Choosing and planning your wedding decor elements like linens, centerpieces, signage and favors can seem like an overwhelming task if you don’t start early and start with a mood or vision board, but luckily there is tons of inspiration out there and tons of venues that can match your theme!
If you are planning a wedding, make sure to check out other helpful blogs in our Wedding Planning Guide!
Abbey and Jake had a beautiful National Park Themed Wedding at Tuck’d Inn Farm - a gorgeous venue that felt like a nature destination in itself. Tucked away in the Cook’s Forest just northeast of Pittsburgh, it lends itself perfectly to a wedding designed to celebrate the beauty of love and of nature.
There were many ways in which the couple incorporated the theme into the day:
Venue Location
Starting with the actual venue itself, Tuck’d Inn Farm is a spacious venue that was built with such intention for events. It’s more like a “barn-shaped” elegant event hall than “farm.” With plenty of parking, beautiful views and privacy, it truly feels like a luxury escape. The couple shared with me that they were camping at the nearby state park and happened to drive past the wedding venue. After a quick internet search and an initial tour, they knew it was exactly what they were dreaming of.
How can you choose a venue that fits your wedding theme? I would suggest starting with how you want you and your guests to FEEL when they spend time there. Consider what’s around, what the guest accommodations are, and what your non-negotiables are.
TableScape
Opting for farm-style long tables created a more relaxed family-style feel, as opposed to round tables which are often used in ballrooms. The runners in the middle of the table let the natural wood become a part of the design as well, lending to a rustic “camp” style feel. Top it off with handkerchief napkins and speckled enamel coffee mugs (custom printed) and it created a whimsical and delightful nod at having a picnic in the mountains. Don’t be deterred by “rustic” though, the bud vases of colorful fresh flowers and crystal water glasses made the whole tablescape feel both elevated and refined.
Signage
If all the other decor doesn’t give your guests the idea of the theme, you can really make your point with signage and other printed decor. The couple turned their guestbook into postcards they collected at every park they visited, where guests could write their will wishes on the back for them. The tables and seating chart were bespoke as well, the chart showing a map with every significant destination the couple has enjoyed together, with the tables named after them. Guests could then enjoy being at the “Smoky Mountain National Park” table instead of being at “Table 13.”
Ceremony
One other sweet way the theme was incorporated was in the actual vows themselves. Not exactly planned by the couple, the officiant (the Bride’s grandma!) wove in beautiful well-wishes that were themed to the couple’s favorite places (“May your love by as vast as the Grand Canyon” - I made this one up because my memory is terrible, but hers were even MORE beautiful!)
If your officiant doesn’t know you and your partner before hand, try reaching out to a poetic friend or even ChatGPT for some inspiration on how to incorporate your theme into wedding vows. Also if you NEED an officiant still, check this out!
I hope this gives you some inspiration and some boldness to try out some of the ways mentioned to truly make your wedding unforgettable, and most importantly, YOURS. Enjoy some beautiful wedding photos at the Tuck’d Inn Farm.
