16 Stunning Ideas for Your Mountain Wedding

28 Feb 16 Stunning Ideas for Your Mountain Wedding

If you’re looking for a serene and picturesque wedding venue, there’s no better place than the mountains. Planning a wedding surrounded by rolling hills, green trees, and blue skies can create unforgettable memories for you and your guests. From breathtaking views to cozy cabin vibes, a destination wedding in the mountains offers a stunning ambiance for nature lovers and non-traditional couples. If you’re considering tying the knot under the pines, here are some fun and unique ideas to elevate your big day!

Create the Right Aesthetic

Embrace an earthy aesthetic to complement the natural beauty of the venue’s surroundings. Use wood tones, lots of greenery, and colors inspired by nature to set the tone for your wedding day. To lean into the natural vibe even more, you can also incorporate eco-friendly materials like recycled paper or reclaimed wood decor.

Tips for Setting the Tone of your Wedding

1. Choose a color palette with shades of green, brown, orange, and beige.
2. Use wood chairs and tables to mirror the surrounding trees.
3. Add a mountain illustration to signage, invitations, & other decor.
4. Use minimal florals and greenery to match the outdoorsy vibe.
5. Try biodegradable confetti for your send-off.

Treat Your Guests to Welcome Bags

Greet guests to your wedding weekend with themed welcome bags. Fill boxes or tote bags with local wine, snacks, personalized canteens, sunscreen, and other goodies that will keep your friends and family cozy all weekend long. Include a card with information about nearby activities, like mountain biking, rafting, or wine tasting, so your guests can make the most of the festivities!

Welcome Bag Ideas

1. Local wine, beer, or cider
2. Treats & snacks from local restaurants
3. Personalized mugs, canteens, or thermoses
4. Sunscreen, lotions, or face masks
5. Mini first aid kits
6. Blankets, pajamas, or slippers

Choose Organic Attire

To reflect the relaxed vibe of a mountain wedding, choose attire inspired by nature. For suits, pick organic fabrics like cotton or linen. For wedding or bridesmaid dresses, embrace a bohemian-inspired look with flowy fabrics, floral embroidery, and minimal details.

Tips for Choosing the Right Attire

1. Pick a wedding dress with foliage-inspired embroidery.
2. Look for loose and flowy dress silhouettes.
3. Reflect the natural beauty of your big day with a floral crown.
4. Choose natural colors, like forest green or sky blue, for the bridesmaid’s dresses.
5. Pick neutral-colored suits made of cotton or linen.
6. Add cozy elements to the suits like flannel pocket squares or leaf boutonnieres.

Incorporate Natural Elements into Your Decor

Take advantage of the natural beauty of the wilderness by using natural elements like wood, stone, and greenery in your decor. Wood signage, tree branch place card holders, and simple floral arrangements will add a dreamy touch without distracting from the natural beauty of the venue.

Decoration Ideas

1. Incorporate local flora and fauna into your floral arrangements.
2. Use pine cones, moss, or tree branches as centerpieces or decor.
3. Keep the ceremony simple with wood chairs and greenery.
4. Pick a neutral color palette that compliments the forest aesthetic.
5. Use natural fabrics like linen, burlap, or cheesecloth for your tablescapes.

Use the Mountains as Your Backdrop

A mountain view is a stunning backdrop for your “I dos”. Skip elaborate arches or floral arrangements, and let the natural surroundings take center stage. With the sweeping vistas and towering trees, your guests will be in awe.

Mountain Ceremony Ideas

1. For the best views, get married on a deck overlooking the mountains.
2. Use clear chairs (also known as ghost chairs) so they don’t take away from the scenery.
3. Say your vows at sunset for a dreamy and romantic memory of a lifetime.

A Reception with a View

A panoramic view of the mountains is the only decor you need for a gorgeous reception! Set up long banquet tables to enjoy dinner overlooking the peaks and valleys. Or, set up a cocktail hour on the deck so your guests can take in the fresh mountain air while sipping on his-and-hers libations.

Outdoor Reception Ideas

1. Host an outdoor cocktail hour with yard games and small bites.
2. Set up a photo booth in front of the mountain views.
3. Turn the deck into the dancefloor for breathtaking “first dance” photos.
4. Enjoy a casual, family-style dinner with the mountains as your backdrop.
5. Use heaters to keep your guests warm throughout the night.

Capture the Natural Beauty

For truly stunning photos, hire a photographer who specializes in outdoor wedding photography. A professional photographer will scout the area for the ultimate backdrop to capture breathtakingly beautiful photos that you will cherish for a lifetime.

Add these Ideas to your Shot List

1. Capture your first kiss as a married couple in front of the mountain backdrop.
2. Look for nearby fields or forested areas to capture unique shots.
3. Take advantage of golden hour for gorgeous portraits.
4. Step away during the sunset for romantic photos with your significant other.
5. Capture family portraits in front of a natural landscape.

