When planning a wedding, you may come across a few key themes that stand out, including the rustic and boho (short for bohemian) styles. While these styles share a connection through their emphasis on nature and simplicity, each has its distinct aesthetic.
The beauty of a rustic boho wedding lies in its ability to combine the best of both worlds, creating a relaxed, organic, and stylish atmosphere for couples who want something unique and unpretentious.
Let’s get straight to the point
A rustic boho wedding combines the natural simplicity of a rustic theme with the artistic flair of boho style, creating a relaxed, organic, and stylish atmosphere.
Rustic weddings emphasise nature with wooden furniture, muted tones, and natural florals, while boho weddings are more eclectic, featuring colourful flowers, vintage furniture, and macramé decor.
Blending both styles results in a unique celebration with earthy elements, artistic details, and a free-spirited vibe, ideal for couples seeking an informal yet elegant outdoor wedding.
What Is a Rustic Wedding Theme?
At the core of a rustic wedding is a deep connection to nature and the outdoors. Think of a rustic wedding as a celebration that feels organic, earthy, and often reflects the beauty of the Australian countryside. Popular venues for rustic weddings include barns, farms, and outdoor gardens, where the natural surroundings become an integral part of the celebration.
Key Elements of Rustic Weddings
Rustic weddings are all about keeping things simple yet elegant. To capture this style, consider these essential elements:
- Wooden furniture: Bare, raw wood tables and chairs set the tone for a rustic celebration. Instead of tablecloths, consider using rough linen or hessian table runners.
- Natural florals: Bouquets and arrangements made with wildflowers, grasses, and greenery give a relaxed yet beautifully organic feel.
- Muted colour palette: Rustic weddings often feature a colour palette inspired by nature. Think of earthy tones, such as soft greens, browns, beige, and blush pink.
- Handwritten invitations: For your stationery, opt for designs that incorporate earthy motifs and calligraphy on paper textures like kraft paper or recycled paper.
Must-Have Decor for a Rustic Wedding
- Naked cakes: A naked wedding cake, with minimal frosting, showcases the cake layers and is often topped with fresh flowers or seasonal fruit.
- Wooden crates and barrels: These rustic staples can be used as decorative elements, filled with flowers or used as stands for guest books or food stations.
- Mason jars: These classic containers are ideal for holding candles, flowers, or even drinking glasses.
What Is a Boho Wedding Theme?
The Free-Spirited Vibe of a Boho Wedding
A boho wedding is all about expressing your free spirit, creativity, and connection to the earth in an unconventional, laid-back way. Inspired by the bohemian lifestyle, this wedding style celebrates freedom, art, and eclectic choices, offering couples the chance to create a one-of-a-kind experience.
Key Elements of Boho Weddings
Boho weddings tend to include an eclectic mix of textures, patterns, and colours. Here’s what defines the boho aesthetic:
- Colourful flowers: Bright, bold blooms often mixed with foliage create a lively atmosphere.
- Macramé and fringes: These intricate textiles are a must for boho décor, often seen in backdrops, table runners, and hanging decorations.
- Vintage furniture: Mismatched chairs, vintage rugs, and antique pieces add a touch of the unconventional to your wedding seating and lounge areas.
Essential Boho Wedding Decor
- Dreamcatchers: These make for beautiful hanging decorations, adding a touch of spirituality to the ceremony.
- Mismatched rugs: Lining the aisle or creating seating areas with vibrant rugs offers a cosy and colourful vibe.
- Edible flower cakes: Decorate your cake with edible petals for a natural and ethereal touch that reflects the bohemian love of nature.
How Rustic and Boho Styles Blend Perfectly
Combining the rustic and boho themes creates a unique, cohesive wedding style that balances nature’s simplicity with artistic flair. For couples wanting a relaxed, informal wedding with an elegant twist, the rustic boho wedding is the ideal choice.
Creating the Perfect Rustic Boho Wedding
To achieve a harmonious blend of rustic and boho, follow these tips:
- Natural elements meet artistic details: Use wooden tables (rustic) and dress them with macramé runners (boho) for an organic yet eclectic table setting.
