Laid Back and Intimate Autumnal Boho Forest Elopement Inspiration

Today on the blog we have a gorgeous relaxed, autumnal, bohemian shoot to share with you all. Captured in the Swiss forest, the photographer and planner for this shoot wanted to combine her three life loves to create something beautiful; boho, weddings and nature. Andrea Rufener and her team of collaborators used simple, natural materials and props to create this timeless and elegant shoot. The inspiration is perfect for brides planning an intimate, outdoor wedding. We especially love the styling of the bride; natural, organic waves in her hair and big, messy, draping autumn bloom bouquet. So pretty!

This shoot shows how easy, fun, laid-back and intimate a little boho-forest-elopment could be. No fuss: just lots of wood, fresh flowers, feathers and a yummy cake.

Laid Back and Intimate Autumnal Boho Forest Elopement Inspiration

What made you decide to do the shoot?
For months, it had been on my mind: this one little idea. How would it be to elope in a colourful autumn forest, under an arch made out of branches and with lots of lovely details? A very small, intimate wedding with lots of natural materials, no bling or fuss. A little boho-forest-elopement, so to speak. What could that look like?
On a cold October Sunday morning, I got up early and, together with lovely helpers, dragged boxes full of material into the woods. It was freezing cold and the wind was nasty, but we quickly forgot how cold it was once we had set everything up. It looked amazing and I am so in love with how this shoot turned out!

What was your inspiration behind it?
I love all things boho, wedding and being outside in nature. Switzerland has lots of forests and trees everywhere, so I thought how cool it would be to combine three of my favourite things in one amazing Styled Shoot.
Way too many people get married the “old”, very traditional way, with 100+ guests (some of which they don’t even know very well), a church, reception and dinner. Somewhere along the lines of planning their wedding, some couples seem to forget what it’s all about: them and their love. The aim of this shoot is to inspire couples to stay true to themselves and not just do what they think everyone expects from them. If they like being outside, why get married in a church? If they’re shy and uncomfortable among hundreds of people, why not elope? That is what the shoot was all about: to show how amazing it could be to elope in a forest, to have an intimate little ceremony and a nice cake afterwards. No fuss, no bling: just love. And nature.

What did you want to get out for the shoot and do you feel you accomplished this?
I wanted to create images that inspire people and that make them see weddings (and elopements) in a different way. I wanted to create a timeless, boho-inspired forest elopement, something that couples can relate to, something that they might want to now plan themselves too.