How to create a festival wedding ⋆ festival wedding inspiration ⋆

Who doesn’t LOVE a festival wedding? It offers such vibrancy and colour whilst at the same time being relaxed and chilled.

Seb and I both love going to music festivals (the picture to the left is from the Big Feastival the other year (we’ve done Glastonbury too!) – i love the festoon lights, helter skelter and tassel garlands).

It’s really time to let your hair down and enjoy spending time with friends and family, whilst listening to some amazing music. Of course the weather can sometimes put a dampener on things but that can be worked around (get out the wellies!). And festivals are child friendly too so for those of you inviting littles ones there will be plenty to keep them occupied.

I think the reason I also love this theme so much is that it gives the opportunity to make a weekend of your wedding as opposed to just one day. Why spend all that time planning for just one day! I say make it 2, or even 3 over a bank holiday weekend. Sometimes it’s a rare occasion when you’ll have all your friends and family around you so make the most of it!

So here are my best hints and tips. Good luck with planning your festival wedding!

TOP FESTIVAL WEDDING TIPS

How to nail a festival wedding

It's all about the theme

From start to finish, save the dates to On the Day - go festival crazy throughout

Go crazy on entertainment

Whatever you fancy, book it! Wedding Photobooths to Prosecco Bars. Live Bands to Food trucks.

Mix it up

There is no set recipe. Mix it up however you both like it. Include your favourite things just like M&R's real festival wedding day.

Embrace the festival wedding theme

Any theme starts with the save the date, or invitation (depending on which comes first!). Consider sending out lanyards or wristbands.
Make sure your theme is consistent throughout – so as well as invitations, make sure your menu, table plans and favours are all festival themed. Choose your favourite colours and use this to bring everything together.
Finishing touches – wellington boot stands to dry the wellies out after a shower, toilet facilities and sun cream station.
Garlands & Flags! You need lots of them! Paper tassels or bunting. Make it yourself or buy it in. Either way the mixture of different colours will make a statement.
Lighting – festoon lights look great for a festival theme, especially to light up walkways between the various facilities
Be imaginative with your seating arrangements – don’t be afraid to mix it up. Consider using haybales with matching rugs to create relaxed seating. The rugs can double up at night time to keep people warm.

Go crazy on wedding entertainment and food trucks

Food? Bring in food vans for a true festival feel – from traditional fish and chips to rustic pizza vans. They are fabulous idea for your evening buffet. You could even do picnic baskets.
Live music is a must! Everything from a band as your main act to an acoustic guitarist for those quieter moments.
On the day (or weekend) make sure there are plenty of different things to keep people occupied.
- Arrange children’s activities such as face painting or even a puppet show. For the adults get a temporary tattoo station.
- Get your florist at the wedding creating bespoke flower garlands.
- A silent disco at the end of the night can take you into the small hours.
- Stilt walkers and fire eaters can add a touch of carnival.
- Sometimes the old fashioned ones are the best, for example, giant Jenga or hula hoops.

Mix it up - Add in all the things you LOVE!

Drinks? A festival wedding would be incomplete without a PIMMS station. Wheelbarrows filled with ice and bottled drinks looks great. Real ale is another must – consider bring in personalised kegs of beer from your favourite local brewery. And if you are really going to go mad – you can actually hire a bar in the middle of a traditional carousel!
For favours the world is your oyster! Glowsticks can be brilliant and provide a fantastic ambience for later in the evening. Personalised festival t-shirts or rain ponchos. Flower garlands or flip flops for tired feet. Wellington boots if you have the budget.
Tipi tents are fantastic for this theme. They are a blank canvas to fill with banquet tables, colourful hanging lanterns and decadent flowers. And if you have space to allow overnight camping all the better