[dixiechik256]

My fiance' and I are both "back-woods" country-type, easy going people. I wanted to keep the formality of our wedding at the ceremony and have a fun party for the reception. We rented a log cabin at the lake and have hired some to cater a huge barbecue dinner. However, my mom and I are looking for cute ideas on how to decorate the cabin to tie the barbecue theme together. Their are 250 guest invited, with beer being served. Thanks for your help.

[Nancy Tucker]

Dear Dixiechik,

I can envision red and white checkered table cloths, daisies or sunflowers, maybe some western items such as hay bales, wagon wheels, etc.

[Wedding Queen and MOG]

Centerpieces and Tabletop:

Fill old or new Mason jars (they're available in clear or light blue glass) with bunches of wildflowers, wheat, or wild greenery.

Use baby galvanized tubs for flower arrangements, fruit, or a candle. Instead of ribbons, use rope to tie a bow around the tub. [li]Use blue or black speckled enamelware as containers, and fill with wild herbs and berries.

Wrap rope around plain glass votives and place candles inside.

Use cowbells, tied at the handle with stems of wheat and ribbon or strips of bandana or denim.

For the true cowboys, purchase ceramic cowboy boot planters to fill with flowers or greenery.

Make placecards out of heavy Victorian cardstock, or burn edges of card paper for a "branded" look.

Outdoor Decor

Place antique pottery jugs and washboards around ceremony and reception area.

Tie pieces of split-rail fence with strips of denim or gingham in bows; adorn ceremony or reception with skull heads and wagon wheels.

Put beer and bottles of soda in large galvanized tubs for an outdoor Western feel. [li]Take photos on stacked bales of hay.

Use an old-fashioned "dinner bell" to get guests' attention.

Tie the knot under a lattice trellis woven with pieces of wheat, tumbleweed, or other wild greenery.

Western Accents

Find small cowboy boots made of glass or plastic to fill with Jordan almonds or other favor candy.

Give personalized bottles of birch beer, microbrew, salsa, or barbecue sauce as favors.

Paper flowers, fashioned in bright colors, make great thank-yous with a Southwestern flair.

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.

[The Video Pros]

Sounds like the decorating has been covered, but what about entertainment? If you haven't already decided, you might consider contacting some local country groups, ones that play at the fairs and festivals, and have them provide some fast fiddle and banjo music to liven up things. If part is being held outside and beer is being served, just for laughs and for kids under 80 years, when tossing the garter and bouquet, consider a sack race with the participants being all "eligibles".