Planning a festival wedding may seem a bit daunting – there can be a lot to think about and consider. And what about the costs? As a wedding photographer, I’ve had the absolute pleasure of capturing countless festival-style weddings over the years. We also held our own festival style wedding in 2024. I can confidently say – they are some of the most exciting, personality-packed, and visually stunning celebrations out there! I love festivals in general (although I do shiver thinking about my first ever Reading Festival when I was 17. We were totally unprepared!)
There’s something truly special about the energy of a festival wedding. The atmosphere is relaxed and free-spirited, yet behind the scenes, there’s usually a whole lot going on. From handmade bunting that’s taken hours of work, trying to tie in a colour scheme and lots of other logistics on top. These weddings are often bursting with DIY elements and personal touches, with couples putting their heart and soul into making their day feel truly unique. From DIY and wildflower centerpieces to yummy food trucks, I really love all the things that make a festival wedding.
Not only do I love photographing festival weddings, but I also planned my own! So I really do know firsthand just how much work goes into creating that amazing laid-back vibe. While these weddings may look effortlessly fun, they require careful planning, especially if you’re starting with a blank canvas like a field or woodland space. It can be an exciting but overwhelming time if you have just begun planning, so I’ve put together this post with some key points. If you’re considering a festival wedding, here are some things to think about before diving in:
1. Choosing the Perfect Venue
One of the biggest decisions you’ll make is where to host your festival wedding. Unlike traditional venues that come with all the essentials, a festival wedding often takes place in a field, woodland or even a private estate. This gives you total creative freedom, but it also means you’ll need to think about logistics. Some venues are specifically geared towards festival weddings and come with amenities like water access, power and toilet facilities. Others are more of a blank canvas set up, which means you’ll need to bring everything in yourself. You may even be lucky enough to be able to use a family member’s field or farm! This can definitely make things easier.
However if you’re in the same position as we were and need to book a venue, consider:
- Accessibility – Will guests be able to get there easily, and is there enough parking or transport options?
- Accommodation – Can guests camp on-site, or are there nearby hotels or glamping options?
- Noise Restrictions – Some locations have strict curfews, so check if you can party into the early hours.
- Weather Plan – If you’re in the UK, you may want a backup plan in case the heavens open! We all know that Glastonbury can be a rainy weekend, and it can be true to festival style for it to drizzle a bit. Whether that’s umbrellas and going for it outside anyway, or moving into a tent, I recommend having a think about a back up plan!
Tent Companies I can recommend:
If you’re planning a festival wedding and need a tipi in the East of England, I can highly recommend Suffolk Marquees. They supplied the tipi for our own wedding in Suffolk. For South East England, definitely get in touch with Holmsted Events. If you’re thinking of hosting down in Devon and Cornwall, hit up Hatch Marquee Hire. Or if you’re more towards the North, look no further than Shire Tipis.
I also have a comprehensive blog post of my top picks for Best Festival Wedding Venues here! If you’re struggling to find a venue, check out that post.
2. The Practical Side of Things – Toilets, Electricity & More
Festival weddings are magical, but they come with a fair share of practicalities that need to be considered. Unlike a traditional wedding venue with built-in facilities, you’ll need to think about:
- Toilets – Whether you go for luxury loo hire or simple portable toilets, this is a non-negotiable!
- Electricity -You’ll most likely need a generator for lighting, catering, and music.
- Water Supply – If your caterers need running water, make sure it’s available or arrange a water source.
- Lighting – As the sun sets, good lighting is essential. Think festoon lights, fairy lights, and fire pits for ambiance.
- Shelter – Whether it’s a tipi, marquee, or stretch tent, having a covered area ensures your wedding isn’t at the mercy of the weather.
3. It’s a Lot of Work (But Totally Worth It!)
A festival wedding doesn’t usually come with a built-in coordinator like a traditional venue, so be prepared for a lot of organisation. You’ll be responsible for hiring suppliers, setting up, and coordinating the day. You could hire a planner or coordinator, which we did and it was one of the best decisions we made. If you’re a hands-on couple who loves the idea of DIY, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience. However, if the thought of organising everything from scratch feels overwhelming, definitely consider hiring a wedding planner. Or going for a venue who will be more involved and help to support you on the day itself.
4. It’s Not Always Cheaper Than a Traditional Wedding
A common misconception is that festival weddings are a budget-friendly option. While you might be saving on venue hire, costs can quickly add up when you factor in things like marquee hire, toilets, generators and catering. Plus, if you’re going all out with a band, food trucks, or glamping villages, the expenses can rival (or even exceed) a traditional wedding venue. That said, there are plenty of ways to keep costs down. For example, opting for DIY decor and asking people to bring their own tents. Or perhaps choosing a venue that includes key facilities. A food truck is usually cheaper than traditional caterers providing a three course meal. Making sure you factor in those costs such as toilets and a generator, as that was something we personally kept forgetting about which then came as a bit of a surprise closer to the time.
Approx costs (as of 2024):
Having planned our own wedding which we celebrated in 2024, and having worked in the industry for over 12 years, I feel I have some good expertise in costs. And that is one of the main things I struggled with during our planning was getting costs! Hardly anyone had prices on their website. This is what we personally found:
Tipi Hire: Expect to pay around £4500 – £6000 for a three hat tipi. In 2024 we paid approx £2300 for 1 x giant hat tipi including a dance floor and lighting.
Food trucks: Usually between £10-15 per head. For example, we paid approx £1200 for a pizza truck for 100 people in 2024. We considered Fish and Chips as well, although this was a bit more due to the rising cost of fish.
Toilets and Generator: I believe toilets / loos can vary quite a bit in price, depending on how luxury you want the loos to be. We paid approx £650 in 2024. Again, generators can be hard to put a price on as it all depends on how much power you will be needing, but we paid £450 in 2024 for a 30 kva.
Obviously, please do take these above costs with a pinch of salt as it will differ slightly for each supplier and also your needs.
5. You Will Have the BEST Time!
Yes, planning a festival wedding can be a lot of work, but they also offer an experience like no other. Imagine gathering all your favorite people in one place for an entire weekend of celebrating – campfires, music, delicious street food, and a dancefloor under the stars. Unlike a traditional wedding that wraps up in a single day, festival weddings often last a whole weekend, allowing you to really soak up the time with your loved ones. It really is an unforgettable way to celebrate and I have no regrets after having my own festival style wedding as well.
I hope this post helped you with what to expect when planning a festival wedding!
If you love the idea of a wedding that’s all about fun, creativity, and breaking away from tradition, a festival wedding may be the perfect choice for you. You can also check out my other blog post on Festival Wedding Inspiration for ideas here. And if you’re looking for a photographer who truly understands the magic of a festival-style celebration (because I’ve lived it myself and had many a sleepless night over it), I’d love to be part of your big day. You can get in touch here!
