The Ultimate Boho Wedding Music Guide for Perth Couples
Your free-spirited celebration deserves a soundtrack as effortless and beautiful as your love story.
This guide walks you through every musical moment of your big day, from the first notes of your ceremony to the last dance under the fairy lights. We've curated 20 songs that capture the indie folk, acoustic, and earthy vibes that define the boho aesthetic, complete with recommendations for Perth's most stunning bohemian venues.
Contents
What Makes Music "Boho"?
Ceremony Music: Setting the Scene
The Bride's Grand Entrance
Signing the Register
Your Triumphant Exit
Reception Highlights
Parent Dances
Reception Dancing and Party Time
Perth's Perfect Boho Wedding Venues
Why Choose a Live Band?
What Makes Music "Boho"?
The bohemian wedding aesthetic celebrates free-spirited authenticity over rigid tradition. Your music should reflect this same philosophy: raw emotion over polished perfection, organic instrumentation over electronic production, and lyrics that tell genuine love stories.
Think acoustic guitars, gentle banjos, rich harmonies, and vocals that feel intimate rather than theatrical. Artists like Florence + The Machine, Bon Iver, and The Lumineers have become synonymous with boho weddings because their music captures that mystical, romantic energy that makes outdoor ceremonies feel magical.
Boho wedding music typically features folk and indie sensibilities, acoustic instrumentation (guitar, mandolin, violin), walking-tempo melodies perfect for processionals, and lyrics celebrating authentic love rather than fairytale fantasy. Whether you're exchanging vows beneath the sugar gums of the Swan Valley or dancing barefoot on a Fremantle beach, the right music transforms your venue into something truly enchanting.
Ceremony Music: Setting the Scene
Your ceremony music sets the emotional tone for everything that follows. For boho weddings, you want songs that feel intimate and heartfelt, music that complements rather than competes with the natural beauty of your setting.
Bridal Party Processional
As your bridal party walks down the aisle, you need something beautiful but not overwhelming. This moment builds anticipation for the bride's entrance, so choose music that creates atmosphere without stealing focus.
"The Night We Met" by Lord Huron delivers mystical, dreamy folk that works beautifully in outdoor settings. The song's atmospheric quality has made it a favourite recommendation on wedding platforms like The Bash and across Spotify's wedding playlists. Its indie folk instrumentation (gentle guitar, subtle percussion, and haunting vocals) captures the boho aesthetic perfectly.
"First Day of My Life" by Bright Eyes offers another stunning option. This intimate acoustic track reached #21 on the UK Indie charts and has become a modern wedding classic. The raw, honest lyrics about finding your person feel authentic and genuine. Wedding music experts at The Knot and Joy Wedding consistently recommend it for ceremony moments.
The Bride's Grand Entrance
This is the moment. Every eye turns, hearts catch, and the music swells. Your song choice here should feel both dramatic and deeply personal.
"Sea of Love" by Cat Power transforms a 1950s rock ballad into something hauntingly beautiful. Cat Power's stripped-back cover feels intimate and dreamlike, with gentle instrumentation that won't overpower an outdoor ceremony. Wedding industry sources like The Bash feature this prominently in their boho ceremony playlists, and it's become a signature choice for brides wanting something romantic without being predictable.
"To Be Alone" by Hozier brings Irish folk influences and stunning baritone vocals that work magnificently in acoustic spaces. The song builds beautifully, creating an emotional crescendo as you walk toward your partner. Its organic, earthy sound complements natural settings, whether you're walking through Core Cider House's apple orchard or across Kings Park's wildflower meadows.
"Crazy Love" by Van Morrison remains timelessly perfect for brides wanting classic folk-rock warmth. Van Morrison's soulful delivery feels genuine and relaxed, embodying that laid-back boho elegance that makes guests feel at ease rather than overly formal.
Signing the Register
While you're busy making things official, your guests need something beautiful to listen to. This 5-10 minute window calls for soft, pleasant music that maintains the romantic atmosphere without demanding attention.
