Boho Chic Wedding Planning

Edited and photographed by NYC wedding photographer Angela Cappetta

I'm happy to report that weddings and how we throw them have changed significantly since the pandemic. Instead of affairs in boxy rooms with unfortunate wallpaper, we now celebrate the individuals. Letting the couple shine is prioritized. Clearly, an excellent example of this is a chic, boho-style wedding. One that combines a relaxed outdoor feel with plenty of entertainment. Moreover, a wedding that will ensure everyone stays entertained and life affirmed. If this type of wedding is your jam, read all about putting on a wedding of this sort, read on.

Rustic Wedding Venue 

Before anything else, if you are exploring boho chic wedding planning ideas, you need to curate your rustic wedding venue. The wedding location is the foundation upon which you will build the rest of the day. So, you must get this part chosen well.  With that in mind, it's essential to consider what type of venue is best suited for a rustic atmosphere. In particular, outdoor wedding venues such as fields, forests, or woods work well with this aesthetic. Furthermore, if there are rustic style buildings nearby that can provide atmosphere, even better.A Catskills wedding barn or farm, for example, is also an ideal location. Another option to which you may wish to give serious consideration are tents. There is a range of benefits with these. To enumerate: cover from the elements, an outdoor room,  a themed destination on the property etc. You can even choose to fit your tents with fire pits, benches, and fake fur blankets for cozy seating. Something that makes them the perfect chill-out areas for later on in the day once the temperature drops. By thinking of your tents as a destination and less of a utility, you open up the possibility of having a more enjoyable and authentic wedding experience. 

Wedding Entertainment 

The other defining factor of a boho-style wedding is the entertainment you choose. It's not just about keeping your guest entertained, either—the type of activities and performances you pick help to keep the atmosphere lively and exciting.  With that in mind, a musical number of two is the best idea. Choose a band that plays in the style you and your partner most love, or get friends and family to perform in an open mic style set up. The latter works particularly well if you like documentary style wedding photography.You may want to lean into acoustic music. The musicians can pick up and play outdoors without the need of a plug. Not to mention, this is one of the best ways to listen to music. An excellent musician can play an acoustic instrument so well that it projects into the surrounding efforts simply with the quality of the performance.  Also, having additional music played through an iPod and portable speaker system is smart for when they take their break. This way, you can make sure the atmosphere will be ideal during your meal, cocktail hour, and at other points when you don't have a live entertainment scheduled.  Bands are not the only option for entertainment when it comes to a festival wedding, however. Some couples choose to have performers walk around their venue, including jugglers, musicians, and even storytellers. The only rule here is to pick what fits into your theme the best. 

Wedding Meals

Traditional sit-down wedding dining can still embrace distinct boho vibes. To achieve this, make your table settings thematic. Add distinct china themed round menus and flowers. Long trestle tables with chairs or benches work particularly well here. Serve less typical wedding fare such as sharing platters, spit-roasted meats, and organic fresh salads to your guests, who are sure to be delighted with the change of pace.  We even once saw a record table used to display the cake. As in, a vintage record table with a record player that pops out of a door. We loved this idea.   

Boho Chic Wedding Planning

Signature Wedding Sips

Alternatively, you can ignore the sit-down meal altogether and embrace a bitters bar or whiskey lounge. A cool, indie-style lounge is just what a boho style wedding requires, after all. Whether you choose to serve alcohol or not at your affair, you will want to make sure that the beverages are as stylish as the rest of your day. Probably the best way to achieve this is to set up a mini bar station that deals only with refreshments. Together with your bar vendor, you can create your own station with vintage and rustic pieces of furniture. Something that can help keep your bar integrated with the rest of your theme.  Furthermore, signature cocktails can be a lot of fun. They are not only lovely to look at, but can be made into mocktails easily for those who are abstaining. Be sure to find just the right glassware for your wedding beverages as well.

Boho Chic Wedding Attire

The outfits you and your partner choose are in keeping with your big day. Things can get fun, here as a festival style wedding means you don't have to be traditional in your clothing choices at all.  One option is to go for more rustic themed outfits like pinks and blues for the groom(s). Even a suspender and bow tie rather than a jacket is an excellent look. For the bride(s), fitted lace and feathers can work exceptionally well. Oh, while we are on the subject of clothing, let's talk about shoes. There are plenty of other rustic and detailed style options to consider too. How about a pair of cowboy boots under your dress? Some brides even go for rain boots and provide them for the rest of the wedding party to wear. Something that can help contribute to that rustic vibe also provides some beautiful destination wedding photography photos of the day. 

Destination Wedding Photography

While we are on the subject of photos, with so much effort going into your big day and getting it just right, you will want to make sure that you capture as many memories as possible. The best way to do this is to have a mix of approaches. That means combining a professional wedding photographer that can take your formal and less formal shots with other ways of capturing the day.  Important to note that the relaxed atmosphere of a boho chic wedding is a candid, reportage style of wedding photography.All in all, it is pretty clear that the key to throwing a successful boho-festival style wedding is by creating the right kind of relaxed but fun atmosphere. Happily, you can make many small touches to ensure that both you and your guests are content—from the ceremony to when it's time to head on home. Boho Chic Wedding Planning