Love a festival wedding? Of course, you want to bring all the festival vibes to your wedding. I mean what’s not to love about live music, relaxed party vibes, the great outdoors and dare I say it, camping!?
But, how do you go about bringing your fave music festival to your day?
Well, buckle in as I am sharing just how to plan your festival wedding theme to perfection. I’ve featured hundreds of festival-inspired nuptials over the years and have seen so many ingenious ideas, which I will be divulging.
I’ll also share some brilliant festival-style venues, entertainment inspiration and decor inspo. Hooray!
Skip To
Festival Wedding Outfit & Style Tips
Wedding Dresses
Guess what? You don’t have to look like you’ve stepped out of Glastonbury on your wedding day. Your wedding dress doesn’t have to be festival themed, instead, consider how you wish to look, what you want to be able to do and feel on the big day.
If your venue is likely to be muddy, think about having a short frock or bringing along wellies. Alternatively, you could go for a relaxed loose fitting gown you can dance away in and feel comfortable. But above all, just go with your gut and your dress will fit into your day perfectly.
Photo: Laura Debourde Photography via Lynsted Park Wedding
Festival wedding dress tips:
- Add a flower crown
- Wear bridal separates
- Don sunglasses
- Try alternative fabrics
- Wear wellies
- Go short
- Choose loose-fitting styles
- Bring boho vibes
- Team your dress with sequin accessories
- Don’t worry about muddy hems!
Photo: Emma Barrow Photography via Wonwood Barton Wedding
Wedding Suits
Wedding suits can still be formal at a festival wedding, but you may prefer to have a more casual vibe. There are lots of ways to achieve this, think mix and match, cool accessories and open collars!
Photo: Heather Sham via Campervan Wedding Ideas
Festival wedding suit tips:
- Try an open collar, neckerchief or bow tie
- Mix and match suit pieces by colour and fabric
- Add badges, lapel pins or alternative buttonholes
- Swap shoes for trainers (or wellies)
- Forget suit jackets and wear braces
- Choose tweed or linen fabrics
- Consider shorts over trousers
- Pop on a waistcoat for extra layers
- Wear a hat
Photo: Melissa Beattie via Healey Barn Wedding
Have An Outfit Change!
If you want to go more formal for day time, why not have the ultimate festival outfit come evening?!
Photo: Teddy Pig Photography via Yoghurt Rooms Wedding
Don’t Forget Your Hair-Do
Incorporate plaits, flowers, beach waves and accessories for a festival-cool hairstyle.
Photo: Eloise & Mitch via Park Wedding Ideas Hair: Lynnette Chasmer Bridal Hairstylist
Wear Hats
Come evening, switch up your style easily with an embellished hat (or two).
Photo: Lex Fleming Photo via Disco Wedding Ideas Hats: Ripple and Flip
Flower Crowns All Round
Kit out the whole wedding party in boho-style flower crowns. Or make your own flower crown station for guests to get involved in the action.
Photo: Kevin Fern Photography via Outside Inside Wedding
Your Festival Wedding Venue
UK Festival Wedding Venues
Here are some cool festival wedding venues which I’ve recently featured:
Head Outdoors
If you can try to host your wedding ceremony and reception in the great outdoors. You could have a woodland ceremony, tipi reception or alfresco dancing. Just be sure to have a plan b in case the weather gives you any issues on the day.
Photo: Maddie Farris Photography via Yorkshire Village Hall Wedding
Craft Your Dream Ceremony
For a really personalised ceremony consider a humanist or celebrant-led ceremony. There are lots of ceremony rituals which could suit your relationship. Many outdoor ceremonies may not be legal, but you can make it official on another day.
Photo: Sherri OMalley Photography via Aircraft Hangar Wedding
Festival Wedding Decoration Ideas
Create Your Own Lanyards
Instead of invites, create festival-inspired lanyards. They will really set the tone.
Photo: Lynsey Grace Photography via Orange Blue Festival Wedding
Give Out Wristband Favours
For festival wedding favours, how about wristbands as the perfect keepsake?
Photo: LifeLine Photography
Choose Bright Wildflowers
Imagine skipping through the Glastonbury meadows and scooping up flowers. This is just how to bring festival flowers to your nuptials! Of course, you could go for dried flowers, greenery or any other bloom that suits you too.
Photo: Peter Mackey Photography via Colourful Stretch Tent Wedding Flowers: The Posy Barn
Take Inspo From The Retro Era
Go back to festivals of old and draw inspiration from the 70s with retro design and colours.
