Planning A Festival Wedding: A Step-By-Step Guide

Planning a festival wedding is all about creating a relaxed atmosphere and keeping everything in theme. From the invitations to the decor, it's important to maintain a natural, wild feel. This could mean sending invitations in the style of concert tickets, filling the ceremony room with hay bales and wildflowers, and encouraging guests to wear comfortable, boho clothing. It's also a good idea to plan ahead for guests by providing a checklist of essentials, such as layers for changing weather, camping gear, and sensible footwear.

Dress code: boho, floaty, colourful, flat shoes, and layers

When it comes to dress code, a festival wedding is all about comfort and embracing the relaxed vibe. Think boho, floaty, and colourful. You could even opt for a glittery flat shoe to add a touch of glamour while navigating uneven terrain with ease.

For your guests, it's a good idea to provide a checklist of essentials, including layers for changing weather, sensible footwear, and camping gear if they'll be staying on-site. This will ensure they're prepared and can fully enjoy the festival experience.

Encourage your guests to embrace their personal style and choose outfits that make them feel comfortable and confident. Whether it's a flowy dress, a colourful ensemble, or a boho-inspired look, the key is to keep it fun and festival-appropriate.

If you're having a field-based wedding, consider ordering bridal wellies for a unique touch. And don't forget to mention any unique features, like a Portaloo, so your guests can plan accordingly!

Invitations: design them like concert tickets

Planning a festival wedding means keeping every element of the day relaxed and in theme. This includes the invitations, which could be designed like concert tickets. This is a fun and creative way to get your guests excited about your big day.

To design your invitations, start by choosing a colour scheme that reflects your festival theme. You could use bright, vibrant colours or go for a more rustic look with earth tones. Include graphics or illustrations that represent your festival wedding, such as musical notes, flowers, or a silhouette of a couple dancing.

The text on the invitation can be playful and creative, while still conveying the important information. Include the date, time, and location of the wedding, as well as any other relevant details such as dress code or camping information. You could even include a fun tagline or slogan that captures the spirit of your festival wedding.

When it comes to the format, concert ticket invitations can be designed in a variety of ways. You could opt for a traditional rectangular shape or go for a more unique shape, such as a circle or a ticket stub. Consider using perforated paper to give the invitations a realistic feel.

To add a special touch, you can include festival-themed extras with the invitations. This could be a small bag of confetti, a personalised wristband, or even a mini programme or schedule for the day. These additions will get your guests even more excited about attending your festival wedding.

Venue: licensed barns, quirky country houses, or fields

When it comes to choosing a venue for your festival wedding, there are a few options to consider. Licensed barns and quirky country houses work well, especially if you can set up your festival-style reception at the same site. This means you can fill the ceremony room with hay bales and wildflowers, and book musicians to serenade you as you walk down the aisle. If you're looking for something a little more outdoors, a field might be the perfect choice. Just be sure to let your guests know in advance so they can come prepared with sensible footwear and layers to suit the weather. You could even order bridal wellies to add a touch of glamour to your festival look.

When it comes to decorations, keep things natural and wild. Flowers and props should reflect the festival theme, and you can even use a celebrant to personalise the wedding ceremony. If you're having a reception, consider setting up a Tipi and getting your friends involved in the process. This will create a relaxed and fun atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.

To make your festival wedding truly unique, think about introducing some quirky elements. For example, you could have musicians perform during the ceremony or even have a pre-wedding party to get everyone in the festival spirit. Simple wedding signs can also be a fun way to direct your guests and add a touch of personality to your big day.

No matter which venue you choose, the key to a successful festival wedding is to keep things relaxed and in theme. This includes everything from the invitations, which could be styled like concert tickets, to the dress code, which should be comfortable and reflect your personal style. So whether you're saying "I do" in a barn, a country house, or a field, your festival wedding is sure to be an unforgettable celebration.

Decor: hay bales, wildflowers, and natural props

When it comes to decor, you can't go wrong with hay bales, wildflowers, and natural props for a festival wedding. Licensed barn venues and quirky country houses are ideal for this theme, especially if you can set up your festival-style reception on-site. Fill the ceremony room with hay bales and wildflowers to create a relaxed and rustic atmosphere. You can also use hay bales as seating for your guests during the ceremony or reception.

To add a touch of whimsy, consider using wildflowers in your bridal bouquet and as centrepieces for the tables. You can even create a flower crown for the bride and bridesmaids to wear. If you're feeling crafty, make your own wildflower arrangements by foraging for flowers in fields or woodlands. Alternatively, support local florists by ordering wildflower bouquets and centrepieces.

For natural props, think about using items like tree stumps as tables or decor. You can also hang fairy lights or lanterns from trees to create a magical atmosphere. If you want to add a personal touch, create handmade signs with natural materials like wood or twine to direct your guests or display meaningful quotes.

Remember to keep the overall look relaxed and in theme. Even your invitations can reflect the festival vibe, perhaps designed to look like concert tickets. Encourage your guests to embrace the festival spirit by suggesting comfortable and boho attire. This will ensure everyone feels at ease and enjoys the celebration to the fullest.

Entertainment: musicians, and wedding signs

Planning a festival wedding means keeping every element of the day relaxed and in theme. This includes the entertainment and the wedding signs.

For entertainment, you could book musicians to serenade you as you walk down the aisle. You could also have a pre-wedding party and a family brunch or BBQ the day after. If you want to keep your guests entertained, you could also consider providing a checklist of essentials, including camping essentials and sensible footwear.

For wedding signs, keep them simple and use them to point guests in the right direction. You could also use signs to share your plans with your guests in advance so they know what to expect. For example, if you'll be hiring a Portaloo, or if they should bring layers to put on or take off according to the weather.

Frequently asked questions