How to Have An Equestrian Wedding

I am finally engaged and planning a wedding! I explored many wedding themes, including the equestrian theme. I decided against a theme that was 100% equestrian theme but in the process I did find some great ideas.

One of the first places to start, the invites!

Obviously if you have an equestrian themed wedding you more then likely are having a wedding outside in a farm setting or even in a barn. Just clean up the barn real nice and be somewhat sensitive to guests with horse or hay allergies.

Some equestrian decorations for touch.

And of course if you choose to have your horsey friends there...

So you want to ride your horse into the wedding? Consider this: IT MAY LOOK A LOT BETTER IN YOUR HEAD THEN IT DOES IN PERSON. Here are some DONT'S for riding in the wedding...

No Pony Rides Down the Aisle: If you cannot ride your horse down the aisle without someone leading you then you probably do not need to be riding your horse in the wedding. I mean look at this video of the adult pony ride, it just looks pathetic.

Just Get There: If you choose to gallop in, just get there! Do not make it some long gallop where people are staring at you for minutes before you arrive, it ruins the excitement and also leaves more time to screw it all up. And when you do get there, get off! Do not parade around like a circus pony. Also avoid waving frantically, we saw you coming!

Your horse can easily ruin your wedding more easily then any family member could. Think runaway horse, trampling guests, or taking a poop as you are walking down the aisle.

This girl's horse spooked and ran, not to mention it was also a pony ride. So many things wrong here.

The more horses you have, the more risks you take:  The more horses you have the increased chances for a horse mishap. Even the Royal Wedding of the Century had a loose horse. They probably have some of the best behaved horses in the world and the entire wedding was practiced and arranged by top professionals. You won't have that. So, if they can have a loose horse, you could too!

Do not get all princess on us with the wedding carriage: Do not over decorate the wedding carriage, it just looks tacky!

If you really really want your horse at the wedding here are some DOs!

Keep your horse in the stall. Your horse is contained and no one is able to run away and trample guests or the cake. Not too mention if you horse has to take a poop it's not just out there in the open. Having poop at your wedding is not glamorous.

Keep your horse in a nearby field. It is elegant to have horses in the background and safest away from guests. Not too mention if they are munching on grass they are probably comfortable and less likely to make a "scene."

Stay simple with your wedding carriage. Simple is always classy, try to avoid over decorating it.

A few braids, a few flowers, or ribbons will link your horse to the wedding. Think how can I add a wedding touch to my horse. Do not place the horse in a costume.

Beautiful Barns Day #4: Final Touches

Beautiful Barns Day #1:  Stalls
Beautiful Barns Day #2:  Tack rooms
Beautiful Barns Day #3:  Arenas
Beautiful Barns Day #4:  Final Touches (today!)

Final day of some pretty barns, 4 days of religious internet searching is over.  Sigh.  Just a few extra goodies below that make some barns better then others.

Round pens that are more then just cow fencing.

Riders lounges and viewing areas.

A good wash rack and grooming stall

Pretty turnouts

Using flowers to add some decor.

Beautiful Barns Day #2: Tack Rooms

Thursday through Sunday I will be exploring beautiful barns.  Yesterday was stalls, check out here.  Today tack rooms.  Who wouldn't want a nice tack room, this is where we  spend most of our time off the horse cleaning, eating, and chatting!

I wonder where the stairs go off to...maybe a viewing area?

This is an amazing tack room.  The window is an elegant touch.

I love how the show halters are in display in cases.  The windows, door, and tack room give it a cute shop like feel.  

Tack rooms should always have sinks and windows.  The walls are beautiful.

All that light is great!  Tons of space.

The candle chandelier gives it an old charm.  Love the high ceilings.

Don't forget about your boarders!  Here is a way to separate tack for them, I love lockers.  No one can steal your stuff and it hides other people's messes.  These ones are roomy.

Finished wood lockers.  I see a kitty butt.

 The floor is a little funky, I like it.

Slightly more simple, but still charming with the light wood.

Tile floor, a great durable option that looks nice.

 I had to throw this in there for a little history.

Contrast of  white wall and stained wood adds some pop

More display cases, pretty cool.

 Light wood always looks good against dark tack.

Counter space is always needed.

Vintage decorations are very equestrian chic!

Another simple tack room, but lots of light and fans keep it beautiful.  The brick floor is a great idea.

Uniformed tack trunks are always a great idea to keep it neat.

More plants inside.

Gentlemen's tack room

I am a fan of light painted wood.  It almost looks like stalls, a great boarding option so add more wall space and not crowd tack.