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Sonoma Bierfest Wedding: German Heritage & DIY Decor Ideas

Three women holding beer steins at Oktoberfest party

What do you get when you add pretzels, sausages, beer, family, friends, deer horns, and a traditional German dirndl dress? A Bierfest! This delightful event took place on a summer day in Sonoma California! This amazing Bierfest is full of fun and darling details that you can easily incorporate into your own wedding festivities. Get a taste of even more German summer wedding ideas in the full gallery here, captured by Claire Dobson Photography.

Woman holds gingerbread heart Schatzibread Germany

Two women making a daisy flower crown together outside

Smiling woman with flower crown of daisies and pink blooms

diy German bierfest decor ideas

We gathered inspiration from our family and German heritage that lies dear to our heart. Leading up to the party we created lots of easy DIY crafts to make one of a kind décor! Blue and white ribbon chandeliers symbolized the traditional décor that hangs in the bier gardens, like the highly popular Hofbräuhaus in Munich Germany. Guests were seated at authentic bier garden tables from Germany, which we decorated with faux fur for a modern touch. The tablescape was meant to be simple and minimal as these skinny German bier garden tables are meant to hold large beer mugs, pretzels and lots of people. Empty beer bottles served as candleholders to add height to the table. 

Outdoor dining table rustic wedding decor with candles

Rustic outdoor event decor beer bottles and candles

Rustic wedding buffet table with pretzels and radishes

Woman holding flowers in a bottle wearing vest and dress

bierfest menu ideas

Our buffet table served as a focal point and was eager to be opened as the beer started flowing! We had sausages, pretzels, various mustards, sauerkraut, radishes, traditional dips and spreads. The front of the buffet was decorated with faux cookies made out of wood and puffy paint. These giant hearts can be bought at Oktoberfest and gifted to a “Schatzi” or sweetheart as a token of your love. The bar area was decorated with more traditional items such as bier “krugs” marked with the family crest from our Grandfather who once owned a beer brewing company. We added a few quirky elements like two mini bathtubs that we filled with ice and beer bottles.

Outdoor wedding bar setup with bathtubs and beer

Rustic beer cart with Kern River Brewing growler

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