Offer Cozy Blankets

Blankets will keep your guests warm and cozy during your ceremony and reception. Display them in woven baskets or rustic wood crates near any seating area so guests can easily grab one throughout the night.

Ideas for Incorporating Blankets into Your Celebration

1. Use flannel blankets as a nod to the rustic forest vibe.
2. Set up picnic blankets on the lawn so guests can stargaze after dinner.
3. Buy personalized blankets as wedding favors or welcome gifts.

Serve Comfort Food

A comforting and hearty menu is perfect for a mountain wedding. Find a caterer to create delectable, cozy meals like gourmet macaroni and cheese, savory pot pies, or elegant stews that will keep you and your guests full for a night of dancing!

More Catering Ideas

1. Serve your favorite comfort foods, like mini tacos or meatballs, during cocktail hour.
2. Ask your caterer to make a nostalgic family recipe.
3. Go for a family-style dinner for a dinner party vibe.
4. Offer a dessert bar with all of your childhood favorites.
5. Enjoy pizza, cheeseburgers, or French fries for a late-night snack.

Get Creative with Cake

Wow your guests with a wedding cake inspired by surrounding beauty. Look for a local bakery that specializes in custom wedding cakes and work with their team to create something spectacular! Choose a flavor like s’mores, hot chocolate, or spice cake to add to the warm and inviting atmosphere.

Wedding Cake Ideas

1. Go for a rustic naked cake topped with fresh flowers and greenery.
2. Incorporate the views into your cake with a mountain cake topper.
3. Serve the cake on a custom tree stump cake stand.

Say “I Do” Under a Branch Arch

Create a whimsical setting for your ceremony by saying “I do” under a simple and romantic branch arch. This is a lovely way to add decor without distracting too much from the natural surroundings. The beauty of the mountains will frame your ceremony as you exchange vows surrounded by friends and family.

Ideas for Decorating a Branch Arch

1. Add pops of florals and greenery.
2. Drape the branches with flowy cheesecloth.
3. Keep things earthy with untamed branches.

Choose Wildflower Arrangements

Incorporate natural beauty into your floral arrangements and centerpieces with wildflowers, local greenery, and native blooms. Work with a local florist to create bouquets and centerpieces full of seasonal flowers that reflect the natural landscape of the mountains.

Wildflowers to Add to Your Bouquet

1. Poppies
2. Lupines
3. Irises
4. Zinnias
5. Daisies

Incorporate Dreamy Lighting

Strategic lighting can help set the mood for your mountain wedding and enhance the natural beauty of the surroundings. Use a variety of lighting techniques to add a romantic tone to the evening after the sun goes down.

Lighting Ideas

1. Hang string lights or Edison bulbs over the dance floor.
2. Use lanterns on tables and walkways to add a charming touch.
3. Use flameless candles and votives to add a soft glow to your centerpieces.

Add Some Modern Rustic Flair

Embrace the rustic charm of the mountains by incorporating DIY decorations and vintage elements into your big day. From reclaimed wood to colorful vintage glassware, there’s no limit to creating a vibe that matches your style!

Rustic Decoration Ideas

1. Use old wine barrels as cocktail tables.
2. Create a lounge with vintage furniture & rugs.
3. Make signage out of recycled wood.
4. Go for a warm, neutral color palette.
5. Host your reception in an old barn.

Keep the Decor Simple

If you’re more of a minimalist, let the beauty of the mountains shine by keeping the decor understated. Go for simple, but gorgeous, accents like minimal white flower arrangements, linen napkins, and string lights that complement rather than compete with the natural surroundings.

Simple Decoration Tips

1. Instead of large centerpieces, go with small bud vases with a variety of flowers.
2. Go sans-flowers with flameless candle centerpieces and simple greenery.
3. Use small wood table numbers so your guests can find their seats.
4. Pick a neutral color palette that compliments the colors of the environment.
5. Take advantage of the views as your backdrop rather than having a wedding arch or elaborate ceremony decor.

End the Night with S’mores

What’s a mountain wedding without s’mores? End your big night with a cozy bonfire and s’mores station so guests can roast marshmallows under the stars. Offer a bar of different chocolates, cookies, and toppings so guests can customize their s’mores.

S’mores Bar Ideas

1. Offer a mix of local chocolates, candies, and fruit.
2. Think beyond the graham tracker. Try a mix of cookies instead!
3. If you can’t have a bonfire, pick up some heat cans for easy marshmallow roasting.

Book Your Mountain Wedding Venue

A mountain wedding offers breathtaking views and a relaxed atmosphere for an unforgettable celebration. By incorporating some of these ideas into your big day, you can create a memorable experience for you and your guests.

As one of California’s best-rated mountain wedding venues, we can’t wait to be a part of your lifelong memories. Get in touch to secure your wedding date!