Today I’m bringing you guys a surefire way to find out if you are prone to hay fever! JK- but seriously, it sucks so take something before you ever have to find out.
Anyways, My sister-in-law put together some gorgeous details for a wedding this past weekend and I asked if I could tag along and take some pictures of the set up. I only ended up staying for the set up of the hay bales (imagine that) but I think it’s worth sharing because it’s an awesome idea for country themed party seating! You’ve seen it before- I KNOW! In case you haven’t- check out this gorgeous weddings from SMP. But what no one has told you is that it’s a ton of material to cover all those hay bales. And no one wants to sit on uncovered hay in their party clothes- no one. So what’s a girl to do?
Hotels! Friends, hotels are often getting rid of old sheets that are wearing thin, have a stain, or when they’re getting a bit dingy. Call them- ask for them- get free sheets! Tear up those sheets, using the same technique as my party napkins. And then cover your sneeze inducing hay bales! Pretty clever, right? If you were just doing a few for a backyard party, I’d take the time and tear off all the edges of the sheets so it looks like raw material. But I’ve got a thing for raw edges- so that’s up to you.
The sheets were tied on with jute (found in the hardware section of the dollar store) and even a minor windstorm didn’t affect them. If you’ve got extra hands- I’d make this a two person job- it was so much easier working with someone, as opposed to trying to stretch your arms around the back of the bale, while trying to make sure it’s even. Four hands, friends. When you’re done tying, you’re going to want to take a rake to get all the loose hay that’s littering the grass.
I also got to practice my penmanship on the seating arrangement… I’m in love with antique windows for seating charts!
Next week I’m going to share how I made these fun S’mores favour tags for the wedding using only free computer programs- the internet is a wonderful place, isn’t it?
Would you ever use hay bale seating? I love the way it looks, but I’m going to be pretty hesitant in the future because of my hay fever!
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I have some serious outdoor allergies (I’d be using Kleenex for my sneezing more than wiping away happy tears), but I absolutely love the rustic look of hay bales as seating for wedding ceremonies.
Thanks so much for the visit Kara! I love the look of it too… I’ll be loading up on antihistamines next time I try this though:)
What a wonderful idea! I’m in love with antique windows too. :)
Aren’t they gorgeous! My sister-in-law has a couple so I borrow them for parties… I’d love one of my own though!
My granddaughter is getting married in March 2024 and we are so wanting to do the hay bales seating, looks so good any suggestions on where to get them not to expensive? We live in Ocala FL
Hi Jackie, I wouldn’t have an idea in Florida! Best of luck :)
Great idea Colleen, We hope to be having an outdoor wedding these will be fun and inexpensive.
Thanks for sharing
Thanks Michelle! Congratulations on the engagement :)
i always love the rustic look of this set up, and great idea with the hotels.
b
Thanks so much! This wedding was at a gorgeous historic ranch… makes me wish my wedding was outside!
Great idea! I’ve never thought about the logistics behind hay bale seats but the hotel sheet idea is a great one!
I’ve worked at a hotel between contracts for years and we definitely went through enough sheets to make it worth the call!
Isn’t this straw not hay?… how many many guests was for this set up and was it squished?
I would have to be straw, hay is expensive, like really expensive.
Hey Joanna, the bride’s extended family owns a farm and this was ‘borrowed’ it went to it’s intended purpose after the wedding :) In this specific case… the cost wasn’t an issue, they were already buying it.
This is so creative, and something about it is just sooo romantic <3 Thanks for sharing this! Feel free to check out some of my DIY tutorials at http://www.lovemeyeart.com
Very romantic! I agree :)
Colleen, I am definitely pinning this! My daughter is getting married next summer and having an outdoor wedding in the country so this would be perfect rather than renting chairs. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks Marie! It’s definitely more cost friendly than chairs!
Love the window seating chart! Super cute! :)
Isn’t it fun! Now I have an itch to use window writers on everything glass… so much fun!
What a great idea! If I had it to do over, I think I would do a country wedding theme.
I dream of a barn wedding too! Not that I didn’t love my own wedding ;)
This is such a great idea, Colleen! Great for a wedding…or even a backyard BBQ! Love it!
Thanks Kristi! I would LOVE to host a backyard BBQ with these- how fun!
Great idea! Although hay is expensive here. Thanks for linking up a Worthwhile Wednesdays!
XOXO,
Allie @ http://thecraftiestallie.blogspot.com
Thanks Allie! I actually have no idea the cost of hay here… I’ve just always assumed that you could borrow from a friend of a friend (because my awesome sister-in-law is a farm girl at heart and knows people!)
This is such a cleaver idea! Love the hay bails! Your awesome project is being featured tomorrow at Your Designs This Time! Thanks for sharing with us.
Emily & Erin
Thanks so much Emily! Can’t wait to check out the rest of your features :)
Colleen,
What size sheet did you use and how many bales could you cover with that size of sheet?
I’m going to do this for my wedding!! :)
Hi Kristen, We took whatever the hotel gave us! The hotel mainly has Queen beds (some kings) so that’s probably what they were. We cut/tore them on site so cut them to size of the bale, I’m not too sure what size the bales were. Congratulations on your engagement!
Thanks Colleen!!!
Also, what hotels did you contact?
I’d try local non- chain hotels first!
I just went to Joanne’s Fabric and bought their cheapest white fabric. It came to $2.99/yd. They usually have a coupon to be used on regularly priced items, so the cost comes down even more. We bought 66 yards for my daughters wedding. It’s to be held on October 7, wish us luck!
Yay! hope it went so well!
my son and daughter in law used hay bales for wedding seating. She started collecting old bedspreads and quilts and used them as covers.
That sounds so lovely! Congratulations to your family :)
Hi, I love this idea,
What size hay did you use?
20 or 24 inch?
It’s been a long time since we did this but I’m thinking 24!
Hi Brittany, I’m honestly not sure! Whatever was available at the ranch!
Were the sheets doubled up or just one layer?! I LOVE this idea and I’m totally stealing! It’s been hard to get ahold of hotels via phone so I may try in person, but I’ve also found a ton of CHEAP white sheets on Facebook marketplace! Thanks for sharing!
They were just one layer!
Looks great love the hotel idea. My daughter is getting married in our barn in couple of months and we are using straw bales as well. They are about the price of renting chairs, but you could also turn around and resell them. Also, there is a difference between hay and straw. In the picture that is straw. Typically you always use straw not hay. Straw is cheaper and a lot less allergies with it than hay.
Hey Colleen, planning for my future I’ve always wanted this at my wedding. I love the rustic look of things! if it not to much to ask where is the place to get hay bales that are cheap, for this special occasion.
Cool idea, but this city girl has questions:
1. Are there different kinds? What is the usual function – animal feeding? Is some used for landscaping, or covering fields? Can you ask a local farmer to “rent” , or better “lend”, you some bales?
2, if you purchase, what do you do with the bales after? Will the local farmer come and take them back?
I’m not sure! I imagine it depends on where you get them. I know of some venues near me that rent spaces for weddings (I’m from Alberta) that you can rent hay bail seating from and then cover them as Colleen did in the tutorial.