| I visited Europe
about a decade ago with my family. I wasn't there for a
wedding, as my mom came into some inheritance money, so
she decided to take us all on a little family vacation.
I remember walking down the streets in Paris, and passing
travel agency shops with big signs in the windows advertising
"Western Weddings" and "Western Adventure
Tours" and the like. Many of them even said something
to the effect of "Visit Marlboro Country" since
many Europeans are familiar with this phrase. Most of the
posters in the windows had a stock photo of some desert
landscape in Utah or Arizona, or the famous rock formations
in Monument Valley. Some of the photos had a picture of
some rough-but-suave at the same time cowboy figure on a
horse, galloping across the desert.
What was even more amusing was that we happened
to be in Europe during the July 4 weekend. Several restaurants
tried to put on an American themed dinner special, and one
restaurant even had their staff dress up in jeans and a
flannel shirt, with cowboy hats. It was amusing, but a little
spooky hearing a native Frenchman try to pull off a Western
Accent. Although the thought was there, it wasn't really
pulled off very well. I know, since I grew up in the "Four
Corners Region" of the US Southwest, what "Western"
really means. It includes not only the Cowboy image from
the past, but also includes the Native American influence
that was in the area long before John Wayne and his fellow
gunslingers.
This whole experience really made me realize
how vastly different one person's view of what "Western"
might mean to another person. In my time "back in the
day" working as a banquets/catering manager in Colorado,
I had many people request that I put together a Western
Themed Wedding Reception or Wedding for them, but little
detail was offered as to exactly what was wanted. I would
ask questions, and also offered my feedback. Most often,
a western-themed event has several things that commonly
appear in the decor, dress, and setting. I'll try to list
my experience and the suggestion of others here. Of course,
this is not all-inclusive and not the definitive guide as
to how to put together a Western Wedding, but maybe some
of the tips and items below will inspire you.
1) The Venue/Setting: The
fact is that if you talk to most any hotel in the USA with
catering and banquet facilities, they will be able to set
up a western themed reception or wedding for you very easily.
Most hotels have "prop rooms" that are large,
almost warehouse-like areas that have themed props and decorations
for almost any type of wedding. I worked at the Hyatt
Regency Beaver Creek in Colorado for a while, and it
was truly amazing how much money they spent on decorations
alone. These props would be used to decorate the buffet
line, the tables and chairs, and the room. They would even
encourage the staff to dress up in their own western outfit
(staff would be reimbursed for any money spent on uniform
items). Prop items included Hay Bales, lots of copper -
sheeting that was cut to make "levels" on which
sandstone was placed for buffet items, cactus, western antiques,
and the like. Red checkered table cloths were often used,
and horse troughs were available for beverages (fill them
with ice and water). The catering managers knew how to put
together a great western wedding event like it was "old
hat
There are plenty of venues that offer a more
"Native American" or even Hispanic/Mexican flavor
to their weddings. For example, Sedona, Arizona hosts the
famous "Tlaquepaque" resort, which is authentically
fashioned after a traditional Mexican village. They do fabulous
weddings at Tlaquepaque, and the ambience is unforgettably
western and Mexican (who could leave out Pancho Villa when
referring to the old "southwest). Tlaquepaque has a
48 capacity chapel that was built 30 years ago, and is adorned
with stained glass windows, leather pews that were hand-carved,
and adobe walls. There is plenty of banquet space on the
property for receptions or rehearsal dinners. At Tlaquepaque,
you will truly feel like you are on a hollywood set made
for a high budget western flick - but with an air of authenticity!
1a) Outdoor Western Wedding Venues
and Settings: Our first recommendation for an outdoor,
western-themed wedding is to explore the National Park System.
You are likely to find a stunning location/backdrop for
your wedding for little or no money. We were married in
Arches
National Park - one of the most stunning "western
backdrops" in the world, and the cost to us was only
$50 for a park fee. Many western and cowboy films have used
this location. Right up the road from Arches at the Red
Cliffs Lodge and Winery, there is a "museum"
of the filmography in the area. In addition, this is also
a great place for you and your wedding party to stay if
you are getting married in the Arches/Canyonlands area.
There is plenty of "western" activities here,
including horseback riding, hiking and exploring the surrounding
redrocks, and some great "home cookin" and delicious
local wines.
