1. Weddings under canvas
No wedding venue says festival better than a tipi. Open-sided styles are best in summer, giving you glorious country views and lots of opportunity to string up twinkly lights around the perimeter. Yurts and marquees offer a similar look.
Image courtesy of Jordanna Marston Photography
2. Light it up
You could fill the ceiling with lanterns or hang metres of festoon lights - anything that creates that warm glow at sunset.
Don’t forget your lighting for after dark too. Bring coloured uplighters into the mix to surround the dance floor and create a festival experience.
Image courtesy of Rebecca Goddard Photography
3. New heights
Floral chandeliers may be more fairy-tale than festival, but greenery garlands and ribbon hoops will instantly add a rock and roll twist to a chandelier.
Suspend them from the ceilings in barns or the central apex of a tipi or yurt. Your guests will be impressed!
Image courtesy of Shane Shepherd Photography
4. Boho bridal
Airy tulle, appliqué flowers or laid-back satin - there are lots of ways to work a festival bridal look.
Keep an eye out for new collections from the likes of Jenny Packham, Grace Loves Lace and Lilian West for dreamy festival-worthy designs.
Image courtesy of Grace Loves Lace
5. Outdoor vows
If there’s one wardrobe choice festivals bring to mind, it’s wellington boots. You’ll spend the weekend outside come rain or shine, so why not say your vows outdoors too?
We’re not suggesting you stick to the plan even in pouring rain, but choosing a venue that caters for ceremonies inside and out will be perfectly suited to you.
Image courtesy of Summer Lily Studio
6. Book a band
What festival would be complete without a host of epic acts taking to the stage? Create your own custom line-up of entertainment, encompassing everything from a coconut shy to a live band, to give your guests an action-packed experience to remember.
Image courtesy of Wandering Wings
7. Truck in
Hog roasts, hot dogs and nachos are hallmarks of the festival experience. Create an equally delicious foodie vibe at your wedding by booking one or two food trucks. This could form your main wedding breakfast or add excitement to your evening menu.
Image courtesy of Adam Lowndes Photography
8. Keep dreaming
Whether you suspend dreamcatchers from a ceremony arch or hang them from the backs of chairs, these beautifully woven items are picture-perfect decorations for festival wedding ideas.
Image courtesy of A Touch of Whimsyful
9. Drink up
Upcycle a vintage metal tub for bottled cider, create a pallet bar of beer kegs or fill Kilner dispensers with cocktails – serve-yourself drinks will get the celebrations started in style.
Image courtesy of Andrew Gale Photography
10. Wild side
Choosing flowers to suit your festival wedding ideas can feel like a challenge. Perfectly formed tulips or tightly packed roses can feel worlds away from your laid-back, fun-loving style. But there are flowers out there to complete your look!
Try architectural fronds of pampas grass for larger floral installations, choosing sunflowers (they come in more colours than just yellow!) and plenty of foliage for relaxed, hand-tied bouquets.
Image courtesy of Ashtyn Brooke Photo
11. Festival scene
Create the feeling of a boho festival in miniature by setting the scene for your first dance. Roll out a rug, string up fairy lights and invite your guests out under the stars as the music begins...
Image courtesy of Aaron and Whitney
12. Bowtie and braces
Spruce up a shirt and pair of shorts with a bow tie and braces to create a low-key but stylish look, perfect for a festival theme wedding.
Image courtesy of Jessica Grace Photography
13. Love lace
Long lace table runners will instantly add a bohemian wedding feel, completing your theme beautifully. Use them to dress long trestle tables.
Image courtesy of Carrie King Photographer
14. Please be seated
...wherever you’d like! This won’t work for every wedding but one instant way to add a sociable, festival-inspired atmosphere at your reception is to ditch the seating plan.
Instead, your guests can take a seat anywhere and everywhere, encouraging them to mix, mingle and move about.
Image courtesy of Laura Nelson Photography
15. Bonfire bounty
Lots of venues will have a fire pit or bonfire area for you to use. Why not have the fire lit just after your first dance, giving people a place to congregate when they need a break from the dance floor? Even better if there are marshmallows and other fireside treats!
Image courtesy of Darina Stoda Photography
16. Sparkler style
A lot of the fun of festivals happens after dark, which makes fireworks a match made in heaven. Go big with a grand display or keep things casual with a sparkler send-off, the choice is yours.
Image courtesy of ENV Photography
17. Bell tents
Camping, but with a luxury twist! As a final nod to festival wedding ideas, ask your venue if you can book bell tents for you and your guests to glamp in overnight.
Image courtesy of Baylily Bell Tents
Ready to take the next step planning your festival wedding? Set the scene at one of these dream outdoor wedding venues.
