If you're a regular reader of Bridal Musings, you'll know we have quite a soft spot for boho weddings.
Not only are they relaxed and fun for guests, but they also lend themselves to endless options for gorgeous, ethereal, creative styling.
So, we've teamed up with the folks at Donna Morgan (who create the most beautiful bridesmaid dresses FYI) to share some tips and essentials for planning your very own bohemian bash.
We visited the Donna Morgan HQ when we were in New York for Bridal Fashion Week, and boy it was a pretty place to spend an afternoon!
We'd seen from their lookbooks and real weddings that their dresses were fabulous, but they were even more beautiful in the flesh. We hardly knew where to look there were so many styles, colours and textures to choose from.
Whatever your palette, whatever the shape and style of your girls, and whatever the vibe of your wedding, they really do have a dress (or five) that would be the perfect fit.
Especially if your wedding happens to be a boho one! With pretty vintage style lace gowns, ethereal chiffon dresses, unique floral styles, or sparkling sequin designs, all perfect if you're creating a free-spirited look for your bridesmaids, whether it's with mix and match dresses or a more uniform style.
How To Get Boho Style on Your Big Day
The essence of boho styling is about keeping it all relaxed and easy. Think long, flowing gowns in simple shapes, with soft pastel hues or neutral tones.
If you're opting for a whimsical feel, a floral gown would bring it together (perhaps as an accent dress, on your maid of honour?), a touch of sparkle (we love Donna Morgan's rose gold gowns and sequin dresses) is fab for city weddings, while bridesmaids in lace will give a bohemian feel to more upscale gatherings.
If you're keeping the atmosphere of your day relaxed and eclectic, avoid going for over-coifed hair and make-up. Simple, loose hairstyles with flowers or jewels are so beautiful, while minimal, natural make-up will look fresh and dewy, with perhaps a statement lip or slightly smokey eye.
The Decor
Bohemian weddings are all about keeping things really understated and organic.
Think raw, natural textures throughout your decor, from bare tables and benches with fur throws, to a macrame backdrop and copper details. Add lots (and lots!) of candles for a really romantic and intimate atmosphere.
The team at Donna Morgan suggest kitting out your place settings with vintage plates and flatware in silver, gold, brass, or muted colors, “Top with place cards attached to natural materials like feathers, bones, leaves, flowers, stones, crystals, or other quirky found objects that represent you as a couple.“
Driftwood or branches can also make beautiful, yet cost-effective rustic decor.
The Flowers
Like your dresses and your decor, your flowers should walk on the wild side if you're having a bohemian wedding.
Chat to your florist about creating loose, hand-tied bouquets, rather than a tight or structured posy. Wildflowers, succulents and soft romantic blooms like peonies are particularly suited to the more relaxed feel, be sure to include plenty of greenery too.
Using herbs is a nice fragrant touch, and we're predicting all-foliage bouquets will be a really big trend for 2016 weddings, particularly for bridesmaids.
As an unfussy finishing touch, tie your bouquet together with a natural material like twine or raw silk ribbon.
The Wedding Cake
For a rustic or bohemian wedding, your cake is a great place to really play up the theme of your day.
Keep things simple and stripped-back with a naked cake, minimal icing or a one-tiered bake.
For an organic look ask your florist to include a cluster of blooms, or for a wedding that's a little more refined, opt for gold leaf detailing or muted tones.
A farm to table feel is so popular at the moment, and easy to achieve with edible flowers or fresh fruit adorning your cake.
For a modern style wedding (like a cool urban venue or gallery space), think ombre colouring or geometric designs.
The pros at Donna Morgan suggest keeping up your boho vibes with unique toppers and untraditional cake stands, “Display your cake on stone or a log, and instead of a conventional topper, try fresh herbs, vines, dream catchers, or bunting.“
Favours
Wedding favours are another point in your day when you can have fun with your theme and inject a little personality into it.
Edibles are always popular, opt for something that you and your other half love to eat or drink, or something homemade that you often create together. Mini bottles of booze, honey, hot sauce, tea, infused oil, and cocoa, are all really effortless choices that your guests will love.
If you're serving craft beers at your wedding, a bottle opener is a lovely gift (and something your guests will use again!).
Candles or soap make beautiful, organic favours, look to your setting or your florals for inspiration, like sea salt for a beach wedding, lavender for a countryside celebration or rose for a more elegant affair.
And if there's any favour that we think will be a big hit for 2016, it's terrariums. These mini glass gardens can be filled with moss, herbs, cacti or succulents for a really thoughtful and personalised informal favour.
So, planning an effortless, boho wedding just takes a little creativity and a bit of vision, after that, it's easy!
And how gorgeous are all the Donna Morgan bridesmaid dresses too? The off-the-shoulder ones are especially romantic, don't you think?
Visit the Donna Morgan website to check out more of their beautiful gowns, (and for lots more inspiration for your big day style!).
Get more Unique Ideas for your wedding here.
