Rustic Romantic Santa Barbara Wedding with DIY Details

Bride and groom embracing at outdoor wedding venue

Chris and Katie are UC Santa Barbara sweethearts, and wanted to incorporate that laid-back Santa Barbara style throughout their day. They were looking to create a no-fuss celebration with a 200+ guest list at an outdoor venue and of course, it all came together in a beautiful fashion. See even more gorgeous purple and gray wedding inspiration in the full gallery here, photographed by Kelsey Stewart.

Bride and bridesmaids in lavender dresses outdoors

Bride and groom portrait on their wedding day

Wedding groomsmen in grey suits outdoor celebration

Appropriate Dress Code

We instructed our guests to wear “lawn appropriate shoes” and that was a really good idea because there were some dirt paths to maneuver. The style of the wedding was originally intended to be “Boho Romantic,” but it ended up being “Rustic Romantic” - which was perfect for us. My best decision in the planning process was my Dad hiring our “Day-Of” Coordinator, Sarah, who offered so much helpful advice and solved every one of my logistical problems along the way.

Wedding program with rustic outdoor ceremony seating

Outdoor wedding aisle with flowers on wooden chairs

Seating Chart Windows DIY

The Seating Chart Windows were a DIY Project that my Dad and I conquered. We went to a Habitat for Humanity “ReStore” (essentially a Thrift Store for home parts) in San Luis Obispo and found these beauties. My dad just screwed in some hinges to attach them together and they were done. So easy. After I finalized the seating chart the week before the wedding, I invited over my incredibly talented friend Sarah to do the calligraphy.

Rustic wedding seating chart on vintage window panes

Rustic barn wedding reception with string lights decor

Wedding table decor with lantern greenery and favors

Lantern Centerpiece DIY

The centerpieces were another DIY project. We purchased all of the lanterns from Pier 1, and then we used Velcro to stick the battery packs to the tops of the lanterns. The Velcro held and hid the battery packs perfectly, and the fairy lights gave the whole barn a whimsical feel. Our wedding day was the hottest day of a heat wave in our area. We had misting hoses hung up like at Disney World around the cocktail area.

Rustic beverage station barrels lemonade dispensers cups

Cookies and pretzels on a two tiered turquoise stand

Wear What You Love

I was worried though the planning process about wearing a flower crown at my wedding because it was such a “trend”- even though I thought they were beautiful. Instead, I had a lovely jeweled headpiece from BHLDN that I was planning on wearing when at the last minute I decided I just wanted to wear a flower crown. My florist Erin made a beautiful one, and I couldn’t be happier about following that “trend.”

Rustic barn wedding dessert table with pies and flowers