Using Old Wooden Trays & Crates In Your Wedding
- How To Say “I Do” With Bamboo
- 5 Green Wedding Tips For The Eco-Chic Bride
- Ideas For A Natural, Eco-Friendly Wedding Day
- How To Turn Jars Into Rustic Lanterns
I planned my own Destination Wedding and everything went off without a hitch — we got married barefoot on the beach in the Bahamas! I like to help brides-to-be find unique ways to do things that will ultimately save them time & money on their wedding. I write about "outside the box" wedding ideas that most people wouldn't think of! When I'm not exploring the latest wedding trends, you can find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites).
