Rustic Wedding Decorations: Boho Ideas With Natural Fibres

Rustic wedding decorations and boho wedding decor start from the same place. Both lean on natural texture, warm colour and pieces that look made by hand rather than bought by the box. Where rustic leans towards wood, linen and a farmhouse feel, boho adds looser styling, layered textiles and a more relaxed mood. Most couples end up somewhere in between.

Natural fibres are the thread that ties the two together. Bamboo, sedge, water hyacinth and palm leaf bring the colour and grain of the materials themselves, so a table or a tent looks finished without a lot of extra props. This guide works through the day in order, from the aisle to the tables to the favours, and shows where woven pieces earn their place.

Start with a palette taken from the materials

The easiest way to plan rustic boho decor is to let the materials set the colours. Woven bamboo, sedge and palm leaf sit in a range of straw, honey and warm brown tones. Build the rest of the palette around them: cream or white linen, greenery, dried grasses, and one or two accent colours such as terracotta, sage or dusty blue.

Keep metallics and glossy finishes to a minimum. Matte textures, unbleached fabric and natural wood sit far more comfortably next to a woven surface. If you want one bolder note, put it in the flowers rather than the tableware, so the natural fibres stay the backdrop.

Because each handwoven piece varies slightly in colour and weave, a table set with woven placemats never looks mass produced. That small variation is part of the rustic look, so there is no need to chase a perfect match across every setting.

Welcome guests with palm leaf fans

A basket of hand fans at the ceremony entrance is one of the simplest boho touches, and it is useful on a warm day. Our wedding hand fans include a set of 20 handmade palm leaf fans made from natural palm leaf and bamboo, and the listing suggests them as favours, ceremony fans or decorative accents. It also names beach and outdoor ceremonies as a fit.

Fans work on the chairs too. Lay one on each seat along the aisle, or tuck a fan into a woven basket at the end of each row so guests can help themselves. After the ceremony they go home as a keepsake, which means the decoration doubles as a favour.

Dress long tables with woven placemats and runners

Long trestle or farmhouse tables are a rustic wedding staple, and they suit natural table linen. A sedge runner down the centre sets the tone. The LAVINLIA runner in our table runners range is handwoven from sedge in blue and natural tones, and its listing says it suits coastal, boho and rustic interiors and can be styled with ceramics and fresh flowers.

Under each plate, a round woven placemat gives every guest a defined place setting. Our woven placemats come in natural fibres including water hyacinth, sedge, banana leaf sheath and rattan. The DOL LA VA design is listed as both a placemat and a decorative charger plate, so it can sit under the dinner plate in place of a ceramic charger.

For a larger guest list, the bulk placemats collection groups the designs that can be ordered in quantity. Mixing two designs in the same colour family, for example a water hyacinth mat on the long tables and a sedge mat on the top table, keeps the look relaxed rather than uniform. For more on outdoor wedding decor trends, including the rustic elegance and bohemian chic looks, see our earlier guide.

Hang bamboo pendant shades for the evening

Overhead lighting is where natural fibres change the feel of a whole space. A woven bamboo shade filters light and casts patterns of light and shadow, which is exactly the soft, warm glow a rustic or boho reception wants after dark. Our bamboo pendant lighting includes round and open weave designs, in natural and black bamboo.

For a tent, a barn or a long covered terrace, one pendant is rarely enough. Hang a row of shades along the length of the dining tables, or cluster several at different heights over the dance floor. The bulk bamboo pendant lights collection groups our bamboo pendant lights that can be ordered in quantity. Bulbs are not included with our pendant shades, so plan warm white bulbs and the fittings with your lighting supplier or venue electrician, who can also confirm what is safe for your tent or marquee.

Our post on decor ideas for a tented event covers drapery, greenery and hanging lanterns if you are styling a marquee from scratch.

Finish with natural favours and welcome boxes

Favours are an easy place to repeat the woven theme. Our handmade gift boxes include handwoven bamboo boxes such as YA TA WE, with an open lattice weave designed for weddings and wedding favours, and the NALAVAN round bamboo baskets, which the listing suggests for wedding welcome baskets.

For a rustic table, the palm leaf gift boxes with lids are a natural fit; their listing says the woven texture complements boho, rustic, tropical, coastal and farmhouse themes. Fill them with sweets, seeds, a candle or a small soap, and finish with a personalised tag. The range also includes custom wedding favour tags that can carry the couple's names and wedding date.

Set a favour box on each woven placemat and the table is styled before the flowers even arrive. Planning the wider day as well? Our guide to planning an outdoor wedding covers venues, catering and guest comfort.

Rustic and Boho Wedding Decor FAQ

How do you decorate a rustic wedding on a budget?

Choose a few pieces that do more than one job. A palm leaf fan is a ceremony decoration and a favour, and a woven placemat can stand in for a charger plate. Let natural texture, greenery and candlelight carry the look rather than buying lots of single use props.

What is the difference between rustic and boho wedding decor?

Rustic decor leans on wood, linen and a farmhouse feel, while boho adds looser styling, layered textiles and a more relaxed mood. Both rely on natural materials, so woven bamboo, sedge and palm leaf pieces suit either style.

Can bamboo pendant lights be used in a wedding tent?

Woven bamboo shades can be hung in a tent or marquee to add a warm, patterned glow. Bulbs are not included, so ask your lighting supplier or venue electrician to provide suitable bulbs and fittings and to confirm what is safe for your setup.

Can woven placemats be used as charger plates?

Yes. Round woven placemats sit under the dinner plate in the same way as a charger, and our DOL LA VA rattan design is listed as both a placemat and a decorative charger plate.