If you have a smaller wedding planned, then
there are infinite numbers of locations to have your wedding
in an outdoor/western fashion. There are beautiful roadside
areas all through the American highway system that are eye-droppingly
breathtaking. Take a drive through Monument Valley Arizona
and Utah, and take your pick as to where you could have
a wedding ceremony. The scenery along this road has been
used time and time again in western paintings and films.
Even today you'll see Navajos tending to their sheep by
horseback in this area.
The possibilities are absolutely endless.
As mentioned above, you might want to start by researching
our National Park System for locations. At the minimum,
there will be people you can contact to ask questions about
a particular location.
2) What to wear? I was dating
a gal several years ago who was the biggest horse fanatic
I have ever known. She knew every country song there ever
was, and could tell me Kenny Cheney's birth sign. It was
truly frightening. Me, on the other hand - every time I
have been on a horse, it has bucked me off. I don't mix
well with horses, and I really don't care for country &
western music. Needless to say, our relationship didn't
last long.
However, I did learn a few things. She and
I were on a little weekend getaway to Steamboat Springs,
Colorado (truly an authentic western town) and I mentioned
that I needed some new jeans. I have typically been a Levi
Strauss kind of guy my whole life but I was open to something
new. I mentioned "Wrangler's" and she said "No,
no no" - you need to wear "Cinch" jeans if
you want to be a "real" cowboy. I had never heard
of this brand, but I will have to say, I saw them everywhere
in Steamboat. I ended up buying a pair, and they fit as
well as my favorite "Lucky Brand" jeans, and at
only about half the price. I loved those jeans.
I have worked hundreds of "Western Weddings"
in my time as a banquets manager, and in almost all of them,
you'll see some type of blue jeans. Most people tend to
wear either Levi's or Wranglers, but there are definitely
a few others that will fit the bill for any wedding. The
brands of Jeans that we recommend for a western wedding
are:
2a) What to wear: Cowboy Boots -
Ok, this is kind of a no-brainer. Cowboy boots are a staple
for any western wedding outfit, for both men and women.
Boots come in all sizes, colors, and materials (Boots can
be made from Ostrich!). The cost on a pair of boots can
also vary widely, and a good pair of boots can be very expensive.
English boots are a little more versatile, and can even
be lace-up.
You do not need a brand-new pair of boots
for a wedding. In fact, the more "worn" a pair
of boots are, the more authentic they will probably look.
Many consignment shops and used clothing stores carry boots
that have been around the arena a few times, but still have
a lot of wear in them. Chances are you can find a pair "on
the cheap."
Some of the major brands are: Tony
Lama, Ariat
and Justin.
Believe it or not, Harley Davidson makes boots too! Any
one of these brands, or even a hand-me-down pair from your
uncle would probably work just fine for a wedding.
2b) What to wear: Belts and a Big
ol' buckle (if you're a guy). The choice you make
regarding your belt when you are a cowboy or cowgirl will
say a lot about you to your other cowpokes and ranch hands.
No self-respecting cowboy would ever be caught without a
belt that basically says "Cowboy Up." to anyone
within sight.
Many belts are leather, but can be very basic,
or more fancy with braids in the leather, and decorations.
I prefer the most basic of basic belts. As long as it keeps
my pants up, I'm happy.
Belt buckles are a fashion statement to be
sure. Many of them are huge - the size of a dollar bill
or even bigger! They can be square, rectangle or even round
or oval. Belt buckles can be heavy on the jewelry, with
rhinestones or other stones, or they can be plain silver
with simple decoration.
3) Sarsaparilla (or Sasparilla) and
Rootbeer - These are wonderfully tasty soft drinks
that are very popular in western culture! Briar's
makes great tasting Sarsparilla. Any kids attending your
western wedding will appreciate your having these selections
in the 'trough."
4) Speaking of beverages - A
nice western touch for your wedding reception is to have
your drinks in a big, iced-down horse trough! You may rent
a metal horse trough perfect for your wedding reception
beverages, or many hotels have them on hand in their prop
rooms. Most western stores also carry various types and
sizes of these.
5) Old-Fashioned Popcorn Machine -
Many hotels and venues have old
fashioned popcorn machines available to rent. These
will also give a bit of 'western flair' to your event. Popcorn
machines have been popular at state and county fairs in
America and the West for decades.
Western Wedding Essentials
and "How To's"
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