BRITISH couples have fallen in love with the ‘farmyard wedding’ as growing numbers of couples seek the rural idyll.

Couples are shunning rooftops and glitzy urban hotels in favour of instagrammable ‘Boho’ venues complete with bridal wellies, fields of wildflowers and glamping guests.

The number of wedding ceremonies held in barns or on farms has doubled in the past five years, with one in eight taking place in these venues compared to one in 15 in 2014.

The figures are even higher for wedding receptions. One in six booked for this year will be held in barns or on farms, up from one in eight in 2014.

Meanwhile, one in 10 weddings now involve a marquee as couples embrace the great outdoors on their Big Day, according to John Lewis Wedding Insurance data.

And in response to the rising demand for outdoor rural weddings, John Lewis & Partners has expanded its range of bohemian wedding dresses as brides increasingly seek out floaty gowns.

New for this spring, John Lewis has launched Monsoon’s Bridal Gown collection, with two boho dresses already proving its most popular dresses in the range – the Helena Embellished Bridal Maxi and the Sophie Lace Wedding Dress, Ivory. And sales of French Connection’s Cari Maxi Bridal Dress have risen by 45% since 2018.

This summer, John Lewis has also launched a range of floral Boho-style veils and sashes for brides-to-be at their hen parties.

And to create a relaxed ambience, John Lewis has seen a 35% rise in outdoor fairy lights so far in 2019 compared to the first quarter of 2018. Among its best-selling ranges are solar-powered strings of lights which are ideal for couples looking to avoid messy wires as they don’t have to be plugged in, and can also be reused after your wedding.

Billie Nicholls, Partner & Buying Assistant, says: ‘Weddings are becoming less formal. Guests are wearing more versatile styles from jumpsuits to silk cami tops and skirts, rather than always opting for dresses with a jacket and hat.

‘Even bridal styles have become more relaxed. Many women are opting for a more comfortable outfit – including floaty gowns or a less traditional dress for hitting the dance floor in the evening.’

Couples are also returning to traditional Gift List requests for their Big Day.

Many are shunning high-tech gifts seen on wedding Gift Lists in recent years and the most popular requests are once again bowls, plates, towels and cutlery. As a growing nation of coffee lovers, cafetieres are also outselling teapots on the Gift List for the first time.

However, even the most carefully planned Boho weddings do not always go to plan.

In the past year, John Lewis Wedding Insurance has helped couples recover their costs when a wedding barn burned down, flower pollen damaged a bride’s dress and a mother-of-the bride’s outfit was rendered unwearable after it fell out of a car roof box.