Ideas for bridging rustic and formal?

Yea I think it is what it is...a barn.

Do you have photos of your venue? I've seen some gorgeous, elegant barn weddings on Pinterest -- white tablecloths, chandeliers and/or hanging lanterns, etc -- though I think it's more common for the groom to wear a nice suit, instead of a tux, in these settings.

Britt,

What you're describing is right on-trend for what wedding planners are forecasting for the 2016 wedding season. (See number #7! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/danielle-rothweiler/2016-wedding-trends-top-10_b_8548836.html)

Brides and wedding planners are starting to gravitate more toward crystal, lace, chalkboards and a more refined take on Shabby Chic. To echo what the article states, if it's within your budget one large statement piece like a rental chandelier can be a game changer for your decor.

If your venue allows candles, definitely consider using candlelight (or realistic LED candles) its amazing how much lighting can change the appearance of a venue. Bonus points if you have any crystal/glass or mirrored accent pieces to reflect the soft light.

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! I'm sure whatever decor choices you make will be perfect.

So, there's a barn venue really close to my parents house that FH and I considered. Celia posted a picture on instagram this weekend from that venue and it definitely feels less barn. I think the key is the fabric draping, chandelier and uplighting. It's still going to look and feel like a barn, but i think those help a lot.

I feel like I accomplished something like this... we got married at a winery in the middle of Kentucky. The groom's party wore gray tuxes. I think you're right on track. Choose the decor that you like and trust that everything will come together. My only recommendation would be to have a DOC to pull all the last minute details together.

Here's my non-pro bam. I have a couple pictures in here that might give ideas (mostly a few pics of details on pgs 2,3,4:

https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/non-pro-bam-keep-updating-as-the-day-goes-on/dcdbb98d75931dbf.html

I wrote this on my BAM about my decor... maybe it will help:

Each table's centerpiece was different, and I spent the past 2 years collecting knick-knacks for each. We used my great-great-grandmother's old books (my gramma says they're not antiques and are meant to be used/read), my oil lamp collection, china and silver pieces to hold the flowers, and knick knacks such as a brass cricket or a porcelain statue of a boy/girl or a gnome (because I love gnomes) etc. I was so worried they wouldn't turn out, but when I walked into the tent before the ceremony, I was so blown away with how everything came together better than I imagined possible!

@Jersey Jen I just don't get that picture. What's the point of having your wedding in a BARN if you're going to dress it up like a ballroom?

Snarky: I totally agree. I'm not really into barn wedding venues, but if she's trying to make a barn venue formal enough for tuxedos, I think all that stuff makes two very different styles blend together.

I'm not having a barn wedding, and the groomsmen aren't wearing tuxedos. OP, are you set on tuxedos?

@Tania, In that second photo, I think black tuxedos look weird for a rustic venue. I think you need grey.

If you rented a barn, let it be a barn.....seriously.

Newsflash; no one coming to your wedding is looking at everything with an eye towards, "does it go"?

Celia, I hope you don't mind that I posted your photo. I can take it down if you mind!

You may find some great examples googling for weddings held at the Fearrington House. It's a wedding venue that is a barn but still very elegant.

Idk, I'd be careful with draping fabric like that; the first picture, with the purple lights, looked kinda like a circus tent, imo. Just stripey and odd.

Don't worry about it so much. I don't think anyone will walk in and say "why is he wearing a tux in a barn?" I'm also having a barn wedding. I'm not going to go quite as formal as you, but I'm definitely not going the mason jars and burlap everywhere route either. I think it can be done.

I've seen it done very well. I think it's actually a really neat look. We did some similar things at our wedding, though it was a garden and not a barn. I added in a few rustic touches and then just a few formal things like my dress. I loved it and got a bunch of compliments.

Bark weddings can be beautiful and tuxes are fine as long as it's not a black tie event. What it sounds like you're planning so far sounds lovely, I'm actually surprised by those who don't think it will be. My wedding will be in a rustic old mill. I'm wearing a lace gown and my FH is wearing a tux, his choice I would've picked a suit but he's adamant about wearing a tux.

Don't use mason jars or burlap and that will help. Also if you can do upgraded table linens and place chargers will make it look more upscale.

I did lace table runners on plum table cloths, and my caterer used silver chargers on the tables. I think it looked more elegant than other barn weddings I have seen, definitely did not look like a hoedown.

Eta: I wanted it to still look like a barn but not a hoedown or western, more vintage.

One of the tables, I also had tables with milk glass vases and flowers.

I'm having a similar styled wedding and am facing similar issues. I'm getting married at a blueberry farm in a rustic "barn" like building (it's not quite a full out barn, but has the exact same rustic elements).

My dress is also not quite so rustic and very clean lines and simple but elegant. I'm trying to tie my piecing together by including some vintage elements (pearls especially) with the burlap and lace (and burgundy is my main "colour"). It's definitely hard to blend the two but I think it can be done. I'm trying to remind myself when making any decisions "Does this fit the desired look of the wedding?". Also, I've had to let go of a few dream ideas because I later realized the colours or idea didn't fit the theme.

Best of luck with your beautiful wedding! It will be amazing no matter what.

Cheers

Wow, reading the first couple comments was a little jarring. I asked for helpful tips on what decor items I could add, not whether you thought it could or could not be done. We're doing it. FH insists on wearing a black tux, and I think it's wonderful that he's excited and has opinions. He will look so handsome no matter what.

I'm so glad I kept reading and heard that 1) It could be done 2) It's trendy (although I certainly don't feel the need to be trendy) and 3) People want more info so they can help. THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND WORDS AND SUPPORT! That's the whole point of the forum, right?

So onto pictures and clarification. I am not renting a barn. It is a banquet facility made to look like a barn, with floor to ceiling windows on one side that overlooks a lake. Here's the decor package we are going with (string lights and fabric):

So your venue isn't even as rustic as mine was, i think its hard for some people to vision what you have in mind if its not said very specifically.

here are some more pictures from my reception, yes its still rustic but i fee like it maybe a direction you are looking to go in.

personally i would add pops of color, i think that the paper lanterns would work over the dance floor like they did the globe lights over the dance floor in the picture you posted.

eta: i would stick to lace details rather than blingy sparkly Chrystal details.

what specifically for decor were you looking for? centerpieces? linens? lighting?

Sequin tablecloth or runners, candelabras, fine china, dramatic flowers, elegant and restrained draping of fabric (not all over the place).

I would stay away from things like paper lanterns, mason jars, or bunting because that is going to look like some twee pinterest explosion real fast.