And the bride wore... wellies as farms become wedding venues

THE traditional wedding is under threat as couples increasingly choose more relaxed ceremonies.

Many are opting for easy-going bohemian celebrations and some are even swapping church bells for cow bells by exchanging their vows in a barn.

John Lewis says couples are ditching formal church weddings and glitzy hotels for alternatives that look good on Instagram.

The store, popular for its wedding gift list service, reports a rise in ‘boho’ venues such as farms where brides wear wellies and there is glamping (upmarket camping) for guests.

Formal wedding dresses are being replaced by floaty, natural designs, while formal suits and headwear for guests are now considered old hat.

The number of weddings held in barns or on farms has doubled in five years to one in eight, according to data collected by John Lewis Wedding Insurance.

In response to the rising demand for outdoor rural weddings, John Lewis has expanded its range of bohemian wedding dresses, including Monsoon’s Bridal Gown collection, which includes two boho dresses that have become the most popular in the range – the Helena Embellished Bridal Maxi and the Sophie Lace Wedding Dress, Ivory.

Nowadays one in ten weddings involves a marquee as couples embrace the great outdoors. John Lewis has also seen a 35 per cent rise in sales of outdoor fairy lights being used to decorate marquees and gardens, compared with a year ago.

The store’s buying assistant Billie Nicholls said: ‘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 for hitting the dance floor in the evening.’

But John Lewis Insurance warns opting for the big outdoors has its pitfalls. It has helped couples recover costs after a wedding barn burned down, flower pollen damaged a bride’s dress and a mother-of-the bride’s outfit was damaged when it fell out of a car roof box.

Meanwhile, couples are returning to traditional gift list requests, the store says. It found a shift from expensive hi-tech gifts to bowls, plates, towels and cutlery, while growing popularity of coffee means cafetières are now a more popular choice than teapots.