A Little Bit of Country - Find the perfect setting for your "Country Chic" wedding

Some couples just don't feel like a traditional banquet room or upscale ballroom represent who they are as a couple. Instead, they're looking for a more casual venue that will give their special day a warm and relaxed feeling; a place that they can fill with unique touches. Enters the increasingly popular "country chic" wedding! Inspired Occasions already has three of these type weddings on the books for next year.

What makes these weddings chic? The details. . . Beverages on ice served from wooden barrels or an antique canoe; a vintage pick-up truck used in place of a table for the dessert display, escort cards simply hanging by clothespins on the exterior of an old ban, centerpieces of wildflowers in collections of vintage milk glass or ball jars. These days, the measure of a great wedding is not in how fancy it is, but how meticulous and personal the details. Let the imagination run wild and be inspired by all things old, rustic and raw. Pair these things with beautiful linens and flowers and display everything in a creative and whimsical way. . . you've got Chic!

What makes them country? The location. The landscape and picturesque seasons of Upstate New York lend themselves to this genre so you don't have to go far to find the perfect setting for your country chic affair. For all you Capital Region couples who are thinking of going this route, be sure to take a peek at these spectacular locations:

Pruyn House (Newtonville, NY). Located just outside of Albany, Pruyn house offers a historic mansion with gorgeous seasonal gardens perfect for an outdoor ceremony and the large rustic Buhrmaster Barn for dinner and dancing. Plenty of room for tent events as well. (pictured LEFT)

Pat's Barn at Rensselaer Technology Park. (Troy, NY) An almost brand new venue. This fully restored barn provides the warmth and feel of a rustic barn, yet all the creature comforts one would want including heat and air conditioning. Private setting with outdoor patio for cocktail hour. (pictured BELOW)

Rensselaerville Meeting Center. (Rensseaerville, NY) Give your guests an entire weekend retreat here. It has an incredible view of the Catskill Mountains, overnight accomodates right on site and several buildings to accomodate your pre and post wedding festivities. No shortage of space for a tent event and organized group activities are onsite for all your out of town guests.

Historic Barns of Nipmoose. This place is the definition of country. Set in the heart of the agricultural landscape of Upstate NY, three full restored barns stand alone with a spectacular view of nothing but rolling hills. These historic barns are oozing character and would be an unforgetable location for a ceremony and reception. (pictured RIGHT & BELOW)

D.I.Y. (Tip #1: Champagne Wedding . . . Boxed Wine Budget)

DIY! That’s right . . . “do it yourself.” Let me preface this by saying, please do not make the mistake of doing it ALL yourself. There are so many great resources for DIY brides these days, but no matter how simple each project seems unto itself, try to do too many and you’ll soon find yourself buried in tedious projects, late night trips to the craft store and days of set up prior to your event.

That being said, there is a place in every wedding for one or two great DIY projects. For example, instead of hiring a stationer or printer to create all of your stationary elements, choose one to do yourself. If you are computer savvy and have a good quality printer, try using one of the high quality invitation kits out there. Add a few of your own embellishments like crystal appliqués or specialty ribbon to pump it up and make it unique while dramatically cutting your stationary cost.

Or try this DIY cost-cutter . . . instead of having menu cards at each place setting, order or create three per table, display them in frames you already have or on small inexpensive easels that coordinate with your décor and place them on the tables to add another visually interesting element to your tablescape. Displaying three of them on a round table will ensure that each guest can view it while cutting your menu card order by at least half.

When choosing which DIY project(s) to take on, carefully consider the amount of time, skill, tools and manpower you have available to you. Pick one or two that you can reasonably execute and, most importantly, will effect the bottom line. Happy crafting everyone!