Weddings, in general, typically offer up scenic backdrops for great photos. Rustic boho weddings, however, can prove some of the most rewarding events to photograph. They’re usually full of interesting textures and décor, natural light, and couples who often want their day captured in organic, documentary-style photos. But shooting this style of wedding takes more than just pointing your camera and letting everything play out on its own. Like other niche weddings and events, it requires preparation, technical choices, and creative storytelling that are unique to this style. Below, we’ve put together some practical tips to help you get the most out of photographing rustic boho weddings.
Let’s get into it.
All of the images in this article are provided by the photographers at Wedding Maps and used with permission. Featured image by Nix Weddings.
Rustic Boho Weddings: At a Glance
- Scout the Venue – Check light and textures ahead of time; plan spots for portraits and details.
- Pack Smart – Fast primes, a wide lens, telephoto, reflector/diffuser, macro, and a high-ISO body.
- Shoot the Details – Ceremony altars, florals, and décor deserve as much attention as portraits.
- Light is Key – Golden hour for portraits, shade/diffusers at midday, embrace string lights at night.
- Candid Storytelling – Use longer lenses and prompts for natural, unposed moments.
- Wardrobe & Textures – Highlight lace, linen, boots, hats, and accessories with tight shots.
- Color & Tone – Earthy palettes shine with warm edits and consistent tones.
- Include the Environment – Wide shots and creative angles add sense of place.
- Stay Flexible – Adapt to uneven lighting, DIY setups, and nontraditional timelines.
1. Scout the Venue With Intent
The venue is often the heart of a rustic boho wedding, and it’s usually filled with raw, natural textures that can transform into stunning backdrops. If possible, take a walk through the site at the same time of day you’ll be shooting portraits to see how light plays across fields, barn walls, or wooded paths. Not all rustic boho spots are created equally. If you’re indoors, barns and loft-style venues can get dark, so pack accordingly and bring fast prime lenses like a 35mm f/1.4 or 50mm f/1.2 to take advantage of ambient light (see our list below for more details on gear choices). Make a mental or written list of locations for wide environmental portraits and intimate close-ups. Having this plan allows you to move quickly when the schedule gets tight. You can do all of this online using map apps if necessary, but nothing beats getting out there ahead of time to see it in person whenever possible.
Pro Prep: What to Pack for a Rustic Boho Wedding
Like we mentioned in the previous paragraph, rustic boho weddings often shift from bright midday sun to dim barns and candlelit receptions, which makes gear choice critical. Here’s a quick kit list that keeps you adaptable:
- Fast primes (35mm, 50mm, 85mm) for shallow depth of field and low-light barns.
- A wide lens (24mm/35mm) for landscapes and venue shots.
- A telephoto option (70–200mm or 135mm) to capture candids from afar.
- Reflector/diffuser for harsh sun.
- Lightweight flash + modifier for harsh daylight shots or evening receptions.
- Macro lens or extension tubes for details.
- A body that can handle ISO 3200–6400 for string-lit (or generally dimly lit) receptions.
2. Capture the Details
At a rustic boho wedding, the ceremony space and floral design often become the centerpiece of the day. Whether it’s a hand-built altar adorned with pampas grass, a floral arch bursting with earthy tones, or aisle décor lined with wildflowers, these design elements set the stage for the couple’s vows and should be photographed with intention.
In addition to capturing these details during the ceremony, try to arrive early enough to capture wide establishing shots of the altar before guests arrive, then move in closer to highlight textures and arrangements from different angles.
Florals are often carefully curated to reflect the couple’s personality, so give them the same attention you would the portraits themselves. By documenting these elements thoroughly, you’ll help couples remember important (and often expensive) details they might not focus on when they’re in the moment due to a busy wedding day timeline.
3. Prioritize Natural Light (Whenever Possible)
Rustic boho weddings often take place outdoors, so natural light is your biggest ally, and it really suits the boho look. It should come as no surprise that golden hour is ideal for portraits, and the same holds true here. Whenever possible, schedule couples portraits around it. Also, if you’re comfortable enough, try to shoot wide open at f/1.4–f/2 to maximize that warm glow.