- Earthy tones mixed with bright colours: While a rustic wedding tends to feature muted tones, you can incorporate a few bold accents with bohemian florals or vibrant rugs.
- Outdoor venues: A perfect rustic boho wedding should take advantage of outdoor spaces. Think of lush vineyards, picturesque farms, or enchanting forests to host your ceremony or reception.
Popular Rustic Boho Wedding Venues in Australia
If you’re planning a rustic boho wedding in Australia, you’re in luck. This country offers a range of stunning outdoor venues that suit both themes perfectly. For example, Vines of the Yarra Valley in Melbourne provides the ideal backdrop for a boho wedding with a rustic touch. With sprawling vineyards, gardens, and wooden architecture, it’s a venue that ticks all the boxes.
Rustic Boho Wedding Ideas
Hairstyles for a Rustic Boho Bride
For the bride, your hairstyle can reflect both the boho and rustic elements. A loose braid like a fishtail or a four-strand braid embodies the bohemian free spirit, while delicate wildflowers woven into the hair add a rustic charm.
Boho Wedding Dresses
When it comes to choosing the perfect dress for a rustic boho wedding, think free-flowing, lacey, and effortlessly romantic. Boho brides often opt for gowns with delicate lace, flowing skirts, and unique embroidery. The dress should feel light and natural, perfect for an outdoor wedding.
Rustic Groomswear
The groom can complement the boho bride by wearing something rustic yet stylish. A tweed suit or linen attire is an excellent choice, combined with brown leather shoes, for a down-to-earth look.
Decor and Styling for a Rustic Boho Wedding
Centrepieces and Tablescapes
Combine rustic elements like wooden boards and succulents with boho touches like colourful glassware and candles. The key is to mix and match different textures and tones to create a look that’s both natural and artistic.
Hanging Decor
Incorporate dreamcatchers, fabric hangings, or even chandeliers made from natural materials like driftwood or vines. These hanging decorations bring a touch of boho elegance to a rustic setting.
Floral Choices
For the bouquet, mix wildflowers with more structured blooms, like roses or peonies. The result will feel spontaneous yet refined, just like the rustic boho aesthetic.
Conclusion
A rustic boho wedding is the perfect marriage of two styles that celebrate the beauty of nature, simplicity, and creativity. Whether you prefer the natural elegance of a rustic theme or the eclectic freedom of a boho aesthetic, blending the two creates a day that feels personal, stylish, and deeply connected to the earth.
From wildflower bouquets and macramé backdrops to naked cakes and wooden furniture, every detail of your rustic boho wedding will create a timeless and enchanting atmosphere. So, if you’re looking for a wedding that’s effortlessly beautiful and uniquely you, the rustic boho wedding is the way to go!
FAQs About Boho Weddings
What’s the difference between boho and rustic?
The simplest way to think of each of them is to remember that a rustic theme pertains to natural elements, lots of greenery, and an organic mindset. Boho, on the other hand, is more whimsical, romantic, and eclectic.
What is rustic bohemian style?
Rustic Boho. Using natural materials and an earthy palette, you can tone down the glitz of boho styling without losing its signature mix-and-match look. Add pops of colour for extra boho flair, but keep the large furniture pieces neutral to ground the room in solid tones.
What is a rustic boho wedding theme?
A rustic wedding theme needs a natural colour palette with plenty of organic shapes and textures. Think wood, lace and hessian plus country flowers, grasses and foliage. Perfect for barn weddings, rustic-inspired weddings are all kinds of beautiful and can be incredibly romantic.
What is a bohemian wedding style?
Bohemian weddings are all about channelling effortless, elegant style. The elegance of this gown, paired with a soft, loose updo and a delicate flower crown, evokes a free-spirited nature.
What is the difference between bohemian and vintage?
Vintage. Many people get mixed up between boho and vintage, but they’re not the same. While boho focuses more on the flowery look of the 60s, vintage incorporates all kinds of old-school clothing from the 20s to the 90s.
