Festival-Inspired Weddings: Creating a Laid-Back Celebration with Live Music and Rustic Charm
Festival-style weddings are a beautiful option for couples seeking a relaxed, expressive, and unforgettable celebration. With influences from bohemian festivals, indie music, and nature-led styling, this approach offers a creative alternative to traditional weddings.
Whether you're picturing a tipi beneath the stars or a weekend-long celebration full of colour and character, festival weddings allow you to craft a day that feels wholly personal.
Setting the Scene: Choosing the Right Venue
The venue sets the tone for a festival wedding. Think open countryside, woodlands, or private estates with space to spread out and relax.
Tipis and marquees are ideal for this style—charming, weather-friendly, and visually stunning. To take it further, glamping areas with bell tents or yurts add an adventurous, boho twist.
At the Heart of the Celebration: Live Music & Entertainment
Live music is essential for capturing that unmistakable festival energy. Whether it’s an acoustic duo, folk band, or high-energy set, live performances bring emotion and atmosphere.
Create a simple stage area with festoon lighting and wildflowers, and consider extras like tarot tents, roaming performers, or a silent disco for late-night fun.
The Ceremony: Relaxed, Personal, and Outdoors
Festival-style ceremonies lean into informality. Couples often opt for personal vows, handfasting rituals, or circular seating arrangements in scenic outdoor spots.
Hay bales, floor cushions, and wooden benches suit the setting, while documentary-style photography captures honest, unscripted moments.
A Feast for the Senses: Festival-Style Food & Drink
Dining is communal and casual. Think food trucks, sharing platters, and grazing tables, perfect for sociable meals under the stars.
Offer drinks from cocktail stations, craft beer bars, or a prosecco van for a quirky touch that fits the aesthetic beautifully.
Styling & Décor: Rustic, Playful, and Personal
Decorations are bold, creative, and personal. Use bunting, draped fabrics, and fairy lights to create atmosphere. Incorporate wildflowers, potted plants, and dried bouquets for an organic touch.
Add interactivity with DIY flower crown stations, photo walls, or message boards, and guide guests with chalkboard signage or wooden pallets.
Keeping the Celebration Going: After-Dark Fun
Festival weddings are known for their long celebrations. Create a firepit area for acoustic singalongs or marshmallow roasting, or keep the party going with a silent disco—ideal for noise-sensitive venues.
Why Choose a Festival-Inspired Wedding?
Festival weddings celebrate freedom, connection, and creativity. They're less about following tradition and more about reflecting your shared story, your style, and the things you love most.
Whether you're planning a full weekend festival or simply want to bring a touch of that carefree magic to your day, this approach offers a memorable, meaningful way to say “I do.”