Midday light, on the other hand, can be harsh, so look for open shade or use a simple diffuser (a 5-in-1 reflector is an inexpensive lifesaver). And lastly, at night, don’t fight the atmosphere. We’re always tempted to conquer dim light with flashes, but it’s not always the best solution. String lights and candles give you a chance to embrace high-ISO shooting to maintain the mood as it exists in reality. A fast lens and a camera body with strong low-light performance can help you preserve the mood without relying on overpowering flash.
4. Embrace Candid Storytelling
The couples who choose rustic boho weddings often want their gallery to feel unposed and natural. To achieve this and semi-remove yourself from directing the action, try shooting with longer focal lengths. An 85mm or 135mm will allow you to step back a bit and capture interactions without intruding. It can help to set your camera to continuous shooting mode for fleeting expressions and gestures.
It’s also important to remember that directed poses can also look natural and authentic. Use prompts instead of rigid poses (“walk hand in hand and talk about your favorite trip together”) to spark genuine laughter or emotion.
Look for other great moments between the bride and groom as well. For example, the natural interaction that plays out just after a kiss often looks better than the kiss itself. Any opportunity that you get to give the bride and groom room to be themselves, take it. Blending a documentary approach with intentional prompts this way ensures you’ll get authentic, story-driven frames that reflect the free-spirited vibe of the day.
5. Style and Wardrobe Awareness
One of the hallmarks of a rustic boho wedding is the wardrobe. You’ll likely come across outfit choices like lace gowns, linen suits, cowboy boots, suspenders, hats, and other eclectic accessories that reflect the couple’s personality. These elements aren’t just functional; they’re part of the overall aesthetic and deserve to be highlighted in your gallery.
Don’t overlook the smaller touches like a belt buckle, a patterned scarf, or the stitching on a leather boot. Capture these details with the same care you would give to décor or florals, using tighter focal lengths (like an 85mm or a macro lens) to bring out textures. By incorporating these wardrobe details into your coverage, you’ll create a more complete and authentic record of the couple’s style and the boho vibe of the day.
6. Use Color and Tone Intentionally
Color palettes at rustic boho weddings tend to be earthy and subdued with bursts of bold florals. Terracotta, mustard, deep greens, and burgundy are common go-to’s. When shooting, pay attention to how colors layer within your frame; complementary tones can make your subject stand out without much editing.
When the time comes to edit, consider warming the white balance slightly (if you haven’t already done so in-camera) or adding a filmic curve to match the rustic boho aesthetic. A consistent, slightly warm tone across the gallery will help reinforce this look and avoid jarring shifts between images. Of course, you’ll want to maintain your signature editing style, which is likely a significant part of why your clients hired you, but it’s worth considering tweaks like these to fit this specific genre of wedding photography.
7. Incorporate the Environment
These weddings often happen in visually striking settings, including forests, barns, meadows, or desert landscapes. Don’t just shoot tight portraits; use wide-angle lenses like a 24mm or 35mm to frame the couple within their environment. It helps to shoot from low angles at times to let dramatic skies fill the frame. Or shoot through foliage to create natural vignettes.
This goes for interior photos as well. Environmental shots give couples a sense of place, reminding them not just of what they looked like, but where their story unfolded.
8. Be Flexible and Creative
Rustic boho weddings don’t always follow a traditional timeline, and the DIY setups can lead to unexpected shooting conditions. You might face uneven ceremony lighting, patchy shade, or nontraditional layouts.
Be ready to adjust! Switch to spot metering when the couple is backlit, embrace silhouettes during sunset, or lean into higher ISO when lighting is minimal, which is something you might see during a sparkler exit, despite the added light from the sparklers. The more you adapt, the more you’ll capture the day authentically. Creativity under imperfect conditions often produces the most memorable images.
Conclusion
Photographing a rustic boho wedding is about more than aesthetics; it’s about translating the couple’s vision into images that truly capture the boho spirit. By scouting intentionally, leaning into natural light, and blending candid storytelling with technical awareness, you’ll not only deliver beautiful galleries but also elevate your reputation as a photographer. With the right mix of artistry and technique, rustic boho weddings can become some of the most fulfilling stories you’ll ever capture.
Here are some more rustic boho wedding photos for your inspiration.