"All My Days" by Alexi Murdoch provides gentle folk perfection. The song's introspective, earthy sound fills the space without intruding, making it ideal background music for this administrative moment. The Bash includes it specifically in their boho wedding ceremony recommendations.
"I Will Follow You into the Dark" by Death Cab for Cutie offers something more intimate. This stripped-back indie classic features just acoustic guitar and vocals, creating an incredibly personal atmosphere. Wedding Forward ranks it among their top indie wedding songs, and its understated beauty makes it perfect for quieter ceremony moments.
Your Triumphant Exit
You're married! Now it's time to celebrate. Your recessional music should shift the energy from romantic intimacy to joyful celebration, something upbeat that makes your guests want to cheer.
"Ho Hey" by The Lumineers delivers anthemic folk-rock perfection. The stomping rhythm and "I belong with you, you belong with me" chorus capture exactly the euphoric energy newly married couples feel. DJ Mike Bills, The Knot, and Wedding Forward all highlight this as a quintessential boho recessional choice.
"Best Day of My Life" by American Authors (acoustic version) brings folk-rock celebration with lyrics that speak for themselves. The acoustic arrangement maintains boho credibility while delivering the energy your exit deserves.
Reception Highlights
Grand Entrance
When it's time to make your reception entrance as a married couple, you want something that announces your arrival with style. "Home" by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros has become the quintessential boho celebration anthem. The lyrics "Home is wherever I'm with you" perfectly capture the bohemian philosophy of finding belonging in each other rather than in things. Wedding platforms including Joy Wedding, The Bash, and Yeah Weddings consistently feature this track, and it never fails to put smiles on guests' faces.
Cake Cutting
This playful moment deserves something sweet and fun. "You've Got the Love" by Florence + The Machine brings soul-influenced indie rock energy while maintaining the organic, bohemian aesthetic. Florence Welch's powerful vocals and the song's building energy make it perfect for this celebratory moment.
First Dance Magic
Your first dance is arguably the most important song of your reception. This is when all eyes focus on just the two of you, swaying together as a married couple for the very first time.
"You Are the Best Thing" by Ray LaMontagne is widely considered the gold standard for boho first dances. This soulful, acoustic folk-rock track is recommended by The Knot, Joy Wedding, and The Bash, and for good reason. The genuine emotion in LaMontagne's voice matches the earthy instrumentation perfectly, while lyrics like "You are the best thing ever happened to me" say exactly what needs saying.
"Better Together" by Jack Johnson offers laid-back Hawaiian folk-pop that feels like a warm afternoon. Jack's easy-going delivery and lyrics celebrating simple togetherness embody the relaxed boho philosophy. Love doesn't need to be complicated to be profound.
"Golden Hour" by Kacey Musgraves has emerged as a contemporary favourite. This dreamy country-folk ballad feels both timeless and modern, with lyrics about being "in my golden hour" with your love. Nufusion Productions and Joy Wedding highlight it as a top 2024-2025 first dance choice.
For couples wanting something more intimate, "Skinny Love" by Bon Iver delivers raw emotional power. This 2007 indie folk masterpiece epitomises the stripped-back authenticity that defines the genre. Wedding Forward features it prominently in their folk wedding song recommendations.
Parent Dances
These emotional moments honour the relationships that shaped you both. The music should feel meaningful without being overly sentimental.
Father-Daughter Dance
"Sweet Creature" by Harry Styles offers gentle folk perfection with lyrics about enduring bonds: "Wherever I go, you bring me home." The Knot features this among their top acoustic wedding songs, and its understated beauty works wonderfully for father-daughter moments.
Mother-Son Dance
"Put Your Records On" by Corinne Bailey Rae brings breezy neo-soul with acoustic sensibility. Joy Wedding recommends this track for its warm, nostalgic quality. It conjures hazy summer afternoons and simple joys, making it perfect for honouring maternal relationships.
Reception Dancing and Party Time
Once the formalities end, it's time to fill that dance floor. Boho weddings don't mean subdued energy. They mean authentic celebration with music that keeps guests moving while staying true to your aesthetic.
