Create a reception full of Old West life - from the music to the food to the favors, bring Texas to your wedding, even if your wedding can't make it to Texas.
Barns and other Western locations.
Scout out a perfect country-western location to have your cotton-pickin' reception. Barns, back yards, state parks, and dance halls would all be great places for you and your guests to kick up your heels and celebrate your marriage. They would also be the perfect setting for a boot-stompin' Western wedding.
Serve your doggies some Western chow.
From open-pit barbeque to Southwest inspired spicy fare, there are a plethora of culinary choices to fill out your cowboy menu. You can also get creative with the cocktails - whether it's margaritas or beer from the bottle, make your guests feel they've stepped into a Gene Autry movie.
Swing to country tunes.
Whether you choose to have a live band or a DJ, be sure they specialize in the country tunes you adore. Have an "expert" available to teach guests line dancing, and don't forget to play "Cotton-Eyed Joe" for the two-steppers. Just as creative could be a reception square dance, with the best man or your Dad calling out instructions to your twirling guests.
Instead of clinking glasses...
Have cowboy-inspired ideas to get the two of you to kiss instead of forks and spoons clinking on glasses. Hand out miniature cowbells to ring, or ask guests to write Will Rogers-style quotes to read for a kiss. Other ideas include having to make up a poem or limerick involving horses and marriage, sing the chorus from a lovey-dovey country song, or shouting "Yeee-hawww!" every time guests want you to touch lips.
Favor roundup.
Find special thank-yous that make your guests want to roam the plains. Tiny cowboy boots filled with chocolates or candy, mini personalized cowboy hats, and cowboy boot bottle openers are just a few of many options that are out there for the Western wedding couple.
See our galleries of perfect wedding stories! Read all about them here...
