I’m here to share with you today all of my festival wedding ideas! I absolutely love festival weddings, after photographing many over the years and especially after hosting our own. They’re a perfect way to celebrate your wedding in a fun, relaxed, and unforgettable way. Whether you’re creating your own mini-Glastonbury or just adding a few festival inspired touches, here are some ideas to bring the vibe to life.
1. Live Music & Entertainment
A festival isn’t complete without live music, and your wedding shouldn’t be either! Hiring a band to perform live sets will bring some fab energy. Consider:
- Outdoor Sets – A live band playing as the sun sets creates an unforgettable atmosphere
- A Ceilidh – A ceilidh is a fantastic way to get everyone up and dancing, especially if held outdoors
- Acoustic Performances – A chilled acoustic set during the drinks reception adds a relaxed vibe
- Silent Disco – Keep the party going into the night without worrying about noise restrictions. We did this at our festival wedding and it was a hit!
We had The Brass Funkeys at our wedding who were fabulous. I can also highly recommend The Indie Killers, Karizma, and The Function Band.
2. Festival Flags & Festival Decor
Large festival-style flags are a fantastic way to give your wedding day the instant festival look. You can line the entrance with tall, fluttering flags, or use them to frame your ceremony space or tipi.
- Bright and colourful festival flags really bring the festival vibe
- A festival ticket invite is a fun way to introduce your wedding and theme
- Bunting, fairy lights, and lanterns as your lighting can really add to the feel
3. Glitter, Tattoos & Fun Outfits
Festivals are all about self-expression, so encourage guests to embrace the fun! Set up a glitter bar where guests can get festival-style face glitter or biodegradable glitter tattoos. Other fun ideas include:
- Temporary Tattoo Stations – Have custom tattoos made with your wedding logo, initials or various illustrations
- Dress Code: Festival Vibes – Encourage guests to wear bright and playful clothing to really bring the wedding to life. I absolutely love Rosa Bloom for stunning festival wear!
4. Food Trucks & Festival Feasting
Food trucks are a fab alternative to traditional catering and fit perfectly with the festival theme. Instead of a formal sit-down meal, why not offer guests:
- Wood-fired pizza for a relaxed, sociable dining experience
- Fish and chips, burgers, or tacos for a street food feel
- Crepes, waffles, or ice cream for a fun dessert station
- Coffee vans & cocktail bars to keep guests refreshed throughout the night
We had Taste of Naples Pizzeria at our wedding whose pizzas were incredibly delicious. I can also highly recommend KK Catering for your food truck needs. Plus The Old Manor House Bakery for their yummy crepe van and The Sundae Cycle for ice cream!
5. Chill-Out Seating Areas
Give guests a place to chill and soak in the atmosphere with comfy seating areas. Some ideas:
- Boho lounge areas with floor cushions, rugs, and low tables
- Tipis or stretch tents for shaded spots to chill during the day
- Hammocks and deck chairs to create the laid-back festival vibe
6. Injecting Colour
One of my favourite festival wedding ideas! We usually associate festivals with colour, and it’s a great way to inject personality into your wedding. You can add colour through:
- Decor such as bunting, ribbons, and table runners
- Floral elements like bright bouquets, flower crowns, and wildflower arrangements
- Smoke bombs in a mix of colours can be a fun photo opportunity
- Confetti in bold, vibrant shades to make your photos pop. I highly recommend Proper Confetti for colourful confetti which floats and photographs amazingly!
7. Making it a ‘Weekender’ & Camping
Extend the celebration by turning your festival wedding into a full weekend! Encourage guests to camp and enjoy a longer, more immersive celebration. Think about:
- Bell tents or glamping pods for a stylish camping experience.
- Bonfires & late-night entertainment to keep the fun going.
- Breakfast sarnies or brunch the next morning to round off the weekend perfectly!
8. Fire Pits & Marshmallows
One of the best parts of a festival is being able to sit around a fire, chat with friends, and enjoy the atmosphere. Creating cozy chill-out areas with fire pits and marshmallow toasting stations is always a hit! You could have:
- Hay bales and blankets for a rustic and comfortable seating area
- Acoustic singalongs around the fire for a magical end to the night
- S’mores stations for a delicious late-night treat
I hope this post has given you some festival wedding ideas and exciting inspiration!
Festival weddings are all about bringing people together, embracing creativity, and having an unforgettable celebration. Whether you go all out with a weekend-long festival wedding or just add a few of these fun touches, I hope these ideas gave you a bit of inspiration!
If you’re looking for more festival wedding inspiration, check out my post on The Best Festival Wedding Venues in the UK here. Another great post is My Ultimate Guide to Planning a Festival wedding here. Or if you’re looking for a photographer who has a big love festival weddings, please get in touch here!