"Electric Feel" by MGMT delivers psychedelic indie-pop that brings the energy up dramatically. The Bash and Yeah Weddings include this on their boho reception playlists because it maintains alternative credibility while getting everyone dancing. Those slidey synths create a trippy, festival-like atmosphere perfect for bohemian celebrations.
"Little Talks" by Of Monsters and Men showcases Icelandic indie folk with playful energy. The quirky instrumentation and call-and-response vocals create infectious joy that suits the whimsical boho vibe perfectly.
"Feel It Still" by Portugal. The Man brings commercial appeal with genuine indie roots. The "rebels just for kicks" sentiment speaks to free-spirited couples, while the irresistible groove keeps the dance floor packed. Joy Wedding highlights it as perfect for modern bohemian receptions.
"Walking on a Dream" by Empire of the Sun adds Australian dream-pop with ethereal, trippy qualities. A fitting choice for Perth couples wanting to celebrate local talent.
Last Song of the Night
"Cosmic Love" by Florence + The Machine provides a sweeping, nostalgic finale. Florence's powerful vocals build to triumphant heights, creating the perfect emotional crescendo to end your magical evening.
Perth's Perfect Boho Wedding Venues
Western Australia offers stunning locations that naturally complement the bohemian aesthetic.
In the Swan Valley, Chapel Farm Estate enchants with waterfalls, hidden creeks flowing into a private lake, and a rustic barn reception area beneath century-old sugar gum trees. Sittella Winery offers Mediterranean-styled buildings with timber deck verandas overlooking vineyards, while Darlington Estate Winery's recycled jarrah beams and fairy-lit courtyard dance floor have made it one of Perth's most sought-after boho venues.
Along the coast, Coast Port Beach in North Fremantle delivers panoramic ocean views with sand-between-your-toes ceremonies. Kidogo Arthouse at Bathers Beach combines an 1884 heritage limestone building with beach access. Industrial warehouse interiors meet coastal magic.
In the Perth Hills, Core Cider House's sprawling apple orchard surrounded by state forest creates incredibly romantic spring ceremonies. Quarry Farm's 200 acres of rustic hidden beauty has earned consistent praise for its tranquil, bohemian atmosphere.
For urban boho celebrations, Perth City Farm offers a community farm with rustic barn and industrial warehouse-style spaces. Complete creative freedom in the heart of the city. Kings Park's wildflower pavilions provide stunning city and Swan River views amid native bushland.
Why Choose a Live Band?
While a carefully curated playlist has its place, nothing matches the energy and atmosphere of live musicians at a boho wedding. A live band brings the organic, authentic sound that defines the bohemian aesthetic: real instruments, genuine emotion, and the ability to read the room and adjust accordingly.
At VIVID, we specialise in delivering that perfect blend of intimacy and celebration energy that boho weddings demand. We can transform beloved songs like "Ho Hey" into acoustic ceremonies, then build the energy for reception dancing with tracks like "Electric Feel" and "Little Talks". All performed live with the warmth and spontaneity that makes your celebration unique.
Every song in this guide can be adapted for live performance, creating that raw, unpolished beauty that recorded tracks simply cannot replicate. Whether you're exchanging vows among the vines of the Swan Valley or dancing under fairy lights at a Perth Hills winery, live music elevates your bohemian celebration from beautiful to unforgettable.
Ready to Create Your Perfect Boho Soundtrack?
Your wedding music should feel as natural and heartfelt as your love story. VIVID brings the organic warmth, indie authenticity, and celebration energy that bohemian weddings deserve. All performed live by musicians who understand exactly what makes these moments magical.
Contact VIVID today to discuss your boho wedding vision. Let's create a soundtrack as unique as your love story.
Looking for more wedding music inspiration? Stay tuned for our upcoming guides to Rustic Wedding Music, Vintage Jazz Age Playlists, and Modern Minimalist Wedding Soundtracks.
