Jill Medinger[portfolio_slideshow id=4108]
Celebrating love is a beautiful and romantic thing. Weddings are a chance for loved ones to take a moment to honor a couple’s commitment. They are also a chance for the bride and groom to share, in some way, who they are and what their union means. For horse people, an equestrian-themed wedding can be an obvious choice. A ceremony held in the barn around which a couple’s life is centered can be a meaningful way to make a wedding personal. For others, the abstract image of horses can evoke any number of emotions that their friends and family can experience while celebrating with them. From the swaying manes of a wild herd to an elegantly braided top-level dressage horse, the inclusion of equestrian icons and imagery can kindle feelings of romance, nostalgia, and elegance.
Horses have long been included in wedding celebrations, from royal English carriages to the horseback bridegroom of the Indian baraat. Today, the options for equestrian weddings are endless. Some imagine fairytale weddings with Disneyesque four-in-hand coaches, while others choose a “trash the dress” photo shoot on horseback. Equestrian style encompasses a wide spectrum, and offers infinite combinations, allowing brides and grooms to pinpoint a style that fits their personalities. Even when horses are not actually present, the essence of equestrian life can find its way into details in numerous ways—from place cards to favors, to the venue and event design.
Photography: Rowell Photography, Laura Murray Photography, GetzCreative Photography
WEDDING COUPLES 
Many couples choose to include equestrian details in their weddings, from the venue to the place cards. See a wide variety in these weddings.
EQUESTRIAN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY 
Wedding photographer Aaron Watson explains the intracies and difficulties of photographing equestrian brides, from exotic “trash-the-dress” shoots to extravagant formal occasions.
RUSTIC WEDDINGS 
Maggie Lord, curator of Rustic Wedding Chic, a popular wedding style blog, offers insight into planning a rustic wedding with equestrian details from her new book, Rustic Wedding Handbook.