How to plan
a festival wedding
Festival season is now in full swing! And we LOVE a good festival here at Unconventional Wedding HQ. Whether it’s the awesomeness of Glastonbury or the discovery of new music at smaller festivals, we always have a fabulous time at them! So why not have a festival themed, outdoor wedding? It’s certainly a popular choice. Relaxed, fun and you can mix it up however you want really.
If you want to know how to plan a festival wedding check out our top tips below. From Celebrants to Funky Street Food Trucks, we are just in love!
Think weekend not a day
Most festivals are over a weekend so why not have a wedding weekend instead of a wedding day?! After all you’ll be paying for the set up so make the most of it. Most tipi’s or marquees get put up a couple of days before your wedding so there is nothing to stop you using them before or after.
Our top tips for your wedding weekend
- Set up a glamping village for all your family and friends to stay over in (you don’t want them travelling back and forwards after all)
- Add a hot tub to your glamping village for that extra wow factor! You can party on late into the night with a glass of chilled fizz in hand
- Have a wedding pre-party and get your friends to help set up your Tipi at the same time
- Plan a family brunch or BBQ for the day after your outdoor wedding
Think Venue
Fun Marquees
Why not look for an alternative outdoor space like a tipi or fun marquee. Nothing says festival more than tents!
Becky from Foxglove and Black says “For a summer festival vibe, a tepee venue looks amazing dressed with brightly coloured flowers, candlesticks & glassware. And what fun festival wedding is complete without disco balls?!!”
Outdoor spaces
It’s also good to use different tents for different things. Why not have a chill out tent complete with fire pit and comfy chairs. You can also have a raving disco tent for the wild at heart. Or a silent disco tent so you can continue partying into the wee hours beyond the noise curfew!
Cool Festival style
Set the vibe with flags, lanyards, wrist bands, signs, live music, photobooths, face painting and flower garlands. Use the outside space for photobooths, mini golf or even an ice cream van!
Becky from Foxglove and Black says: “Think outside of the box when it comes to your décor and use gig posters to decorate your venue!” and “Use vinyl’s and LOTS of them! Either incorporated into your floral arrangements, used for a table plan or as place settings – there are so many possibilities to show off your love of music!”
Not into colour? No worries. Festival weddings area vibe – not just decor.
Chloë from The Copper Cacti says “a festival wedding doesn’t need to be multicoloured and bright, it can be themed to something that speaks to you as a couple. It’s more about the atmosphere, creating a fun, outdoorsy vibe that brings together nature and your passions and loves!
set the tone from the start
Invitations are the perfect way to let your guest know in advance of what to expect.
Becky from Fox and Black suggests: “If you love a festival, why not do something a bit different with your wedding invitations and have them designed like tickets?! You could even have a perforated section for the RSVP!”
Share your plans with your guests in advance so they know what to expect. There’s nothing worse that wearing your best Jimmy Choo’s and not having heel stoppers to stop you sinking into the grass in a field. Or coming in your best summer dress and forgetting about the chill of English summer evenings.
Outdoor ceremony
Going along with the relaxed feel get yourself a celebrant to do your service. It’s always good to start the day how you mean to go on and set the theme for the rest of your weekend.
Yes, you must tick off the formalities the day before (or after), but they give you so much more flexibility. You can have your outdoor ceremony in a field, farm, woodland … pretty much anywhere. You can find out more about celebrant lead ceremonies in our blog:
Feasting ideas
There is such a wide choice of food trucks nowadays you can pretty much get anything. How about milkshake shacks, waffles, mexican street food, loaded fries, alcoholic ice cream (such as Tipsy Cow Ice Cream) or churros stalls? Whatever your favourite foods you are bound to find a food truck to match! You won’t be stuck to a rigid food service and the day will flow far much better. And, if Auntie Annie doesn’t approve, do a formal afternoon meal (you can even go half way house with sharing platters) and go for food trucks in the evening. Perfect! Don’t forget the outside bar too!
bring the FUN
When we think of festivals we thing of fun. Why not hire a bouncy castle, fair ground rides or traditional fairground games like coconut shys? Or bring in stilt walkers, magicians or even fire breathing acts to wow your guests? Ideally you want to keep your guests entertained and allow them to get into the relaxed Festival vibe.
Toni from Toni Searle Beauty says: “Never doubt hiring a glitter artist or having a glitter bar for your wedding. The perfect compliment for festival vibes, it really is something that everyone loves – you’ll be surprised at which of your guests will go for it! Designs can be big or small and there’s something for everyone. Plus it will enhance those photobooth photos and is just so much fun!”
Why not check out the entertainment section of our directory?