Photo: Till Death Do We Adventure via 70s Elopement Ideas Invitations: Peach Wolfe Paper Co.
Put Up Flags
Is it even a festival without flags?! Erect cool festival flags so guests get in the festival mood on arrival.
Photo: Robin Studios Photography via Big Top Farm Party Wedding
Make DIY Giant Festival Letters
Make your own festival letters from wood! Come up with your own festival name and greet guests in style.
Emma and Rich via Colourful Festival Party Wedding
Don’t Forget The Festival Wedding Cake
For a festival touch, add nods to your wedding theme in your cake. You could:
- Add fun toppers
- Choose bold colours
- Incorporate music
- Recreate a festival scene
- Focus on flavour
- Make a stand-out cake table
Photo: Emma B Photography via Spring Cottage Rivington Wedding
Create A Festival-Inspired Table Plan
You could create an iconic festival poster as a table plan or simply name your tables after stages.
Photo: James Green Photographer via Whimsical Countryside Yurt Wedding
Point Guests In The Right Direction
Use signposts to direct guests around your festival wedding, or create a line-up of the festivities.
Photo: Laura Debourde Photography via Lynsted Park Wedding
Use Vinyl Records For Centrepieces
Incorporate your love of music with cool records in your wedding decor.
Photo: Alexandra Jane Photography via Notley Abbey Wedding
Festival Wedding Entertainment Inspiration
Hire Food Trucks & Trailer Bars
Imagine your favourite festival and recreate the scene with an airstream bar or food truck street food. Yum!
Photo: AW Wedding Photography via Tiki Wedding Bar: The Buffalo Bar
It’s All About The Music
Music is the central focus of any festival wedding. Ensure you craft a bespoke playlist or hire live musicians to really bring your day to life.
For the ultimate line-up? Create a whole host of live acts to wow your guests right up until the final encore.
Photo: Lola Rose Photography via Banquets Bonfires Autumn Wedding Ideas
Dance Like Nobody’s Watching
Ensure your dancefloor moment is special. Sparklers, confetti, smoke, fireworks, lighting and an epic setting to kick off the party. Don’t forget the special first dance song either.
Photo: Anna Pumer Photography via Rave Tipi Wedding
Make A Glitter Makeup Station
Add extra sparkle to the evening party with glitter makeup of course!
Photo: Rebecca Carpenter Photography via Boho Beach Elopement Glitter Bar: Vintage Camper Booths
Involve Animals & Pets
Check with your venue if you are able to bring along your dog, pet or fave animals.
Photo: Megan Duffield via Meadows Norfolk Wedding
Get Stuck In No Matter The Weather
Festivals are all about celebrating what is. Mud, wind, and rain, all make a festival all the more special. The same goes for weddings. Embrace the weather, go for muddy portraits, dance in the rain and enjoy whatever the forecast brings.
Photo: Thyme Lane Photography via Horsley Hale Farm Wedding
Set Up Glamping For Guests
Create your own camping village with bell tents. Continue the celebrations until the early hours, followed by a hearty breakfast the following day. The perfect option to regroup and reminisce.
Photos: Scott Carney Photography via Festival Yurt Wedding Ideas Yurt & Bell Tents: North Sky Yurts
Hire Funfair Rides
Does it get any more fun than funfair rides? Yes, you can create your own fairground at your wedding.
Photo: Thyme Lane Photography via Funfair Festival Wedding
Create A Magical Evening Atmosphere
Bonfires, fireworks, firepits and sparklers all make the most of the dark evening and make for fantastic wedding photos.
Photo: Novella Photography via Wedding In Vermont
Book A Headliner Act
Go bold or go home and hire a real showstopper act, such as this awesome robot flame thrower! Entertainment acts don’t just have to include music, also consider these ideas:
- Dancers
- Circus Acts
- Photo Booths
- Artists
- Fortune Tellers
- Magicians
- Arcade Games
Photo: Daniel Lightening Photography via Farmyard Wedding Robot: PFP Productions
Festival Wedding FAQ
What Is A Festival Wedding?
A festival wedding takes inspiration from music festivals. They can include live entertainment, outdoor venues, food trucks, bohemian style and a lot of fun!
Can I Create A Festival Wedding On A Budget?
Yes, you can plan a festival wedding on a budget! First off, find an inexpensive venue, you could look to rent a field or village hall with green space. Hire a simple marquee, ask loved ones to perform and craft your own decorations. Think outside of the box to achieve your dream wedding at a smaller cost.
And that’s a wrap! All the ideas you need to plan your festival wedding of dreams. Yes!
